Suzan Park
Life Reporter
Ever since Oprah Winfrey revealed that 85 per cent of women are wearing the wrong bra size, women are becoming more aware of their breasts.
Nancy Stinson, a salesperson who specializes in bra fittings at Hers in Bloor West Village has seen it all in her 13 years of experience.
“I can put my hands on six 34 B’s and every one will fit differently,” she said.
Stinson said she sees too many women coming into her boutique wearing the wrong size bra.
“You see women wear bras that are too tight through the back,” Stinson said. “It causes rolls and red marks.”
She said about 100 pieces make up a well-constructed bra and that every woman needs to consider her body shape and that she is likely to have asymmetrical breasts.
“So you need to establish a rapport with customers to discuss their needs,” she said.
Bras have two main components: cup size and band size.
Cup sizes range from small A cups to G’s, and many women guess their size incorrectly.
“Go into a small, private boutique and get fitted,” Stinson said.
Not only do women have to consider size, but make, colour, style and general sex appeal is also important.
“Women should own about six bras,” she said. “You need two nude bras, at least one black, a strapless and a couple lacy bras.”
Stinson said what is known as the softly padded, “everyday bra” should not be worn every day.
“There will be too much wear on the bra.”
Emanjit Singh, a first-year ECE student said she has never been properly fitted.
She said she tries bras on at popular lingerie boutiques and, “takes bra shopping seriously.
“I have three different sizes (of bras) in my drawer,” Singh said. “It depends on the company.”
Nancy Stinson’s tips for buying the best bra
- Get measured frequently since a few extra pounds make a huge difference.
- Wash your bras in a mesh laundry bag and never machine dry.
- Cleavage can be created naturally for the petite lady by wearing a demi cup bra, which supports the lower and exposes the upper breast.
- If your bra band rides up in the back, then go a size smaller.
- The centre of your bra should fit flatly between your breasts.