What is the Bra Sense personal fit?

The Bra Sense Personal Fit

Why are we always being told that 70-90% of women are wearing the wrong bra size? Is it true?  Or is it something that we read and hear and then ignore, because it’s been repeated so many times. Why hasn’t anybody really done anything about it?  These were the questions that set me off on a trail that has resulted in my company, Bra Sense, offering unique and innovative ways to answer and solve the problem of how to get the right bra, in the right size, for the right occasion, for every woman in every size.

We have always been led to believe that with bras, size is the most important factor. This is the thing that we focus on.  That is what is fundamentally wrong. There is no such thing as ‘your bra size’. There is you, you’re body form and natural shape, your preferences, the right styles for you and after all that, the right model and style in your size that’s right for the occasion. Bra Sizes are a superficial interpretation of a general sizing guide, but we aren’t general. For instance, like clothes and shoes, one Size 10 dress or one Size 6 shoe or one Size 34DD bra is just one manufacturer’s or retailer’s version of what that means. But we aren’t mannequins – we are individual. We just aren’t a size – we’re an individual.

Therefore, what we at Bra Sense understand, explain and help you to do, is recognise your body form, natural shape, preferences, and the right styles and models for you as an individual; after all that, we know the right size for you, the person that you are.

Once you check what you are looking for the bra to achieve, you can recognise the shape of your bust and the shape of the bra required and the look you are seeking. Once you have these, size is the remaining point. Bra designs and cup styles must suit the shape of the bust and not change it. This is why shape rather than size is important. The Bra Sense personal fit is all about you and the right bra for you.

Our fitting service is essentially based on the individual and their true body form, which remains a part of us from youth, and we can’t and shouldn’t try to change it. This includes build and proportion from the shoulders, through to bust, waist and hips. This is critical because it is the body form upon which a bra becomes the foundation garment for any outfit – giving a clean proportionate shapely profile. This unique formula is then cross referenced to our database of brands, styles and models that we stock from around the world which will match the individual size and body form. Whether an everyday bra, a T-shirt Bra or a strapless bra for that evening dress – the shape and therefore size match is accurate and individual.

We match the customer and their fashion preferences to the right style, design and model of bra and underwear shape for them in their correct size, which for 8 out of 10 customers is at least one size smaller than they actually thought they were. Putting the bust back into its correct position and proportions for an individual inevitably leads to a more shapely, smooth, contoured profile which reduces the required dress size, because it actually matches the proportions that fashion designers and therefore their sizes, expect. This means you don’t have to go one size bigger or avoid certain styles because of bulges and curves that just needn’t be there.

The Bra Sense personal fit consultation and report for clients costs just £35.00 which includes a £10.00 voucher, backed up by our superb ranges and our personal fit report.

Fittings are held across the UK throughout the year. For more information please do email sara@brasense.co.uk or call 0845 094 2827 for information about dates in your area.

To bra or not to bra …………. that is the question!

We’re used to reading ‘what’s my size’ or ‘70% of us are wearing the wrong sized bra’ but we’re now being faced with research suggesting bras do more harm than good. I think that’s a superficial view and probably not really accurate.

Last year a survey was conducted by Researchers at the University of Besançon lead by Professor Rouillon. The survey popped up in the Daily Mail again this week. Professor Rouillon  believes ” the absence of a bra could keep breasts in shape and  prevent back ache ” He went on to say that  ‘The decision not to a wear a bra  appeals to women in terms of comfort and aesthetics. Contrary to popular belief,  the breast does not fall, but tightens and lifts, and the quality of the skin  improves.’’ I’m not sure I agree. Do you?

So to bra or not to bra ……… that is the question!

Before reading the article or answering the question it’s important to realise what the bra does on the body and why people even bother.  In simple terms, the bra works on a cantilever system. The back is the main support; the underband and cups use that to support the bust,   To explain simply – look around your office or home and look for a shelf.

The bra works in much the same way! Like the bust, the shelf isn’t supporting itself but is being supported by the brackets which in turn are being held in place by a straight wall. For the shelf to work, the other 2 items have to be correct. In bra terms, the cup is the bracket and the bra band is the wall or anchor.

Imagine a shelf which isn’t fastened to a straight wall. It will no longer work as a shelf. The shelf won’t be able to hold items or stay in place. Well ……… the bra is exactly the same.

For the bra to work effectively, the cup shape and the bra band have to be working together with you. The cup is the support which shapes and  holds the bust level, whilst the band holds the cups in place. By lifting the bust so it sits level on the body, you gently lift the shoulders and straighten the back to create a wall. If this is correct then the fullest point will be sitting halfway between the elbow and shoulder ( i.e. level like a shelf) and the band will be level around the body ( showing the bust is sitting level on the body)

So wearing the wrong bra shape and size will have the same effect as a shelf fixed to a sloping wall with uneven brackets.

What surveys tend to forget is we’re not all the same. Body shape plays a huge role in bra fitting.  The bust isn’t something which can be shaped into any cup shape. Get this wrong  and the bra will hurt. It will dig in and it won’t support you. It will do the exact opposite. Matching the shape of the cup to your bust and bodyform first is key, other wise you could be doing more harm than good. The band is the anchor.The cups are the shape and support.

These articles and surveys always have some point but they tend to forget that we’re not all the same. We all have a different frame and a different build . What is true is that an ill-fitting bra will do more harm than good ………… just like an ill fitting pair of shoes or a wonky shelf.  Bras and shoes and shelves have a lot in common!

Coming next: Why are these 34D bras all a 34D but all a different fit?

By Sara O’Regan  – Founder of Bra Sense Ltd  –  www.brasense.co.uk

For more information about our fitting service, please email sara@brasense.co.uk

To work out your bra size ……… think about your shoe size!

To understand bras, just think about shoes. If I were to ask you what your shoe size is you’d probably plump for the size that you have more of in your wardrobe. But you know, understand and fully accept that your shoe size isn’t set in stone. You expect to move a shoe size larger, or half a size smaller for example depending on brand and style of shoe. Well despite being worn at the other end of the body, shoes are exactly the same as bras.

From a selection at Jones Bootmakers

Like bras, a shoe label size tells you about the size of the shoe. it tells you the width and length. A bra label size does the same. It tells you the length of the bra band and the width of the cup. But, these two measurements tell you very little about the shape. Fabrics, trimmings and fastenings can again change the size of the shoe. And bras are just the same. Sports bras dictate a stronger fabric, a deeper side and back, an elasticated underband. All these things  change the fit of the bra. Just as trainers will naturally be a totally different fit to boots or a heeled shoe.

My Sports bra and T-Shirt bra available from Bra Sense

So expect your size to change from style to style. Just like shoes! Only use your bra size as a ‘starting size’. To find your starting size select the size which you have most of. Us the most common size as your starting point.

So use your common size as the ‘Starting Size’ and learn when to move up or down to the size. In my case, 32D is my starting size and my Bra Drawer looks like the pie chart above.

So you see bras are really like shoes. The size gives the final comfort fit in that particular style but never ever confirms a perfect fit just a starting point.

Coming next: Why we really don’t want all bras in the same size to fit the same!

By Sara O’Regan – www.brasense.co.uk

Founder of Bra Sense Ltd – for more information about our fitting service, please email sara@brasense.co.uk

 

Back fat – our 3 point guide to the dreaded roll!

Sadly, we all know about back fat! That dreaded thing that ruins an outfit look and which all of us try to avoid, whatever size we are.

 Many pick up the challenge of trying to find a bra which hides the back fat. They’re barking up the wrong tree, so save your money and read on.

For a number of years now, manufacturers have attempted to come up with a bra which eliminates back fat or ‘angel wings’ as it is known in the States. But it’s like looking down the wrong end of the telescope.

What causes back fat?

Partly nature and partly the bra you’re wearing. Both are avoidable issues. Whatever size clients are, there is always a relationship between the bra band and the client’s back. Why? This is because the bra band essentially sits over different widths on the back and it is elasticated. Because the back isn’t the same size all the way down, as the band is elasticated it emphasises these differences and shows up ‘back fat. How noticeable back fat is partly depends on build, the back shape, the depth of the bra band and the bra fit. Knowing this means you can prevent the problem from arising, rather than trying to hide it.

 

The three most common causes are:

Depth of bra band: A narrower bra band will cut into the back far more than a wider band. Think about belts around your waist. A narrower belt will sit into the waist more than a wide belt and bra bands are exactly the same. A wider band will generally need less tension than a narrower band and therefore not dig into the body.

Secondly comes bra size. Most people believe band size is the cause of back fat but more often than not it is actually the cup size. If the cup size is too small the bust will be pushed to the side of the body and will therefore ‘spill’ over the side of the bra. If the bra band is too tight this will dig into the back, again causing back fat.

Thirdly comes band position: if the bra is riding up at the back, you’ll intuitively drop your shoulders forwards causing the bra band to ‘cut’ into the widest part of the back. This is the most common cause of ‘back fat’ and this is what we generally see when we look in the mirror.

What to look for?

What makes a ‘back fat eliminator’ different to other bras is the depth of the band at the side and back, the contour of the bra and the fabric. The bra will generally be deeper, have more tension in the fabric eliminating the need for a tight elasticated band.

In truth, all bras when fitted and designed correctly not only reduce back fat but they don’t actually cause it either. It’s the same old Bra Sense mantra : shape rather than size!  Right shape bra works with your frame and your bodyshape so ‘back fat’ is nothing more than evidence of the wrong bra for you.

Find out more by calling Sara at Bra Sense Ltd and asking how she can help you. With our experience, you’ll find we’ll get to the point very quickly and help you to just melt the back fat problem away.

 By Sara O’Regan – Founder of Bra Sense Ltd

www.brasense.co.uk   Twitter: @brasense   Email: sara@brasense.co.uk

 

 

Bra Fit for summer on 1st July at Tip Top Hair Design, nr Ashby de la Zouch

Bra Sense offers a pop up bra fitting service across the UK. We’re delighted to be returning to leading hair salon  Tip Top Hair Design at Staunton Harold in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire on Monday 1st July 2013. Tip Top Hair design is a leading hair salon set amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Ferrers Centre on the Staunton Harold Estate near Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire. If you’ve never been, it has to be on your ‘to do’ list, along with a bra fit of course! Along with Tip Top Hair design, the Ferrers centre offers a beauty salon, range of arts and crafts studios, along with a cafe and outstanding Garden Centre. So combine a bra fit with a day of relaxation at the Staunton Harold Estate.

For more information about the Bra Sense Fit, please call 01530 274840 or email sara@brasense.co.uk

 

Tip Top Hair Design  is situated at the Ferrers Centre in Staunton Harold Estate, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 1RU.

Click here for directions.

For more information about the Bra Sense Fit, please call 01530 274840 or email sara@brasense.co.uk

Stylist Amanda M discovers the Bra Sense way to the perfect bra fit!

I was thrilled to be asked by Stylist Amanda M to explain more about the Bra Sense way to the perfect bra fit. If you haven’t visited her site yet, have a peek. It cheers up any rainy day!

Interview with Sara from Bra Sense – Tuesday, 31 July, 2012 – 16:34  

Do you want to appear taller, slimmer & have a more youthful shape? All this can be achieved by wearing a bra that is the correct fit, style, and size. Unfortunately, you won’t find the level of experience and expertise to help you work that out easily. Most shops or anyone who uses a tape measure to assess your size are very probably not going to work out the right combination and therefore style, fit and size of bra for you.

To find out more I am chatting to Sara, owner of Bra Sense. Bra Sense offer a unique fitting service & fit partly according to body shape.

So Sara, tell us about Bra Sense & your unique way of fitting:

Bra Sense fits to body shape rather than bra size.  Body shape is a combination of things that we at Bra Sense use to identify the key characteristics of an individual, which in turn will take us to the right design, makeup, style and finally, yes, finally, the size bra for a unique individual. Body shape is key to the bra fit and the bra fit is key to fashion. The bust is the only thing you can move, change the shape of or appear to change the size of on your body as your shoulders, waist and hips are fixed. Fashion is designed and sized to fit around these 4 points. So that’s why the bra is the fundamental thing to get right.

What are the signs of a badly fitting bra & what problems can they cause?

I am sure we’re all aware of the usual ill fitting bra problems. After all, most people experience them every day. Shoulder straps that dig in or slip off the shoulders, the bra riding up at the back; bulges at the sides or back or the bust being lower than we’d like are the common everyday problems people encounter.

One thing that most people don’t realise is, that to compensate for it, people will automatically add a dress size without realising it and therefore make you appear a dress size larger than you actually are. 

One example of the main things a badly fitted bra will accentuate is the dreaded ‘back fat’.  In this case, you can actually tell if someone is wearing the wrong bra by glancing at their back. The first thing everybody says after a bra fit is they want to instantly stand up and sit up straighter.  This is because the bra band is sitting in the correct position, just below the shoulder blades.   Back fat instantly becomes irrelevant. Also, since the bra works on a cantilever system, the bust will also be sitting in the correct position at the front. 

When buying a bra what should we be looking for?

There is no such thing as your bra size. Your size will vary depending upon the purpose of the bra, style and design. So forget size as the be all and end all.  Use your current size as a starting point but expect it to change. If you compare bras to shoes, we expect to be a different size in different brands and styles. Bras are exactly the same.   Think trainers, walking boots, flip flops, stilettos, slippers – they are likely to be different sizes and bras are the same.

Always check what the bra looks like with clothes on.  If you’re buying something to go under a dress or top, take the dress or top with you.  We once had a client who tried on two different bras in the same size. Both bras fitted perfectly but gave slightly different shapes. Her dress fitted perfectly with one bra but was too small around the bust area when wearing the other bra. The reason was that one was the correct shape for her Body shape, the other was not.

There are a variety of shapes available (full cup, ¾, half, etc) can you tell us about them?

There are lots and lots of styles out there and they will all fit differently on different people.  They really relate to how much coverage the bra gives at the top. People assume the amount of ‘coverage’ needed is to do with age and size but it isn’t.  It’s to do with bust shape and density of breast tissue and again, this is related to body shape.  I have clients in their 60’s who need far less support and shape than me, in my 30’s!

Obviously, a full cup has the maximum coverage and a demi-cup or half cup has the least.  A demi-cup is literally half a full cup so is usually only suitable in the smaller cup sizes  B or C  for example.  When it comes to cup design, be realistic with what works for you rather than what’s in fashion or what your friend wears.

Is there a good basic shape that works for most women?

Every woman has their own basic shape that works perfectly for them but there isn’t a basic shape which works for everyone.  In terms of style, T-shirt bras are the best buy ever, but you must get the style, design and fit just right! The fact that they are so plain is believe it or not their biggest advantage.  T-shirts, t-shirt fabrics and jersey fabrics are close fitting so patterns and fabrics on bras will show through.  So smoothness is key. But t-shirt bras always help create the ‘foundations’ for fitted, tailored and less structured clothing as well.  They have what I call a definite ‘fullest point’. So a good t-shirt bra is a good investment. Quick tip: if you notice creases in the cup, this is due to machine washing.  Always try to hand wash t-shirt bras.

 How often should we be fitted for a bra?

Well the ideal recommendation is every 6 months or as you lose or gain weight.  A lot of this will depend on how the bra has worn of course and how it has been washed.   It’s always worth having a refit, just to check the bra size is still correct. Also, when having a bra fitted, bear in mind you may change size during the month.

Most of our clients have a refit every 12 – 24 months.

Thanks to Sara for her insight into bra fitting. To find out more visit www.brasense.co.uk, email sara@brasense.co.uk

The side boob view: think fit, shape and size!

 

Whenever we choose an outfit, we always think – Which Bra will fit under this.

Fashion isn’t just designed around the width of the shoulders, bust, waist and hips but also the distance between the 4 points. In other words, your shape and proportions, not just your size.

Cheryl Cole looked amazing in her dress at a recent premier. However, the papers were all too quick to point out her bra faux pas.

However the ‘faux pas’ didn’t lie with the bra but with the actual dress. Whichever bra you had chosen or cup support to fit under this dress, you’d have seen the sides.

The front of the dress only needed to be raised half a centimetre, if that, to fit the length of Cheryl Cole’s proportions whilst still retaining the side boob trend. This way, the perfect support could be worn without being seen  and the fullest point of the dress would have been in the correct position, halfway between the elbow and shoulder. So always think about your proportions rather than the outfits.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

By Sara O’Regan – Founder of Bra Sense Ltd – www.brasense.co.uk

How to make the most of your strapless bra this summer

Summer is finally here. At last, we can forget the months of hiding ourselves away and pull on our strappy dresses and cut away tops. So, the vital first question – which bra do we wear?

Our top tip this summer: make your strapless bra fit you and your wardrobe in three  easy steps:

Strapless bra hooks are attached to the bra to make it possible to wear as wide strap set, cross over, racer back and halterneck. This is why they usually sit wide at the front of the bra. Most people try their strapless bra on with the straps and find the straps are perfect width but they don’t sit in the correct position and set about looking for a bra that will fit underneath strappy tops.  

So how do you get the best fit? Look at the hooks and yes, move them so they match you and your wardrobe perfectly. It’s not hard. New hook points can be sewn in at any point along the bra band, both at the front and back. By moving the hooks, you can sit the strap in exactly the right place for you and all your different tops and dresses.

Follow our 3 step process below to see exactly what we mean and how to do it:

Find where you want the hook to be positioned for you on the bra, directly beneath your clothes straps. Using an old bra strap, pinch a bit to make a loop, stitch it in just where you want it and off you go! 

Take the old bra strap and make into loop – matching it to the same size as the existing hook.

And stitch to the bra

Your bra straps will then sit perfectly underneath the strappy dresses and cut away tops. The bra straps can  also be colour co-ordinated or nude/clear straps can be used.

For more information – visit www.brasense.co.uk

By Sara O’Regan – Founder of Bra Sense Ltd  email sara@brasense.co.uk or call 0845 094 2827 .

The T-Shirt Bra for any season – Le Mystere Dream Tisha

The world renowned Le Mystere range has always been one of our best selling Bra brands. In our personal fit range it is always one of our best sellers.

One of the  first bras we introduced to Bra Sense 6 years ago was the Le Mystere Dream Tisha. It is still the firm favourite for both us and clients. Over the years, the Dream Tisha has seen a number of reworks to the style to create the best T-Shirt bra we have seen and worn by far.

Forget the look of the bra, focus on the look of the clothes sitting on top. Underwear is the foundation for fashion. Nothing backs this up like the Le Mystere Dream Tisha.

We always describe the Dream Tisha as a moulded bra. It is more commonly described as a T-shirt bra as it sits smoothly under close fitting tops such as t-shirts. However, this bra sits under anything and everything. The fullest point of the bra is moulded into the cup. This gives the perfect shape in the perfect position for your body size and frame, which instantly makes you look slimmer, taller and more svelte. Who doesn’t want to look like this? The padded cup adds shape without adding size or bulk to the bust area.

The bra features double layered shoulder straps with a padded trim for comfort and support. This ensures the straps sit naturally into the shoulder groove without digging in at all. Clothes sit over the straps creating a smooth finish.

The bra is moulded around the underwire, ensuring the bust fits into the bra rather than sitting on the bra band as most other bras require you to do.  If you usually experience a ‘bulge’ at the top of a T-shirt bra, then this signals that Dream Tisha is the style for you. Due to the manufacturing process, the cup has ‘volume’ in it. So it is perfect for all shapes but especially Fit3 (hourglass) shapes. 

The deep band at the back and sides ensures it fits over the widest back and side area. This avoids ‘digging in’ at the top and the sides of the bra reducing visible back fat. Visible back fat is mostly caused by the bra band being too shallow and cutting in. Le Mystere Dream Tisha eliminates this.  The key is the spandex used in the design and construction.

Le Mystere is the magic knickers version of a bra!

Available in sizes 32-44 C – G cup in Natural and Black price £54.00

For more information on Le Mystere Dream Tisha – visit www.brasense.co.uk or contact the Bra Advisor Service on 0845 094 2827 or email service@brasense.co.uk

The Bra Sense Personal Fit – Make the most of your shape

Why are we always being told that 70-90% of women are wearing the wrong bra size? Is it true?  Or is it something that we read and hear and then ignore, because it’s been repeated so many times. Why hasn’t anybody really done anything about it?  These were the questions that set me off on a trail that has resulted in my company, Bra Sense, offering unique and innovative ways to answer and solve the problem of how to get the right bra, in the right size, for the right occasion, for every woman in every size.

We have always been led to believe that with bras, size is the most important factor. This is the thing that we focus on.  That is what is fundamentally wrong. There is no such thing as ‘your bra size’. There is you, you’re body form and natural shape, your preferences, the right styles for you and after all that, the right model and style in your size that’s right for the occasion. Bra Sizes are a superficial interpretation of a general sizing guide, but we aren’t general. For instance, like clothes and shoes, one Size 16 dress or one Size 6 shoe or one Size 38DD bra is just one manufacturer’s or retailer’s version of what that means. But we aren’t mannequins – we are individual. We just aren’t a size – we’re an individual.

Therefore, what we at Bra Sense understand, explain and help you to do, is recognise your body form, natural shape, preferences, and the right styles and models for you as an individual; after all that, we know the right size for you, the person that you are.  

 Once you check what you are looking for the bra to achieve, you can recognise the shape of your bust and the shape of the bra required and the look you are seeking. Once you have these, size is the remaining point. Bra designs and cup styles must suit the shape of the bust and not change it. This is why shape rather than size is important. The Bra Sense personal fit is all about you and the right bra for you – usually at least one size smaller than you thought – because there is no more need to compromise.

 Our fitting service is essentially based on the individual and their true body form, which remains a part of us from youth, and we can’t and shouldn’t try to change it. This includes build and proportion from the shoulders, through to bust, waist and hips. This is critical because it is the body form upon which a bra becomes the foundation garment for any outfit – giving a clean proportionate shapely profile. This unique formula is then cross referenced to our database of brands, styles and models that we stock from around the world which will match the individual size and body form. Whether an everyday bra, a T-shirt Bra or a strapless bra for that evening dress – the shape and therefore size match is accurate and individual.

We match the customer and their fashion preferences to the right style, design and model of bra and underwear shape for them in their correct size, which for 8 out of 10 customers is at least one size smaller than they actually thought they were. Putting the bust back into its correct position and proportions for an individual inevitably leads to a more shapely, smooth, contoured profile which reduces the required dress size, because it actually matches the proportions that fashion designers and therefore their sizes, expect. This means you don’t have to go one size bigger or avoid certain styles because of bulges and curves that just needn’t be there.

Stores will offer to measure you, in the old-fashioned way, against their own ranges. But it just does not help. You are not a mannequin. The clothes have to fit you, not the other way around. Two checks with a tape measure just do not do enough to help and waste your money. The answer is simple.  Get the individual profile, proportions, preferences and measurements right, matched to the right brand model and style and we have a modern answer to an age-old problem.

 The Bra Sense personal fit consultation and report for clients costs just £35.00, backed up by our superb ranges and our personal fit report. Already feel a size smaller? You should and we’ll show you how!

For more information about the Bra Sense personal bra fit, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0845 094 2827 or email service@brasense.co.uk