As we wrap up the Bosom Series there are several topics that still need attention so lets dive right in!

Style vs Size

In order to get that correct fit we've been talking about, many of you are going to have to look outside the most popular sizes and stores.  The popular sizes being 32 to 36, B to D cups.  And that's fine!  It's far better to have a bra that fits and flatters you properly.  Many stores only carry a limited range of the most common "vanity" sizes and will push to get you into one of them.

The style of bra plays a significant role and it can be hard to reconcile style and size.  Not all styles will suit you.  If you're like me, you have more fullness in the bottom of the breast than in the top, causing some styles of bras to gap, even if the band and underwire fit great. I found some bras would technically "fit" but the way the cups and/or straps were styled just wasn't flattering.  They'd create back bulges or the wires would come too far up under my arm or the cup pulled awkwardly.  So I moved on. 

Some women have wider breasts, fullness in the top, or narrower breasts.  If the sizing seems good but the cups still aren't quite right, try a different style, and not just more sizes in the same style.

I came across many measurement calculators and recommend that they are a place to START, and start only.  Many said to add 4 or 5 inches to my ribcage measurement.  Huh?  How was that going to get me the snug-fitting band I know I need?  I believe it was Eternal Voyager, who I blogged about at the beginning of this series, who gave the great example that when shopping for panties you don't add 5 inches to your hip measurement! Victoria's Secret says to start at the back band, wrap the tape measure under your arms and up over the top of your boobs.  I did this and the resulting band was huge on me.  You can trust the calculator more if it says something along the lines of "measure your ribcage snuggly and around the fullest part of the bust gently."

Wondering what color to buy?  NUDE!  Always wear nude under whites, not white under white.  Yes, that also applies to my fellow LDS sisters.  Trust me on this one!  White bras glare through white shirts.  Nude bras disappear.  And when I say "nude" I mean nude for you.  The bra closest to your skin color.  For my Caucasian skin even a pale pink bra is better under whites than a white bra.  I own only one white bra.  You can wear any color bra you want under dark shirts... except white! Certain lighting will make that white bra glare brightly through black/dark shirts.

Let's remember the look we're going for.  Supported and shaped.  Like this...

There's a certain amount of scooping required to properly seat your girls within the cups of a bra.  I wasn't doing enough.  Many women (me included) will put on their bra's and while holding the underwire, tug a little bit at the top of each breast.  Several sites said to scoop a little more or even hold an underwire in each hand, bend over at the waist and give your chest a good jiggle.  For me, a solid swoop and scoop, beginning under my arm, works great.  Once I started doing that my cups fit much better.  So, clasp the band, slide the straps, swoop and scoop into the cups.  Voila!  Supported and shaped.

There are a few items in every woman's wardrobe that don't just NEED extra attention, but DESERVE it. Jeans, swimsuits, and bras.  These three things, perhaps above all else, warrant your all out shopping efforts.  When any of these three don't flatter they are absolute wastes of money.  You are guaranteed not to wear them often, if more than once.  The payoff for dedicating time to the hunt is huge. 

A woman's breasts will change many times over her lifetime.  Puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain/loss, age.  Bras must evolve with the boobs.  And they have.  Technology has created nearly weightless bras that do a wonderful job of supporting and shaping us.  Who knows what the future will bring.

I hope you've learned a little from my bra quest thus far.  I'll keep you posted as further events warrant!