Confession time: I don’t buy a lot of luxury pieces. Most of the things I write about are all pipe dreams. However, a few weeks ago I happened upon a Harlequin Bra that was on sale  at Nordstrom The Rack and fell in love. It was perfect. I wanted to buy it, it was only $25 dollars, but, it was just a bit too small. Needless to say, bras are a big deal for me.

Newcom

It’s hard for me to buy bras that fit perfectly. I’m a small girl, about 5′3″, but I’ve inherited my great-grandmother’s “assets” which are, well, large. And it’s so hard to find the perfect fit! So, when I found that Harlequin bra I finally thought to myself, “If that bra can almost fit me..then there has to be one out there that fits.” (To the left-Victoria’s Secret The Perfect One Bra)

And finding the perfect fit is hard for anyone. Follow these few guidelines when bra shopping and you may be able to find that perfect bra:

1. Get Measured:

If you feel more comfortable at home, my all means, do it at home. That’s what I did. Here’s how it works:

Using a soft messing tape, leave your bra on and measure yourself around your ribcage and just below your bust.  If it’s an odd number of inches, add 5 to find your bra size; if it’s even, add 4 (so if you measure 29, your bra size is 34).  Then, for your cup size, measure around yourself again, but this time place the tape measure loosely over the fullest part of the breast. Subtract the first measurement from the second. A 1-inch difference is an A cup; 2-inch difference = B cup; 3 = C; 4 = D; 5 = DD; and 6 = DDD or E.

2. Your bra Should Be Flat (even if you aren’t)!

If it does not lie flat there are some issues. This is my problem and what sent me out on the hunt. If the bra wrinkles on the side you need to go down a cup size, not a band size.  That middle piece in between your breasts should also lean right against your chest. This is the clincher right here. The lying right in the middle is perfection.

3. The Cups Should Work!

If you are wearing a soft cup, then there should not be any bunching at the middle. If you are wearing a molded bra, then make sure there is no extra space or spillage. Spillage is a huge problem for lots of girls, just go up a cup size! It’s not a big deal!

4. Your straps should fit

When you try on the bra at the store, check the straps! That’s so important. If they are falling down, the bra is probably too big. If they’re digging in, try loosening them up! And if the bra rides up in back, try a tighter hook or loosen the straps. If neither works, go down a bra size. Big bullet point here: Your bra straps are the right length if your bra is level across your back and not too tight when using the middle hook. Your bra, in front, should lie flat against the middle of your chest, and the back strap should rest under the lowest part of your shoulder blade.

5. Bra Sizes Vary By Brand

I’ve shopped with some of my smaller friends and they’ll run into Victoria’s Secret, Target, and Fredrick’s of Hollywood all in the same day, pick up a 34B and the bra will fit perfectly. For bigger busted women, there is no hard and fast rule as to what will fit. That’s what I learned from my Fitting Specialist at Neiman Marcus. She brought me several different styles and sizes (all moving up and down either cup or band size just a tad) from different brands. In the end, I ended up with two different sizes, but they both fit perfectly.

Neiman Marcus

With guidelines in mind, I set out last weekend to find the perfect bra. I was finally going to buckle down and get the bra that fit. If I had to go to five different stores and spend the whole day, so be it. It took me three stores, and about 12 bras to narrow it down to two. One of those bras was this Lace Bra from Wacoal. It’s nothing to fancy, but, it came in my size, and it wasn’t $200 like I was planning on spending.

For More Information on finding the Perfect Bra Read Finding The Perfect Bra By Eileen Sutton.

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.