A brassiere, commonly referred to as a bra, is used to cover, support and elevate the breasts. As the most widely accepted form of women's clothing, bra has successfully replaced the corset of yore.Bras serve a variety of purposes including improving the shape of the breasts, preserving modesty and enhancing and elevating their cleavage. Bras are not just practical but also attractive. While there are bras that facilitate nursing, exercise or to enlarge the perceived breast size, bras also lift sagging breasts and restrain them from movement.
Bra sizing
Studies reveal that nearly 95% of women seem to wear the wrong sized bra. Either the band size is too big or the cup size is too small. The average bra size is quoted as 36 C but most women who wear this size should be wearing either a 34 D or 34 DD or 32 DD or 32 E bra size. Cup sizes should be in proportion to the band size and so a D cup is not the same size in every bra.
A poorly fitted bra can cause back problems, muscle tension and even headaches at times. Lifelong posture problems can be caused by improperly fit bras. A correctly fitted bra size is determined by accurately calculating chest size and breast size - band size and cup size. The band size is adjustable, with three or four alternate sets of fastening hooks.
Bra sizes also vary depending on the material used, manufacturer and other considerations. International manufacturers of bras do not agree on a single standard bra size. For instance, the British bra brands range in cup size from A to K, while Americans find bra cup sizes ranging from A to G and some brands go as high as L.
