Wear the right bra!
The folks on shows like Tim Gunn's Guide To Style and What Not To Wear are totally right - you really must have bras that are the correct size for you. The wrong size bra can make you and your "girls" look pretty shabby, just the opposite of what you want. And the wrong bra style won't help either.
Style and fit are the two key considerations in choosing the right bra. That push-up bra looks fabulous with a low-cut top, but when you wear it under, say, a knit or other close-fitting fabric, you get two lumps above the breasts, and that does NOT look good. Similarly, textured or lacy bras don't go well with knits either. For close-fitting fabrics, a bra with seamless molded cups is usually your best bet.
Specialty bras come in handy. Convertible bras such as a three-in-one can be worn halter style, crisscrossed across the back, or with their straps set wide. Bustiers work nicely with strapless dresses and gowns, and bandeau or tube top bras are perfect for....tube tops.
Underwire styles offer excellent support as they lift and shape. Make sure the wires are comfortable and well padded. If you tend to bulge on the sides under the arms, try bras with side support panels. They give you a sleeker, more natural look by easing the breasts forward a bit.
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It's said that about 70% of women wear the wrong size bra. When our bodies change (weight gain or loss, childbirth, exercise, illness, getting older, etc.), our bra sizes change too. If it's been more than two years since you had a bra fitting, it is time to get refitted. And no matter when you had your last bra fitting, if you experience any of the following signs, your bra definitely doesn't fit you properly:
your bra hurts (bras should be comfortable)
the cup puckers
the center of the bra doesn't lie flat against your breastbone
the bra straps dig into your shoulders or slip off your shoulders
you have bulges on the top or sides of the cups
the bra rides up in the back
Better department stores often have professionals who can fit you and familiarize you with the different brands and styles. In some areas it's possible to find stores specializing in undergarments where the staff can fit you. Take advantage of these resources if they're available to you. If not, here's the formula for determining your bra size:
1. Band size: measure all the way around, just above your breasts. The number will be something like 38, 40, 44, or 48.
2. Cup size: measure across the fullest part of your breasts. Then subtract the band size from that number. Each additional inch represents a cup size. A one-inch difference is an A, a two-inch difference is a B, a three-inch difference is a C, a four-inch difference is a D, and so on.
Keep in mind that there are size variations from brand to brand and, sometimes, between different lines made by the same company, so the formula is really a guideline. Until you try on a particular bra, you won't be 100% sure about the fit.
New designs in bras are introduced all the time, so if you haven't looked at bras lately, take a look at what's available. Start here.
