Like cutting your hair or wearing pants, wearing a bra is a cultural thing. In some places in the world, wearing a bra seems unnecessary or even incorrect. In the US, wearing a bra is something that most females do. Bras allow you to have more privacy and a bit of protection when you’re out and about. They keep your breasts from wiggling around when you’re playing sports and keep your nipples from showing through your tee shirts. If you are wearing the correct one, bras are also very comfortable.

Some girls are excited to wear bras and others hate the idea. Regardless of how you feel about the topic – here are some things that you should know:

Bra 101: The Basics  |  Types of Bras  |  Does my bra fit?

Bra 101: The Basics

A bra is an article of clothing: an undergarment. Bras come in many different sizes, shapes, colors and fabrics but some things are always the same.

Cup: The area that holds your breasts. Measured in letters A through D (typically, although some bras come larger). The cup size is determined by how far your breasts stick out from your chest.

Band: The band is the part that goes around your chest. Bands are measured in inches usually between 28 and 44.

Straps: Straps on a bra are the part that hold the bra up. They vary from bra to bra and some bras even come with straps that you can change. Bras can have plain straps, cute straps, clear straps or no straps at all! Strapless bras, racer-back bras, halter top bras and others are differences in straps but not in the cup.

Bra Sizing
A bra size is a combination of the band number and the cup letter, for example: 32A or 38C.

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Types of Bras

Training Bra
This bra is for someone who is just starting to develop or maybe who hasn’t developed but would like to wear a bra. The cups on a training bra are almost flat.


Underwire Bra
The underwire is a soft wire that runs along the bottom of each cup. The underwire provides extra support and helps give breasts a more regular shape.

Soft-Cup Bra
A soft-cup bra is a bra that doesn’t have an underwire. Soft-cup bras may be more comfortable to wear but don’t keep your breasts from wiggling and jiggling as well as underwire bras do.

Sports Bra
Sports bras are made from strong fabric that hold your breasts in place. They may feel a little bit tight at first but that is how they should feel. Sports bras can be made of material similar to athletic shirts that take the sweat away from your skin. It is important that you find a sports bra that fits you well and keeps your breasts in place, because playing sports without the correct bra can be a painful experience.

Push-Up Bra
This bra has extra padding in the bottom of the cup. The extra padding gives your breasts a lift and can make them seem larger. Make sure to wear the right one, because too much lift can look a bit goofy.

Padded Bra
This bra has a bit of padding all around the cup. People who wear padded bras do so for a little extra shape or size.
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Does my bra fit?

The way that your bra fits is the most important aspect of wearing a bra. If you are wearing a bra that doesn’t fit right, then the bra doesn’t do it’s job and can be uncomfortable. When you are picking out a bra, it is important to try it on. Many department stores have sales women that are trained in how to fit bras properly.

In Nancy Redd’s fantastic book Body Drama, she explains some common bra mishaps:

The Pucker
If your bra cups have folds or wrinkles -- your cup size is too big.

The Pusher
If your breasts come out of the top of your cup -- your cup size is too small.

The Pincher
If your breasts are squished on the sides or the cup cuts into the sides of your breasts -- you may need a bra that is wider or a band size that is bigger.

The Rider
If your bra rides up your back -- try loosening the straps or try a smaller band size.

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