by Aonika Laurent Thomas

Too many of us fall victim to the ill-fitting brassiere. The symptoms:

Chest spilling over, straps falling down, gaping between your bra cup and your breast, band riding up your back, back rolls only while wearing a bra, breast going for a swim in your bra. Or, worst of all, it looks like someone poured pancake batter into your bra. It’s time to face the truth: You’re wearing the wrong size bra or one that should have gone into the trash years ago. You are committing a bra faux pas. Now, let’s fix it. Start with measuring.

• Measure your band size.

Keep in mind that the band, which is the most supportive part of the bra, should fit positioned halfway between your shoulder and natural waist. Place a tape measure completely around your ribcage directly under your bust.  This is your chest/band measurement. If you get an odd number, round up one. An example — if you measure

29½, round up to 30 and that would be your band size.

• Measure your bust size.

Bending over slightly, measure the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape level around your body.

• Calculate your cup size.

Subtract your band measurement from bust measurement. This number represents your cup size.

Cup size chart

1” = A                       5” = DD

2” = B                       6” = DDD & F

3” = C                       7” = G

4” = D                       8” = H

It’s that easy. Now go out, pick up your girls, and have a perky day!

–Aonika Laurent Thomas