(Sports) bra sizing!! 🏃‍♀️ And how to find the best fitting and most supportive bra.

[roseabi]

Hey ladies!

This post is also published on the Bridge to 10K community - apologies if you have already seen it!

Last night I listened to a podcast interview with a woman called Laura Tempesta, owner of a website called bravolution.com. She is the only woman in the USA to hold a Masters degree in lingerie design, and she is working to revolutionise the world of bra design! Her TED talk is below, it's entertaining!

I found this all extreeeeeeeeeemely interesting and thought I would share.

Did you know that what you probably thought about bra sizing is all wrong? Did you know that (for example) a 34A, 32B, 30C, and 28D all fit EXACTLY THE SAME BREAST SIZE???

The Bravolution website is not selling anything, and it has a wealth of information about how to find the best-fitting and most supportive bra.

The podcast I listened to is focused on sports bras specifically (the TED talk is more general), and it is also entertaining, but you should note: I listened to it through an ear bud and I was nearly deafened a few times because the interviewer, Kelly Roberts, kept SHOUTING! I like Kelly, but she is LOUD!! So be warned 😂

podnews.net/podcast/im1f

Here's the website - it is American so some of the sizing info may be slightly different, but the basic idea is that you work out your size roughly, consider some other factors, and try things out for yourself. And basically, don't put up with a bra that hurts you!

bravolution.com/

And here's the TED talk. I have a slight issue with what Laura says about changing your bra every year - given the price of sports bras this is unrealistic for many people and I take it with a pinch of salt! Still a good talk though.

youtu.be/GrxJ-9_qXeM(Not working as expected?)

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

I actually did know that if you go down a band size then you go up a cup size, yes. It’s logic like that though, that had a lot to do with a bra website recently suggesting I tried a 32G 😳😳😳

[roseabi in reply to Maddee_6333]

It's the fact that the cup size is derived as a ratio of the measurement around the ribcage to the measurement of the bust that causes the confusion! xxx

[nowster Graduate in reply to roseabi]

The other problem is that there isn't a huge amount of standardisation in measurements for women's lingerie. Dress sizes are even worse, I'm told.

My partner is particularly blessed/cursed in the chest area. She has mild back trouble due to the strain of supporting them.

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

Very helpful, thank you. I am a 36 E or sometimes F, dpending on the style (yes, another "blessed" girl....NOT!) and it's a real bind to get sports bras in these larger cup sizes. I suspect manufacturers don't think we run for fear of knocking ourselves out or giving ourselves a black eye 😅

I find George at Asda front loading sports bras with a zip are the best for me, enough decent support without crushing the girls too much or squeezing my rib cage so hard I can't breathe!!

[roseabi in reply to Over60sRunner]

I think the industry is due a massive shake-up!

Thanks for the recommendation, I think we might look at publishing a sports bra FAQ!

[Over60sRunner Graduate in reply to roseabi]

roseabi that sounds like a plan to me

Can I also give a massive thumbs down to the M&S sports bra which affords neither support nor structure - wore mine twice (giving it the benefit of the doubt and a wash cycle) and then donated it to my local animal rescue shop!

**EDIT* This is just my opinion and not a critcism in general of M&S sports bras!

[buzzards Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

It depends on the style. Two of the best sports bras I have are from M&S. They've served me well.

[Over60sRunner Graduate in reply to buzzards]

Which is why I always say different strokes (or bras!) for different folks. We all have to find what works for us and go with that buzzards 😀

It was simply not supportive enough for me and gave me "boob ache" which isn't great when they hurt like hell anyway because I'm menopausal 🥴, but I have a running buddy who swears by them 🙂

Another "different stroke" is regular straps vs. running back style and front loading or back fastener.....but that's another whole thread......😅😅😅

[roseabi in reply to Over60sRunner]

I knew dat 😊😊😊

[Over60sRunner Graduate in reply to roseabi]

😃😃😃😃