Does a Good Bra Really Make a Difference in Support?

The simple answer to this question is: yes, absolutely! Wearing a good quality bra is imperative for providing the right level of lift, comfort and support.

Wearing a bra that’s supportive is vital whatever your bust size, but it’s even more important for the bigger busted among us. This isn’t just for aesthetic reasons. A well-made, properly fitted bra will also provide health benefits for those with large cup sizes. 

The health risks of not receiving adequate support

Here are some of the health risks associated with a poorly fitting bra, or one that just doesn’t provide enough support:

Back ache 

Larger busted ladies will have heavier breast, that’s just physics. However, this weight, if unsupported can over time stretch the ligaments and muscles in the back, causing upper back pain. These musculoskeletal issues can be addressed by wearing a good bra that provides the right level of support. However, don’t fall into the trap of always wearing a sports bra. Your musculoskeletal system is sensitive and needs to move properly to keep functioning. Maintaining a rigid frame might be ideal for sports, but in normal life you need your ribcage to move properly. This will maintain strong back muscles and breast ligaments. 

Postural problems

A bad posture that isn’t corrected can lead to many other health issues. Growing up with a bigger bust can make a girl very self-conscious, making them hunch their shoulders. If uncorrected, the body can adopt this as a natural stance. The additional weight of large breasts, coupled with this hunching of the shoulders, can lead to neck and shoulder pain. In extreme cases, prolonged pain and postural issues such as hunching over can lead to permanent spinal deformity. 

Sagging breasts

An unsupported cleavage is at the mercy of gravity, and where that’s concerned, the only way is down. If you want to maintain a good cleavage, then a supportive bra that’s well fitted will make all the difference. In terms of breast shape, if you’re wearing a wired bra then make sure the wire is sitting in the correct position, under and around the sides of your breasts.

The importance of a measured approach

Once you’ve made the decision to invest in a good quality bra, it’s vital to ensure you get properly measured. Indeed, industry experts have stated that 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, and of these, the majority are wearing a bra that’s too small, which means discomfort, a lack of support and inadequate shaping. 

In order to make sure you’re purchasing the right size bra, it’s vital to check your measurements. Many women will always buy the same size bra, but over time and with life changes such as childbirth and menopause, our bust sizes will change. So it’s important to regularly re-check your measurements. You should do this every 6 months to a year, especially if you’ve gone through any of the above life events. It’s easy to do, you can get measured at a lingerie store or do it yourself at home, using a fabric tape measure. 

Use this measurement as a guide, and always check the size guides if you’re ordering products online.

When to replace your bra

This is a really important issue, as many of us hang on to an old faithful for far too long. Even if our size hasn’t changed, bras will wear out over time. That bra that once gave amazing lift will eventually lose shape and structure, and with it the ability to provide the same level of support. If the shoulder straps have stretched or are slipping, you’ll lose support. Likewise, if the cups have lost their shape, the bra will be less supportive. If you wear a wired bra, then over time the wire can warp. This won’t promote a healthy breast shape and can even end up digging painfully into your breast tissue. 

So every once in a while, inspect your bras. How long they last will depend on a number of factors such as frequency of wear and washing, as well as whether your bust measurements have changed. However, if it’s an everyday bra, you should think about replacing it every few months.

If you’re looking for a plus-size bra then here at Elle Courbee we have a fantastic selection of well made, high quality bras. Our plus size range provides excellent comfort, fit and support, and comes in sumptuous fabrics and colours. So not only will you know you’re receiving the right level of support, but also that you’re wearing glamorous underwear beneath that chic outerwear.