‘[They] vanity sized it, they
wanted you to think your back was smaller and your breasts were
bigger.’

Describing the scale of the problem, she says that what was once a 36D is now labelled a 32G.

She said that in order to ensure a good fit, every woman should be fitted by a professional, and replace their bras every six months.

‘They
wanted you to think your back was smaller and your breasts were
bigger’

Ms Becker added that one can tell if their bra is ill-fitting by looking at the position of the strap: it should sit lower around the back than many people realise.

‘They should always be halfway between your elbow and your shoulder,’ she explained.

‘If you look in the mirror and you are lower than that, then your bra is too loose in the back.’

And having a well-fitting bra can make all the difference to your outfit, Ms Becker adds.

‘It doesn’t matter if you spend $10,000 on an outfit; if your bra isn’t right, it doesn’t look good.’

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Jennifer, that does actually happen to me, and this is due to measuring too. I can lose from 40 down to 38 bra size and my normally 44 bust will become a 46 when I get down to a 38 band… and I measure with a tape measure, not with bra. If I shrink in my midsection, I gain in my bust.

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Revenwyn
,

Searcy AR- USA, United States,
03/10/2012 04:17

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Vanity sizing is a pain. Primark are really bad there size 6 is the really more like a 10 sometimes. Next is as bad!

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bmor
,

England,
03/10/2012 04:13

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Why should they be replaced every 6 months? The article doesn’t say, and I’m genuinely curious.

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USA
,

North America,
03/10/2012 02:58

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This is very true. I’m still pondering how I could lose 30 pounds but go up two cup sizes.

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Jennifer
,

Denver Colorado, United States,
03/10/2012 02:04

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The only place I’d get fitted is John Lewis. At least they seem to know what they are doing. My sister went and got measured there and she has an unusually wide back but small breast size so actually needs a size that hardly anywhere stocks! Including John Lewis!

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betsy
,

Norwich,
03/10/2012 00:56

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Bra-fitting is a SCAM! Whenever and wherever I have shopped to simply replace a worn out bra, the so-called “fitter” has invariably told me I am wearing the wrong size so that I feel pressured to throw out every bra I have at home and buy two or three new ones!

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vterkel
,

san diego, United States,
03/10/2012 00:01

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I completely agree. When I was able to afford better quality clothing, I was amazed that I dropped 2 to 3 sizes. IF I shopped Target, I was a Large top, size 12 pants. I shopped Nordstrom designer end, and I was miraculously a small, or med top, and 8 pants. Also, Agree with LindaM, Dallas. My mom weighed 105 and wore a size 12 Wrangler jean in the 60′s. When I was a Junior and a size 7 I tried them on…they button hole, to button were about 4 inches apart.

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Laura
,

Sarasota Florida USA,
02/10/2012 22:39

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This claim is totally plausible… my actual measurements make me a 38, but I have to wear a 36 for the bra to be supportive.

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Chrs
,

San Antonio, United States,
02/10/2012 22:19

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It’s not just undergarments. After we lost my mom, I found some of her beautiful clothes from decades back her size 14s (US) are more like current size 8s (US) or smaller. She’s correct about having the right undergarments though. They make a huge difference in how clothes look.

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LindaM
,

Dallas,
02/10/2012 21:54

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I don’t wear one. It got me in trouble in high school. For some reason, the principal couldn’t seem to understand it when I said that when he starts wearing a bra, then I will. His were bigger than mine at the time.

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Katina Cooper
,

Santa Barbara,
02/10/2012 21:47

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