Selecting your first bra can feel like a big decision, and it’s natural to have lots of questions! So whether its your first bra or even a starter bra, here’s a guide to help you make the right choice with confidence.
If you’re starting to feel self-conscious about your breasts showing through your clothes or notice some movement during activities like P.E., it might be time to consider measuring for a first bra or even a starter bra!
But with so many styles, colours, and designs to pick from, where do you start...and who do you ask! Very often what should be a fun shopping trip can be an overwhelming experience. So, let's take a look at some of the best ways to measure for a first bra, and what styles are available.
Trust us it doesn't have to be an awkward experience, this is all about what makes you feel good, so go at your own pace and pick what feels right for you.
If the thought of going to a store and asking for a bra fitting makes you feel anxious, don’t worry you can measure yourself at home with our simple three-step guide!
With just a measuring tape and a few easy steps, you’ll be able to find the right size for your first bra without any stress. Plus, measuring yourself at home can help you feel more comfortable and confident about what to look for when you’re ready to shop.
Step 1: Band Measurement - Using a tape measure, place it around your body directly under your breasts. Don’t pull the tape measure too tight, you should be able to easily fit a finger in between your body and the tape. This is your band size and increases by 2” at a time, starting at band size 26 for starter bras and going up to 28, 30, 32 and so on.
Step 2: Bust Measurement -Now measure around your body over the fullest part of your breasts, again making sure the tape measure isn’t too tight. This will be your cup size and starts at an AA cup, moving to an A, B, C, D, DD, E, F and more.
Step 3: Over Bust Measurement -While this step isn’t absolutely necessary, measuring across the top of your bust can help you get a more accurate cup size. This extra measurement provides a better fit and can help you feel more comfortable and supported in your first bra.
Once you have your measurements, and you've read through the entire blog, come back and click on this link Ask Vicki, here you can get a personalised guide to your ideal bra size. It’s quick and easy, and Vicki will provide helpful advice to ensure you find the best fit for your first bra!
You may also want to check-out Vicki's Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this blog too for more tips.
Wearing the right-sized bra during breast development is so very important for several reasons:
Now that you have your measurements, it’s time to think about the shopping experience. Many teens feel a bit anxious at this stage, and that's perfectly normal. Here are some tips to help ease the process:
If you haven't talked to your mum or guardian about getting your first bra, now might be the right time to bring it up. You could start the conversation casually, for example:
Ask a Question: "Hey, how old were you when you got your first bra?"
This approach opens up the dialogue and may reveal that they've been waiting for you to bring it up!
When you go shopping for your first bra, keep these things in mind:
Searching for your first starter bra can be intimidating. There’s a variety of shapes, sizes and styles out there. Fortunately, we’ve put together this little bra guide to help you make the right choice.
A training bra is a type of bra designed for young girls who are just beginning to develop breast tissue, typically between the ages of 8 and 14. They’re usually a lightweight, unlined design with soft cups. Training bras often resemble crop tops.
The purpose of a training bra is to provide you with support and coverage as you start to grow breasts. It's important to remember that a training bra is not meant to enhance or alter the shape of your breasts, but rather to provide a comfortable and secure fit.
You might find that as you go through puberty and start to develop breast tissue, your breasts can be sensitive or tender. Wearing a training bra can help alleviate some of this discomfort by providing a layer of padding or fabric between the skin and clothing. They also help you get used to wearing bras to make the transition easier.
Training bras come in a variety of styles and materials, some have adjustable straps and hooks in the back, while others are simply stretchy and pull over the head. It's important to choose a training bra that fits properly and feels comfortable, as an ill-fitting bra can cause discomfort and pain.
Non-wired or soft bras are designed without underwires, making them a comfortable and gentle option for teens and pre-teens who are beginning to wear bras. These bras typically feature soft, flexible materials and are ideal for those who prefer a more natural feel without the added structure of underwires. They come in various styles, including bralettes, crop tops, and soft-cup bras.
An under-wired bra has a wire underneath each cup to give the bust more shape and support. These are best when your breasts are already quite developed because if the wires dig into your breasts while they’re still maturing, they may impact breast shape and growth.
When it comes to under-wired bras, it’s really important that the wires sit flat against your body, underneath the breasts and never touch the breast tissue, so you may want to wait a while before you get one of these.
As your breasts grow, they may start to bounce or move while you exercise, which can be uncomfortable and even painful. Sports bras help reduce the movement of your breasts during exercise and make you feel more comfortable and supported.
Wearing a sports bra for exercise also protects the ligaments that support the breasts. If you’re on the hunt for your first set of bras and you enjoy an active lifestyle, a sports bra is a must.
Padded bras provide additional volume and shape to the bust, helping to create a more rounded and smooth silhouette, especially fitted tops and dresses.
During puberty one breast often develops before the other, so wearing a padded bra can help make both breasts a little more even in size as you continue to develop.
And finally, if you have just started to develop breasts you may be conscious of your nipples showing through clothing, a padded will help conceal nipple outlines.
Strapless bras work in the same way as a regular bra and let you remove or adjust the straps. This is useful when you're wearing a top or dress and you don't want your bra straps to show.
Getting your first bra is an exciting milestone! We hope our guide has given you the confidence to embrace the experience and enjoy this new step in your journey!
Please don't worry, it's very normal for one breast to start developing before the other, the other breast will catch up in time. In the meantime try a soft padded bra to help align both breasts as they develop.
One of the first signs you may be ready for a bra is when you start to notice your breasts move about when you're running around or your nipples may start showing through your clothes! They can often feel tender too as they start to grow and need support.
It's a good idea to measure for a new bra, every six months during puberty, as your body will be changing quite a lot and growth spurts are common.
Not as often as you think. My tip is to wear them 3-4 times before washing and to have 3 bras in your collection so you can rotate use. This ensures your bras keep their shape too.
Some people like to do this; it really is up to you. There is no medical reason why you should and if you want a break from wearing a bra then going braless at night is the best time.
It's totally normal to feel a little self-conscious when you first start wearing a bra. My tip is to ease into it is by starting to wear it around the house in the evenings or on weekends. This will help you get comfortable with the feel of a bra before wearing it to school.
And if anyone notices or comments, try not to let it bother you. People might make remarks without realising how they come across, but remember, after a few days, your new bra will be old news, and everyone will move on. This is all part of growing up, and you'll quickly find what makes you feel most comfortable and confident!
The simple answer is not if you don't want to! It really is a personal choice. Some people choose to wear bras for support, especially during sporting activities. Bras can also prevent chafing against clothing, especially as they develop. But there’s no medical reason why you need to wear one, it's completely up to you and what makes you feel most comfortable in different situations.
If you find bras uncomfortable, alternatives like bralettes, crop tops, sports bras, or simply going without are totally fine options.
