Are your breasts your most neglected asset?

Article by BR Natalie

I got my boobies, got my heart, got my soul - Nina Simone

Boobies.  Boobs.  Funbags.  Jubblies.  Knockers.  Chesticles.  The girls. Whatever our names for them, our breasts are as unique as they are beautiful. 

Yes that's right - your breasts are beautifu!  If there's one part of my body I love, it's my boobies - not only do they nurture and nourish my child, they look darn right fierce in the right clothes.  I always have, and always will be a huge fan of boobies. 

It makes me a little sad when women are so hard on their bodies, and boobies seem to be one area destined to cause dis-satisfaction among their owners. Too big.  Too small.  Too saggy.  Too many stretch marks.  Uneven.  Well here's the thing - all of these 'flaws', they are natural.  The Husband's gem of wisdom for women who don't like their breast is simple; "whatever your boobs look like, they're boobs.  What's not to like?"

If you're not in love with your breasts chances are it's because you are neglecting them. 

I caught up with one of my good friends, and Boobie and Bra Expert, Jessica Tennant.  For as long as we've known each other, Jess and I have not only loved our womanly assets, we've celebrated them.  I swear not a conversation goes by without boobs being mentioned.

Jess was trained in the Art of Bras in one of the biggest lingerie stores in the UK and she'd often tell stories of how ladies had cried with happiness by the time they'd finished with their fittings.  The right pair of shoes might help a girl conquer the world, but the right bra can make her love her body - and there aint nothing in this world more powerful than a confident woman.

So together, Jess and I are going to tell you how to get the best from your breasts, notably by choosing the right bra and with a little bit of unashamed self loving.  Altogether now "my breasts are beautiful".

1.  Are you wearing the wrong sized bra?

Probably!  Most women are currently wearing the wrong sized bra and would be shocked to learn they might be out by several sizes.  Here's Jessica's seven signs you're wearing the wrong sized bra:

1. The Double Boob - is your bra cutting into your boob so much that you over spill? The test - put a jumper on and turn to the side - if you can see 4 boobs the cup is too small!
2. The Unparallel Band - the band of the bra needs to run parallel around the rib cage and back - if the back of the bra is raising up towards your shoulder blades the back is too big.
3. The Loose Back - the back of the bra should be firm - all bras when bought from new must be able to be done up on the very first set of hooks (on the end) if you can do it up on the last set of hooks then the back is too big! You need to be able to tighten the bra up as it gets older and the elastic wears out. You should only be able to pull the back of the bra away from you about 2 inches.
4. The Saggy Strap - you should only be able to get two fingers (on top of each other) under the strap if the strap can be pulled up further you need to tighten the straps up!
5. The Lifted Wire - wires should rest firmly and flat against the rib cage in the centre
6. The Raise Test -  raise your arms up - do your boobs fall out underneath the bra? If so both the back and the cup are wrong! Always make sure you lift your breast above the wire so they are properly encased inside.
7. The Bend Test - bend forwards and stand back up - do your boobs fall out? If they do the cup size/style is wrong for your shape! 

99.9% of women will go for a larger back size and smaller cup when in actual fact it's the other way round. Most women would actually be in the D plus bracket. But due to people buying a bigger back size it makes them think they are actually an A-C

2.  Have you been professionally fitted lately?

Probably not!  For some reason women are incredibly shy about getting fitted for a bra.  Is it because you think you should know your size and feel silly having someone else tell you?  Or is it down to embarrassment?  Bra fitters will not only be able to tell you your size, they will be able to help you select bras that suit your individual needs, and adjust them to the optimum fit.  And most bra fitters actually love their job - they're the fairy godmother of boobies and guess what?  They see breasts everyday - you haven't got anything to be self conscious about!

Jess recommends definitely getting measured during and after weight loss, throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period and at least once a year regardless.  Hey if you're in-store anyway, why not just get fitted and buy the right bra?

3.  Are you looking after your bras?

Probably not!  Jess's top tip?  "Do not wash bras in the washing machine! This destroys the elastic, moulding and wires and you will have to replace your bras more often. All you really need to do is hand wash them with gentle washing up liquid. Fabric softener and other washing powders corrode the material and metal." Look after your bras and they will look after you!

4.  Are you wearing the right bra for your shape?

Bras come in many shapes and styles.  Add this to the overwhelming size selection and you can find yourself a little lost.  Here's the expert's guide:

• Balconette - a staple for most women that covers the lower part of the breasts.  Most women will fit this shape.
• Plunge - V shaped bras, the wires are shorter in the centre of the chest.  These are good for cleavage and suitable for most,depending on the depth of V.  Women who are flatter on the top of their breast will find that some plunges will fill it much better then a Balconette.  If you are fuller on top you might need to go up a cup size to make sure when you bend over you breast does not pop out.
• Full cup - this is a higher cup from a Balconette and covers more of the breast and chest, it comes up much higher. Full Cups are great for fuller busted women. If you're breasts are flatter at the top, with a fullness at the bottom of the bust you may find you won't fill it out. If you are flatter up top a full cup bra with stretchy cup material that moulds to you will be better.
• Half cup - this is a 'straight across the bust' style (the cup is shallower than a Balconette). Great for an uplifting shape and it gives a good shape without going for a plunge if you want something sexier. Good for most breasts.
• Padded - padded bras exist to make your boobs look bigger.
• Moulded - gives a rounded shape and stops your nipples showing.  These are great for when you want a smooth finish.  They will not make you look bigger!
• Non moulded - Do not be fooled in to thinking non-moudled bras will make you look pointy.  The cut of the bra will distinguish the shape of your breasts in the bra.
• Strapless -  Any one can wear a strapless bra, but here's the thing - the back must be firm.  All bra support comes from the back - the support does not come from the straps. If you don't feel like you are getting the support - don't just tighten the straps (you'll just get sore shoulders and it'll start to pull the back of the bra up) the answer will always be that the back is too big or has worn out!  If you do not have a firm back strap your breasts have nothing to be supported from!

Don't be afraid to try all styles available - brands will vary.  Most women will find a bra that fits them in all styles but you will just need to play; bras are just like normal clothing and sizing will vary slightly. Don't let this put you off trying!

General rules:

• Balconette styles will be your normal go-to size
  
• Plunge - generally need to go up a size in the cup (if you are usually a G you may need a GG)
  
• Half cup - again, generally need to go up a size in the cup.
• Full cup - may need to go down a size (Usually a G? Try a FF)

5.  Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?

Then your boobs are in for a period of many changes!  I swear I have bought more bras from mid-pregnancy throughout my nursing period than I have in the rest of my life.  When I first went shopping for maternity bras I sobbed.  How on earth could something without a wire hold up my E and growing cup size?  I actually committed the ultimate bra sin (blame the hormones) and bought nursing singlets and a couple of nursing bras without trying them on.  Cue 2 days post postpartum a, call to The Mummy (now The Nanna) with the request she go and buy me some 3 way stretch crop top/bras to get me through the first weeks. 

Once my milk had settled down I found myself a stockist of gorgeous nursing bras and lingerie and I got professionally fitted and I treated myself.  The change in my mentality was phenomenal - I felt beautiful in my very alien post-preggers body.  And oh my wow - who knew you didn't need scaffolding to hold the jubblies up?  I'm rocking a Dolly Parton F cup cleavage in a non wired bra. 

Jessicas's top tips for maternity bras:

• Give in to comfort!
• Your breasts will grow - do not be fooled.  Get measured in your second trimester, as often as necessary in your third and at least twice post postpartum!
• Buy a bra with room to grow, buy a bigger back so as your ribs widen you can loosen the back to accommodate.  Get a slightly larger cup to allow room to grow.
• Avoid wires while breastfeeding as these can sit on the milk ducts - plugged ducts are not fun and can lead to breast infections.
• Maternity and nursing bras suffer more wear and tear, so you'll need to replace them more often.

6.  Do you pamper your breasts as you do your face?

No?  You meanie!  Extend your skincare routine down a few inches.  Cleanse and moisturise your breasts daily, gently exfoliate them a couple of times a week.  Hell you can even use a face mask on them once a week.  (maybe when you're not expecting company anytime soon). 

Zsa Zsa Gabor used to smear old, dark bananas in an old bra as a home made firming rememdy - thankfully nowadays there are also lots of products solely aimed at your breast, including firming lotions and masks, without the need for rotten fruit.

Always protect your breasts from the sun, if you're wearing a low cut top, make sure you apply sunscreen as you would to your face.

Gentle daily massage is great for stimulating the lymphatic system and reducing the build up of toxins in the fatty tissues of the breasts.

7.  I must, I must, I must improve my bust.

Exercise can't change your natural size (no amount is going to turn natural DD cups into Bs), but it can tone them up.  Try daily press ups, but instead of doing them army style on the floor, aim for a 45 degree angle off of the arm of your sofa.

Remember to wear a supportive bra whenever you exercise - trust me, you do not need underwire to hold the girls in place!

8.  Be breast aware.

Just as you shouldn't be ashamed of getting fitted, you absolutely shouldn't shy away from breast health issues.  Check your breasts regularly, have regular screenings and go straight to your doctor if you're worried about anything. 

Check out The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation for all you need to know about breast care.

9. Your breasts are as wonderous as they are beautiful!

Let's finish with some fun facts about breasts:

• Going braless is good for you, moving around without a bra supports and encourages lymphatic flow and proper drainage of the breasts.
• The largest natural breasts according to the Guinness Book of Records is 70 inches around the fullest part, along the nipple line. That's 5.83 feet, or 6.5 inches taller than BR Natalie!
• 1 breast is usually around 1/5 of a cup size larger than the other.
• 6% of ladies have 'accessory breast tissue or nipples'.  Mark Wahlberg and Lily Allen are a couple of celebrities who've opened up about their tripples.
• After looking at breasts, men perform poorly on cognitive tests.
• Breasts are naturally warm, cosy places - they regulate a newborn's body temperature, which is why mama and baby being naked (skin to skin) is the fastest and easiest way to warm and soothe a baby.
  
• In Mongolia, when a baby cries all of the females of the tribe lift their shirts and shake their boobies - which calms the baby and makes them happy.  It'd probably work on the men folk too!
  

So - are your breasts your most neglected asset?  Are you as in love with your boobies as Natalie and Jessica or are you self conscious about them?  Have you been fitted for a bra and was the result a shock? 

Get chatting below!