Right fit

Surveys show that nine out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra size, and that many women walk about in a state of discomfort, writes VIMALA SENEVIRATNE

THE next time you have a pain in the neck, back, shoulder or even the head, don’t dash off to the doctor. The problem may be your bra. Worldwide, women wearing wrong size bras are turning up at clinics asking for medical relief, including breast reduction surgery.

“All over the world, millions of women just don’t wear the right sized bra. The cup or the band is too large or too small and they live in discomfort,” says Dee Sidhu, a certified bra fitter and director of Amanita, a lingerie store that carries an extensive range of undergarments including maternity, sports, mastectomy and regular bras.

A well fitting bra, she points out, is the key to a flattering look. “Bras that fit well make you feel comfortable and enhance your appearance. When you feel better about yourself, it raises your self esteem and confidence.”

Surveys done by hospitals in England this year show that nine in 10 women don’t wear the correct size bra and most have never been measured at all.

The women in the surveys had come to hospital seeking breast reduction surgery because they were convinced their heavy breasts were causing them back, shoulder and neck pain.

Few stores in Malaysia have trained staff offering advice to women looking to buy a bra. “Often, no measurement is taken, so it’s guess work. It doesn’t help when sales assistants make insensitive remarks about the size of the customer’s breasts,” says Sidhu.

As Amanita has a wide range of mastectomy and post-surgery bras, Sidhu, herself a breast cancer survivor, has a trained counselor, dietician, nurse and beauty therapist among its staff and volunteers.

“We have to be sensitive to the needs of every customer who walks through our doors.”

Through her experience in fitting women, she learned that many women are unaware that cups A, B, C or D are not the same. “For example, a 34C is not the same size as a 36C but they will buy any bra that says C. And, a 36C from one brand will not give the same fit as that of another brand.”

Active women must invest in sports bras. A well-fitted bra, says Sidhu, will be comfortable. The breasts should be supported by the body of the bra (the part with the cup and the hooks), not the straps. The straps are there to align the cups to the body. Many women mistakenly use straps as support which causes backache.

“Also, breast size and shape change over time. Most women have one breast bigger than the other. Some women lose and gain weight periodically. Pregnancy and menopause affect body weight and shape. It’s important to get regular fittings.”

For October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Amanita is offering discounts on all bras and prostheses.

Amanita is in The AmpWalk, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur and Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Selangor.