Recent surveys prove than about 93% of women are wearing the WRONG Bra size. Not only does this means years of un necessary discomfort, but it's also very damaging to the posture.

There are lots of conflicting guidelines and advice available, but which is right?

Simple answer.............TRUST THE EXPERTS!

Hunt out the well established small lingerie boutiques run by or employing a fully qualified and experienced bra fitter. It can be difficult to track them down as larger stores such as La Senza, M&S, George etc seem to have pushed them into the shadows as far as undies go.

If you're unsure there's a simple test...............if the "professional bra fitter" gets out the tape measure RUN FOR THE HILLS!!! An experienced professional will be able to tell roughly what your bra size is just by looking at you. Then, they'll discuss your needs and preferences before returning with a small selection of bras or corsets for you to try on. 

The advice of measuring your ribcage and bust at the fullest point is a load of old rubbish. How could that measurement possibly give an accurate result? It gives the same method for PERKY PUPPIES, PEANUTS ON AN IRONING BOARD, FRIED EGGS and SPANIELS EARS! (sorry to be blunt).

You'd probably be surprised to hear that if your hook is comfortably fitting on the first loop, your back size in FAR TOO BIG. Your fitting should be on the last loop.

Why?

Well as careful as you are (hand washing your undies, putting your scanties in a sock bag before they go into the machine) the elastic on your bra will give a little bit over time. If your bra went loose when you had it fitted on the tightest loop you'd have to throw it away. This way you just move to a tighter loop and save your pennies!

I really wouldn't be tempted by the DIY method of trying on bras to find one that fits. Can you imagine how long it could take if you didn't hit the jackpot after the first few trys? I don't think the shop staff would be too impressed your hogging their fitting rooms all day either. Besides where would you start?

No, better leave it up to the experts and don't be tempted to cut corners by buying cheap brands. It's true what your gran used to say............Buy cheap, pay twice. There are plenty of undies bargains on Ebay if you don't fancy taking out a second mortgage to replace all your bras and corsets at the rather luxurious underwear boutiques. Just make sure you stick with the decent trusted brands such as Lepel, Contessa, Warner, Playtex, Gossard, Panache and you won't go far wrong.

Last but not least, go back for a refitting every couple of years. It sounds funny, but how many ladies of say 40 or 50+ are going into stores and purchasing the same bra size that fitted them when they were 18? TOO MANY.

 If you live near Chester, there's a good fitter in Hoole and I'm told there's also one in York. But if anyone else finds any other great places in any other areas, then please email me the name of the town. Obviously I can't advertise actual businesses, but hopefully we'll soon have a national directory of fantastic bra fitters so the shoulders and busts of the world will be a much comfier place.