Durban - Sandra Thomas would like to see every woman, whether she be a AAA or an N cup (yes there are women who wear an N), wearing a perfectly-fitting bra.
Sandra is the owner of Kloof lingerie store, Satin Candy, and among her 3 000-plus clients, she has seen it all: bras that ride up, straps that fall off the shoulders, fat that bulges above and below the band, underwires that pop out – in short, bras that just don’t do the job.
“Wearing an uncomfortable bra is like wearing uncomfortable shoes,” she says. “It is irritating.”
It is estimated that more than 80 percent of women wear the wrong size.
“Big-breasted women have difficulty in finding a comfortable bra that is pretty and supportive, and I have plenty of lines that are both. About 90 percent of the support in a bra is in the band so if you are tightening your straps to the point that they leave ridges on your shoulders, you are wearing the wrong size.
“Pregnancy, lactation, weight loss, weight gain and ageing all take their toll but many women don’t think to be fitted for a new size.”
A professional fitting can ensure you get the right bra for your needs, especially for full-busted women.
“A young woman came in wearing a 32 H but she bulged over the top and it was not supportive. After being fitted, she went away with a comfortable and beautiful 28 HH.”
Sandra has sizes up to a 50 and has had two clients who wore an N cup.
“I had a 13-year-old who was acutely embarrassed as she was an H cup. Her old bra fitted badly but the correct one made her look slimmer and gave her confidence.”
Many people think a boutique bra is an unaffordable luxury, but Sandra stocks bras ranging from R295.
Sports bras are another neglected area and she stresses the importance of wearing one when you exercise.
“When you jog, your breasts not only go up and down, they also move in a figure of eight. The breast tissue in the breasts can stretch and tear, so it is important to support the breasts while you exercise. If you are wearing two sports bras, you need a new one and if you do aerobic forms of exercise or running three times a week, sports bras should be replaced at least once a year.” - Daily News
* See www.satincandy.co.za