Fitting Tips for Bras, Underwear, and Clothing
Women come in many shapes and sizes, which is why we offer our customizing service. The following tips should help you find the perfect fit. These tips are most helpful once you have received your order. If this this your first order, please check out these customizing options.
There are 3 main variables that affect the fit of your bra: the rib size, the cup size and the strap length. The front looper may also be a factor. Isolating each variable can help you determine what adjustment(s) may be needed.
Rib Size
Too loose or too tight? If the rib elastic is too loose, the bra may pull up in the front and/or back. The elastic may curl up or gap in the front, or you might feel like you're falling out the bottom.
Sometimes the rib elastic feels too tight, when actually the straps are too short. (See Straps)
The best way to determine if the rib elastic is the right size is to put the bra on without the straps. (This is not possible with the racer style 120 bra.) Place the rib elastic straight across your back, where you would like it to stay. To determine how tighter it needs to be, put a small pin thru the elastic or just pinch it to make it “comfortably snug”.
If the elastic still feels too tight when it is in the right place, you'll want to try a larger rib size. We use 2” increments (34, 36, etc.) when possible, but can do in-between sizes if needed.
Cup Size
Too big? The cup is too big if you're not getting any support from the bra, there is extra fabric bunching up in the center front of the bra or you feel the cup is spreading you out, rather than holding you in.
Sometimes the bra covers you nicely, but it just doesn't feel like it's “doing” anything. This may indicate the cup is too large. If shortening the straps doesn’t help, try turning the bottom elastic under one turn. This will approximate one cup size smaller. If you still have enough coverage, going down a cup size should help. If the armhole is too high, let us know how much lower you need it – in front, at the side seam and/or in the back.
Too Small? The cup is too small if you are spilling out or feel squished or flattened. Some women need a little extra coverage only at the armhole. We can cut the armhole higher in the front - just let us know how much higher you need it. If the bra is pulling up in front and you're unsure if it is the strap length (too short) or the cup size (too small), put the bra on without the straps. With one hand, hold the bottom elastic on the rib cage where you want it to sit. With the other hand, pull the cup up. If you feel you need more depth in the cup, try a larger cup size. If you feel the cup is full enough, try a longer strap.
Note: Don’t expect the cups to stretch out or shrink significantly with wear. If they feel too small (or big) when first tried on, it’s best to exchange your purchase right away, rather than needing to adjust it later.
Straps
If you feel like the straps want to slip off your shoulders and you don't want the racer back style, we can move the straps closer together to help keep them where they belong! Just let us know how much closer to your neck you want them (1/2", 3/4", 1").
Too long? If the straps feel too long, pinch/in them to where they feel comfortable and we will shorten them that amount. Keep in mind that you need to double the amount pinched.
Too Short? If the straps dig into your shoulders or the bra pulls up in front and back, the straps are probably too short. First determine if the bottom elastic is too loose (See Rib size). If you are tall, have a long torso or broad shoulders, you will most likely need longer straps. It is easier to figure out how much shorter to make the straps, so we recommend making them a little longer than you think.
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If the bra sits too high in the back, measure down to where you'd like it to sit and ask us to add this amount plus 1"; or
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measure from the top of your shoulder, straight down your back to where you'd like the bottom of the bra to stay. Let us know this measurement and we can suggest how much longer to make the straps; or
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if you have a bra that has straps the right length, you can compare them to your Decent Exposures® bra to help determine how much longer they need to be.
"Front Looper"
The front looper is designed for definition and support, especially in larger sizes. For a smoother look, you can cut off the looper. Or try a detachable, Velcro looper for ($5).
If you find the looper pulls up too much in front, a longer looper should help the bottom elastic lay flatter against your rib cage. Securing the looper to the bottom elastic at the stitching line in front can also help the elastic lay flatter. To determine how much longer you need the looper, tie a string or shoelace around the front and see how long you need it.
A standard looper is about ½" wide. Some find a 1 1/2" wide looper helps give a little more cup definition.
More Options
Bottom Elastic We use a 1" wide latex-free elastic for A-D cups and a 1¼" wide (non-latex-free) elastic for E cups and up. The wider elastic is firmer and offers more support. We also offer a 2" wide cotton/spandex (or dri-release®) ribbing on any bra. Made from fabric, the ribbing is soft and comfortable around the rib cage, but offers less support than the elastic. We can use either type of elastic or ribbing on any size bra.
Thread If you are irritated around the edges of the bra where the stitching is, try wearing your bra inside out and see if that helps. If it does, we have some options that may decrease the irritation. We use 100% cotton thread on all organic fabrics. In order to be strong enough, it is a little thicker and the texture may be what's bothering you. It may soften after a few washings, but if it doesn't, we can try a cotton-covered polyester thread or a softer, synthetic thread.
Pockets We can add pockets to any bra for those with a prosthetic or to give extra coverage across the front. For lined bras, we can either slit the inside layer to create the pocket, or add a 3rd layer - your choice.
Back Lining We line the fronts and backs of lined J, K and L bras, which offers more support and helps keep the backs from wearing out faster than the fronts. We can line the backs of A-I cups as well, for an additional charge.
Underwear and Clothing
We can customize the fit of ALL our products. The more specific you can be, the better chance we can help you get that perfect fit! Let us know how much longer, shorter, tighter, looser, higher, lower, etc. you need your garment(s) and we will do our best to get it right for you.
Need something not described here? There is a good chance we have a unique solution for you, click here to contact us.