Do you measure up to right size?

Are you one of the 83,000 women in Shropshire thought to be wearing a wrong-sized bra? If so, it’s time to get some help.

And county department store House of Fraser is now determined to do something about it.

After trying out a bra-fitting service on nine members of staff who acted as guinea pigs and finding each one in the wrong size, the need to spread the message has become even more important.

From Thursday, May 22, to Saturday, May 24, teams of specialist bra fitters will be at the Telford branch offering a free bra fitting and advice service.

The five-strong House of Fraser team will be on hand to give advice to all ladies, with specialist advice available for large cups, teenage fitting, pregnancy fitting, nursing and mastectomy fitting.

During this period, House of Fraser is also running a ‘bra amnesty’, with anyone bringing in an old bra qualifying for 10 per cent off the purchase of a new bra.

House of Fraser Telford womenswear sales manager Laura Davies said: “Bras are a staple of every woman’s wardrobe, yet it’s amazing how many ladies habitually wear ill fitting garments. We estimate that 90 per cent of the women who come to us for a bra fitting leave in a completely different bra size!”

And her point was proved as a host of staff ladies put it to the test, with many of them admitting their real size had come as a massive shock.

“Here at House of Fraser Telford, we believe that a great fitting bra is of the utmost importance. And because we want to make it easy for everyone to be professionally fitted, we’re hosting a three day special event with teams of trained fitters on hand to help,” added Laura.

“A properly fitted bra can change your body shape and in some cases make you look slimmer! We often find that once fitted in the right size, our customers see an immediate difference and leave the fitting room feeling like a new woman!”

How to get the best fit:

• There is no such thing as a definitive bra size - the size that fits you best will depend on the fabric, style and brand
• Underwiring should curve around the breast, not dig in
• The back of your bra should fit snugly round the narrowest part of your back and not be riding up
• When putting on a bra bend over and lower your breasts into the cups
• Lift your arms up in the new bra to check the band does not ride up and that you still have the desired effect
• Make sure your bra is on the loosest hook and is hugging your back. Washing and wearing the bra will relax the fit. When this happens to the bra you need to use the tighter hooks
• You should be able to run a finger under the inside of the band of your bra
• Make sure you try your bra under a tight fitting top. This will ensure that you are getting the line and shape that you are looking for
• Breast size and shape can change, so reassess your size every six months
• Use a professional fitting service - it’s estimated that nine out of 10 women fitted at House of Fraser in Telford leave in a different sized bra
• For further information contact House of Fraser Telford on 01952 297700.

Bra facts:

• More than 70 per cent of women wear the wrong size bra
• 60 per cent of women wearing a C cup should actually be wearing at least a D cup
• The average bra size is more likely to be a 34DD than a 36C
• The best selling bra size at House of Fraser in Telford is 34F
• The most common mistake is to wear a bra that is too small in the cup and too large in the back
• The world’s best selling bra - the Triumph Doreen - was introduced in 1967
• Sloggi manufactures 550 bras every minute

Top picture: Saying goodbye to ill-fitting bras are House of Fraser Telford staff, from left: Kate Brooks (thought she was a 40DD, actually now is a 38F), Leah Roberts, Sharon Headley (was 44D, now 40DD), Trish Beckett (was 36B, now 32DD), Kimberley Powers (was 36B, now 34DD), Sarah Hill (was 32C, now 32F), Harriet Paper (was 34A, now 32C), Sue Boldison (was 34DD, now 32E), Karen Berry (was 36A, now 34DD) and Wendy Owen (was 38D, now 38D). Picture by Andy Cunningham.