I found out a few days ago that I’ve been wearing the wrong bra size for some years now. Apparently, it’s not that uncommon. The thing is, I was never taught about bras. Like, not at all. It was news to me that the bra size measures two different things. The number represents the band size and the letter represents the cup.
I’m not joking, I didn’t know this. I thought that the number goes up and then you “level up” to the next letter. As such, I thought I had the same bra size that I had in sixth grade because my number didn’t really change. Note: I mainly wear sports bras, so I never thought much about bra size. To me, there were only small breasts and big breasts.
I only recently realized I wasn’t the right size because when I left for winter break this past year, I mistakenly left all my underwear here, at Regent. As such, I went shopping and bought new stuff. After putting on the new bra, it seriously hurt. The straps cut into my shoulders and the cups… let’s just say that I didn’t know what to expect. And so, I went through my entire break confused as to why I had to suffer like that. I thought it was because I bought the bras at Walmart.
Upon returning, I was glad to have my good ol’ stretched out, “comfortable” bras back. It was only a chance conversation with my roommate that led me to see that I may have been wearing the wrong bra size. I honestly had never given it much thought. She and another friend of mine went bra shopping. We went to Walmart first, but after picking out two bras, I still couldn’t figure out which one felt better. They both felt better than what I had been wearing. We went to Victoria’s Secret to get sized and when she told me my size, I was shook. We went back to Walmart and I bought new bras (because, who has $70 to spend on bras?), which was great because bras in my size were on sale for $3 (thank you, Walmart).
These past few days I’ve been feeling so good. Is this what I’ve been missing? Right-fitting bras are wonderful. Glorious. Life-altering. The bras I bought are amazingly comfortable and supportive. I could honestly preach a message on the glory of this experience, but I’ll settle with a few thankyous.
Thank you, roommate and friend, for helping me find the part of womanhood I had somehow missed. Your help will never be forgotten.
Thank you, Walmart, for never letting me down. You come through when I need you and that’s all I could ever want.
Thank you, bras, for being that support that many don’t realize they’re missing. You are underappreciated—sometimes even scorned. You stick around for years, normally not even receiving proper care, and that is amazing in and of itself.
Finally, I’d like to encourage everyone to get sized yearly. You may find that you’re fine with what you’re wearing, but it can’t hurt to get sized and see what you may missed. Sometimes it’s hard to see your own growth and if you’re like me, who didn’t know what to expect in the first place, you may have some difficulties. Let your boobs get the support they need. They deserve it.