Lynsey Miles' ill-fitting bra

Do you know your bra size? Most of us think we do but when it comes to this particular vital statistic, many of us are woefully mistaken.

According to a survey carried out by lingerie chain La Senza, 80 per cent of women in the UK are wearing the wrong size bra. Until recently, I was one of them.

The most usual error, apparently, is for the cup size to be too small and the back measurement too big. When our bras begin to feel tight, we assume we're getting wider and go for a bigger band size whereas we may simply have developed a larger bust.

The shape and size of a woman's bust can change over time, due to factors such as pregnancy, medication and diet. Rigby & Peller, corsetiere to the Queen, recommends that women have a bra-fitting every six months. You might also find that the bra size you need varies according to brand and style, and how do you know which style to choose? Full cup, half cup, balcony, plunge, padded, push up, multiway - it's no wonder we're confused.

These days, however, many stores offer a free bra-fitting service, so take advantage and ask for help.

Being fitted for a bra by a complete stranger might sound daunting but it doesn't have to be. According to Ann Grube-Hansen, manager of La Senza's store in St Albans, a good fitter should be pleased to help while respecting your privacy. Ann tells me she wouldn't dream of walking into the cubicle uninvited while a customer's changing and you don't have to remove your bra to be measured.

Rather than relying solely on her tape measure, Ann also uses her eyes and experience to assess a customer's size and the style of bra that is likely to suit your shape. For this reason, it's important not to be shy about letting the fitter see you wearing the bras once you have them on. By looking at you, the fitter can really check that the bra fits properly.

When I visited Ann for a bra-fitting, the first thing I discovered was yes, I was wearing the wrong size bra.

After a fitting, Lynsey's bra felt and looked much better

Once we had established my likely measurements, it was time to choose a bra and the second thing I learned was not to be guided simply by how beautiful the bra looks hanging on the rail. It may be made of the finest silk in your favourite shade of pink or have a little bow on the strap, but it needs to look good on you.

I had my heart set on a pretty, spotted bra with a lace trim that would no doubt look lovely on other women but when I tried it on, it didn't do me any favours, deflating my mood along with my bosom.

Ann then suggested I try a rather industrial-looking moulded seamless bra that, quite frankly, I would never have picked up by myself. Trying it on to be polite, I was amazed at the uplifting effect it had on my cleavage. Even with my clothes on top, it was much more flattering to my figure.

Very few people will see you wearing only your bra. What your friends, colleagues and other folk that you encounter will see is how your clothes look over your bra, so unless you are buying it just for the bedroom, the third lesson is to try on the bra, put your clothes back on and then look in the mirror.

Like me, you might be surprised at the result. If you think you can't wear a particular type of bra, it might be because you were trying the wrong size. If you have been wearing the same style for years, why not be adventurous and experiment with something new?

Perhaps you've always avoided padded bras because you think your bust is big enough, for example. But all-over padding can give you a smoother silhouette while padding beneath the bust gives additional lift and support.

Finally, having found a bra you like in the right size, don't then wear it until it literally falls apart. When it starts to sag and you find yourself fastening it on the next hook, it's time to be fitted for a new bra.

Five bra-fitting problems

1. Bust bulging out of the top or side: cup size is too small 2. Wires sticking out at front or digging under arms: cup size is too small 3. Bra cups wrinkled at sides: cup size is too big 4. Red marks on shoulders: straps are too tight or band size too big 5. Bra strap too high on back: band size too big Source: La Senza

One customer's story

When customer Lynsey Miles, 26, went for a bra-fitting at Brastop.com's Harrow store wearing a 36C, she discovered that she was actually a 30FF.

A nutritionist, Lynsey had lost weight over the previous year and wanted to find something pretty and young looking but with support for larger breasts - unsupported breasts can bounce up to 8cm whilst walking.

When Lynsey arrived for the fitting, the back of her bra was riding up far too high (right). There was also bulging at the front and the straps were not giving any support. Red strap marks indicated that the back size was too large.

After the fitting (above left), the centre gore of Lynsey's new bra was flat against her chest and the back was level all the way round. This should be completely horizontal around the rib cage, at the lowest point, as 90 per cent of the bra's support should be from the back, not the shoulder straps.

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