What to Know If a Sports Bra Fits
May,11,2021
How should a sports bra fit? And how do you know that the one you pulled off the rack will hold up your, er, rack? (Related: These Companies are Making Shopping for Sports Bras Suck Less)
"Support comes from three points on a sports bra: the straps, the cups, and the band, including the side panels," says Susan Sokolowski, senior innovation manager for Nike in Beaverton, Oregon. (Btw, Nike is Revolutionizing the Sports Bra and Extending Their Sizes)
This three-step dressing room experiment is a great test for how to choose the perfect sports bra:
1. Straps: Hold the top of one strap and the center of the corresponding cup, then pull. Whether they're adjustable or not, the less stretchy the front straps, the more motion control they'll provide.
2. Cups: Repeat a similar stretch test by tugging the top and bottom of each cup; the less give, the more motion control. Then put on the bra. Whether it's a compression or an encapsulation style, the cup should hold the whole breast—no spillage. If it doesn't, choose the next larger cup size.
3. Band and side panels: Slide a finger under the band between your breasts; you should not be able to pull it more than an inch from your chest. (For an adjustable band style, set the clasp on the first eyelet; if you have to use the last eyelet to get a snug fit, you're better off with a smaller band.) Next, reach your arms overhead; if the band creeps up, it's too big. In both cases, pick a smaller size. (Related: Here Are More Sports Bra Shopping Tips from Pros)
"Support comes from three points on a sports bra: the straps, the cups, and the band, including the side panels," says Susan Sokolowski, senior innovation manager for Nike in Beaverton, Oregon. (Btw, Nike is Revolutionizing the Sports Bra and Extending Their Sizes)
This three-step dressing room experiment is a great test for how to choose the perfect sports bra:
1. Straps: Hold the top of one strap and the center of the corresponding cup, then pull. Whether they're adjustable or not, the less stretchy the front straps, the more motion control they'll provide.
2. Cups: Repeat a similar stretch test by tugging the top and bottom of each cup; the less give, the more motion control. Then put on the bra. Whether it's a compression or an encapsulation style, the cup should hold the whole breast—no spillage. If it doesn't, choose the next larger cup size.
3. Band and side panels: Slide a finger under the band between your breasts; you should not be able to pull it more than an inch from your chest. (For an adjustable band style, set the clasp on the first eyelet; if you have to use the last eyelet to get a snug fit, you're better off with a smaller band.) Next, reach your arms overhead; if the band creeps up, it's too big. In both cases, pick a smaller size. (Related: Here Are More Sports Bra Shopping Tips from Pros)
