Have you heard the claim that 80% of all women wear the wrong size bra? I think it’s true! Bras are the most difficult item to fit (even worse than pants). Because it’s hard to find a bra that fits well, a lot of us simply give up. Ladies, take heart: the ideal bra is out there; you just need to search!

I encourage you to start with a professional bra fitting. Most department stores and Victoria’s Secret do this for free. Not all fitters are great, but it gives you a starting point. If you feel more comfortable measuring yourself, try this guide. This will be especially important for busty ladies. If you know you’re an irregular size, go to a specialty lingerie store for help.

Once you have the size determined, start the try-on process. Give yourself plenty of time. If you hurry through it, I guarantee you’ll end up with a poor result. Take at least 3 bras, from 3 different brands, into the fitting room.

There are 3 components to bra fitting: band, cups, and straps. The support comes from the band, not the straps. The band should feel snug without being unbearable. It should lie flat against the middle of your back. When you buy a bra, get one that fits with the tightest hook fastened. The band loosens with wear and you can move on to the next hook. There should be no spill-over from the cups, nor should they be too large. The straps shouldn’t slip once they’re adjusted. Many women shorten the straps all the way and cause the band to sit too high (that’s a sure sign you’re in the wrong size).

A quality bra is expensive. While I love a good deal, you really shouldn’t scrimp on bras. The $10 one from Walmart will not provide the ideal shape and support you need. Chantelle and Wacoal are super.

Only when you’ve determined size can you move on to style. These are the style I feel every woman needs:

Flesh tone: This is my everyday bra. Look for one that is completely seamless and has an underwire for the smoothest look under clothing. Sometimes these are called T-Shirt Bras. Flesh tones look the most natural under light colored fabrics. I like these much more than plain white.

Black: Identical to flesh tone in every way except for color. I wear a black bra under dark colored tops or dresses.

Sports: This is to be worn for exercise only! I can’t stress that highly enough. I see so many women who wear these daily and it’s always a mistake. If you’re a C-Cup or above, look for one with molded cups, or double-up. Champion is an excellent choice.

Strapless: I think bra straps are meant to be covered. If you’re wearing a strapless dress or tank top, this should be your first choice. Strapless bras are not the most comfortable option, so wear it only if you need to. I think these work much better than the convertible bras that were all the rage a few years back.

Fun: Bras that are lacey, wild colors, have rhinestones, etc, are all what I call “fun” bras. These tend to be for special occasions. Unless you’re planning a Honeymoon, I wouldn’t focus on these.

Since good bras are an investment, take care of them. I hang all of mine in the closet. They seem to keep their shape much better this way. Try not to wear the same bra 2 days in a row if possible. With proper care, a bra should last 1-2 years at least.

How many bras do you own?