Finding the right bra can be trickier than figuring out your locker combo. (Was it 34 or 36?) GL sorts through the details to help you find the best fit. Now, if only we could get bogs to stop snapping those straps….

GET FIT QUICK

Most girls are bouncin’ around in the wrong size bra–but proper sizing can be confusing. The number is the measurement around your rib cage, and the letter is the size of the cup (who knew your A,B,C … D’s could be so difficult?).

Your best bet? Get fitted at a lingerie store. Wear a thin tee, and she’ll use a tape measure–over your shirt–to find your correct bra size. Turns out you’re a hard-to-find combo (hello, 30C)? Go to myintimacy.com to locate a specialty boutique in your area.
CURTAIN CALL

Do not–we repeat, do not!–buy a bra without trying it on. Not sure you’ve picked the right one? Hook it on the end clasp, and see if it passes these tests….

DO THE WAVE Reach both hands up to the ceiling. If the bra rides up, it’s too big. Go down a band size.

JUMPING JACK FLASH While in the dressing room, jump in place. If you’ve got big-time bounce, go for extra support, like underwire or structured cups.

WAITING TO EXHALE Feelin’ like you can’t breathe? Go up a band size … bras shouldn’t be tight, just snug!

I’M WITH THE BAND See if it’s a good fit by sliding the straps down for a sec. The bra should pretty much stay put.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT? Your bra should not dig in, fall down, pinch or make you uncomfortable in any way.

SMOOTH OPERATOR Pull on a tee and see how well it lays over the bra. Smooth? You’ve found a keeper!

CUT THE BRA-MA

GL’s got the answers to your most baffling bra problems….

* Um … when should I start wearing a bra? Your hair’s not the only thing that’s bouncy these days? Try a sports bra for support. A little too much peek-a-boo through your shirts? Time for some coverage with a cute bralette. Keep getting measured as you develop, and buy new bras when you need them.

* My straps are always slipping down my arm! Straps failing faster than the temperature? Adjust so they’re tighter.

* Ugh, this underwire’s killing me. Here’s a shocker: Bras shouldn’t hurt. If you’re getting poked, go up a cup size.

* My strapless never staysput/Nothing’s worse than finding your bra around your waist. Resist the urge to pull the band up in back–that’ll make the cups pop out in the front. Be sure the band rests right under your shoulder blades.

* Ouch! My straps always dig in. Loosen up, sister. Adjust the straps so they’re longer–comfortable but still taut. Or, look for wider straps the next time you go bra shopping.

* My boobs are so big they spill over the top of my bra! When you’ve got humps bursting out of the top of your bra, go up a cup size. No dreaded double boon!

GL goes under COVER

It’s GL’s first-ever Great Bra Challenge. We hooked and unhooked, adjusted and readjusted–so you don’t have to!

We’re here to help you understand your changing body and to try to guide you in your search for your first, or new bra.We’re here to help you with questions about your changing body, and give you tips for finding the right training bra. Whether your curious about training bras, or needing help in selecting the right starter bra, we are here to help.

Overwhelmed by all the bra choices out there and not sure what it all means? Well, it can be pretty intimidating when you’re just starting to wear bras to figure out what you need and what’s best. Kidzworld has some tips to follow.

Cups or no Cups?
There is a time and place for everything, including cups in your bras. Usually, when a girl starts wearing a bra it’s one of those simple sporty things that comes in sizes like Small, Medium and Large. Those simple, stretchy cotton bras are okay if you’re in the beginning stages of development but eventually, you’re probably gonna need something with cups. Cups give you more support and keep your boobs from flopping all over the place. So how do you know when you need a cup? Well, there’s an old test that goes like this: if you take a pencil and put it under your boob – and it stays – then you need a cup. If the pencil falls then you’re still okay without cups.

Cup Lingo
If you don’t get what all the letters and numbers mean on a cup bra, don’t worry. It’s not as complicated as it looks. The letters – like A, B, C, D – all stand for cup sizes. The numbers – like 32, 36, 38 – all stand for the band size – the part of the bra that goes around you. In other words, a 34a means that your boobs are an A cup and that your bra is 34 inches around. The best way to figure out what cup and size is right for you is to go and try some on.

Measuring Up
Here is a pretty accurate means of figuring out your bra size. First, you need to take a measuring tape and measure around your back right across the middle of your boobs. And right across your nipples. You need to find the fullest measurement. Make sure to hold the tape measure straight but not tight. The difference between this measurement and your BAND size is your cup size. Each inch of difference is equal to one cup size. For example, if your band size is 34″ and your full across-the-nipple measurement is 35″, you wear an “A” cup. Now, all you need to do is figure out your band size. Take the measuring tape and wrap it around your ribcage just below your boobs. Make sure that it is level at the back and the front. Your ribcage measurement plus five inches is your band size. So, if you measure out at 29 inches and add five inches, your band measurement is 34