The company Leading Lady reached out to me and asked if I would like to try one of their sports bras. Since they cater to full-figured and nursing bras, I didn’t feel I was the target market. However, I asked if they would be willing to provide some tips for all audiences on getting the best fit for sports bras.

Fit, support and comfort are the three most important words when choosing a sport bra,” says Haidee Johnstone, Senior Vice President and Director of Design for Leading Lady. Johnstone has been tailoring stylishly comfortable, chic and affordable intimates for Leading Lady for more than 20 years. The fit-obsessed designer shares her tips for finding the perfect sports bra.

FIT:

Proper fit is incredibly important. The right fit will help prevent sagging, chafing and keep breasts dryer, supported and comfortable even under the most strenuous sport conditions.

Make sure the cups and band of your bra are the correct size for you by keeping these guidelines in mind:

1. If you can see part of your breasts sticking out of the neckline or the underarm, your bra cup is too small for your breast.
2. If the bra cup looks wrinkled on your breasts, it is probably too large.
3. You should not be using any of the under-bust elastic as part of the cup. If you are, it means the cup is not big enough for your breast.
4. Your bra should sit down on both your front and your back. If it is pulling up, the band is most likely too large for your frame and you will not get the correct amount of support.

Remember that many women are between sizes so you may need to try a size up or down to get the best fit.

Wearing your correct size is vital. Do not get hung up on what size you think you are or wish you are. Wearing a “dream size” is not as important as the health of your breasts.

SUPPORT:

When gearing up for your workout, consider the activity you will be engaged in and the intensity level of that sport –you may need a wardrobe of sport bras for different activities. It is also important to replace your sport bra when it is worn out.

Breasts should look supported and sit up and centered on your chest when wearing a properly fitting sport bra.

Breasts move in more than one direction: up-and-down as well as side-to-side. The fuller the breast the more support is needed.

In order for full figure sport bras to have great support, the bra cups need to encapsulate the entire breast and have enough compression to prevent bounce. Encapsulating and compressing the breasts will cause less strain and sag, but be sure you still have a full range of motion for your desired activity.

Maternity or nursing sport bras should also have great support and encapsulate the entire breast. It is even more important to have support during pregnancy or while nursing because the breasts change size with the advance of pregnancy and with the fluctuation of milk throughout the day. Exercise caution — too much compression may agitate your breasts, as they are more sensitive while nursing. Additionally, the bra cups should have as few seams as possible to avoid irritation on sensitive breasts or nipples. Leading Lady nursing bras most often use either a seamless compression cup or a secret seam cup to reduce the risk of abrasion.

COMFORT:

It is important that the shoulder straps of the bra stay in place when you are in motion. If they slip off the shoulder or cut into the shoulder, adjust the straps or try a different size bra. Adjustable straps are excellent features on sport bras.

Select a sport bra made with a wicking fabric to keep breasts dry so there is less chafing and abrasion.

Other factors to keep in mind when buying a full figure, maternity or nursing bras:

1. Wider and padded shoulder straps keep weight stress dispersed over a larger area for greater comfort.
2. Adjustable shoulder straps help you adjust to your individual needs, depending on your height and the weight of your breasts.

For additional fit tips, or to shop Leading Lady’s e-boutique for comfortably functional, remarkably affordable, stylish and easy-to-wear bras, camis and sleepwear, visit LeadingLady.com Leading Lady has been expertly tailoring quality lingerie designed especially to fit full figure women and nursing moms since 1939, instilling confidence from the intimates – out.