Bra Bummers

An ill-fitting bra can cause bodily harm. Here, signs you need better support.

Your back and shoulders ache.

The band size is probably too large for your body, causing you to tighten the shoulder straps to make up for the lack of support. To get the correct band size, measure your torso by putting a tape measure right under your breasts. When trying on bras, you'll know the band fits if it stays level just under your armpits and across your back.

Your boobs feel really tender whenever you move.

The cups may be too big or the elastic in the cup fabric may be worn out, leaving your girls free to bounce around. Also, the band size could be too large, allowing it to ride up your back and the cups to angle down loosely, like a seesaw.

You notice redness under your breasts.

Your bra may not have enough padding around the underwire or the cup size could be too large, causing it to fail to lift your breasts off your chest and resulting in chafing.

Source: Bra Expert Susan Nethero, founder of Intimacy Bra Shops

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, July 2008