Being a girl comes with some pretty great perks… high heels, lipstick, lingerie, and let’s not forget – BRAS!
Bras offer endless options for expressing your femininity. And that’s where things can get tricky! With so many sizes and styles to choose from, it’s easy to go wrong.
Do you know what to do and what NOT to do when it comes to bras for crossdressers and MTF trans women? Here are 6 do’s and don’ts of wearing a bra!
1. DO Wear The Right Size
Did you know that there’s an 80% chance you’re wearing the wrong size bra? A bra that doesn’t fit right is uncomfortable and unflattering – and who needs that?
Bra sizing is complicated, so I suggest getting professionally fitted if at all possible. (Many shops are happy to provide this service to their transgender and crossdresser clientele.)
If you prefer to do it yourself, check out my previous article on how to find your MTF bra size.
2. DON’T Let Back Bulge Ruin Your Look
One of the dreaded side effects of wearing a bra is back bulge. This is especially common if you carry extra weight in your upper body. Here are 3 tips for minimizing back bulge:
- Wear a larger band size. A band that’s too tight will cause bulging, so go up a size. For example, from a size 42 to a size 44 band.
- Look for a bra with extra stretch. Bras made with smooth, stretchy fabrics don’t dig in as much as stiffer bras.
- Try a longline bra. Longline bras have a wider band that extends down the torso to help eliminate back bulge.
3. DO Choose The Right Style
While choosing the right bra size is important, so too is the style. The options are nearly endless! Some of the style details to consider include:
- Padded vs. unpadded
- Underwire vs. wireless
- Cut of the bra cups (low cut, full cut, balconette, etc.)
- Front clasp vs. back clasp
- Straps (strapless, racerback, convertible, etc.)
- Fabric (cotton, satin, lace, etc.)
- Color
Which style is best depends on what you’ll be wearing, as well as your natural breast shape and body type.
For a breakdown of suitable styles, see my article on the Top 7 Bra Styles Every Crossdresser and MTF Transgender Woman Should Own.
4. DON’T Be Boring
While you should definitely own some basic bras, why stop there?
Bras offer endless options for expressing your style, so have fun and experiment with different colors, fabrics, and trimmings! (Just be careful what you wear them with as frilly details can show through clothes.)
5. DON’T Ruin Your Bra In The Wash
Bras are delicate objects, so they need to be properly cared for. You shouldn’t simply toss your bra in the wash with the rest of your clothes. Here are some tips to ensure that your bra stays in good shape for as long as possible:
- Hand wash your bra if possible. This is the best way to extend the life of your bra.
- Use a bra wash bag. This keeps the hooks from snagging and prevents your bra from getting tangled in the washing machine.
- Air dry your bra. Bras should never be put in the dryer, so hang them to dry instead.
6. DO Replace Your Bra When It’s Time
You take care of your bra, it should last a good while. However, keep in mind that bras do have a limited life span. (Expect an average of 6-12 months if you wear it regularly.)
Here are signs that your bra needs to be replaced:
- The bra straps are stretched out.
- The bra no longer fits as well as it used to.
- The bra has lost its shape.
- The bra feels uncomfortable.
Bras! We just can’t get enough
Now that we’ve got the dos and don’ts worked out, the only thing left to do is enjoy your beautiful bra… And maybe go out and buy some new ones!
Since a girl can never have too many bras, I’d love to know…
How many bras do you own? Are you a basic one-bra kinda gal? Or do you have a bra to match your every mood?
Take my poll and tell me about your favorite bra below!
Love,
Lucille
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P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
I used to be a natural 36B and various bras would fit nicely. However, due to diabetes, my band size went up to 48. Bras of that band size have larger cups even when listed as a B cup. I had to buy some smaller band sizes and add extensions just to have a proper cup fitting.
I do not wear them every day as often there is perspiration which causes itching inside the cups.
The rule when going up a band size you go down a cup size. When you go down a band size you go up a cup size. This keeps the same circumference in the cup the wire from the gor to the underarm on average, the style of the bra fits the volume of your breasts. So a 36B and a 48B are two different sizes in the cup from the gor to the underarm and volume in the cup. A 48B is the same as a 36G American sizing. Hop this helps.
I recently learned that wearing two bras can help increase your bust size. So I wear one that fits correctly and a second one that is a little bigger!! Works GREAT!
I love wearing a bra, I have over 50 and still counting, but may have to replace most of them soon as I have gone up a cup size recently. Here are just a few.
I worked for an entire year as my feminine self as a long term substitute teacher. For working bra’s I ware Carol Martin bras. On a date that varies depending on the dress I ware. As a trans women it’s important to feel comfortable as any day to day women, but more sexy at times with some loss of comfort.
I went to a store in Scottsdale, Az. after working my courage up to do so. The people there were very nice and quite helpful. They spent a lot of time working with me to fit me properly and I was very happy with the results. I came away with two properly fitted bras that compliment my look.
nice bra.I have been wearing a bra for years,,buy online.I prefer a nylon bra as my nipples are very sensitive. have bra extenders if too tight..prefer white but have black &taupe.have an all-in-one with suspenders for stockings. but right now too hot.love to all.rikki.
Been on a combo a while now and am just realizing the discomfort cis gals had in puberty(dicovery)to me it’s a welcome experience
when i wear a bra, i would double, sometimes triple up on bra’s going up in cup size to achieve a full cup look. I would grab my breast under my arm and pull up to create my clevage. i put the tightest push up on first. Then a padded one to fill in the rest of the cup. I sometimes do a third for a fuller look or if the bra is pretty and shows through the clothing.
I love the feminizing feeling of getting a bra on. this is a 36C lace underwire bra.
great color. Super feminine
That bra looks GREAT.