Kimmay on Rachael Ray – Bra Care

Hurray! I’m back for my third time on The Rachael Ray Show, sharing my heart and bra fit expertise with the help of three brave viewers and three great bras. Plus, I shared some important bra care basics like the best way to put on your bra (with mobility alternatives!), and important washing tips. Take a look below at some of my additional notes that didn’t make it on the show, links to purchase these fabulous products, and how to watch the clips on the Rachael Ray website!

Psst! Some of the links below are partner or affiliate links. I always share my honest and expert opinion. Buy and try these for yourself and see what makes you say hurray!

Included in VIDEO 1: Rachael and I teaching the audience about these tips here.

Bra Basics 

Whether they are 19 or 90, many of the thousands of people I have helped in my many years as a bra fitter are still learning the basics. That’s because most often we learn how to wear and care for our bras from a parent or guardian, and they were misinformed themselves. Or, we get barely any guidance at all! Because of some bad bra advice, or left to guess, it’s no wonder that most people are confused about the basics. The most common thing I teach is how to find your bra size starting points, and to understand bra sizing, and then how to check the fit of your bra. Then, these three tips below are the next most commonly misunderstood. And knowing them means you can take good care of your bras, and yourself!

How to put on your bra 

I learned from my mom to put on my bra doing the “crush and flip”. Uh oh! This is way too harsh on bras and can stretch them out and even break underwires. Learn the “hurray” and “not to hurray” ways to put on your bras. Rachael got an A+ for her method, but what about you? And for those with mobility issues there’s even a variation on the hurray way. Watch my video on how to put on your bra.

How to store bras 

Oooooh if you have a molded bra, please don’t fold one cup into the other! This is a common way we were taught, but it can dent your bras and ruin the shape. Instead, stack them one behind the other in a drawer or box with enough space so they don’t get crushed.

How to wash bras 

This is the number one way people ruin their bras. Whether you spend $14 or $140 on your bras, it’s worth it to take care of them! Watch my videos on how to wash your bras, including a way to do it by hand and in the machine – and the reason the soap you use really matters.

First up: Ali! 

Watch this clip on The Rachael Ray website here.

Ali is a young woman who had given up on finding a bra that fit well, and resorted to unsupportive bralettes and sports bras. In the little bralette she’s wearing here, her band is hiking up in the back and her bust is falling down in the front. She is beautiful as is, but was feeling uncomfortable and unsupported, and I wanted to find her something that was supportive, elegant, and totally new!

To help her keep her band down and her bust up, I chose the Etched Maya Bra. This bra is specifically designed for small bands and full busts in the E-G range. And the band is really different than most! This bra is engineered like a bridge, and the band is designed to sit low and act as a counterbalance to the bust in the front. Plus, the straps start wide in front and get narrow in the back to prevent falling off (and are attached at an angle with cute heart shaped hardware). And unlike most which are flat, this underwire has a slight curve to contour to your body and it coated for extra comfort. There are so many other thoughtful and well designed features to this bra! These are just the start.

PS: This “quartz” color is a wonderful light alternative to most skin tone options, and this also comes in black. And a quick note on sizing, I find the band and cup to fit generously, so try sizing down from your typical bra size starting points and see what fits you best.

Want to try the bra that Ali is wearing? Shop the Etched Maya Bra available in sizes from 28-34 bands and DD/E to DDDD/G cup sizes.

Bonus: I am really proud to say that I’ve had a small hand in this company from back before it launched, by helping the designer find fit models, creating social media content, and more. So sharing this bra on TV was a big hurray! This is a newer brand and female owned, and it’s just getting started. Expect to see more from this brand in years to come!

Second Up: Darlene! 

Watch this clip on the Rachael Ray website here.

Darlene was such a dream to fit! She “suffers” from the very common issue of “sleavage”, which is what we call that underarm fat. I get complaints about this all the time. The truth is we are not made of steel. As fleshy humans, it’s totally normal to have some of that spillage! However, if your cup size is too small or your bra isn’t fitting properly, it can be breast tissue that is peeking out and being pressed into. So first, I updated her cup size and brought all of her bust into the cup. Then, to help give her a super sleek look, I put her into the Olga No Side Effects Bra.

This bra has zero stitching and sewing on the band apart from where the hook and eyes attach, so it’s super smooth. And, there’s an extra, smooth piece of material that comes up underneath the armpit to keep that normal sleevage stuff in check. Darlene LOVED her new bra and told me she didn’t even feel like she was wearing one. (Added bonus, this bra has front adjustable straps so you can easily adjust without having to spin the bra around. Hurray!)

Want to try the bra that Darlene is wearing? Shop the Olga No Side Effects Bra, available in these styles:

• No Side Effects Underwire (sizes: 36-44C,D,D)
• No Side Effects Wire-Free (sizes: 36-44C,D,DD) 

Plus, their sister company, Warner’s, also makes a No Side Effects bra and these:

• No Side Effects Underwire Animal Print (sizes: 34-38B; 34-40C,D)
• No Side Effects Wire-Free (sizes: 34-36A; 34-40B,C; 36-38D)

Bonus: Olga’s sister company, Warner’s, has been making bras since the 1940’s, and they even hold a US Patent for using cup sizes when it comes to bra sizing! They’ve been around for a long time and keep making great, new styles. This is just one! In fact, I stepped in to help this longtime brand create their very first TV commercials a few years back, and this product was our focus. It’s since been flying off shelves as more and more people have found comfort and support in this seamless bra.

Watch this clip on the Rachael Ray website here.

One of the biggest misconceptions about breasts: they are symmetrical. Nope! Just like hands and feet, breasts are often slightly different in size or shape. So was the case with Briana! The key for this is to identify your “fuller friend” and fit to that one – rather than fit to the smaller bust and come spilling out of the other cup, or digging into your bust. In order to keep both cups flush, stay away from super firm molded cups and try a stretchy cup like the Dominique Anais Seamless Breathable Bra I chose for Briana! You can tighten the strap on the smaller side a tad more to help keep things seamless.

The stretch cups on this bra were perfect for slightly uneven breasts, and the top satin ribbon really helped keep things smooth. Super comfortable, convertible straps are a nice touch, but the big wow-factor on this bra is on the inside. The underwire of this bra is lined with super soft felt, and the cups are lined with a breathable knit material – it’s almost like having your favorite t-shirt against your skin. Hurray! Great fit, great support, and great comfort all in one.

Want to try the bra that Briana is wearing? Shop the Dominique Anais Seamless Breathable Bra, available in 34-42 band sizes and B-G cup sizes.