What is the best way to put on your bra? How do you actually keep a strapless bra up? These are just a few of the questions that I get all the time as an Undergarment Educator, and that I answered on The Good Stuff with Mary Berg! 

I have been fitting folks for bras or teaching bra fitting for nearly 20 years. And I love answering bra related questions for a few reasons – whether it’s on TV or Tiktok. First, most of us were never taught the truth about bra fit or sizing, and it makes bra shopping super difficult. Second, we wear bras right over the heart so it’s a very rich and important area to show some support (pun intended!). And finally, sharing my heart and expertise with you makes me say hurray! 

Join me below for the answers, and shop some of the great examples that I brought along the way. There are front close bras, strapless bras, back smoothing bras, sports bras and more. Dive in and see what makes you say hurray.

Psst! The brands linked here are partners of mine. I’m proud to bring them your way! As always, I share what I think will support you and help you say hurray.​

In Canada? Check out the replay of the show on The Good Stuff site. Note, you’ll need to be in Canada to watch, or have a VPN.

Is there a right or wrong way to put on a bra?

So, how do you put on your bra? Think about it for a minute. For most people, this is such a habit that they’ve been doing for years and years (decades, probably!) and they don’t give it a thought as they put it on each day. The truth is that there is a better and worse way to put on a bra – mostly for the health of the bra! Bras are delicate, and I’ve seen so many folks put on their bra in a way that damages the cups, stretches out the band, and pops out underwires. There’s no shame on doing it this way, because most likely that is just how we were taught. In fact, my mom taught me to do the “crush and flip”, and it wasn’t until I started as a bra fitter that I realized there was a better way. After all, bras cost money! So taking care of them (so they can take care of you) is key.

Watch the clip to see what I mean, and explore further in my two articles below – both with video examples (including a more mobility friendly version). Compare how you’re putting on your bra each day to the examples I share!

I use the Corin Virginia – Canada’s most popular t-shirt bra – as my example on the show. This cup is more flexible and less susceptible to dents than a firmer contour cup, but even one like this can benefit from putting it on with care. It’s a fantastic bra (and in a new color!) and worth a little extra effort to keep in tip top shape.

A note on ability and mobility: Sometimes when I share the “hurray” way to put on a bra, I immediately get push back from folks saying there is “no way” they can reach around their back. And in my almost two decades of bra fitting, here’s what I’ve learned: most people are more flexible than they think. It’s the habit of putting on the bra in a new way that takes practice. And after just 1 month of putting on and taking off a bra in a new way each day, you will be surprised at how easy and mindless this task becomes for your limbs and hands! Practice using a mirror or intentionally feeling for the hooks and eyes, and see how it goes. 

That said, this technique truly isn’t for everyone, so I also share a more mobility friendly version for those whose arms and shoulders prefer or require another way. In the end, how you put on your bra is 100% up to you, and switching even a small part of the process might really save you big bucks (and comfort) when it comes to your bras. 

And finally, there are also bra solutions that can support your ability to put on and take off your bra! Front closure bras are fabulous.

Shop on the show:

La Vie En Rose – Lightly Lined Front Closure Demi Bra

• Contour, plunge cups with super strong magnetic front closure
• Underwire support and comfortable foam padding for great shape
• Cleavage baring coverage 
• Fully adjustable straps can convert to racerback
• Comes in smooth or lace cups, and several fun colors, including the pretty dusty orchid I shared on the show
• UK cup sizes A-D, 34-38 bands

La Vie En Rose – Push-up Front Closure Demi Bra

• Contour cups with super strong magnetic front closure
• Push-up padding adds up to one cup size
• Cleavage baring, plunge front
• Underwire support and comfortable foam push-up
• Fully adjustable straps can convert to racerback
• Comes in smooth cups and 3 basic colors
• UK cup sizes A-DD, 32-38 bands 

Susa  – London Front Close Wire Free Bra

• Wire-free, seamless cups with slight minimizing effect
• Hook and eye front closure extends up the cups for easy dressing
• Preformed cups offer great shape 
• Wide, adjustable, cushioned straps angle inward where they meet the band to avoid slipping 
• Decorative lace adorns the side of each cup for a dose of beauty
• Soft, longer band gently anchors in place for secure support
• OEKO-TEX100 certified
• Euro B-G cups and 32 TO 46 bands

What can I do about back bulge?

I get this question so often that one day while working at a very busy bra shop, I stepped out of the fitting rooms and into the waiting area to make an announcement: “That’s it! Every single person has asked me how to eliminate back fat and bra bulge. Here’s the answer for everyone, at once!” and went on to give a lecture. 

Yes, I was fed up with the questions but truly I was fed up with our culture that only promotes Barbie bodies made of plastic or steel. The truth is that bodies are soft and squishy, and that is both normal and beautiful. I often refer to bodies as “marshmallows”, and how we each have our own squishiness, but that we are all delicious. And when you have elastic going a squishy body, it will create some overhang. This actually means the bra band fits snug like a hug, which will lead to a great fit, and then comfort, confidence, and hurray! 

So, bulge on the back of your body from your bra is normal. And. If you do want to smooth it out, there are a few ways to do so. First, the band should be wider. Back to the marshmallow example, a thin piece of dental floss will just cut through the soft treat, but a wide, slightly stretchy piece of elastic will just hug and squeeze the marshmallow. We are the same. A nice wide band will smooth things out without digging in as much. Additionally, some bras have seam free features, or even extra pieces of material to help smooth things out. While other go hardware free or even build a bra into a tank to create a super seamless look. In the end, wear what fits well, feels great, and helps you look your best. Below are a few of the best options I shared on the show. 

Shop on the show:

How can I keep a strapless bra up?

Believe it or not, strapless bras CAN stay up and in place! Here are a few tips: 

• Size matters! Most people wear a band too large and cup too small, and the frame and underwire can’t anchor on the body. It’s too shaky and will fall down! Make sure you are wearing the best size and fit for your body.
• The center gore – middle part – is so important for a great fit and needs to tack against the body. If the cups are too small or the band is too loose, this can’t fit properly. 
• Most people think they should go super tight in the band, but you just need it to hug you to stay in place. Going too small means it will try to go to the smaller part of the body, usually the waist. 
• Features like side stays, silicone, a wide back, contour cups, or a high center gore can each add more security. The styles I shared on the show re excellent examples of some of these features! 

Note: There are contour OR stretch cup options these days. Stretch cups give a more natural look and can snap to the body, while a contour cup provides a smooth and specific shape for your bust.

Shop on the show:

Is it safe to wear a sports bra 24/7, even to bed?

This question comes up a lot on my TikTok!  In short, wearing a bra around the clock isn’t good or bad, however, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

First, if you’re wearing a sports bra instead of a traditional bra because you feel like you can’t get support in anything else, go for a fitting! A lot of folks who “hate” bras or underwires have just been walking around in the wrong size. In the segment, I explained that bras are like shoes, and wearing shoes that are too small or too big will hurt. 

Next, it’s a great idea to have different bras for different outfits and occasions, including various levels of support. Sports bras are really designed to keep you comfortable and the bust protected during physical activity, and some are super high impact and aren’t designed to be worn throughout the day or to sleep. 

A sleep bra should have more give and no wire, so that your body can fully relax and expand during the night. That might mean something without any hardware, or something that is more flexible. 

Keep in mind, there is no evidence that suggests you’ll stunt your breast growth or ruin your tissue if you wear a bra all the time – in fact, some folks believe it might retain perkiness! In the end, wear what fits well, feels good, and works with your wardrobe and lifestyle. 

Below are some options I shared on the show that will provide the specific support you need!

Shop on the show:

Free Bra Class

Want to wear a bra without ripping it off at the end of the day? Watch How to Find a Comfortable Bra Fit For Your Body WITHOUT Wasting Your Money on Bras You Dread Wearing! Plus, you'll also get Kimmay's Bra Fit Guide, and a taste of Bra Confidence & Comfort™. Watch now and don't spend another minute feeling uncomfortable in your bra.

Your turn: Do you have bra questions? Share with me @hurraykimmay on Instagram!

Credits:​  Big thanks to The Good Stuff with Mary Berg, the producers and crew, and our brand partners. I loved working with everyone!