I harp on bras because it’s the scientifically proven change you can make to improve your armor comfort instantly. Studies show from 75-85% of women wear the wrong size bra, which compounds discomfort when you wear armor.
A good sports bra is $65-$100, but think of them like your shoes. You don’t wear Target brand shoes to work; don’t wear Target bras either! But you’re in luck on cost. If trends hold from previous years, bra brands put their bras on sale 50% off on Black Friday. This is your chance to stock up!
Like I’ve told a couple groups lately, if you’ve had your bras longer than your significant other, it’s time to breakup…with the bras. Of all people, armor wearers should be replacing their bras yearly because the heat and sweat degrades the elastic significantly over time.
Here’s my recommendation to make the most of Black Friday:
- START NOW to find your next bra.
- Order some bras you’ve wanted to try (check to see the brand has free returns or minimal restock fees.)
- Order several sizes at once to find the best fit.
Here are some fit tips:- Have someone you love and trust measure you in your best-fitting bra (if you do it yourself, the measuring tape won’t be parallel to the floor and it will skew your measurements.) Compare those measurements to the brand’s size chart.
- Most women wear a band that’s too large. Your bra band should be like an athletic sock with an elastic cuff at the top. It stays in place no matter what you’re doing. When you try on your bra, if you raise your arms high and the bra band doesn’t move, you’ve got the right size.
- Do the scoop and swoop to make sure you have all the breast tissue in the cup. If you have some bulging in the center after you scoop and swoop, go up in cup (save bulging for the weekends.)
- Send back what you don’t want.
- Wear the one you keep to be sure you like it.
- Buy a week’s supply on Black Friday at a big discount!
I’ve studied bras and asked a lot of women law enforcement officers what brand they wear. Here are two I think worth trying (I have/will not receive any financial benefit from mentioning these):
The Anita Momentum Sports Bra
Pros: ultra light, breathable and wicking (though armor isn’t), wide band for comfort, great shoulder padding, soft fabric inside cups, engineered support for breasts
Cons: nipples will show through; no padding against the armor. Looks like a grandma bra.
Sizes: Cups A-H, Bands 30-48
SHEFIT Sports Bras
Pros: anecdotally, I’ve heard a lot of women law enforcement like their adjustability.
Cons: Everything else about the bra looks like what you’ll find at Academy or similar. (The pictures, as with many bras brands, do not show the correct fit. Bulge-y sells bras, but it is not good for your breast tissue, particularly when you add armor.)
Sizes: XSmall-3Luxe
Hope you find this helpful!
Always in support,
Andrea Porter, PhD