Once you have your bra at home, it’s best to try your bra on in front of a mirror. There are a number of things to check for, following these guidelines below will allow you to see and feel what a good fitting bra is. I also try and explain some of the common problems with getting a bra to fit correctly and offer some solutions. And if you have any questions or need any help or advice, please get in touch: enquiries@cookiewest.com

The band should feel firm around your body, but not uncomfortable. You should be able to run 2 fingers under the band. The band should stay in place when you move around.

The band needs to be horizontal, especially not riding up at the back. If it is riding up, this means the band is not firm enough or is too big‚ try a smaller band size and a larger cup size.

Ideally, you will buy a new bra that feels firm on the furthest hook, so that as the bra loosens with wash and wear, you can tighten the hooks to keep it feeling firm.

The straps need to be firm, but not feeling that they are hoisting you up. (The main support to your bust actually comes from the band around your body). The straps need to be tight enough so that they are not slipping off your shoulders.

If the straps are digging in to the shoulders this may be because the band is not firm enough and not providing enough support, the bra straps are taking the weight of the bust. Try a firmer band size.

Not many people are identical on each side of their body, so don’t automatically put the straps at the same level. For example, you may be higher on one shoulder and so this strap will need to be positioned longer.

The bra wires should sit flat against the body and at the centre front (between your breasts). If they are standing away from your body, this can mean that the cup size is too small, try going up a cup size.

Or if they are not held flat to your body, this can mean that the band size is not tight enough, try a tighter band size and a larger cup size.

However, for those women who have closely spaced boobs, the bra wires will not sit flat to the body easily. Lower fronted styles can work better than those with deep wires, as the wires are not trying to separate the flesh of the bust.

Check how the wires sit at the side, under the arm. Your breast tissue needs to be fully enclosed and held within the actual wire shape. If the wire is digging in or pinching your breast tissue, the cups may be too small – try going up a cup size.

The aim of the underwire is to fit around the natural crease of each breast. Occasionally the wire may not be the right shape for your body, it may not be wide enough at the side, it may be too deep or it may be cut too low for you. Different brands use wires made by different manufacturers and they vary a lot. I can suggest alternative brands to try if you are experiencing such problems.