Finding the right bra size is no mean feat. Just ask Victoria's Secret, which was ridiculed for an embarrassing gaffe at its annual fashion show on Sunday.
The legacy lingerie brand that's made its billions selling £40 bras was criticised by social media users after it sent Kylie Jenner sauntering down the runway in a £37million diamond version that 'didn't even fit'.
One of the biggest pitfalls of bra shopping is choosing a style without considering the shape of your breasts and how far apart they sit, according to Jené Luciani Sena, from US-based intimates brand Shapermint, who has also written The Bra Book.
Together with UK-based brand Curvy Kate's senior design manager, Milly Major, Jené has revealed the lingerie mistakes every woman will make at least once in her life - from fastening her bra in the front to buying a style that only fits on the tightest hook.
From relying on the same one or two trusted bras to being overly worried about VPL, the minefields are many and varied.
But these problems have simple solutions that will not only make the undergarment fit better, but also improve its lifespan, so you're spending less on replacing bras that have been bent out of shape.
Kylie Jenner in the Victoria's Secret Fantasy Bra worth an astonishing £37million
1. Stop: Assuming your bra size is the same in every shop or brand
One of the biggest mistakes women make is assuming that once they know their bra size, they can buy that same size in every brand.
Jene said: 'Sizing can vary between manufacturers and even between styles within the same brand, so a 34D in one bra might not fit the same way in another. Instead, use your size as a guideline and be open to trying different options.'
She recommends evaluating how a bra fits your body rather than relying solely on the label, adding that sizing typically varies between American and European brands.
'Wireless bras can be a great option if you’re unsure, as they accommodate a range of sizes and don’t need to hit specific fit points (like the centre gore tacking in between your breasts) to fit properly,' she said.
2. Stop: Buying a bra that only fits comfortably on the tightest hook.
When you’re buying a new bra, you might assume the tightest hook gives you the most secure fit.
However, bras naturally stretch with wear and washing, so starting on the tightest fastening leaves you with little room to adjust as the material eventually loses its recovery.
'Instead, a new bra should generally fit securely and comfortably on the loosest hook as this allows you to move to a tighter hook over time as the band stretches,' Jene explained.
3. Stop: Tightening your straps when your bra starts to lose support.
'If your bra starts to feel loose or your breasts aren't as supported as they once were, your instinct might be to tighten the shoulder straps all the way,' Jene said.
However, it's the band that actually provides 90 per cent of a bra's support, and pulling the straps tighter won't compensate for a stretched-out band. It can also cause the straps to dig into your shoulders.
Instead, check whether the band is riding up your back or feels loose. If it no longer fits securely, it may be time to replace the bra rather than keep tightening the straps.
She also recommended tightening the straps every day, adding: 'An easy mistake women make is that they forget to tighten the straps after washing their bras or when they’re going on a second day of wear. This can lead to it unknowingly feeling loose.'
Before you wear a freshly washed bra, tighten the straps, as this little trick also instantly fixes gaping in the cups, Jene said.
4. Stop: Choosing a bra without considering how your breasts are positioned or their shape.
Breast shape isn't just about size. How far apart your breasts sit, their fullness and projection, volume distribution, and where the breast tissue or root of the breast begins can all affect which bra works best for you.
'A style designed to bring the breasts towards the centre may not feel comfortable or provide the shape you want if your breasts naturally sit further apart,' she explained.
Jene recommends trying different cup shapes and centre-gore designs to find one that sits comfortably and supports your natural shape.
5. Stop: Assuming a sports bra should feel tight.
Sports bras are designed for different activities, and the level of support you need for yoga isn't necessarily the same as for running.
'Choosing a bra simply because it feels tight can be just as unhelpful as choosing one that doesn't provide enough support,' Jene said. 'Excessive compression can restrict comfortable movement, while insufficient support may allow too much breast movement during higher-impact exercise.'
Instead, choose your sports bra according to the activity and how it feels during movement, instead.
'Look for a secure, comfortable fit that provides appropriate support without restricting your breathing or digging into your skin,' she advised. 'Often the label will tell you what activity level it’s designed for, so be sure to check there too.'
6. Stop: Putting bras in the dryer
'Since it’s generally considered ok to machine wash your bras these days (in a mesh bag with cool water on a gentle cycle of course), many women mistakenly think it’s fine to just toss their bras into the dryer,' Jene said.
This is the quickest way to break down the materials and elasticity in your bra, she added, noting: 'It’s literally our bra’s kryptonite.'
Instead, hang dry your bras as you'll get much more use out of them.
7. Stop: Assuming wireless means 'no support'.
On the contrary, due to advancements in design and technology, wireless bras nowadays provide just as much support as their metal wire predecessors, Jene said.
'Wireless bras support busts up to a G cup with features like longer and wider bands, jelly strips, structured foam cups and wider straps rather than relying on an underwire.
'So women who have written off wireless bras because they think they won't offer enough support may simply not have found the right style!'
8. Stop: Fastening the bra front-to-back and swivelling it. Instead, practice the 'swoop and scoop' method.
Jene told the Daily Mail that the best way to wear a bra is to bend at the waist so all your breast tissue falls forward and 'swoop and scoop' breast tissue toward the centre so it settles properly in each cup.