When it comes to breasts, they are probably the two most important
accessories a woman will ever "wear." An integral part of the daily ensemble,
the bust requires serious attention, but the truth of the matter is that 70-80%
of women are victims of wearing the wrong bra for their frame.
Recently however, many intimate apparel manufacturers are getting brainy on
the breast issue, conducting scientific research to uncover new bra technologies
that promise everything from better fit, to sleeker design, to ultimate comfort.
Leave it to Victoria's Secret to address all aspects of bra trauma, right
down to nipple visibility. Since launching the Ipex bra, which claimed to be the
world's most advanced, Victoria's Secret took the Ipex technology even further,
and after two years of research and trials, launched the Ipex Wireless ($42-$44)
in February of 2006.
In Ipex's fibers you'll find not much more than nylon and lycra, but the bra
is said to ensure "maximum coverage with minimal padding" without the use of a
wire, offering support and lift with comfort in mind and no adjustment hassles.
For those in the A to C cup range, this bra might be the best bet, giving lift
and the illusion of cleavage to those who need it, while supporting the bustier
bunch without adding any unwanted bulk.
For fuller figured women wearing a C cup and above, bras that support bigger
cup sizes often fail to support the current fashion trends. Not anymore. New to
Maidenform is the Flex-to-Fit technology, promising an inner cup release that
sits between the bra's wire and two-way stretch foam. The bra is available up to
a size DD and aims to expand and retract where needed, covering all sides and
properly shaping the breast. Reasonably priced at $33, in comes in traditional
black and white, as well as hot pink for a little added sex appeal.
Aesthetic and sexiness aside however, the health risk inherent in wearing the
wrong bra is perhaps the larger issue. According to leading medical
professionals, daily wear and exercise in bras without the proper support causes
premature sagging of the breasts that only surgery can reverse years down the
line, not to mention the potential onset of painful postural disorders.
To prevent such complications, Nike, a company known more for its basketball
gear than bra technology, has recently launched Nike Performance Underwear
Collection, a line devoted to supporting the way a body moves.
According to the Nike Sports Research Lab and Advanced Innovation Team, the
company's technicians have put ten years of research, including fabric tests and
motion studies, into the new line - available at Niketown, Nordstrom, and select
Nike retailers in July - that promises to work wonders during workouts.
Inspiration for the bra comes from the often-unaddressed fact that a woman's
breast size, even within a cup size, varies greatly. One size definitely does
not fit all when muscle mass and bone structure are taken into account, and
forget the typical small/medium/large scale that most sports bras usually adopt
for sizing.
The Nike Revolutionary Support Bra will cost you ($70, to be precise), but in
addition to the dri-FIT fabric that allows skin to breathe, the bra features
adjustable shoulder straps with a unique front compression strap that acts as
harness for motion control of the breast, meaning optimal movement with minimal
bounce.
Away with one-size-fits-all and ill-fitting bras of the past; it's time to
invest in a bra that passes the tech-test.