Every woman knows the routine: go to the lingerie store, grab your regular size, don't even bother to try the bra on, check out. This sounds normal, right? According to Merit Tukiainen, owner of Andover's Night and Day Lingerie, you are probably buying the wrong bra size!

Night and Day specializes in bra-fitting and shapewear, and also offers sleepwear, accessories, and jewelry. "Our store specializes in matching our options to your individual needs and sizes. Coming to a specialized boutique offers the biggest benefit in terms of having a lot of choices," says Merit.

In her experience working with her customers, Merit says that more than 50% of all women are wearing the wrong bra size, and this is usually a result of three factors.

First, women think that because their weight has not changed, their bra size should not change. Age, gravity, and hormones shift our bodies around, so even though we might be approximately the same weight, our breasts aren't where they used to be. Merit recommends having body measurements done every two to five years to ensure accuracy when buying new bras.

Second, Merit bares an ugly truth: the dreaded back fat. "So many women are terrified of having back fat hang over their bra, so they end up buying bras that are too big around the torso to avoid this issue. This is a problem because this is completely contrary to the way the bra is supposed to fit." Merit says that a bra is supposed to be snug around the rib cage so that it can support the breast weight properly. If the bra is too loose, the weight drags the bra down in front and it rides up in the back, and the breast weight hangs on the shoulders, which can lead to severe discomfort.

Third, Merit addresses the issue of bigger chain stores. "While these stores may offer a great variety in styles and colors, the choices of sizes are quite limited," she explains. "Unfortunately, some of these stores end up recommending a size that sort of fits, but not quite, because they do not have the right size to fit every individual customer."

There are many great benefits to having a bra that fits perfectly: your posture improves, a large amount of strain is removed from the neck and shoulders, and in the right bra, the chest will be supported in the center and higher up on the torso, which tends to lengthen the waist line and add a slimming effect. Hey, who doesn't love looking five pounds thinner?

For more information on Night and Day, visit their website at www.nightanddaylingerie.com, call (978) 475-0343, or visit their store located at 63 Park Street,
Andover, MA.

For more articles by this author or articles on different topics visit the Applaud Women Library.