It's A Mistake To Use The Tightest Hook On Your Bra - Here's Why

Love them or hate them, bras are a part of life. There's no sense in wasting your supporting efforts — or money — by buying a bra that's too big for you. You might not realize it, but wearing your bra incorrectly can actually cause it to wear out quicker. With some undergarments costing a small fortune, you'll want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to your lingerie.

One of the absolute best features of a bra is the fact that they are adjustable. The band and straps can be adjusted to combat the stretch in the material and your overall comfort. However, those different adjustments might lead buyers to believe they need to use the tightest or medium line of hooks on the band for a bra that fits comfortably — and this is simply untrue.

Turns out, there's a good reason why you should wear your bra on the loosest hook when you first bring it home. Keep these bra tips in mind to ensure your brassiere offers you an amazing fit and adequate support for as long as possible.

One of the biggest bra mistakes out there is pulling it out of the package and starting on the tightest hook. If your bra is too loose on the loosest hook setting, then you might need to actually go down a band size and go up a cup size (rather than tightening the bra immediately).

When you first buy your bra, it should fit on the loosest hook setting without digging in or riding up. You can test the fit by making sure you can comfortably slide your index and middle finger under the band without any issues. The reasoning behind this is the stretch factor. As you've probably figured out from your favorite pair of stretchy jeans, elastic is prone to stretching. Therefore, after you've worn a favorite bra for a few months, it might start to feel a little loose — and this is the point when you move it up to the middle hook.

Once you reach the tightest hook you have, it might be time to grab your phone and do a little online bra shopping. Even if it's your favorite, the elastic has reached the end of its life, so it'll stretch to where even the tightest hook won't even fit properly. In addition to buying bras that fit you on the loosest hook, here are a few other pointers to make sure every bra you buy fits fabulously.

Unless you're measured by a professional or measure your bra size at home, getting the right fit from your bra can take a little bit of trial and error. While you're in the fitting room, there are a few things you'll want to look for (like the placement of the band and cup), to ensure you look fabulous in your new outfits and aren't throwing your hard-earned money in the trash. 

Since the band is one of the most important parts of the support mechanism, it's the perfect place to start. When you look in the mirror, make sure the band is flat against your back, straight across, and hugging your rib cage. If it pulls up or you have a gap under your breasts, it's probably too big for you. Get the right cup size by ensuring nothing is flowing out of the top and the underwire is behind the breast tissue. This helps with the dreaded digging in of the underwire, too. 

Finding the perfect fitting bra can sometimes feel impossible. Keep in mind that your bra should fit on the loosest hook when you buy it and gradually move through the hooks as the elastic stretches. If you start on the tightest hook, then you'll want to go down a band size and up a cup size.