The ultimate bra fitting guide review

American author Debra Sanders-Steele has made it her mission to help women of all ages and sizes kiss goodbye to the agony caused by a poorly fitting bra and say hello to proper support and pain-free underwear. Known also as ‘the bra coach’, Sanders-Steele has a website and blog expounding on her findings and advice, and a considerable following on Facebook, Twitter (@thebracoach) and several other social networks.

The Ultimate Bra Fitting Guide is not a large book and it won’t take you more than half an hour to read, but it may well change your life. Sanders-Steele is passionate, enthusiastic and to-the-point about her subject, speaking about ‘empowering’ her readers to ‘take control’ of their bodies and not allowing their bosoms to ‘dictate their happiness’. Interestingly, this guide is actually classified as a self-help and self-esteem publication.

Crucially, the book is not only aimed at consumers, but also lingerie storeowners and managers, bra fitting specialists and consultants. Now if only my local M&S branch would invest in a copy, I would be able to reclaim the hour or so wasted a couple of months ago when I was incorrectly measured and handed a succession of bras which either gaped at the top of the cup or cut me in half at the rib cage…

The writing is simplistic, presented in an easy to follow list style, explaining exactly what might be wrong with your current bra and how to measure yourself correctly for a replacement. We’re not just talking about back pain here; other issues such as back straps riding up, shoulder straps slipping down, recent weight gain or loss and uncomfortable underwire are all addressed. Bra care, different lingerie styles and charts showing bra size conversions from all around the world are included, as well as some interesting facts and figures (for example, did you know that most women change their bra size more than half a dozen times in their lifetime?).

Costing £6.86 for paperback and £3.81 on Kindle, it remains to be seen whether readers will choose to pay for this slender volume or scan the net for free alternatives, but if you’re looking for straightforward advice on how to measure up, look no further.