A guide to bra shopping online

Shopping for anything online is a bit of a minefield, because nothing beats physically holding an item in your hands and trying it on to see if it really suits and flatters you. However, if you are really busy, you can browse hundreds of stores and styles in minutes, saving both valuable time and sore feet from the traditional trudge along the high street.

Follow these simple tips to maximise your online shopping experience.

Know your size

First, and foremost, you need to be sure of your size. Read our article on bra sizing and get a friend or partner to help measure you. Once you have some measurements get out your old bras and try them on. Find out what you like and don’t like – the 32D cuts in a bit, or the 34C is too loose. Size is subjective, and regardless of what size you are measured at, it’s what feels comfortable that matters.

Know your style

Next, you need a clear idea of the type of bra you want, otherwise you could be searching endlessly without choosing anything. Sometimes this will be dictated by an outfit or activity – a strapless or multi-way for a certain dress, or clean simple lines to be practical everyday – but other times you might be more open to a good deal. In this case it pays dividends to know what suits you, so that you can automatically discard certain styles. Read up on bra types , and what suits larger and smaller busts to help you decide. Again, try on your old bras to see what does and doesn’t support you.

Know what you are getting

Underwear always looks pretty and appealing in the advertising pictures, but you might miss a vital flaw if you get blindsided by a beautiful model. Try and gauge the size of the person modelling the bra – does she look naturally well-endowed or is that the bra giving her a boost – to see if it’s the right bra for you. Search for pictures from all angles as something that looks good head on, might give an unattractive side profile when you try it on. Zoom in on the detail and ask yourself if you really want a bow in between the bust or a little embroidery where the cup meets the strap. These are often things that look fine in the overall picture, but might bother you when you see it in person. Sometimes though this can work to your advantage, as you might try something you would have never normally chosen, but find you really liked it after all!

Know what others think

Although a bra will fit everyone differently, it is worth reading what other people say about a product you have your eye on. If the overwhelming view is that it’s one of the comfiest bras around and is true to size, then you can be reasonably confident you found a good one, but if many reviews comment on the unforgiving underwire, gaping on the cups or being too small, then you might want to think twice about this particular one.

Know your budget

It is far too easy to get carried away when shopping online, by putting things in your virtual basket to review later without seeing the quantity and cost racking up. Websites also often lure you in with deals, discounts and offers, but when you click on the exact size you need, suddenly it’s full price without you realising. So be savvy about how much you want to spend and keep an eye on the basket total. Also check out the postage and packaging costs; you can often get free P&P if you spend a certain amount, but buying something you won’t wear in exchange for free postage is a false economy.

Know the returns policy

The downside of online shopping is that you can’t try the bras on until they land on your doorstep, so sometimes you have to accept that the style you fell in love with just won’t work for you. Online retailers understand this and usually offer a good returns policy, but check the fine print before you buy. Don’t get stung by “refunds excluding postage”, or “customer must pay return postage”, otherwise you could find yourself seriously out of pocket without anything to show for it.


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