Somebody once said that "Friends are like bras – close to your heart and there for support." This may seem like an exaggeration, but bras truly keep a woman healthy and active. That is, if they fit right, of course.
Finding the right bra can be a monumental task for women of all ages but more so for young girls growing up. For mothers and daughters all over the world, the quest for that first training bra can be a challenging experience.
Historically, corsets and camisoles were the undergarments of choice for women. When bras began to dominate the market, they came to have some social significance and are now one of the primary signs that a young girl has started becoming a woman. Previously this rite of passage was symbolized by a plain, white cotton camisole; now young girls can choose from bras of all imaginable styles and colors.
Shopping for that first training bra should be an intimate and memorable experience. One of the best ways to prepare is for mother and daughter to talk. It’s an awkward time in a young girl’s life, and a mother’s guidance is needed to get through the many physical changes of growing up.
For some girls it may be too early to take measurements, but even if your daughter is a late bloomer, it might be best for you to still buy her first bra so she doesn’t feel unattractive or left out from her friends.
If a perfectly fitted bra assists a woman to be healthy, then conversely, an ill-fitting bra can cause problems such as back pain, headaches, and just plain discomfort. So as early as the first bra, a girl should know what red flags to look out for when buying one. Straps digging into or falling off the shoulders are standard signs of a bad fit; bras that ride up over the breasts during activity or that can’t seem to stay in place are other possible sore points that can be caused by ill-fitting bras.
Adolescent growth can make a girl’s breasts sensitive, so choose bras made of comfortable fabrics. Styles can also play a large part: bulky strap adjusters can cause discomfort on the collarbone, and fancy seams can chafe in hot weather. Most moms buy training bras made of soft fabrics and simple designs. Moms and daughters understandably have different style preferences but one overriding factor every woman should consider is comfort, especially when it comes to training bras.
But of all the virtues of bras, the under-wire has arguably been the most debated of all. One mother says her daughter dislikes wearing bras with under-wire despite the need for extra support. This preference not to wear under-wire is an individual choice and should not be disregarded. According to the marketing manager of a company that specializes in women’s intimate apparel, "young girls who need and want comfort can opt for bras without under-wire which are made with elasticized fabric that extend beneath the cups to give gentle support as well as keep the bra in place."