​Exercising more? Your breasts can move up and down and side to side anything from 4cm during walking and 15cm during running so, if you've unwittingly found yourself clutching your breasts to your chest doing 'PE with Joe' at 9am every morning, now's probably a good time to invest in a good quality sports bra.  Our breasts have limited natural support, and any unsupported movement causes the breasts to move: up-down, in-out, and side-to-side. Exercise, especially high-impact exercise like running or jumping, places tension on the supporting structures of the breast, which can result in pain.  Check out the Panache Wire Free Sports Bra (available up to a H cup, 28-40 band) or the Royce Impact Free Sports Bra (available up to a K cup, 32-40 band).  Mastectomy sports bras and nursing sports bras also available.

Working from home?  Modern technology might be getting us through the lockdown and making it possible for so many of us to work from home but I'm guessing it's still not acceptable for you to attend Zoom meetings in your PJ's with no bra on?  Right now, comfort is key.  Check out my range of bralettes and wire free bra options that are super soft and give you the support you need while being comfortable.  You might forget you have one on.

Date nights?  If you're lucky enough to be in lockdown with your lover why not make the most of your time together, treat yourself to a beautiful lingerie set such as the Marie Jo 'Pearl' or the Rosa Faia 'Selma', lockdown and chill... 

​Look forward to seeing you again real soon!  In the meantime, stay well, stay positive and remember... "pretty lingerie makes it all better"!

​When thinking about buying a bra it’s well worth remembering that the typical lifespan for a good quality, well fitting bra is 6-9 months.  This is why I would recommend you buy 2 or 3 day to day bras to where in rotation.  If you have a favourite bra (and your budget allows) buy two or more of that one so you’re not tempted to reach for the same one every day.  It makes sense if you really think about it – the more bras you own, the less often you’ll have to wear them and the longer they’ll last.
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Here are some signs that your bra has to go:
– When you have to wear your bra on the tightest hook and it’s still roaming around or riding up your back
– When the elastic is so stretched out that it doesn’t bounce back anymore
– When your band or cup has holes in it
– When your body has changed and you need a new size
– When moulded cups have lost their shape
– When wires poke through the cup or break
– When the hooks are broken or ripped out
– When your bust is drooping and your bra no longer does its job

Sound familiar?  Every few months, check on your bras.  If your favourite bras are worn out and you need to replace them, get a refit or try something new, get in touch and book in for a Bespoke Bra Fitting at Boob-Ology.

​Take good care of your bras and replace them when they’re past their sell by date.  Invest in quality bras, wash them according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and put them on properly (straps first, lean over and place your breast tissue inside the cups then hook the back of the bra behind you before adjusting cups and breast tissue to ensure you’re all in place) so as to avoid stretching out the band and/or damage to the cups/wire.  

Women often ask me how often they should change and/or wash their bras.  Ideally, you should hand wash your bras every two to three wears.  It's also a good idea to wear your bras in rotation so even your favourite bra gets a 'rest day'!  If you use the same bra for more than one day at a time, it will wear out prematurely.  Your bra must have a chance to ‘rest’ between uses.  This is because the textile fibres need to recover to retain their elasticity.

Always do up the bra at the back when you wash it.  This prevents the hook and eye fastening from becoming stuck in lace or other delicate material.  Use a mild laundry detergent and, if you choose to use a washing machine, place your bras in a lingerie wash bag and be sure to use a delicate wash cycle.  NEVER tumble dry your bra.  The heat in the tumble dryer destroys the elasticity of the garment and is the death of elastane.

If your bra has padding in the cups or shoulder straps, you need to stretch the padding so it doesn’t shrink.  After washing, stretch the wire band.  This prevents the underwire from creeping out.

Carefully squeeze the water out of the bra.  Never wring it.  Fold a dry towel around the bra and press carefully so the towel absorbs the excess water from the wet garment.  When you hang up your bra to dry, don’t hang it by the shoulder straps as these can stretch from the weight of the wet garment.  Instead, hang the bra so that the centre gore (the middle part between the cups) hangs across the washing line.  Delicate garments sometimes need to be dried flat.

Boob-Ology stocks lingerie wash bags from Australian brand, Secret Weapons, and Soak, a rinse free, pure, gentle and deliciously scented way to wash the delicate items you care about most.  Pick up a complimentary trial sachet of Soak when you come in for your bra fitting.

Time to bin your bra?  Boob-Ology is proud to participate in the Against Breast Cancer bra recycling scheme.  I am able to accept donations of any unwanted or unloved bras.  For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund their research.  With over 30 million women in the UK you could really help make a difference!

The same bras also help to support small businesses in Africa. Together with our recycling partners, our textile recovery project prevents these bras going into landfill before giving them a new lease of life in developing countries such as Togo, Ghana and Kenya, where bras remain too expensive to produce locally.

Successful ventures like this keep many families in developing countries out of poverty whilst providing employment for people at home in the UK. Any bras that are genuinely beyond redemption are dismantled and disposed of properly.

If your favourite bras are worn out and you need to replace them, get a refit or try something new, get in touch and book in for a Bespoke Bra Fitting at Boob-Ology.  Simply use the online contact form book to book an appointment. 

​It might surprise you to hear a professional bra fitter advocating the 'no-bra movement'.  As a woman, mother of daughters and supporter of other women what I care about is helping women to feel comfortable, confident and well supported.  This means giving women options and helping them to understand the importance of wearing a well fitted bra if they choose to wear one.   

It's important to remember that a bra is a technical garment first and foremost, carefully designing to provide physical support for a woman's breasts.  You don't have to wear a bra if you don't want to.  Girls and women shouldn't feel pressurised to wear a bra in the perceived interests of common decency.  You may want to wear a bra to support your breasts.  You may want to wear a bra because nice lingerie makes you feel good.  You may want to wear a bra some days and go without on others.   

A beautiful bra can boost your confidence.  A well fitted bra influences the fit and look of the clothes you are wearing, so it actually determines your look as well.  The right bra can prevent physical symptoms and prevent neck and back problems especially when you have larger breasts.   

Many women I meet have been wearing a bra, often unquestionably, since their teens and have just fallen out of love with them.  This is often a result of having spent years in ill-fitting underwired bras that are arguably doing more harm than good.  The art of professional bra fitting is to help women find the right bra for them.  Women are often surprised by the level of support and great shape offered by a well fitted wire free bra.  There's no doubt that an underwire can change the shape of your breasts and provide a little more 'oomph' but a good wire free bra is a great option for those who are looking for a more natural shape and feel, but still require the additional support of a bra.  Boob-Ology stocks a wide range of wire free options including the NEW Unwind from Curvy Kate, that goes up to a JJ cup, the Panache Andorra, the Cleo Lyzy, the Wacoal Halo Lace bralette PLUS many more from wire free specialists Royce Lingerie.  Luxury wire free bras also available from Rosa Faia.  Affordable wire free tee-shirt bras available from Pour Moi.

Whatever you choose to do, do it with confidence and in comfort.  It's also worth thinking about the changes your breasts go through over the course of the day and during your monthly cycle.  You may find that there are times when you want the structure of an underwired bra and other times when your body is crying out for pure comfort.  You may even find that you need to wear a different size at different times of the month in order to stay comfortable and well supported.  Go wire free some days, go bra free on others.  If you would like help to find your perfect fit and/or to check out some wire free options simply use the contact form to book in for a Bespoke Bra Fitting with me at Boob-Ology, my boutique fitting room located within Sugar Mango on Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth.

Did you know that your breasts can move up and down and side to side anything from 4cm during walking and 15cm during running? ​

​This may not come as too much of a shock to some of you (… I’m guessing I’m not the only one who clutches my boobs to my chest when running after my children in the park for fear of knocking myself out?) but breast motion isn’t just an issue for fuller breasted women.  Our breasts have limited natural support, and any unsupported movement causes the breasts to move: up-down, in-out, and side-to-side.  Exercise, especially high-impact exercise like running or jumping, places tension on the supporting structures of the breast, which can result in pain.

A survey by the University of Portsmouth’s Research Group in Breast Health (RGBH) found breasts were the fourth biggest barrier to exercise for women after lack of motivation, time and poor health.

The value and importance of a properly fitted sports bra cannot be overstated.  During and after pregnancy is an especially tricky time because breasts can change frequently, in terms of size, sensitivity, soreness and engorgement.  A common mistake many women make is to wear the same sports bra they wore before pregnancy, even if it doesn’t fit properly, provide enough support or feel comfortable.

So what should you look for in a sports bra if you are pregnant or breastfeeding? 

The three key areas to focus on are: proper fit, support and comfort.

Get a proper bra fitting and go for a cup sized sports bra that offers a lot of support, depending on the exercise.  For comfort, look for features like wide and padded straps, adjustable straps, or sports bras that have at least 3 sets of hooks for adjustability if you’re larger one day than the next.  Instead of the basic compression sports bra that you have to pull over your head, opt for an encapsulation bra that clasps and goes on just like a regular bra.

I stock a range of wire free sports bras suitable for all budgets including the Royce Impact Free (available up to a K cup, 32-40 band) a 100% cotton bra that offers maximum support and comfort with a high neckline to ensure full coverage of the bust to reduce vertical bounce.  The Panache Non-Wired Sports Bra (available up to a H cup, 28-40 band) that provides you with the support and control needed by encapsulating each breast with its moulded seam free inner cups. The wide cushioned shoulder straps with racerback ring detail help to disperse pressure when exercising and further reduce bounce; whilst the breathable outer performance fabric offers ventilation, allowing you to keep dry and comfortable whilst working out. Ideal for both high and low impact exercise, it’s a workout wardrobe must have, a great option for those who wish to exercise without wires and Anita sports bras, the perfect blend of design and function. Their long history gives them deep-rooted, comprehensive product knowledge allowing them to create a product that is more like a second skin than a bra.

For those of you who are exercising with your little ones in tow I have the Cake Maternity Zest nursing sports bra and the Hotmilk Lingerie Activate nursing sports bra (both available up to H cup).  Both perfect for mums wanting to get into shape while on the go with baby.

Wearing any type of bra that does not fit well can lead to discomfort.  Wearing a sports bra that is too constrictive during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding can lead to blocked milk ducts and, worse case scenario, mastitis.  You should always try on a sports bra before you buy it.  Jump around to make sure it is giving you the support you need for your chosen activity and remember – not every bra suits every person.  It’s also important to replace your sports bra regularly to make sure it’s still giving you the best support it can.  How often you need to replace your bra will depend on a number of factors, including how often you wear it and how often you wash it.

If you’re in need of a comfortable and supportive sports bra please get in touch to arrange a Bespoke Bra Fitting at Boob-Ology.   Simply use the online contact form book to book an appointment.