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I remember a time I cared about what I wore under my clothes but shifting priorities, comfort needs, and body changes have meant I basically haven’t given my underwear drawer a second thought for the better part of a decade.
It all seems to hang together and so the practical thing was obviously just to keep wearing it.
But then I met London’s lingerie expert Susana Lorena AKA ‘The Bra Whisperer’ – who has an international, discreet client base, spanning supermodels, actresses, broadcasters and high-profile women – and discovered just how wrong I was.
A single one-on-one appointment at her Notting Hill store, Maison SL, which is completely free and took less than 10 minutes, didn’t just transform my wardrobe it transformed my life.
Susana Lorena, lingerie expert and founder of Maison SL, the award winning luxury lingerie and swimwear boutique maisonsl.com
I’ve never been blessed in the boob department, and after three children, I’d never really grappled with just how much the right bra matters. Susana changed all of that. Just two new bras changed my posture, the way my clothes look and my confidence. If she can make someone with my build (that of a teenage boy) feel this good, imagine the magic she works with larger cup sizes.
So, I’m sharing her words of wisdom – more accurately, her rules – when it comes to bra shopping. Whether you’re a AA or a GG, this is your sign to treat yourself this Valentine’s. You are six rules, and a new bra, away from looking and feeling years younger.
1. Do not write off underwire, you just haven’t met the right one
Underwire often gets the blame for discomfort, but experts say poor fit is usually the issue.
Underwires can feel uncomfortable when the bra is the wrong size or has been weakened through repeated machine washing.
After more than 20 years fitting women, Susana has worked with multiple generations of the same families.
‘Breast shape changes throughout life, from pregnancy to menopause,’ she says. ‘When those changes happen, the bra needs to change too.’
2. Confidence comes with fit, not age
As a 53-year-old woman, Susana believes a well-fitting bra can transform confidence at any age.
‘I see women come into the fitting room feeling downcast and leave standing taller, already wearing the bra they’ve bought,’ she says.
According to Susana, proper support affects far more than appearance. ‘When a bra fits properly, posture improves and women feel more at ease in their bodies. It makes a visible difference.’
3. Stop sizing up, it is not giving you lift
Have you been wearing the wrong bra size all your life? I’m afraid the stats would suggest so!
Industry research consistently shows that around 80 per cent of women are wearing the wrong bra size, most commonly a band that is too big and a cup that is too small.
This can mean losing up to 65 per cent of the support a bra is designed to provide. Sizing up often causes the bra to ride up at the back, feel uncomfortable and fail to lift the bust properly.
According to Susana, lift comes from a firm, well-fitted band. ‘If women worry about so-called back fat, the solution is choosing the right bra style for their shape, not loosening the fit,’ she says.
The best style for the back fat prone is one that has a wider back band or what we call wings.
4. Match your bra to your outfit, not your drawer
Rather than owning a drawer full of ill-fitting bras, experts recommend building a small, considered bra wardrobe. ‘
A seamless neutral bra works best under white T-shirts, while lace, cotton, microfibre and modal each suit different outfits and moods,’ says Susana.
‘Having a nude, ivory or white and a black bra covers most wardrobes.’
5. Structure is what makes you look younger
If you’re after the lifted, supported silhouette you remember fondly from your twenties, (and frankly, who isn’t) structure is key.
Bras with multiple seams and well-designed construction lift and shape the bust, instantly improving how clothes sit on the body. ‘You can see good design in the details,’ says Susana.
‘The materials used, the width of the straps, the height of the back and how the seams adapt to different breast shapes all contribute to support and lift.’
6. Your bra should lift first, shape second
A great bra should visibly lift the bust before it smooths or shapes. When the bust sits higher, the waist looks more defined, posture improves and clothes fall better.
Susana says she regularly works with women looking for the perfect bra for important occasions, from being mother of the bride to an important board meeting or a crucial date with a new man.
‘The lift provided by the right bra can instantly take years off,’ she says. ‘When the bust is sitting where it should, it changes not just how a woman looks, but how she feels. That lift gives a quiet confidence, and confidence always shows.’
Straps should be tight until you feel a bit tension – you put your finger underneath and you can see that it won’t fall off your shoulder and that will help with lift.
