Debunking Professional Bra Fittings: Do You Really Need One?

Some professional bra fitters (or at least the companies offering the service) may try to convince you that a professional bra fitting is essential to finding a bra that works for your body. It might be useful for some, but if you ask us, it's not always necessary.

What's more, the results from your fitting might not translate to a well-fitting bra from all brands. So you could end up with nothing more than the size to buy from a single bra maker.

Here's what to know about professional bra fittings, including how they work, when they might be helpful, common myths about getting fitted, and how you can figure out the right bra size without stepping foot in a department store.

Understanding professional bra fittings

Professional bra fittings have traditionally been done in person inside store fitting rooms. However, the digital era has made way for virtual fittings, which can be done through a video fitting appointment.

They're often recommended by department store associates or underwear brands as a way to help you know what bra size to buy. And sometimes, shoppers are convinced to do a fitting with statistics about how most women wear the wrong bra size — as many as 80%, according to some research.

There are situations where a professional fitting can be helpful, like after significant weight changes, during or after pregnancy, or if you simply haven't bought a new bra in years.

Here's what usually happens during a professional bra fitting:

• In the privacy of a fitting room, a professional bra fitter will take your measurements to get your bust and band size. (This is typically done without a shirt or bra on.)
• The fitter will then have you try on a couple of bras to check the fit and see if you're comfortable with the bra style and size.
• The fitter will make recommendations for which bras to buy.
• Like OB/GYNs, professional bra fitters have seen it all — it's their job to measure shoppers in the nude. So, while there's no need to feel embarrassed, it's also totally understandable if standing topless in front of a stranger isn't your cup of tea.

Luckily, a professional bra fitting isn't the only way to find the right bra size. More on this below.

Debunking the myths about professional bra fittings

Here are a few common misconceptions about getting professionally fitted for a bra.

Myth 1: "A professional fitting is the only way to find your true size."

It's just not. You can take your measurements at home, either by yourself or with the assistance of someone you're comfortable with if you need an extra set of hands.

Myth 2: "All professional fittings are accurate and consistent."

If you went to three different bra fitting services to figure out your size, there's a decent chance you'd end up with three different bra sizes. That's because the specific methods of measuring can vary, like precisely where to place the measuring tape or how loosely to wrap it.

Myth 3: "I will always need the same size across all brands after a fitting."

In a perfect world, every brand would offer the same sizes to correspond with universal measurements. But in reality, bra sizing isn't the same across all brands — you could be a 34D in one brand and a 36C in another.

Think about it. If you went to a store to get a professional jeans fitting (if that's even a thing), you probably wouldn't feel confident that your results would allow you to buy the perfect size from any denim brand.

Alternatives to professional bra fittings

If you're concerned about the accuracy and usefulness of a professional bra fitting, aren't sure where to get a professional bra fitting, or just aren't thrilled about the idea of doing one, there are alternatives.

You might be able to do a virtual fitting or use a bra-fitting mobile app to figure out your size from the comfort of your own home.

Beyond that, your best bet when buying a bra online is to look at the brand's size chart and compare it to your own measurements. Some brands also have a detailed fit guide to help you determine what bra size to buy. For the most accurate DIY bra fitting, look into how to measure bra size at home. 

Finding the right fit, your way

Professional bra fittings work for some people and might be useful in certain scenarios. Having said that, Negative makes the fitting process simple, and can help you find the proper fit without going to the mall or exposing yourself to a stranger.

We recommend starting with the bra size you currently wear. If it seems like a good fit, order that size from Negative first and go from there. If it ends up not working, send it back for free and exchange it for another size. We'll work with you every step of the way to help you figure out your bra size — no matter how many tries it takes!

Browse our incredibly comfy, supportive bras for women, from wireless bras to our Whipped bras collection, to get started. Find more expert bra tips, including how to wash a bra and our guide to different bra styles today.