The foundation of our show outfit.

What we wear under our show clothes is just as important as what we wear on the outside.  And if your busty its even more important.  Our breasts are made of fatty tissue that has NO inner support structure except the muscle that lies BEHIND the breast tissue.  You can tone this all you want it will not prevent sagging that will happen as we age no matter what.  Fluctuations in weight lose and gain also affect our breasts.  So supporting the "girls" is very important especially when we participate in sporting events. 

Did you know that in a day our breast on average bounce 3-4 inches just in our daily activies, most of the time we don't notice this, but if we ride horses or run, our breasts bounce on avearage 10-12 inches, thats the bounce we do notice and for some of us its painful.  So this is why having a well fitting bra is very important.  And did you know most women are wearing the wrong size bra.

So how do we get the right fitting bra?   There are several ways to do this.  You can have a professional seamstress measure you, some department store bra sections will measure you for free, but its probably a good idea to purchase a bra while there anyway.  Or you can host a bra party, and earn free bras.  Either way you do it having a professional fitting is improtant to how your bra fits and feels.  But if you can't get to any of these then measure yourself. 

Its actually very easy, all you need is a measureing tape, (you can purchase one at Wal*Mart in the sewing notions department).  Your going to measure around your breasts, placing the tape measure around at the point of your bust (nipple area), Don't pull the tape tight, just snug.  Write that number down. This number is your Cup size.  Now measure around your midrifft just under your bust, write that number down. This number is your Band size.  Figure out the difference in inches.
1" A cup, 2" B cup, 3" C cup, 4" D cup, now if you go higher then 4" such as 5" then you would add in the double letter, such as 40 DD, the extra letters also help you find a bra in a correct size if your size is not on the rack at the store.  Example you wear a 42 DD but there are non, and you need a new bra NOW.  Search the rack and find a 40 DDD, the band size may be a bit snugger then you are use to but the cup size will fit you just like your regular size.  This will get you till you can get another bra.

Care and feeding of your bras:  You should have at the very least 3 bras in your wardrobe at all times, more if you can afford them.  You should only wear your bra one day and then change to another the next day, don't wear them two days in a row.  Bras need to rest., plus this will make them last longer.  So having 5-6 bras is not a bad idea. Purchase the best quality bra you can afford, if you have to purchase economical bras try to add in a more expensive one once in awhile. This is the one time where paying more is always better.  When you go to horse shows, especially multiday shows be sure to pack extras, you can never have too many. 

When it comes to washing them, hook the bands together, and put them in a bra bag, (you can find theses at Wal*Mart also, in the laundry department, next to the ironing boards).  I suggest purchasing two of them.   Putting bras in bags helps prevent them from getting stretched during the wash cycle.  Especially in front load washers.  If a bra is in there free, it tends to get twisted in there around other clothing and this is not good when you pull it out.  Hang bras to dry never  put in the dryer, the heat of the dryer distroys the elastic in bras, making them wear out sooner.   A well made bra can last you quite sometime. 

How to tell if you need a new bra?:  You should hook your bra on the first set of hooks or the ones on the end.  As the bra stretches over time you will use the next set of hooks, until you are using the inside hooks all the time, then your bra is worn out.  Time for a new one.  Happy Trails all!!!!