Wearing the right bra is really the first step to any amazing outfit—sometimes our ladies need some support, and if they’re not getting the support from the right bra it can be uncomfortable and annoying. Nothing can ruin an outfit faster than your own discomfort or self-consciousness, and that’s why having the right fit for your bust is an absolute must.

A good first place to start when finding the perfect fit in a bra is by knowing your actual size. First you find your band size by using a measuring tape just around your bust line. To get your cup size you then measure around your bust and subtract that number from your band size—the number you are left with represents your cup size, with every number from 0 up representing a cup size (0=AA, 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, and so on). This might not be the most reliable way to figure out cup size, so make sure that you try on the cup size below and the cup size above to be sure. If you’re not comfortable doing this on your own and prefer to go to a store to get sized, make sure you go to a store that carries a very large range of sizes, such as your local department store.

Woman measures her bust

Now that you have your size, the search for the perfect bra is going to require a lot of patience. Different styles fit differently, and everybody is different, so finding that perfect fit for your body will take time—but it is so worth it! Once you’ve found a bra and you try it on, lean forward a bit and give your shoulders a bit of a shake to make sure your breasts settle into their natural position. Your breasts should fit comfortably in the cups—that means there shouldn’t be too much extra space in the cup, the cup itself should be smoothed and not wrinkled or stretched, and you shouldn’t have extra boob spilling over the top of the cup.

You should also make sure you have the bra hooked on the loosest notch—when the bra eventually stretches out over time, you want to be able to tighten it, and that can’t happen if you bought the bra thinking you’ll be hooking it on the tightest notch. The band should also be resting below the underwire. If the band is riding up, then you have the wrong size. It’s also important to stock up on bras—wearing the same bra two days in a row is a big no-no, as is keeping your bra too long.

Patience and trial and error are the keys to finding your perfect fit—settling for a bra that doesn’t fit properly is the worst thing you can do. It may take a while, but don’t get discouraged—just remember that there really is a bra out there for you!