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Finding the right bra size can make your day, and many people underestimate how it can change your figure and the way your clothes look…not to mention your self esteem! An ill-fitting bra can lead to skin irritation, unsightly marks or back and neck pain. Therefore it is important to make sure that the bra you’ve bought fits you comfortably whilst still giving you the support you need.

This is especially important for pregnant women. If you are pregnant and you don’t wear the correct bra you can loosen all your connective tissue and once you’ve finished breastfeeding you will ends up with breasts around your ankles! You can buy special maternity bras, and these will start to be most useful from approximately four months. Maternity bras will be wireless to allow for your breast tissue changes and have a high cotton content to handle the sweat as your body temperature changes.
When buying a maternity bra you should keep in mind that upto about eight months your underband measurement will continue to grow as your ribs move to accommodate the baby. When you try on your maternity bra you should make sure it fits on the tightest hook so you can loosen it as your pregnancy progresses.

When trying a bra on, you should fasten it on the loosest hook at the back and adjust the strap. Then lift your breasts into the cups, making sure any wire is touching your breastbone under your breasts. Finally you should check the wire at the front is lying flat against your rib cage. It shouldn’t dig in, rub or poke out at the front.

Everyone has had a horrible lingerie encounter involving a “mature” lady and a tape measure. For many this is an accurate depiction of their first bra shopping experience. At Fishnets Lingerie we don’t believe in tape measures. They vary in size from company to company and, more importantly, bra’s come in many different styles (see Glossary). Additionally, they don’t all suit.

1. Are you spilling out of the cups?
If you can’t tell, try the bra on under a plain, good fitting t-shirt and check for unusual bulges. This would indicate a too small cup size.

2. Is the back riding up?
The back strap of your bra should sit horizontally around your body. If the back rides up then it is too loose and you should try a smaller back size.

3. Is the cup wrinkling or bunching?
Your bra cups should look smooth and there should be an even line where the fabric at the top of the cup meets your bust. If your cup is wrinkling or bunching then the cup size is too big.

4. Is your back spilling over the strap?
This would tell you that your back size is, again, too small.

5. Are your breasts more supported one side than the other?
Check your straps, one maybe tighter than the other. If this is not the case you may like to try a triangle bra as you may have one breast bigger than the other. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

Finally... if you are in any doubts whatsoever call our shop on 01947 604702, email or drop in. We are open 6 days a week from 10am to 5pm and from 11am 'till 4pm on Sundays.

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A corset should be chosen by your waist size, usually 2-4 inches smaller than your natural waist size. However ribbon corsets should only be 2 inches smaller than your natural waist size.

If your corset laces at the back, they often come with one enormously long lace, this needs to be cut in two because you need to start lacing from the top and the bottom. Pull the long laces gently and tighten them progressively towards the middle from both the top and the bottom. Tie the ends when they meet in the middle in two bows. You should feel comfortable and not too restricted, with good posture and a straight back.

In time your corset will mould to your body and the material takes the strain evenly. When corsets are damaged, it is usually through excessive force applied too soon. If you wish to wear a corset on a regular basis, you need to train your waist and this should be done gradually. By treating your corset well, it can last for many years.

When necessary dry clean your corset or hand wash in luke warm water (except for leather) if made from PVC, a mild soap wipe down should be sufficient.

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• Measure your hand at its widest part; this is around your knuckles.

• Always measure the dominant hand, the hand that you write with.

• Gloves should fit slightly lose, they will mould to your hand shape over time.

Confusingly, UK, US and European shoe sizes are all different, so here's a chart with the equivalents:

Women's

Men's