Written by Myra Truong

We’ve enlisted the expertise of lingerie connoisseur Myra Truong to teach us all there is to know about her world. Myra works with intimates authority Agent Provocateur, making her a wealth of knowledge. From fittings to trends to tips and tricks, Myra is here to help us take our unmentionables and make then a little more mentionable.

Unfortunately most women are not educated on what to look for in a well-fitted bra – the one undergarment we are taught at a young age to wear, yet have no idea of how it should actually fit. Lingerie should be about pleasant body awareness: knowing that my girls are comfortable and supported, feeling the hug of my suspenders around my waist, and knowing my bottom is being covered in the best of fabrics. If none of these pieces properly fit my body, how do I get to enjoy them? This is why fit is extremely important.

We get so caught up with a size or number, we forget to actually feel how something may fit. Bra shopping can be daunting. I can totally relate to those days where you don’t want to take off your clothes to try on lingerie – it can feel like chore. But when shopping for intimates, I highly insist that you take the time to be fitted. I assure you it will make all the difference. It takes time to not only find the piece you love, but to also make sure they flatter in all the right ways. The overall experience of being properly fitted can feel liberating.
Most speciality lingerie shops think being “fitted” equals being measured. It’s not a bad thing to be measured, but do keep in mind that not all brands or bras are all made from the same pattern. Fabrics are also to be considered, and they alter how a piece may fit. Even buying bras from familiar brands in other countries can vary how a piece is made. It is good to be aware of your measurements, but it’s not the be all and end all of a good fit.

A good sales associate should be knowledgeable about the brands they carry and their unique fit. They should start you with a few different sizes and styles. This is to help not only narrow down what you may want, but also allow you the chance to see how things are fitting and feeling when they’re on your body. Depending on how comfortable you are with the associate, they should want to see how the piece is fitting. Once you are both in agreement with the fit and piece, this is a good time, if it was not already offered, to see the full set. Always go with what makes you feel best. If you’re unsure, the associate can help you make a decision, but always choose the piece you feel good in. I typically encourage clients to start with bras since they’re typically the foundation of a set. Well-designed lingerie will always have matching counterparts. They are meant to complement each other and it does make a difference in execution when you wear the full ensemble. It’s also a great deal of fun to see a full set on and it allows you to get inspired by your own body. As I said before, go with what makes you feel comfortable and what makes you feel good. The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize yourself with what is flattering for you and to get you comfortable with trying lingerie on.

If you just want to start with buying a good bra, it is perfectly okay. If you want the matching bottoms as well, get them! Remember this experience is all about you.