Having grown up idolizing two older sisters, I couldn’t wait to wear a bra, put on makeup and shave my legs. I probably attempted all three prematurely, all of which come with hilarious stories that I won’t be sharing to save myself the embarrassment. The only hitch to being “just” like my sisters was the fact that I was born with a completely different body type—translation not well endowed. I waited and waited until it was clear that I wouldn’t be wearing the same cup size as my “oh so cool sisters”. There was a brief stage of devastation and penny saving for a faux rack but as time went on I realized that I actually preferred the cards I was dealt with. Life can be a little easier when you have “less” to worry about. When Chantelle Paris invited me to have a proper bra fitting, I thought to myself “well this is silly, the girl with no boobs?” But I went because I was genuinely curious since I had never been properly fitted. Turns out I’ve been wearing the wrong size all these years—a whole cup size off!—but more importantly I came away with some major tips for bra shopping. Here are 5 things to keep in mind next time you find yourself in the lingerie department.

1. Know what you’re shopping for. Lift, support, a basic t-shirt bra or something to exercise in. Going into the lingerie department can be daunting so it helps to have a clear idea of what you really need. 2. Your new bra should always be on the tightest hook in the back. They will stretch out so you need that extra support out of the gates. It should be snug at first. 3. There shouldn’t be any gapping in the cup if you’re wearing the right size. Be sure to pull all your goods into the cup while bending over a little to ensure you’re well supported. 4. If you’re looking for a little lift, reach for a cup with a seam to the center. 5. Note to self, not all bras fit the same. Size varies with the style so make sure to try on a size bigger or smaller to gauge what might be your best fit. Photography by Arna Bee // Thank you to Chantelle Paris for supporting this post.