Believe it or not, 70 percent of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Check out this expert tip guide to buying the one that fits comfortably and stylishly.

Wearing a bra is essential for bust support and cleavage enhancement, but if you're wearing the wrong size, it can result in unsightly gaps or skin pinching visible through the clothes. "And an ill-fitting bra can cause back, shoulder, and neck pain," says Robin McGraw, author of What's Age Got To Do With It?

"Our bodies change over the years, and things like weight gain or loss, pregnancy, breast feeding, and even just aging can change the size and shape of your breasts," adds McGraw. Which means the size that fit you a few years ago may not be the right one now.

Busted!

You're wearing the wrong bra if:

• You are literally bursting! You should try a larger cup. Most of your bosom should be inside the cup, unless you're wearing a demi (or half-cup) bra.
  
  
• The band rides up your back. It means that the bra is too loose around your body. You should go for a smaller band size. If you can comfortably fit more than two fingers under the back of the bra band, it's too big.
  
  
• There's a gap. The bra should be flat against your skin. If the center of the bra isn't lying flat against your breastbone, you might not be getting the support that you need. Try a bra with a smaller cup size.
  
  
• There's wrinkling in the cups. Bra materials are stretchable and should conform to the shape of your body but if the cups are too big, wrinkles will form. Try a bra with smaller cups.
  
  

Figure out your bra size

To determine your size, use a tape measure and take a snug measurement under your breasts. Add five inches to get your band size If the result is an odd number, round up.

For the cup size, measure over the fullest part of your breast and compare this number to your band size. "If it's the same, you're a AA cup; one inch bigger you're an A cup, two inches bigger you're a B cup, three inches bigger you're a C cup, four inches bigger you're a D cup, and so on," explains McGraw.

Shopping tips

Always try on a bra before you buy, even if you know your size. Sometimes, different styles are made slightly different in the cut and form, even among the same brand or range of bras.

When trying on a bra, you should fasten with the middle clasp. The fabric should not gap, flatten or squeeze you anywhere. Check yourself in the mirror for any sign of fabric strain or skin pinching. "If your breasts are spilling out of the bra, either on the top or under the arms, look for a larger size and possibly fuller cups that provide more coverage," adds McGraw.

Get underwires for more support, especially if you are busty. The wire should rest snugly against your breastbone, and its tips should not poke the underarms or breastbone.

Caring for your bras

Washing tips that will help make your bras last:

• All bras should be handwashed, especially underwire bras. Machine-wash can cause the underwire to become out-of-shape and ill-fitting, or worse, come off the bra.
  
  
• Wash your bras with a mild detergent and lukewarm water. Certain bra materials, especially synthetic fabric, can melt in overly hot water. And harsh detergents can cause some materials to stretch and lose elasticity.
  
  
• Line-dry. Never put your bra in the dryer. The bra can get twisted and lose its shape. Plus, certain materials may shrink if you use the dryer.
  
  
• Wash like colors together.