Fitter's Product Notes
Prairie Wear product description …Medium to Low Compression…Medium to Low Coverage…High Comfort Index…Everyday multi-functional bra…sleep in…bra…transitioning from a higher compression garment post surgically or in lymphoedema management…’
Is it a Post-Surgery or Comfort Bra?
A second reason why comfort bra sizing can be misleading is because the Sizing Charts are Product Specific (ProdSpec). What does this mean? When we compared our comfort bras, we found you could be a MEDIUM in one brand and a SMALL in another brand.
After a lumpectomy, lymph node surgery or breast implant removal surgery, the softer support provided by the Hugger Vida can reduce breast movement and improve mobility comfort.
When needing targeted compression to treat localised Oedema or Lymphoedema, the Hugger Vida may be a lower compression option to use with a pad in the pocketed cup or higher up under the arm.
After implant removal, a lumpectomy, breast reconstruction or radiation, a comfort bra with a pocketed cup can be fitted with a partial form to balance breast size. After a mastectomy a breast form can be fitted to create a natural looking breast line.
For other breast surgeries, a post-surgery compression bra can provide better support.
Choosing the Right Bra
In the Fitting Room we’ve learnt what’s needed to achieve softer support and wear comfort.
Measuring comes first. Why? When we fitted our comfort bras on a mannequin to compare size and fit, we found one brand’s MEDIUM is another brand’s SMALL (scroll down to the Fitter’s Size Guide for more). Discussion then turns to bra style. Is a front fastening bra with a zip or clips preferred? Will the shape of the underarm band suit the post operative incision? Does strap adjustment and the other parts of the bra suit the torso? And then, which colour?
To give you a better way to choose a comfort bra with the shape and parts for your surgery or radiation treatment, we put each of our bras on a mannequin, made side-by-side comparisons, then rated the outcomes. The shape and parts ratings for the Hugger Vida are described below.
To aid colour choices we cropped our product images because research suggests we make better choices when the eye is not distracted by the model and we show all the bra colours on the one product page so you can see them side-by-side.
Then, to help you get the size right, you can scroll down to our Fitter’s Size Guide to check your size.
If you’d like a second option, you can call the STUDIO and then make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
And don’t forget to check if you can claim for a pocketed post-surgery bra on Private Health Insurance.
How Does Bra Shape Affect Fit?
As surgical bra specialists, we’ve learnt that what a bra looks like on the model isn’t a very reliable way to tell if the Fitted Shape will suit your post op and/or radiation treatment needs.
To make it easier to compare comfort bras, regardless of brand, this is how the shape of the Hugger Vida compares with our other bras. The Fitted Shape description at the top of the page gives you a quick guide when browsing.
Cup Type & Shape The softer, slightly firmer seamless moulded cup tends to flatten the breast and create a more rounded breast shape but may not have the structure needed to support a larger breast or breast form.
Cleavage The higher cleavage encapsulates the breasts, reducing breast movement and improving wear comfort. The fuller shape over the breast ensures a breast form or partial form is fully concealed and allows a compression pad to be used to target localised oedema or lymphoedema.
Underbust Band The wider underbust band provides more support under the breast and creates a medium bra length.
Underarm Band The medium/high height underarm can cover mastectomy incisions and the flap of tissue at the end of the incision, lumpectomy incisions to the side of the breast and smaller lymph node removal incisions. If an incision extends up into the armpit, a small pad may be needed to stop the top edge of the underarm band irritating the incision. The underarm height allows a pad to be placed higher up under the arm when treating localised oedema or lymphoedema.
Back Band The slightly wider back band improves wear comfort.
Straps The medium width padded shoulder straps are narrower spaced across the shoulder. They can also be unhooked and crossed over to create a racer back configuration.
What Parts of a Bra Affect Fit?
Over the many years we’ve been fitting comfort (post-surgery) bras we’ve found that the following parts of the Hugger Vida can play an important role in achieving a good fit after breast surgery and/or during radiation.
Cup Pocket The pocketed cups do not affect fit or wear comfort after breast implant removal or when worn during radiation treatment after a breast reconstruction. With the cup pad removed the pocketed cup can hold a breast form, partial form or shaper, or be used to position a compression pad when treating localised breast oedema or lymphoedema. However, our experience suggests the pocket opening used to fit a breast form is not wide enough and is likely to need alteration.
Fastening Front zip has a starter clip and loop to hold the zip together whilst being closed. A front zip fastener without a starter clip tends to spread and jam.
Band Adjustment None. The Prairie Wear Vida Extender can be fitted into the zip if size adjustment is needed.
Strap Adjustment A hook and loop clip allows the straps to be opened and fitted over the shoulder after surgery. Sliding buckles on the back of the straps allow for the adjustment that is often needed to position the bra band on the chest just under the breast.
Why Question Bra Performance?
Why question supplier product performance and certification claims? Because we’ve learnt that marketing statements are not always verified. This is what we know about the Hugger Vida.
Material 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex.
Support Rating Claim: Medium to Light Compression. Our fitting experience supports this rating.
Free of Harmful Chemicals (Latex) OEKO-TEX Ready-to-Wear Product Certificate No 2.1HCA.59324.
Life of the Bra Manufacturers don’t provide information. Our observations suggest appropriate care can extend the life of a comfort bra from 6-9 to 12+ month.
Brand & Manufacture Canadian brand. Made in China.
BreastCare STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood. You're welcome to drop-in or call if you have any questions.
T (08) 9361 1300
E info@breastcarewa.com.au
Measure & Size Notes
Comfort bra sizes (S, M etc) make it harder to know if the size is right.
One reason is that each size (S, M etc) covers multiple Band & Cup sizes. Depending on your band and cup size, the fit could be firmer, just right or a bit loose.
Hugger Bra Sizing Suggestions
A second reason why comfort bra sizing can be misleading is because the Sizing Charts are Product Specific (ProdSpec). What does this mean? When we compared our comfort bras, we found you could be a MEDIUM in one brand and a SMALL in another brand.
Hugger Vida sizing is based on an Above the Chest measurement that doesn’t correlate with traditional underbust and bust measurements, there are ‘measurement gaps’ in the sizing chart and the bra has a universal cup size.
As illustrated in our Hugger Vida Sizing Chart Example, Prairie Wear suggest you go to the smaller size if your Above the Chest measurement (e.g. 74cm) doesn’t fit into a measurement range (e.g. 76-81). This can result in a more accentuated size change.
Prairie Wear suggest the Hugger Vida universal cup size suits AA to D Cup breast sizes. Our experience suggests there can be variance in the fit from smaller to larger breast sizes. Prairie Wear also suggest that, for DD+ Cup breast sizes, you should go up one size.
If it all sounds a bit confusing, PHONE the STUDIO to talk through your bra size. If you’ve purchased from BreastCare before, we’ll check your size and then you can make a quick and easy PHONE purchase.
Bra Measuring Tips
In the Fitting Room we use a flexible cloth tape and measure to the nearest centimetre.
If you don’t have a cloth tape, use non-stretch fabric or a belt, mark the size and then measure the length with a metal tape or ruler. Avoid string because it presses into the skin and flexible metal tapes because they wrap unevenly.
From experience, we’ve found that having someone else measure is quicker and more accurate. If self-measuring, a mirror is a good way to check that the tape is level and wrapped firmly (but not tightly) around the body. When measuring, stand still and upright, relax, breathe out, then measure.
Only wear a bra so your measurement can be taken close to skin.
We asked Prairie Wear for clarification about the above the chest measurement. They confirmed that it can be used for the natural breast or after breast reconstruction, after a unilateral mastectomy (one breast removed) or bilateral mastectomy (both breasts removed), after a lumpectomy or any other breast surgery, and when treating lymphoedema.
If your breast sizes are uneven, we suggest you do not try to measure. A STUDIO fitting is a better way to decide on the bra style or bra and partial form needed create a balanced breast line.
BreastCare STUDIO is centrally located in the Perth suburb of Burswood. You're welcome to drop-in or call if you have any questions.
T (08) 9361 1300
E info@breastcarewa.com.au
