How to Know when It's Time to Go from a Training Bra to a Cup Bra

Co-authored by Melissa Young

Last Updated: September 15, 2020

Tweens, are you wondering if you should switch from a training bra to a cup bra? If you've been feeling uncomfortable with your current state of bra, chances are, your concerns are valid. Here are some steps that can help you decide.

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Look in a mirror. If you feel that your breasts are not supported enough, or look pointy and ungainly, it may be time for a cup bra.
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If it feels like your breasts are moving all over the place in an uncomfortable or painful in any way, it may be time for a cup bra.

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If she thinks you should buy a new cup bra, ask her to take you shopping. You probably don't need a fancy bra like from Victoria's Secret for your first bra; perhaps try Aerie, or even Macy's or discount stores like TJMaxx and Kohl's.
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If you go to a Macy's or Aerie, find a salesperson and ask her to measure you. She'll tell you your bra size--it will be a number followed by a letter, such as 28A, 32B, 34D, 32C, etc. Pick out some different brands and styles of this size.
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If your breasts do not fill out the bra, and there's a gap between the cup of the bra and the top of your chest, it's too big. If all the bras are too big, find a smaller cup size. The smallest is AAA. If that size is too big for you, you can stick with a training bra for now!
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Move around in them. Wiggle--do your breasts feel supported? Try on a shirt on top of the bra--does it look smooth and natural? Once you find some bras you like--congratulations! Finding a good bra is not always so easy!

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Tips

As you grow older, you may find you don't need a bra at all! I have friends who are perfectly comfortable not wearing a bra. If you have larger breasts, it may be very uncomfortable (and you might not like the way it looks) to not wear a bra.

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You don't have to rush into growing up--and buying cup bras!

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Don't feel the need to wear an underwire or a push up bra just because you're going "a step up". There are plenty of non-wire and/or non-padded "regular" bras out there.

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Warnings

If you find it uncomfortable to sleep in a bra, then avoid doing so.

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How to Know when It's Time to Go from a Training Bra to a Cup Bra

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