What do you hate to spend money on? If you are like 95% of the women I asked in a completely unscientific poll (okay, I just asked my sisters and best friend), it's bras. For the most part, nobody sees them (although if your bra fit well, maybe that would change?), they're expensive and frankly, shoes are a lot more fun to buy.
Here's the thing. You need to buy a bra that fits. And I can almost guarantee you are not wearing a bra that fits. How do I know this? Because when I finally went in to get professional fitted, I went up three cup sizes (it is true). And everyone else that I have forcibly taken in to be fit has had the same experience.
Now, why does it matter? Several reasons. If you wear a bra that actually fits like it's supposed to:
1. You will instantly look like you've lost weight because everything will be, ahem, higher and where it's supposed to be.
2. You will be much more comfortable because you won't be jiggling and bouncing around.
3. Your clothes will instantly look better. I can't tell you the number of women I work with who want to wear gorgeous clothing with sports bras. That does not enhance the clothing and it makes you look disproportionate!
4. It can get rid of your back fat. Not everyone has this, but those of us that do know what I mean. The look where your bra is highlighted as well as all your lumps ... A well-fitted bra can smooth that out so you can wear t-shirts with confidence.
5. It can make you look bigger, if that's what you want. I have folks in my family that are a bit, how shall we say, lacking in the chest department? After getting fit for the right size bra, they look, well, down-right busty-ish.
6. It can make you look smaller, it that's what you want. I have other folks in my family (there are a lot of us) who are a bit larger and thought wearing sports bras was the answer to squishing everything down. Not so. With the right size bra, there is a lot less movement because everything is secure. Also, because the bra is bigger, nothing is hanging over the bra (or popping out) so the chest actually looks smaller.
The best way to get a bra that fits is to go to a store that does professional fittings. I've used Nordstrom's with great success and a lot of the smaller boutiques in town that specialize in bras and bra fittings.
Yes, a good bra that fits is going to be pricey and while I'm an advocate of buying budget whenever possible, this is one place where it's worth it to spend the big bucks.