Full Figure Posture Bra

A full figure posture bra can provide the back support needed to make the difference between back pain and back comfort.

Posture Back Means Comfort

Full-figured women often experience back pain because their back muscles are not strong enough to support the weight of their breasts. Their shoulders may roll forward as a reaction to the weight on the front of the body. The pain and the rolling of the shoulders often give full-figured women a slumped appearance.

A full figure posture bra is designed with a reinforced back panel to provide support to the back muscles. The back panel is usually a criss-cross of reinforced fabric. This extra back support provides a counter balance against the weight of larger breasts and supports the back. This added support helps keep the back more upright and helps with the back pain.

Sizing

A full figure posture bra has a front closure. There are usually only two or three rows of hooks in the closure so there is little opportunity to vary the band size of the bra. It is not possible to add a bra extender as you might on back closures bras to accommodate for a fuller back.

The minimal amount of adjustment allowed in the front makes it critical to know your correct bra size. If you purchase the wrong size, the bra band will be uncomfortable and the front of the bra may not fit correctly around your breasts. A sales person can measure you and recommend the correct bra size to purchase. Or, you can follow the bra sizing instructions that are found online at most plus size lingerie sites.

Styles of Full Figure Posture Bras

The basic style of the posture bra is the same across various brands. The bra is a soft cup style and does not have an underwire. Generally the bra is designed only for functionality with little, if any, lace or color features as found on other plus size lingerie. You might consider wearing a colorful lacy camisole over the bra to downplay its functional appearance. That way you can look sexy while you improve your posture and minimize your back and shoulder pain.

A posture bra can also be designed as a sports bra such as the Enell sports bra. This sport-style provides a more supportive fabric and has a higher cut in front, both features which minimize breast movement.

Straps

Women with fuller breasts often have problems with the straps on their bra:

• Strap slippage – The heaviness of the breasts can weigh down the cups of the bra and cause the straps to slip down the arm.
• Shoulder pain – The bra straps can cut into the top of the shoulders leaving red marks and soreness.

The straps on a posture bra can be adjusted for length but they cannot be removed or moved like they can be on a convertible bra. For maximum comfort, posture bras often have wider straps that provide more support, are less likely to cut into the shoulders and won't slip down.

Some styles have strap adjustments in the back which provides a smooth look in the front under t-shirts but the metal clips on the adjustments can be uncomfortable in the back if the bra does not fit correctly.

Length

Most bra manufacturers offer posture bras in both a regular length and a waist-length, "longline" bra. The longline bra has a longer reinforced support panel so it is very useful for the woman who is looking for maximum support.

Where to Buy

A full figure posture bra can be purchased just about anywhere plus size bras are sold. The largest selection of sizes are available online and in plus size catalogs:

• Woman Within
• Roaman's
• JMS Just My Size
• Bare Necessities
• BiggerBras.com
• Fig Leaves

• Books on Dressing for Plus Size
• Plus Size Winter Jackets and Coats
• Women's Plus Size Jeans
• Are you plus size fashion savvy?

• Plus Size Women's Mother of the Bride Dresses
• Designer Plus Size Evening Wear
• Dress Barn Woman
• Chic Plus Size Cocktail Dresses
• Cheap Plus Size Women's Dresses

• Plus Size Longline Bra
• Sheer Full Figure Bra
• Plus Sized Strapless Bras
• Specialty Bra Shops for Full Figures
• Lilyette Full Figure Bras