Professional bra fitting: The pitfalls to avoid.

Many years ago I was blessed to meet and befriend Lady Erika. A small rather chic dress shop owner and operator.

So many wonderful things happened there, so much I've learned from her. Sometimes I can feel her presence, memories come alive.

Always with a smile. She was the first professional to fit me with a bra. An absolutely eerie experience. With anecdotal moments as my visits turned routine.

"Beware of bra fitters !" she once laughed.

Professionals know perfectly well how to pull here and there, adjust straps in less than a heartbeat, place the back band where it belongs. Push fat rolls in check.

Once fitted, comfortable and awesome looking you should take the bra off and insist to put it back on without helping hands. Yes indeed, all by yourself. Then move around, bend, stretch sour arms, try to reach a high object.

Some models are quite hard, say impossible to properly wear and sit on your body without external help or perpetual adjustments.

Specifically strapless or models with narrow or skimpy side panels, dramatic push-ups with potentially sliding shoulder straps.

Back buckles are close to impossible to adjust alone without taking off the bra. Several iterations might be necessary for a good result.

Enough reasons to check it all before the cash register clings. Return policies might be a rather tricky deal.

Lady Erika, I miss you so much...