Kiss goodbye ill-fitting bras with 3D modelling

PhD student Celeste Coltman (centre) and Dr Deirdre McGhee, from Breast Research Australia based at the University of Wollongong, are investigating effective bra designs and aspects of improving bra fit, and coming up with innovative ways of educating females on how to purchase a well-fitted supportive bras to suit their needs. Photography: Paul Jones

Australian women have reason to rejoice: ill-fitting bras may soon be a thing of the past

Up to eighty per cent of us know the signs: straps that dig in or fall off our shoulders, underwires that pinch or too much padding forcing cups to overflow are all too familiar.

But lucky for us, new research by the University of Wollongong is set the change that, using three-dimensional imaging to measure breast size and shape, collecting data that could alter the way bras are designed.

MORE: Why you need a bra fitting - every time.

PhD candidate Celeste Coltman is leading the study at the Breast Research Australia (BRA) centre’s biomechanics laboratory.

"My interest with bras and in particular sports bras started a long time ago,'' says Coltman, who has studied exercise science and biomechanics.

Bustier ladies in particular are set to benefit as new imaging provided by the study can hopefully provide bra designers and manufacturers with better information for their designs, says Coltman.

"What a lot of bra companies have been doing is trying to use whole-body scanners to get chest circumference measurements, which they then use for bra fit. But in women with large breasts, their breasts tend to rest on the torso, so you can’t see that."

She says this means manufacturers often overestimate the measurements, so the hand-held scanner she is using is much more accurate.

MORE: How to choose the right sports bra

"A hand-held scanner has the benefit of allowing the body position to be changed to get more accurate measurements there", she says.

Most women are wearing the wrong bra size says Coltman, an observation made from fitting 120 women who participated in the study so far.

Luckily for participants Coltman also teaches women how to fit themselves. "When they’re trying on bras in store, they can use that criteria to get a good fit, she says. That also does attract a lot of women."

Coltman is also hoping to continue to attract women to her study. She needs at least another 400 participants to get proper representative data. If you'd like to get involved and participate in the study (and can get to either Wollongong, Penrith, Warilla or Wyong, NSW) contact Celeste Coltman