I also pulled out my favorite undergarment book, The Lingerie Handbook by Rebecca Aspen. Her book explains how the right bra can transform a women's wardrobe and overall look, not only boosting one's bust, but self confidence as well!

So read on for a helpful discussion on all types of bras from conservative undergarments to the unique bras that work well under sexy styled blouses and dresses. Plus I have included the experts' top picks of the bras that offer the best support and won't let you down.

Getting started with the three S's: Size, Support & Style
I had no idea that learning about bras would be such an education, so I will start by simplifying what I call the three S's of shopping for bras: size, support and style. Let me ask you a question. Are you wearing the right size? The majority of American women are not and it shows! Just look around and you'll see drooping, pulling and the dreaded back fat protruding from behind. Believe it or not the right bra can fix these fashion problems and leave the gal and the girls (if you know what I mean) feeling comfortable and looking good. Here is how to tell if your bra is a bad match for you:

1. Red and sore shoulders because bra is too small or too tight. 
2. Marks on skin around shoulder and back area after bra comes off.
3. Sliding straps – once when I was on camera, I was horrified as I reviewed the segment to see my white bra strap hanging off my shoulder! I had no idea and that strap was so distracting that I'm sure the viewers concentrated on my ill-fitting bra rather than my segment topic! 
4. Excessive sweat in cleavage, which can be a problem here in Phoenix.
5. Lumps and bumps under clothing. My personal bra brigade began when a good friend of mine gave me two birthday bras! She could tell that I was wearing the wrong lingerie and since I was doing on-camera work, she decided to do me a favor with an honest gift! I was amazed what a difference the right size bra really made, both underneath my clothing and on the outside appearance.

To solve these size issues, I will start with the first bra shopping S, which is size. Do not measure yourself. You won't get an accurate measurement because as you pull the measuring tape around your chest, your back will bend in and the sizing will be inaccurate. Instead, get measured by a pro once a year.  Victoria's Secret store employees will measure you for free and give you a personal measurement card to keep in your wallet. I also found the saleswomen at Nordstrom to be very informative. I had never before asked for a bra-fitting consultation and what a difference it made. I highly recommend it. The three components of bra sizing are the band, the cups and the straps. 

• Band size is your ribcage size.
• Cup size is your breast size and it is relative to the band size.
• As the band gets bigger, the "U" of the cup size increases in width.
• If you go up in band size, then you may need to go down in cup size.
• Straps are meant to support the band, not the entire bra. 

For example, if you were once a 36 B, but today's shopping trip finds the B cup fitting, but the bra is riding up in the back, then the 36 band size is probably too big allowing room for the bra to ride up. So, now you try on a 34 B, but that B cup may be too small for the decreased band size, so to your surprise, you leave with a perfect fitting 34 C. Kind of confusing, I know, but knowing this makes all of a difference. 

When it comes to size, I think it is worth it to pay a little extra and go to a boutique or department store that has bra experts on hand ready to measure you and take the guess work out of band vs. cup size.

Be sure to wear a non-padded bra and a form fitting t-shirt so that you get an accurate measurement.  If you always wear padded bras and a padded bra is what you intend to purchase, then it makes sense to get measured in your usual padded bra.

The t-shirt will enable you to see the outline and true curves of each different bras you try on. And how about those hooks? Do you know which one is the right one to clasp? Start with the outside hook because as bras stretch through time, you will want to hook the next one in to accommodate the stretch. 

Something else that I learned the hard way is to avoid the generic dressing room bra boxes. These boxes house bras for trying on, but these are also the same bras everyone else has put on. I did that at one well-known chain lingerie store and bought the same size and style of the one I tried on.

However, it didn't fit properly once I got home. The bra I tried on was stretched from the women putting it on before me and every piece of garment is made differently.  Save yourself a return trip to the store. Try on the bra that you are considering buying, not a replica.

Give yourself the support you deserve
Support is the second "S" of successful bra shopping and by support I mean fit.  To test band size, make sure that the band is snug, but that you can fit one finger underneath it. 

Next check the cups. If the cups pucker, the bra is too big. If your breasts spill out of the bra, then you need a bigger cup. The under wire should fit perfectly around the breasts instead of poking into your bust. If this happens, then you need a larger cup. 

Don't ignore the straps even though they are not part of the sizing equation. If your straps are picking up too much of the support duty, then the band is not the right size. Straps are sort of the band's personal assistants meant to assist in support. The band has the job of holding the bra up. To test your straps, slide the straps off your shoulders so that they rest on your arms. Your bra should remain in place and stay up. The cups may flap down, which is fine, just be sure that the band keeps the bra in place. 

Now for my favorite part of this report, let's go shopping. Read on for the experts' picks of what bra works best for the three "S"'s – your size, your support needs and your style – both bra style and your current life style.

Let's talk style- your bras and your lifestyle
Ask yourself three questions before you strike out and shop:
1. What is your right size (remember to get measured by a pro).
2. What kind of support are you looking for and what does your lifestyle demand? Are you nursing? Are you looking for a first bra for your teenager?  Since you are sticking to your New Year's resolution, are you in the market for a good fitness bra? 
3. What kind of bras does your current wardrobe warrant? Take an inventory of your closet. Check for sexy styles, form fitting tees, etc.  Different bras are made for different styles. With your answers in mind, now you can take a look at my top picks for bras that fit into different categories.