Around 80% of women wear the wrong bra size, and 50% of elite sportswomen do too. Despite being an essential part of daily life, many women struggle to find the right bra size. One of the main reasons is a lack of education, which leads many, especially in the case of sports bras, to wear bras that are too small. England Netball star Eleanor Cardwell is using her platform to speak up for women worldwide, encouraging open conversations about bras and reminding us that it’s okay to talk about them.
Known as ‘The Claw’ for her unique one-handed catching style, Cardwell has been playing netball since the age of 5 and was obsessed with PE at school. However, when she hit puberty, she found it harder to enjoy PE lessons. She recalls, “I would go into PE wearing the worst sports bra, having to hold my chest down and catch the ball with one hand because if I didn’t, I’d be in pain”. – Perhaps this is why she became so good with her one-handed catches. A bad sports bra can not only cause physical discomfort but can also discourage you from playing sports altogether. This frustration may contribute to why so many young girls stop participating in sports — it just isn’t worth the pain. Research from Women in Sport, released in March 2022, revealed that 43% of girls who once identified as sporty disengage from sports after primary school, often around the same time they hit puberty.
“There are a lot of women out there needing help, so I decided I have a bit of a platform to have a voice for all these women who need help and a lot of companies were kind enough to send me some sports bras so I can review them”. Eleanor Cardwell, Code Sports AU.
Cardwell began reviewing sports bras in 2022 after her own bras were ruined in the laundry during the Commonwealth Games, which led her to get refitted at the age of 28. In her videos, she showcased key features to look for in a sports bra for optimal comfort and support. She demonstrated jumping up and down to show how different levels of support work, where your straps should rest on your shoulders, and the importance of ensuring bands are in the right places. Her videos were praised by fellow netballers and women who had long been unsure about what to look for when choosing a sports bra. Through her engaging and informative approach, Cardwell helped viewers better understand the anatomy of a sports bra, empowering them to make more confident and informed choices.
Cardwell has recently taken her efforts to break the silence on bras a step further by posting a video showing how to measure your bra size. You’d think most women would know how to do this, but the lack of education is a key reason so many of us wear the wrong size. No one has taught us how to measure ourselves properly! Thankfully, Cardwell shows how simple it is to measure yourself and calculate the correct bra size. She also highlights that many stores offer free bra fitting services, yet so many of us don’t take advantage of them due to factors like lack of awareness or confidence. Another reason, as Cardwell points out, is inconsistent sizing across brands, meaning we should view our bra size measurements as a ball park figure rather than a strict rule.
The main reason many women wear the wrong bra size is because we’re not taught how to. Cardwell compares wearing the wrong size bra to wearing the wrong size trainers, emphasising that it’s not only uncomfortable but also damaging to our health. She points out, “You wouldn’t out of choice wear a pair of trainers that are too small because you’d be in so much pain you wouldn’t be able to run”. This comparison stresses how critical it is to find the right fit. Yet, many women are left to guess or rely on misleading marketing that emphasises aesthetics over functionality. Without proper education on fit, many choose bras based on looks alone, unaware that the wrong size can cause long-term physical discomfort, posture issues, and strain on the back and shoulders. Additionally, the lack of guidance on how to measure and understand one’s body shape can make finding the right sports bra feel like an overwhelming task.
By sharing her knowledge and personal experience, Cardwell is breaking down the stigma surrounding bras and creating an open space for women to discuss their needs for support and comfort. She’s not just advocating for the right size; she’s empowering women to embrace their bodies and prioritise their well-being, both in everyday life and while playing sports. However, she knows her voice alone isn’t enough. Cardwell is passionate about seeing more education on bra sizing provided in schools, so young girls learn the importance of finding the right fit early on, rather than having to figure it all out in adulthood.
Her message is clear: women should take control of their health, educate themselves on proper fit, and never settle for anything less than what feels right for their bodies. By speaking out and leading by example, Eleanor Cardwell is helping women everywhere realise that the right fit is more than just a size—it’s about feeling comfortable, confident, and supported in every aspect of life.
