If you support anything during these uncertain times, support your boobs.

A Kilkenny lingerie store is doing online bra fittings, for those among us who feel like our current brassiere just isn't doing the job anymore. Belle Femme Lingerie Boutique and Bridget Kearney are encouraging women to engage with their virtual bra fittings in a bid to ensure that our boobs continue to get the attention they deserve during lockdown. Ill-fitting bras are not just uncomfortable, but can also lead to back pain and cause our clothes to sit improperly across our chests. Kearney has been fitting bras for years, and for the past decade she has managed to do so without the use of a measuring tape, instead relying on a good eye alone to determine whether a bra fits or not. She has also been doing virtual bra fittings for almost a decade, and says that lockdown could be the perfect chance for more women to consider them.

“Consider the fact that the body is elastic, whereas a tape measure is static,” she says.

“A tape measure cannot measure volume, so it is essential that anyone advising women on wearing the correct fitting bra learns how to assess and fit, as we do, without a tape measure."

Bridget Kearney Customers hoping to avail of the service can email three photos of them in their current bra to the store. Kearney will then determine whether the bra is the correct fit, suggest a new size, and send out a new bra to be tried on. If the new bra doesn't fit, customers can send it back free of charge for another product.

“This is a very personal service originally designed to help those who were not able to travel to the store," says Kearney.

"Today this service is being used by pretty much all of our customers seeking a fitting or new lingerie for the summer season ahead. And we have some beautiful spring/summer styles in stock.

“We’ve only highlighted the service to a few new customers and we’ve had 20 orders in the first three days and word has already spread. One of our newest customers was wearing a 36B whereas she was actually a 34G.”

You can organise a virtual bra fitting by emailing fittings@bellefemmelingerie.ie with your contact details, along with three pictures of you in your bra (no face visible) – one from the front, one from the side, the third from the back. All images are deleted once an order is complete.