Women count on them for support, but odds are their bras are not their bosom buddies.

Most women think the pinching and slipping are normal and unavoidable. And they’d probably never dream that a bra could make their clothes look amazing.

But according to ShopSmart, the shopping magazine published by Consumer Reports, a good bra is the foundation for everything else a woman puts on. If she picks the right one, she won’t even know it’s there – except for the fact that her sweaters and dresses will sit better and her T-shirts will look neater.

“While you don’t have to spend a lot to get a bra that fits, you do have to try it on,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “I was shocked to find that a third of women don’t even bother to try on bras before buying them, and more than two-thirds of women stick with the same brand, even when they aren’t too thrilled with the ones they already own.”

A poll conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found that 37 percent of women don’t bother to try bras on before making a purchase to make sure they fit. Yet, 75 percent of women reported that they faced a specific challenge related to fit, and 53 percent of women have never been professionally fitted for a bra. When shopping for a new bra, 63 percent of women reported that comfort was the most important feature they looked for, followed by support (21 percent).

So what’s the secret to finding the perfect bra? Fit is key, obviously. But style, color and shape count, too.

Getting the perfect fit

Women can get the perfect fit by taking their measurements before hitting the store. Then, when trying on bras, ShopSmart’s editors say, it’s important to look at the following:

¢ Straps. Straps aren’t necessarily positioned where they should be. They should be adjusted so they sit flat, without sinking into the skin. And straps shouldn’t be relied on to lift breasts, since the wearer will make them too tight and they’ll wind up digging into her shoulders. If they’re too loose, they’ll constantly slip down.

¢ Cups. Breasts should fill the cups enough so they don’t look baggy, but not so much that there’s spillage. ShopSmart’s experts say that not choosing the right style can also result in this cup-runneth-over effect. Try a fuller cut in the same size before jumping to the next cup size.

¢ Band. The front of the band should be parallel to the back. It should be fitted but loose enough to slide a finger underneath. If it’s riding up in back, the band is probably too big.

Quick bra fixes

¢ Slipping straps. Try the next size down or a different style. The straps on a demi bra may slip more because they’re set wider.

¢ In-between cup sizes. Look for brands that carry half-cup sizes, like the Playtex Thank Goodness It Fits line.

¢ Snug band. If everything else feels right, invest in a bra extender. It just costs a few dollars, and it attaches right onto a bra’s hooks.

When it’s time to replace

ShopSmart’s experts say a bra only lasts six months to two years, no matter what the cost. Here are signs it’s time for a replacement:

¢ The color changes. White bras will start to look a dingy shade of gray; nude, black and other colors will start to fade.

¢ The fabric stretches out. The band may not feel as tight as it used to, it may ride up in the back and straps may slip off the shoulders no matter how they’re adjusted.

¢ It’s too tight or too loose. The bra may be in perfectly good shape, but the woman wearing it may have gained or lost weight, had a child or had breast surgery.