The importance of a well-fitting bra cannot be underestimated, for reasons of appearance, comfort, and safety. This is especially important if you are in possession of a large pair of breasts. The size of your breasts is likely to change following pregnancy, weight gain or loss, and sometimes they change for no adequately explored reason. It is advisable to measure yourself, or even just experiment with different sizes, every two years, preferably a week before your period.
Many department stores and lingerie shops offer a measuring service, which is often the best option, yet not everyone will want to do this and you need to make sure you find a reputable service which will recommend the correct size, even if they do not stock that size themselves. A Which? report on the matter suggests that some services are inadequate. Here is a short guide to measuring yourself (or a friend) and knowing what a well-fitting bra should look and feel like, in order to be able to buy bras with confidence.
Are You Wearing the Right Size?
Almost 8 in 10 women are wearing the wrong size- you may be one of them. Why? Your body changes over time, and your fit will change year to year as you lose or gain weight, exercise more or less, and so on. If you are experiencing discomfort, spillage over your cups or back strap, tight straps, or a gap between your cups, you are most likely wearing the wrong size.
Getting Started
It’s best to measure when you are wearing your most comfortable bra – one that has no padding and is not a minimizer.
STEP 1: BAND SIZE
Measure under your arms, high on your back, across the top of your chest. If this measurement is an even number, this is your band size. If an odd number, add 1″ to determine your band size.
STEP 2: CUP SIZE
Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Next, subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement; each inch represents a cup size. For example: if your band measurement is 34″ and your bust measurement is 36″, the difference between these measurements is two inches, and you’d wear a B-cup.
| DIFFERENCE (BAND MINUS BUST MEASUREMENT) |
US CUP SIZE |
| Less than 1″ | AA |
| 1″ | A |
| 2″ | B |
| 3″ | C |
| 4″ | D |
| 5″ | DD |
| 6″ | DDD (3D) |
| 7″ | DDDD (4D) |
| 8″ | DDDDD (5D) |
| 9″ | DDDDDD (6D) |
| 10″ | J |
| 11″ | K |
| 12″ | L |
YouTube Video – How to Measure Your Bust
Helpful Tips
Try these tips and tests to see if your bra is flattering you as best it should.
Place yourself in your bra
Now that you’ve found your size, test your fit. Take the opposite hand from the side you are adjusting and gently bring the breast tissue from the back to the front. This movement will help you settle your breasts correctly into the cups.
It should feel good
A great fitting bra shouldn’t dig, pull, poke or otherwise cause discomfort. If it does, it’s not the right bra (or size) for you. Make sure it feels comfortable when you sit down and move around.
It should look good!
Always try your bras on wearing a t-shirt – it’s the best way to see what it’s doing for you. A great fitting bra can make you look taller, will define your waist, and even make you look slimmer!
Don’t settle for wrinkles
If you see extra fabric or wrinkly, baggy cups, the cup size is too big. Try sizing down.
Don’t fall out
Take a look at the front of the bra. There shouldn’t be any breast tissue spillage, puddling, or falling out of the bottom of the cups. If there is, your cup size is too small. Try sizing up for a flattering, more natural looking fit.
Straps shouldn’t work too hard
Your bra’s support comes from the band, not the straps. So be sure that you’re wearing the correct band size. Too big, and your straps will end up taking the weight, which will cause them to put pressure on your shoulders and dig in.
Is your band straight?
Look in the mirror from the side. Your band should be at the same level all the way around. If it is riding up in back, it’s probably too big. Try sizing down a band size or tightening your band.
Mind the gap
The center front of your bra should lie flat against the breastbone. It should not lie on top of any breast tissue. If there’s a large gap, you may need to go up a cup size.
How tight is right?
Your band should feel firm and secure, but you should also be able to slip two fingers beneath the band in back, and one in the center in front. If you can’t, you may need to loosen your band a bit, or go up a size.
Underwires shouldn’t dig
Underwires should lie flat at the front of your bra, against your ribcage. If you feel your underwire digging into any breast tissue, you should try a larger cup size or a different style.
Bras stretch over time
Be sure you’re wearing your bra on the loosest hook. Your bras can stretch with washing and wear, so when you buy a new bra, it’s best to ensure it fits properly on a loose hook, so you can tighten it as needed.
How to know when you’ve found a perfect fit?
Your breasts will feel like they are “sitting” in the cups, you will not feel any underwire pinching and your bra will feel comfortable and supportive. You shouldn’t have to settle for a so-so fit. Sometimes you will have to go up a cup size or two. Don’t let it concern you – sizes do vary among brands. Finding the perfect bra takes time and patience, but the way you will look (and feel) once you have found it will be worth all of your effort.
Reminder
Check back in six months or so. You should re-evaluate your bras regularly to be sure they are fitting you the way they should – because a woman’s body does change over time, and bras stretch and lose shape with repeated wear and washing. It may be time to stock-up again, soon!
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The information on this page is sourced from: http://www.barenecessities.com/fit_sizing.aspx
