Knowing your bra size is a bit like painting the forth bridge. It’s never actually completed! Your bra size will change along with any weight fluctuations, or with hormone changes as part of your monthly cycle. Not to mention the fact that different bra styles may feel more comfortable on your individual shape in one of your sister sizes rather than your ‘official’ size. We’ll get on to that later. One thing that’s clear is that bra fitting is a total minefield! Lucky we’re here, then, to give you the tools to get the ultimate fit for your bra!
Measuring
First things first when you’re measuring yourself: use a dressmakers tape measure. Ideally not the gift from last year’s Christmas cracker, they’re not so accurate! If you don’t have a tailor’s tape, use a piece of string and then measure it using a ruler. Get kitted out in a comfortable non-padded bra to do the measuring of your cup size, but otherwise no clothes should be in the way. Lastly, measure while standing up. This helps to make sure that the tape is flat and gives you the best posture.
Sizing
Measure directly under your breasts to the nearest whole, even number inch. This is your band size. To calculate your cup size, measure gently around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape horizontal. When your band measurement is subtracted from your cup measurement, the difference gives you your cup size: 1” = A, 2” = B, 3” = C and so on. Now, check this every six months or so as it can fluctuate. To check that you have the correct cup size when you’re trying on, scoop all of your breast tissue into the cup with your hand. It’s not very dainty but it will stop you from noticing breast spillage at a later time.
Sister Sizes
Having bras in our sister sizes is a great way to work with monthly fluctuations in size. Bras, like all other couture, vary in cut, style, fabrics and structure. So what feels like the ultimate fit in one bra may not be so in another. If this happens, try on your sister sizes. This means the band measurement either side of your own size. So if your band is 38”, look at both 40” and 36”. For the band size down, the cup should be a size up, and for the band size up, the cup should be a size down. So a 38D might find a 40C or 36DD works better in a particular style.
Different sizes
Not all boobs were created equal. Even if they’re on the same person! Loads of us have asymmetrical breasts to some extent and it can make bra shopping a headache. If this sounds like you, always fit to the larger breast. A boob squeezed into a smaller cup size will result in spillage and an interruption of your curve line in your final outfit. Protecting your silhouette is key here, and it is only achieved by accommodating the larger cup size.
Style it out
To make your bra work for you, get the style right for your shape. For larger breasts, styles with greater containment tend to sit better and are more comfortable. This works wonderfully in a soft cup bra. The close fit lycra fabric of this shapewear will fit to your shape with no creasing.
Adjustments
Since we’re all so intricately different, bra straps and bands need to be adjusted to give you your ultimate fit. Your band should be horizontal all the way round. This part of the bra provides 80% of the support, so it’s important to get it right. You should be able to slide 2 fingers all the way around your band, and 3 at the back. Your straps should be tight but not dig into your shoulders; sliding one finger under the length of the strap is a good benchmark.
All this intel is great for troubleshooting any bra issues you may be having. We’d advise always buying good quality items in the first place, you’ll often find less fiddling takes place! Browse our range of bras and corsets for some great products!
