Fitting A Bra

Knowing Your Bra Size

A properly fitted bra is one of the most important aspects of finding the right bra that will provide good support while delivering a flattering shape.

Nearly 80 percent of women are wearing a bra that does not fit properly. What that means is that an incredible 4 out of 5 women are wearing the wrong bra; and, their is a good likelihood that you might be one of the 4.

Bra sizing is comprised of two critical elements; the first is the "back" size; and the second, is the cup size.

Your Bra Back Size

The measurement of your torso determines your back size (sometimes referred to as the "band" size). This number is measured in inches.

The best way to get this number accurately is with the help of a friend since self-measuring is what causes a lot of bra-fitting errors. The tape measure should be placed horizontally around the chest where the band of the bra would normally rest as is illustrated in the above figure marked "A". Again, this measurement will be in inches and will indicate the first number of your bra size for instance: 32; 34; 36; and so on.

33" and Below: Add 5 to the measurement. For example, if the measurement around your rib cage is 29, the bra band size is 34.

Above 33": After 33", add 3 to the measurement. For example, if the measurement around your rib cage is 35", your bra band size is 38.

In order to verify that you have measured the band size accurately, you can measure around the uppoer chest where your breast tissue merges to the chest wall as indicated in the above figure at the very top line indicator. For example, if you've measured 29 around your rib cage, and added 5 to get 34, the measurement at the top of your breasts should equal 34".

Your Bra Cup Size

The cup size on a bra is the letter measurement in the bra size listed after the number. In a 34B, 34 is the band size and B is the cup size. The cup size is the size of the breast itself.

To determine the cup size: After you've done the back measurement and determined your band size, have someone bring the tape measure around the fullest part of your bust, as demonstrated by Line B in the above figure. Perform this measurement while wearing your best-fitted bra. Subtract the band size from the measurement you get here, and the remaining number corresponds with your cup size. For example, if your band size is 34, and you measure 37" around the fullest part of your bust, the number that corresponds with your cup size is 3".

It is important to note that different manufacturers' cup sizes may very slightly so always use a little caution when purchasing a new bra.

The Measurement Difference Relative To Actual Cup Size

The following relational list will indicate the cup size based on the difference between band measurement and cup measurement:

0" - AA Cup
1" - A Cup
2" - B Cup
3" - C Cup
4" - D Cup
5" - DD Cup
6" - DDD Cup or F Cup
7" - F Cup or G Cup
8" - FF Cup or H Cup
9" - G Cup or I Cup
10" - GG Cup or J Cup
11" - H Cup or K Cup
12" - L Cup or HH Cup
13" - J Cup
14" - JJ Cup