How to Buy Bras Online

There are many reasons to consider buying bras online including price, greater style options, and greater size options. The prospect of buying underclothing online can be a bit frightening, but with the right tools in place it doesn’t need to be.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Tape measure for fabric/sewing (the kind workmen use will not work accurately for this)
• Paper
• Pencil or pen
• A friend [optional]
• A great fitting/supportive bra

Instructions

1. Gather your measuring tape, paper, and writing instrument. It’s best to have someone else help you with measuring for accuracy, but if that’s not possible, take the measurements yourself.

2. Put on your great fitting/supportive bra for your measuring session

3. Measure your bra size, starting with band size. You may think you know your bra size, but you could be wrong. This is because a woman’s breasts change over the course of her lifetime. It is always a good idea to get professionally sized for bras on a regular basis due to these natural breast-size changes. Though some manufacturers may vary slightly in their sizing, there is a general guideline for sizing bras. To measure your correct band size, measure around the circumference of your torso, placing the measuring tape under your breasts where your bra band would ideally rest. It should run evenly around your ribs while you have no/little air in your lungs. For a proper fit, you want your band to be snug but not tight. Record this number.

4. Measure for cup size now. Move the measuring tape up your body so it runs evenly around your back and breasts. You want the tape to go across your breasts at their fullest part. Record this number.

5. Calculate the difference between your band number and your breast number. This will determine your cupsize. Differences are generally determined as: ½ inch = AA, 1 inch =A, 2 inches = B, 3 inches = C, 4 inches = D, 5 inches =DD, 6 inches = DDD/E, 7 inches = F, 8 inches = FF, and 9 inches = G. A correctly sized cup will completely cover the entire breast with no bulges or overflow.

6. Now that you have the correct measurements, search online for bra retailers. You may want to look for your favorite department store online, lingerie shops, bra manufacturers, or even auction sites such as eBay. Check multiple sites. Create an online 'bookmark' of the sites you like best while you shop. You may need this for reference later.

7. Check the website’s bra measurement guidelines to ensure the best fit. Most use the same guidelines, but there are some that are slightly different. Compare your measurements with the site guidelines, and search out bras according to the results of the site guidelines to ensure the best fit.

8. Compare prices, styles, and available sizes. Look at the band width, how many hooks are on the strap for adjusting width/fit, strap width, strap style, if the straps are adjustable or not, cup style, overall bra style, materials the bras are made of, if the cup is padded or not, and what type of breast support is built into the bra (if any).

9. Order the bra(s) you feel are the best choice for you. Be sure that you are ordering the size that matches your measurements with the site’s guidelines.

Tips & Warnings

• Bra bands are in even sizes. If your measurement is an odd number, round to the closest even number. For example, if your measurement is 33 1/4, round to 33 inches. If your measurement is 35 7/8, round to 36 inches.

• A correctly fitting bra will offer support, and will not have straps or a band that digs into your flesh.

• Carefully follow manufacturer’s guidelines for care in order to extend the life of your bras.

• Carefully check the exchange/return policy. If you are not happy with the exchange/return policy, do not purchase any bras from that retailer. Despite your best efforts, you may still end up getting a bra you are not happy with and need to return or exchange.

• When you measure for your bra, do not measure over any clothing other than the bra you are wearing.