How to Fit a Bra

Wearing a bra all day that is cutting into your underarms, or the straps of which insist on falling off of your shoulders, is quite annoying. The best way to prevent this from occurring is choosing the right size bra. Here is a guide to fitting a bra so that the next time you go into the lingerie store you know what size you should be looking for.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Paper
• Pencil

Instructions

Determining the Right Cup Size

1. Take your tape measure and measure around the fullest part of your chest.

2. Make sure that the tape is not twisted as this can add extra inches which can result in a poor fit.

3. Write down this measurement so that you don't forget it or remember it incorrectly later on.

4. Measure around your rib cage just below your breasts, again making sure that the tape measure isn't twisted and giving you the wrong measurements.

5. Write this measurement down as well, labeling this measurement as your band measurement so that you can tell the two measurements apart.

6. Subtract your band measurement from the measurement you took first, this will help you determine your cup size.Below is a table of the difference between the two measurements and the corresponding cup size.0 to 0.5 inches = AA0.5 to 1 inch = A1 to 2 inches = B2 to 3 inches = C3 to 4 inches = D

Determining the Right Band Size

1. Take the second measurement from above and add 5 if you got an odd number and add 4 if you got an even number because band sizes come in evens.

2. Try on the bra before you purchase it because a band that is too tight will be really uncomfortable, and a band size that is too big will have you "leaking" out of the bottom.

3. Get someone at the store to measure you if you forgot to measure yourself beforehand so that you are sure to buy the right size bra.

Choosing the Right Style of Bra

1. Get familiar with the different types of bras that the store where you are shopping offers.Different style bras are designed to perform differently so you might want a different bra for during the day and yet another for those nights when you go out to somewhere special.

2. Take the outfit that you intend to wear the bra with to the store with you so you can be sure that the bra will not show and that the bra will be flattering under that outfit.If you need a bra for a special dress, or top, you are going to want to know how the bra looks with that item of clothing. If you aren't comfortable with a certain amount of cleavage then you will want to know, before you purchase a certain bra, that you won't be overflowing. If you are afraid that you will get cold and your nipples will show through a thin shirt, then go with a padded bra.

3. Try the bra on the loosest clasp because the bras is going to loosen when you wash it.The bra you purchase should fit nice and snugly on the loosest clasp so that when it stretches over time you are able to use a tighter clasp and still have a good fit.

4. Hand wash your bras to make them last longer and to preserve the fit of the bra longer.Throwing your bras in the washing machine shouldn't ruin them the first or even the second time around, but it is certain to shorten their life expectancy. To ensure that your bras last as long as possible hand wash them.

5. Make sure that you or a store employee measures you every time that you purchase bras because your cup and band size can change over time.If you gain or lose weight your band size is going to change, and your cup size probably will too. You also have to take into account the fact that gravity can affect your breasts and your cup size over time as well.