How to Determine The Correct Bra Size
A properly fitted bra can make a big difference in the way clothes lay against your body and how comfortable you feel. Just because the bra snaps in the back doesn't mean you're wearing the correct size, nor is it wise to simply guess what size you should wear. Correctly measuring yourself for a bra is something you can do at home if you cannot find or have time to visit a professional bra fitter at a lingerie department or store. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Stand in front of a mirror wearing only a bra. Make sure the bra is not padded and is the most comfortable one you currently own. Make sure you can close the bra and both cups cover the majority of each breast. Stand straight and do not hold your breath, as doing so will heave your chest outward.
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Use a soft tape measure and measure directly under your breasts. You will be following the band of the bra you are wearing while measuring yourself. Write this number down and add 5 to the number. Round up if your number or measurement falls in between whole numbers. If your tape measure, for example, shows the circumference as 29 1/2, add 5 to get 34 1/2 which rounds up to 36 as bra sizes come in 2-inch increments.
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Get the baseline measurement to determine your cup size by using the tape measure to measure the circumference around the fullest part of your breasts. You will still be wearing the non-padded bra, so take the tape measure right across the middle portion of your breasts and do not pull too tightly on the tape measure. Note this number.
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Calculate your cup size by subtracting your band size from your cup size. Using the same example as before, you obtained a band size measurement of 36 and the fullest portion of your breasts measures 39 inches. The 3-nch differences equates to a "C" cup size, which means the proper bra size for you is 36C. The difference between cup and band size determines cup size as follows: 0 difference is a "AA", 1-inch difference is "A", 2 inches is "B", 3 inches is "C", 4 inches is "D" and 5 inches is "DD." If you have in excess of a 6-inch difference, you will fare better by having a professional fitter take your exact measurements.
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Tips & Warnings
Stand in front of a mirror while measuring yourself to make sure you have the tape measure straight.
Do not wear a bra that fits too tightly, as you can become uncomfortable in such a tight-fitting garment.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
