Do you REALLY know your bra size?

leoren

In my experiance....
If you go to get fitted and they take out a tape mesure just walk away....
M&S measure me 44AA (does that even exist?)
Got fitted independently, and a 38F fits (nothing like M&S)

On subject of money saving, primark now do a t shirt bra for D-F(poss G) cups for £5. Its one of the few I can comfortably wear all day

jenierga13

I don't even recognize my cup size since a long time, but I had also underestimated it a while ago. It is absolutely right to be re-measured so that you could be able to buy the wiser bras that will fit to your current size. Everyone should be aware of their size for less worry.

borderlakland

i had recently posted my praises for bravissimo on here and just have to add that i went back to queery why towards the end of the day the wires dig in on the 2 bras i bought from them.. answer after abit of looking was cup size slightly too small.. new bra fitted and fingers crossed all is ok. but as they totally guarentee their fittings they refunded the price of the other 2. was told to give this 1 a few days and any problems to go straight back. can't think of many places that you can get that level of service:j
took dd along and she was fitted, they were lovely and sent her in with the youngest fitter (about 20:o) as she is only 14.. she was impressed even though she came out with 36d already... obviously inherited that particular set of genes from me:o

blue_monkey_2

Hi all, I've been getting a few PM's lately from ladies who have read this thread and want advice on fitting so wanted to jump in and resurrect this thread for others that might be wanting to make sure they are in the right bra size. I am going to put one big handy fitting guide here so ladies have some helpful tips to get started. Every now and then I'll repost a few pages up for new readers. I hope no-one minds.

If anyone has any question then please ask. If I have missed anything from the guide please ask. If you prefer to PM me then please do. If I can offer help then I'll be happy to.

If you want to know if you are in the wrong size bra by PM then I need to you to send me your band measurement in inches - wearing your best fitting bra measure under your bust, the tape should be snug and around your back, not rising up.

If you are looking for somewhere that does fittings choose a local independant, Bravissimo, John Lewis, Debenhams, Selfridges or any store that sells a variety of brands rather than just their own. By all means buy from these stores once you have been properly fitted as you'll know what you are looking for in a good fitting bra and will not be fitted into the wrong bra.

The main problem I have is ladies coming to me and saying the bra they have just bought does not fit them properly. This is because someone on the high street in a chain store has fitted them into an inappropriate or badly fitting bra and they expect all bras to fit the same way. The best thing any lady can do for herself is go for a professional bra fitting so that you can educate yourself on how a bra should look and feel. it is something you'll never forget and it is really important for your breast health.

So, lecture over here is a handy guide. Remember, ask if you need to, I won't bite, no question is a stupid question if YOU do not know the answer.


Are you wearing the correct sized bra?

Surveys tell us that 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size so how can you be sure that you are not one of these? Here are some of the indications that your bra is the wrong size:

• Band rising up at the back (Band too big), it should fit snug around the middle of your back
• Boobs spilling out of the cups giving the '4 boobed look' (Cup too small)
• Uncomfortable bulges (Cup too small)
• ‘Leakage’ of your boobs under the bra (Band too big)
• Indent marks left by straps and underwires (bra too small)
• Underwires that are out of shape (Did you put them in the washing machine!!) or that dig into your armpit (cup size too big/too small)
• Baggy cups and saggy breasts (Band and cup too big)
• Shoulder and/or back aches (Incorrectly fitted bra)

Measuring yourself

You will need a tape measure that measures in inches as bra sizes are still sold in inch measurements.

You will need to find out what your back size is. Stand up straight wearing your best fitting unpadded bra, place the tape measure around your back, ensuring that the tape is flat across the middle of your back.

Looking in a mirror, lift your breasts and run a straight line from under the breast tissue around your back - this is where the band of your bra should sit, snug and firm. You should just be able to get fingers inside the band.

Take care not to place the tape too high and bring the tape straight around your front measuring under your breasts. The tape should fit snugly without pinching or being too tight.

Now take this measurement and round it to the nearest number in inches, then add 2inches if it is an even number and 3 inches if it is an odd number. This is your starting back size. Some of you will say 'hold on, isn't it supposed to be 4 or 5 inches?' From experience of fitting, it has become apparent that as bras have been made of better materials only 1-3 inches added on is necessary so use this as a starting point. Choose a bigger size if you do not like how snug a bra fits and smaller if you feel it could be tighter, however, it does need to be snug to get a good, well fitting and supportive bra.

Next, you need to find your cup size.

Placing the tape around your back bring the tape forward to measure around the fullest part of your breasts. Again, make sure the tape is not too loose, tight or pinching as you are looking for a snug fit. If you are in between inches round to the nearest inch, and if you are on a half inch mark round up to the next inch. This is your cup size.

Now you need to subtract your back size from your cup measurement to find your cup size. 1 inch is one cup size so if your back (using the method above) measures 36" and your bust measures 42 you will be a 36E

Cup sizes run as follows in most UK brands A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, K, KK

One inch smaller will be a AA, 2 inches smaller AAA.

If the bra sizes available to you do not use the FF, GG, HH, JJ, KK sizes then your bra size WILL be different when you buy at these places so bear this in mind.

If you have one boob bigger than the other, fit this boob. A baggy cup is preferable to an overspilling one as there are plently of bras available to hide this if you are really worried someone will notice, such as balcony and moulded bras.

Finding the right bra for you

Once you have found your correct bra size you need to make sure the fit is correct. Here are some more points to make sure you find the right bra:

1. The bra should be worn on it's loosest hook.
2. The bra should fit flat against your body at the front - if it doesn't then choose a smaller band size.
3. There should not be any 'overspill' at the top or the sides of the bra - if there is you need a larger cup size. If you have one breast larger than the other then fit the biggest breast as a slight gape at the top of the bra is better than have an overspill.
4. It should not leave any deep marks on your body once wearing for a while, this shows it is too tight.
5. The back of the bra should fit straight across the middle of your back, if it is riding up then you need a size smaller.
6. The straps should not be too tight. If the straps are leaving marks then check the back size of the bra, you may find it is too loose.
7. The bra should fit comfortable and not dig in - if it does then choose a bigger cup or band size.
8. If you are wearing an underwired bra, the wire should rest on your rib cage. It needs to be against hard bone, not soft tissue which can get damaged.
9. Ensure the bra you choose suits your body shape. Padded plunge bras, for example, tend to fit better on women with firmer busts (although some clothing tape can help hold you in for a special occassion if you want a bra that gives a deep cleavage).

When putting the bra on, ensure that you place your breasts into the cup first and then fasten at the back as this ensures that the breast sits in the bra naturally. Check that you do not have excess material under the breast. Put your hand into the bra and scoop the breast tissue and ensure it all fits snug inside the bra. Remember that breast tissue goes all the way to your underarm so ensure it all sits in the cup and does not spill out the side.

Once you are happy with the fit of the bra put your top back on and take a look in the mirror to ensure that it gives the right look under clothing too. Wearing the right fitting bra will improve your posture too. A good fitting bra not only make you look fantastic but makes you feel fantastic too.

SwipernoSwiping

With the birth of my second daughter I got myself measured just after birth for a Royce nursing bra at an independent. I also went and endured Mothercare measuring up. The independent store matched sizes with MC - but suggested I purchase bra extenders. I returned 3 months later to both for a refitting as things tend to change alot - and it can get expensive. Nothing had changed.

Except the bras were not fitting properly, I knew the cup size was all together wrong. - infact they caused mastitis (spelling?)

I am loathed to by more nursing bras, and really wish I had perhaps used figleaves, as the nearest bravissimo is over an hour away.

Nursing bras are not wired, and me being a hefty 42f/g ish there's no support to be had in them. I have been told on all sides that wires are bad for nursing ( uncomfortable ) and wires tend to dig in at the minute.
So really as I near the 6 month "guideline" for breastfeeding should I buy more "saggy boob bras" for nursing, or go back to wired?

ellay864

Figleaves website has a measuring guide - essentially captures everything blue_monkey has said and also has a video showing fitting 'in action' and images of correctly and badly fitting. I followed that and drastically changed my bra size...and within 2 days my long-standing back pain had eased tremendously

LadyMorticia

I know my bra size. Just wish it were bigger.:o

Sublime_2

Mine go up and down. I put on a bit of weight this year so have got boobs which feels great. When I get back down to an 8 they will probably vanish.

blue_monkey_2

shellieholly wrote: »

With the birth of my second daughter I got myself measured just after birth for a Royce nursing bra at an independent. I also went and endured Mothercare measuring up. The independent store matched sizes with MC - but suggested I purchase bra extenders. I returned 3 months later to both for a refitting as things tend to change alot - and it can get expensive. Nothing had changed.

Except the bras were not fitting properly, I knew the cup size was all together wrong. - infact they caused mastitis (spelling?)

I am loathed to by more nursing bras, and really wish I had perhaps used figleaves, as the nearest bravissimo is over an hour away.

Nursing bras are not wired, and me being a hefty 42f/g ish there's no support to be had in them. I have been told on all sides that wires are bad for nursing ( uncomfortable ) and wires tend to dig in at the minute.
So really as I near the 6 month "guideline" for breastfeeding should I buy more "saggy boob bras" for nursing, or go back to wired?

Have a look for Elomi nursing bras, PM me if you cannot find them and I'll see if I can get them for you (sorry, I know that is strictly not allowed but not mant places stock them) they are amazing and so supportive for the larger bust.

http://www.elomilingerie.com/lingerie/beatrice/ss11.aspx

Are you local to Herts Shelly?

LadyMorticia

Sublime wrote: »

Mine go up and down. I put on a bit of weight this year so have got boobs which feels great. When I get back down to an 8 they will probably vanish.

I never put on or lose weight on my boobs. They've always been the same size. I wouldn't mind if any weight I put on went straight to them.