Do you REALLY know your bra size?

beverley1471

This has been interesting to read. I've read afew websites and i'm still confused about back measurements. I measure 28 inches around my back and was always told to add 4 inches to get your back measurement, so I currently wear a 32D. But some websites tell you not to add any inches, so i'm unsure now. Their are no specialist bra shops where i live. I'd have to get the train to birmingham and wouldn't know where to go when i got their.

The D cup is slightly to small but a DD or E are to big, so when i asked in a bra shop they advised me to stick with 32D. I'll have to go to and try a few on and see. I'll perhaps try on a 30D and see, a 30 back may feel very tight though?

Sharon87

I never add inches, that would make me a 38, when in fact I am a 34. I hate bra shopping sometimes, as I'm a big size. Well I used to hate bra shopping, especially in Debenhams, they used to measure me then bring in bras, I had to try on about 5 different sizes, before I just said shove it. They always used to bring in a 38.

I went to La Senza to try on their bras, they go up a GG now, and thought I'd try them on to see if I fit (usually a H), and it was WAY off. That lady I gave the bras back to said they should fit me. I told them their bras were too small, told her my back size (34), and she just looked at me funny and said no you'd be bigger than that as I am a 36 (she was really not a 36, she was probably a 32 by the looks of her). The problem is I have a small back, but big(ish) belly so I look like I should be wearing a bigger sized bra.

Now I know how a bra should fit after going to Bravissimo - even though now the bras are too small thanks to my housemate cooking too many cakes!

smspencer

I wonder if you're meant to add inches or not then. Every guide I've seen has said to add inches, but I'm sure I'm not a 38.

blue_monkey_2

smspencer wrote: »

Thanks for the reply :-)

I'm wearing a 36C. I had been in 34Bs for ages but they were too small so I got this one recently which is better, but to be honest it is sort of gaping a bit at the top of my boobs, well not gaping but I feel like I'm not quite filling it if you know what I mean. It does go round my back much better, because my old bras all ride right up at the back.

I've just measured round my back and it's 33inches. According to a size chart I've just looked at that makes me a 38?!? Is that right?

Hiya, I'd try a 34D and if that is too big around the back go for a 32DD or 32E. I measure 31 inches and wear a 30 or 32. They key is to try them on as they do all come up differently. Make sure the band is around your back, around the middle, remember the invisible line around your back from under your boob, this is where the band should sit. Ladies will always say 'oh, I did not realise the band had to sit down so low' but this can add a good few inches on.

Do the arm raise test - if the bra shows any of your breast tissue under the bra when you lift your arms up it is too big and you need to go down a size. If you find the 32 too tight them go for a 34DD and wear it on the last hook. Some people are just inbetweenies and find one too big or small.

Us bra fitters do not measure, we fit. There is a difference

blue_monkey_2

smspencer wrote: »

I wonder if you're meant to add inches or not then. Every guide I've seen has said to add inches, but I'm sure I'm not a 38.

Even my guide says to add inches but not 4 inches as I know - from experience - that ladies do not fit into a band 4 inches bigger than their rib cage. Sure use it as a starting point but do not think this is going to be your exact size.

smspencer

Thank you. That all makes perfect sense. I don't think I've ever had a bra that doesn't ride up when I lift my arms up so I guess they've all been too big round the band!! I'm thinking maybe a 32 with a bigger cup then like you say. But I was always thinking I must be much bigger than what I measure (33) because of the 'add 4 inches' thing. Why do they all say to add inches when you're not meant to :mad:

blue_monkey_2

beverley1471 wrote: »

This has been interesting to read. I've read afew websites and i'm still confused about back measurements. I measure 28 inches around my back and was always told to add 4 inches to get your back measurement, so I currently wear a 32D. But some websites tell you not to add any inches, so i'm unsure now. Their are no specialist bra shops where i live. I'd have to get the train to birmingham and wouldn't know where to go when i got their.

The D cup is slightly to small but a DD or E are to big, so when i asked in a bra shop they advised me to stick with 32D. I'll have to go to and try a few on and see. I'll perhaps try on a 30D and see, a 30 back may feel very tight though?

I would start by trying you in a 30DD or 30E if you came to see me. The only way you would know if a 30 is going to be too tight is by giving it a try but try a decent bra, not a high street brand - the fit on those bras is really not that good for the larger bust.

Have you tried the arm lift test, it really does work a well fitting bra will not move at all!! If it moves it is too big. If you can see breast tissue poking out from under the wires it is too big, go a band size smaller.

You might also be an inbetweenly though and again, wear it on the last hook and get a 32DD. I have to wear the Tango II like this as a 30 is too tight and a 32 too big.

:rotfl: You are all trying now aren't you?

blue_monkey_2

smspencer wrote: »

Thank you. That all makes perfect sense. I don't think I've ever had a bra that doesn't ride up when I lift my arms up so I guess they've all been too big round the band!! I'm thinking maybe a 32 with a bigger cup then like you say. But I was always thinking I must be much bigger than what I measure (33) because of the 'add 4 inches' thing. Why do they all say to add inches when you're not meant to :mad:

Because to was how it used to be, I KNOW that I have never fitted anyone who has needed 4 inches and on my site I have a different fitting guide to everyone else. However, I know because I know, a lot of online shops have never fitted a single customer and sell just for money and I , personally, think this is wrong. If someone buys, say, a size 10 brief and a 36D top I put a note inside the package explaining how a good bra should fit and tell them that they can exchange for free but to email if they have problems with size.

blue_monkey_2

I just wanted to say that i have a few PM's to get through so if I do not reply until Sunday then please do not be offended. it is my birthday tomorrow and I am going to try not to do any worky stuff

smspencer

Thank you, and have a lovely birthday :-)