Measuring for a Bra

TBH I've haven't yet found a shop's measuring service (or online guide for that matter) to be accurate or consistent. I've been measured "professionally" 4 times - in M&S, Debenhams, Contessa (the store was later bought out by La Senza) and La Senza, and on each occasion, I was told a different measurement! The lady in La Senza kept assuring me that I was a 34C and insisted that I tried on what seemed to be every 34C bra in the shop, because "they all fit differently". :rotfl:I'm a 32E(ish).

As with any clothing, IMO, the size depends on the brand/style. Which is why I don't think you can go from size alone - you really need to try on. I've found M&S are mostly slightly generous in cup size and La Senza slightly skimpier. But it depends on the style of bra too! I don't think you'll ever be able to compare sizes of a t-shirt bra to a soft cup bra.

My advice fwiw is to measure under the bust to get the 32/34/36 or whatever and then try different cup sizes in different styles to find one that fits (i.e placement on back/sides) and that's comfortable and does the job. The last time I went bra shopping, I wore a comfy tight(ish) fitting t shirt (I wanna see what the bra looks like under my clothes - it's rare I walk about town in just my bra ) and I do a fair amount of jumping up and down/jiggling in the changing room :rotfl: Which is why I hate bra shopping - it's more like a workout:rotfl:
I'd love the money to be able to visit Rigby & Peller or to have custom made

Most places (including Marks and Spencers) use the outdated method of adding inches to the back measurement, this comes from when material had less stretch in it and means that most women are wearing too big a band size and too small on the cup.

Tried to find the site I've used before but can't, it's this method although where I've seen it before they recommend measuring without wearing a bra.
http://www.investinyourchest.co.uk/bra-fitting-guide-measure-yourself-at-home

If you want to get it done professionally I recommend Bravissimo. Though remember there will be some difference between styles and shops so try a few and see what feels right.
Oh and so simple but amazed by how many people forget, always buy a bra that you'd wear on the loosest hook, that way when it begins to stretch with age you can use the tighter ones.

Have to say I wasn't impressed with M&S measuring and like you only bought there because I had vouchers.

My daughter was measured in BHS and the young girl was very good and got her bra size spot on. DD tried on 2 or 3 different styles and found that they all fitted well, although one style was slightly more comfortable around the sides.

Denise