HOW TO MEASURE BRA SIZE
Posted by Boux on 28th Aug 2023
HOW TO MEASURE BRA SIZE: OUR BRA FITTING GUIDE
Whether you are an AA or DD cup, wearing the right bra size is always important! You can be wearing the prettiest bra, but if it doesn’t fit properly, then you are not going to enjoy wearing it!
Many women think that we only need to get measured once as a teen and then that’s it for life - but that is definatley not the case!
In recent research carried out with YouGov*, we discovered that 30% of women surveyed have never had a bra fitting and 20% have only had one in their lifetime.
That is a lot of women who haven’t had their bra size properly measured! Interestingly, we also found that 37% of those who have never had a fitting were aged 18-24. Inidicating there is a need for some bra sizing education for younger generations. So, listen up to the tips below if you are one of those unmeasured gals!
We all need to be measuring our bust or going for an expert bra fitting every six months to ensure we are wearing the correct size.
You’ll be amazed at how good it feels when your bust is properly supported and how different it can look in a perfectly fitting bra!
Our experts have pulled together this handy guide to show you exactly how your bra should fit and how to measure your bra size easily too!
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA SIZE EASILY AT HOME
Measuring your bra size to ensure you have the perfect fit is easier than you may think!
All you need is a measuring tape and a mirror, and you’ll be wearing the perfect bra size for you in no time.
Follow the steps below and you will be saying goodbye to gaping cups and digging in bands, and hello to comfort and support!
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA BAND SIZE
Most of the all-important support your bra provides actually comes from the band! So, getting this measurement right is key to your comfort and boob health! Measuring it couldn’t be easier:
1. Stand in front of your mirror side-on and without a bra!
2. Use the tape to measure around your ribcage, directly under your bust (along the bottom of where the band would sit). Keep the tape snug against your body, and level all the way around. Make sure the centimetre side of your measuring tape is facing outwards, so it’s easy to read and convert in the charts below!
3. Get the measurement from the tape, in centimetres. Then use an underband bra size chart to find your underband size (the number part of your bra size).
Underband Measurement Chart
| CM | Back band | |
| 58 - 62 | = | 28 |
| 63 - 67 | = | 30 |
| 68 - 72 | = | 32 |
| 73 - 77 | = | 34 |
| 78 - 82 | = | 36 |
| 83 - 87 | = | 38 |
| 88 - 92 | = | 40 |
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA CUP SIZE
Now you know your band size, it’s time to work out what size cup you are, and it is just as easy!
1. Take one of your current bras and look at the underband size marked on the label.
1a. If the new measurement you just got is smaller than the current underband size, you’ll probably have to go up a cup size to get the right fit.
1b. If your new measurement is bigger than your current underband size, you’ll likely need to go down a cup size.
1c. If your new measurement is the same as your current underband size, but your cups aren’t fitting right, you’ll need to go up or down one cup size, depending on the fit.
Remember cup sizes vary by country, so use the conversion chart below to make sure you are selecting the right cup size for you wherever you are in the world!
International Cup Conversion Chart
| UK = | A / | / B / | / C / | / D / | / DD / | / E / | / F / | / FF / | / G / |
| EU = | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I |
| FR = | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I |
| IT = | A | B | C | D | DD | E | |||
| US = | A | B | C | D | DD/E | DDD/F | G | H | I |
| AU = | A | B | C | D | DD | E | F | FF | G |
HOW TO TELL IF YOU ARE WEARING THE RIGHT BRA SIZE
By doing just a few quick checks, you will be able to tell if your current bra is the right size for you! Here are some of the signs to look out for that will make you realise it really is time for a bra fitting!
HOW SHOULD A BRA CUP FIT?
Whether you love a mesh or a lace bra cup, these rules apply for all:
If your bra cups are either gaping or overflowing even slightly, it means you aren’t wearing the right size bra!
Your bra cup should fit comfortably, holding your boobs in them without overspill (which means the cup is too tight) or without gaping (this means you are probably wearing a bra that is too big!).
An important point to note when checking if your bra cup fits right is that the wire at the side should be sitting on your rib cage, not on your breast tissue.
You’ll be amazed at what a difference wearing the right cup size can make!
HOW SHOULD A BRA BAND FIT?
The underband of your bra (the number part of your bra size) can be a real pain if it doesn’t fit just right!
Plus, most of the support from your bra comes from the band, so wearing the right size is super important!
Your bra band should fit parallel to the front of the bra at the back, and you should be able to slightly pull the underband away from the body, without there being too much stretch!
A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to pull the underband out 1cm from your side and 2 inches from your back.
If your bra band feels tight and digs in, it means you are probably wearing a size too small. If you find your bra band rides up at the back, or your boobs come out of the bottom of your bra, this means your band size is probably a bit too big!
If you find that either your band or cup size feel wrong, it really is important to measure your bra size rather than just sizing up and down.
When you change one size (cup or band) you also need to adjust the other! You can either learn how to work out your bra size with the steps below, or go in store for an in-person bra fitting!
HOW SHOULD BRA STRAPS FIT?
No, your straps shouldn’t be slipping down all the time, or digging in and leaving marks - this actually means you might be wearing the wrong bra size or style for your boobs!
Straps being too tight could be a sign that your band isn’t giving you the support you need!
Of course, if your bra straps do keep falling down you might just need to adjust them, but if they still aren’t sitting right, you might need to check your sizing and find out which bra style is best for your boob shape and size!
A plunge bra might be best for some boob shapes, whilst t-shirt bra might be best for others! A good way to check if your straps are fitting correctly is to check if you can fit two fingers under the straps when you pull upwards from your shoulder.
HOW SHOULD THE CENTRE FRONT SIT?
The centre front of your bra is another part to consider when checking if your bra fits properly. This is the section of your bra between both cups at the front – if this doesn’t sit right, it can be another sign your bra size needs checking!
If your centre fold is standing away from your chest, this can be because your cup size is too small. If you find it is digging in, it could be the band size that is too small!
If you are experiencing any of these ill-fitting bra signs, get measuring or book a fitting asap – there is no need to suffer the perils of an incorrectly fitting bra!
OUR TOP TIPS FOR TRYING ON BRAS
The next thing you are going to want to do once you have successfully measured your size is go shopping for new correctly fitting bras!
Keep in mind these tips when trying on new bras to ensure you leave with the perfect fit!
Remember to measure regularly as your size may change more than you think!
Happy bra shopping