Almost 8 in 10 women are wearing the wrong size-you may be one of them, Why? Your body changes over time, and your fit will change year to year as you lose weight, exercise more or less, and so on. If you are experiencing discomfort, spillage over your cups or back strap, tight straps, or a gap between your cups, you are most likely wearing the wrong situation.
Measuring yourself for a bra is an art, not a science
Our fit guide can provide you with a good starting point. If you are not sure what size you wear, or fall between two sizes, you may want to try several sizes and styles as a starting point.
Getting Started
It is best to measure when you are wearing your most comfortable bra-one that has no padding and is not a minimizer.
Step 1: Band Size
Measure under your arms, high on your back, across the top of your chest. If this measurement is an even number, this is your band size.
Add 5 inches. Example:30"+5"= 35"
If and odd number, add 1" to determine your band size.
Example: 35"+1"= 36"
Step 2: Cup Size
Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Next, substract your band measurement from your bust measurement; each inch represents a cup size. For example: If you band measurement is 34" and your bust measurement is 36", the difference between these measurements is two inches, and you would wear a B-cup.
Substract Band Measurement
Example: 36"-34= 2"
Use the chart below to determine your Cup Size
Example: 2" = B Cup
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DIFFERENCE
(BAND MINUS
BUST MEASUREMENT)
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US CUP SIZE
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Less than 1"
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AA
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1"
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A
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2"
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B
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3"
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C
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4"
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D
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5"
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DD
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6"
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DDD
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7"
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DDDD
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8"
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FF
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9"
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G
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10"
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H
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11"
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I
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12"
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J
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US CUP SIZES
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EUROPEAN
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UK
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AA
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AA
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AA
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A
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A
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A
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B
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B
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B
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C
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C
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C
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D
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D
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D
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DD/E
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E
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DD
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DDD/F
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F
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E
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DDDD/G
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G
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F
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H
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H
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FF
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I
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G
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J
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GG
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H
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HH
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J
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JJ
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K
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Try these tips and tests to see if you bra is flattering you as best it should.
Place yourself in your bra
Now that you have found found your size, test your fit. Take the opposite hand from the side you are adjusting and gently bring the breast tissue from the back to the front. This movement will help you settle your breasts correctly into the cups.
It should feel good
A great fitting bra should not dig, poke or otherwise cause discomfort. If it does, it is not the right bra (or size) for you. Make sure it feels comfortable when you sit down and move around.
It should look good!
Always try your bras on wearing a t-shirt - It is the best way to see what it is doing for you. A great fitting bra can make you look taller, will define your waist, and even make you look slimmer!
Do not settle for wrinkles
If you see extra fabric or wrinkly, baggy cups, the cup size is too big. Try something down.
Do not fall out
Take a look at the front of the bra. There should not be any breast tissue spillage, puddling, or falling out of the bottom of the cups. If there is, your cup size is too small. Try sizing up for a flattering, more natural looking fit.
Is your band straight?
Look in the mirror from the side. Your band should be at the same level all the way around. If it is riding up in back, it is probably too big. Try sizing down a band size or tightening your band.
Mind the gap
The center front of your bra should lie flat against the breastbone. It should not lie on top of any breast tissue. If there is a large gap, you may need to go up a cup size.
How tight is right?
Your band should feel firm and secure, but you should also be able to slip two fingers beneath the band in back, and one in the center in front. If you can not, you may need to loosen your band a bit, or go up a size.
Underwires should not dig
Underwires should lie flat at the front of your bra, against your ribcage. If you feel your underwire digging into any breast tissue, you should try a larger cup size or a different style.
Bras strech over time
Be sure you are wearing your bra on the looses hook. Your bras can stretch with washing and wear, so when you buy a new bra, it is best to ensure it fits properly on a loose hook, so you can tighten it as needed.
How to know when you have found a perfect fit?
Your breasts will feel like they are "sitting" in the cups, you will not feel any underwire pinching and your bra will feel comfortable and supportive. You should not have to settle for a so-so fit. Sometimes you will have to go up a cup size or two. Do not let it concern you-sizes do vary among brands. Finding the perfect bra takes time and patience, but the way you will look (and feel) once you have found it will be worth all of your effort.
Reminder
Check back in six months or so. You should re-evaluate your bras regularly to be sure they are fitting you the way they should-because a woman's body does change over time, and bras stretch and losen shape with repeated wear and washing. It may be time to stock-up again, soon!
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WAIST MEASUREMENT
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HIP MEASUREMENT
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PANTY SIZE
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23-24”
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33-34”
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SIZE 4-XS
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25-26”
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35-36”
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SIZE 5-S
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27-28”
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37-38”
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SIZE 6-M
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29-30”
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39-40”
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SIZE 7-L
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31-32”
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41-42”
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SIZE 8-XL
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33-34”
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43-44”
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SIZE 9-XXL
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35-36”
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45-46”
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SIZE 10-XXXL
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37-38”
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47-48”
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SIZE 11-4XL
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39-40”
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49-50”
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SIZE 12-5XL
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41-42”
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51-52”
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SIZE 13-6XL
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43-44”
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53-54”
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SIZE 14-7XL
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45-46”
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55-56”
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SIZE 15-8XL
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WAIST MEASUREMENT
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SIZE
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PANTY SIZE
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23-24”
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2
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S
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25-26”
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4
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M
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27-28”
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6
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L
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29-30”
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8
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XL
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31-32”
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10
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2XL
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33-34”
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12
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3XL
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35-36”
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14
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4XL
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37-38”
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16
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5XL
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39-40”
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18
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6XL
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41-42”
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20
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7XL
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