Bra fitting guide
Studies have shown that nine out of ten women do not wear the correct bra size. In one study it was found that 100% of women were wearing the wrong size bra. Some 22% have never been measured. An ill fitting bra can cause problems such as wires digging in, chafing, pain in the neck and shoulders and discomfort in the breast. These problems can also lead the wearer to believe that they may need a breast reduction operation. So it is very important to make sure that your bra is really fit for its purpose.
You
should make sure that your breasts do not overhang over the cups
creating 2 extra bosoms. Your breast should sit comfortably in the
cups, without the wire cutting in. You may need a bigger cup size and
a smaller back size for a perfect fit. Straps should not dig into the
shoulders.
The
majority of women wear bras that are the wrong size. As you age, your
body shape changes. So you will need to make sure that your bra
size and fit changes with your body shape. But even if you think you
know your correct size each manufacturer will have a different
interpretation of fit and cut.
The
best way to get a bra that fits is to have a fitting with a bra
fitting expert in a store. But you must find yourself a really
experienced fitter as even they too could get your sizing incorrect.
It is not an exact science. But the chart below can give you a good
guide for fitting yourself.
Measure
yourself wearing what you feel is a good supportive non-padded bra.
To
find your Back
Size,
measure underneath your bust around your torso.
Once you have your under bust measurement, round it up to the nearest
inch.
For
example:
Your underbust measurement is 33.3 inches. Rounded to the nearest inch
gives 33 inches.
If the measurement is an odd number - add 5 inches.
If the measurement is an even number - add 4 inches.
This is an odd number, so add 5 inches. This gives you a back size of
38.
To find your Cup Size.
Measure around the fullest section of your bust.
Then work out the difference between your bust measurement and your
under bust measurement, rounded to the nearest inch.
|
Difference:
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
|
Cup
Size: |
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
DD
|
E
|
F
|
FF
|
G
|
GG
|
H
|
HH
|
J
|
For example: Your bust measurement is 43.7 inches.
Rounded to the nearest inch gives 44 inches. Your back size was 38, so
the difference is 6. From the table this gives an F cup. Your complete
bra size is 38F.
Measurements
in Centimetres
Back Size.
Once you have your underbust measurement, rounded to the nearest
centimetre, compare it to the table below to get your back size.
|
Underbust:
|
63
to 67 |
68
to 72 |
73
to 77 |
78
to 82 |
83
to 87 |
88
to 92 |
93
to 97 |
98
to 102 |
103
to 107 |
108
to 112 |
113
to 117 |
118
to 122 |
123
to 127 |
128
to 132 |
|
Metric:
|
65
|
70
|
75
|
80
|
85
|
90
|
95
|
100
|
105
|
110
|
115
|
120
|
125
|
130
|
|
French:
|
80
|
85
|
90
|
95
|
100
|
105
|
110
|
115
|
120
|
125
|
130
|
135
|
140
|
145
|
For example: Your underbust measurement is 79.4cm. Rounded to the
nearest cm gives 79cm. From the table, this is between 78 to 82 giving
a Metric back size of 80 and a French back size of 95.
Cup Size.
Cup size is found by taking the difference between your bust
measurement, rounded to the nearest cm, and your Metric
back size. Use the table below to find your cup size.
|
Difference:
|
9 |
12
to 13 |
14
to 16 |
17
to 18 |
19
to 21 |
22
to 23 |
24
to 26 |
27
to 28 |
29
to 31 |
32
to 33 |
34
to 36 |
37
to 38 |
39
to 41 |
|
Cup
Size: |
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
DD
|
E
|
F
|
FF
|
G
|
GG
|
H
|
HH
|
J
|
For example: Your bust measurement is 105.8cm. Rounded to the nearest
cm gives 106. Your Metric back size was 80, so the difference is 26.
From the table this gives an F cup. Your complete bra size is: Metric
- 80F and French - 95F.
If
the size you found using this system is different from the size you
wear now, try some different brands in this new sizing and see if you
feel more comfortable both with the fit and appearance.