Bra Fitting Method
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Are you in the UK or US?
Sizings differ between the two.
michikade has it right though.
Measure under band - say that is 32
Then measure around fullest part - say that is 37
You would be a 32 E (iirc)
Do NOT measure underband and then add 4 or 5" which is how some shops measure - Marks and Spencer, I mean you.
http://thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html
Yep, SOMA measured me and added inches, and the bras I bought are verging on too big. Next time I am just going to try on until it fits.0 -
That is actually not a VS thing. That's supposedly the way it's supposed to work. It never has for me, though.When my local Victorias Secret didn't have the bra I wanted in stock in my size, they suggested that I get the "sister size", which was a bigger band with a smaller cup.
:noway:
I hope that's not a chain-wide policy.0 -
Using a tape measure (or a string later measured against a ruler) will give you a good starting point, but each bra style is different. Measure, get your assumed size, and try some on.
Find one that fits you comfortably and looks good and buy as many as you can before they discontinue it. Sigh, every time... :grumble:0 -
I used to work in a Lingerie shop. I got to the point where all I had to do was eyeball a woman in her clothes and I could get her the correct size. It was not uncommon for me to see a woman come in wearing a 38 D and have her leave in a 32GG. Most people really have no idea how a bra really should fit. You should be able to fit 2 fingers under the band, but no more. The center of the front should be against your breastbone, and there should be no gap or "double-boob" effect. If the back of the bra is up around your shoulder blades, it's much too big. And for a larger woman, the more hooks in the back, the better. Front hooks are better for women with smaller breasts.
Good luck in getting a good fit!
I'm asking you a question since you seem so informed, if the back rides up, and its too big. Does that mean its the 34 or the cup size thats too big? Since, it does that yet I have red marks all under the bra and it hurts around the sides of the cups.
I'm a 34 E and I know my size isn't perfect ( I was measured ) but I don't know if that is because of a bad bra, or because I'm still in a wrong measurement.0 -
I used to work in a Lingerie shop. I got to the point where all I had to do was eyeball a woman in her clothes and I could get her the correct size. It was not uncommon for me to see a woman come in wearing a 38 D and have her leave in a 32GG. Most people really have no idea how a bra really should fit. You should be able to fit 2 fingers under the band, but no more. The center of the front should be against your breastbone, and there should be no gap or "double-boob" effect. If the back of the bra is up around your shoulder blades, it's much too big. And for a larger woman, the more hooks in the back, the better. Front hooks are better for women with smaller breasts.
Good luck in getting a good fit!
I'm asking you a question since you seem so informed, if the back rides up, and its too big. Does that mean its the 34 or the cup size thats too big? Since, it does that yet I have red marks all under the bra and it hurts around the sides of the cups.
I'm a 34 E and I know my size isn't perfect ( I was measured ) but I don't know if that is because of a bad bra, or because I'm still in a wrong measurement.
The band is too big and cups are too small for that issue.
The subreddit, /r/ABraThatFits, on reddit is a great resource.
Like jeans are cut for different bottom halves, so too are bras. You could find your right size, but not fit in a bra if it's the wrong shape.
Just like jeans have "curvy" or "slim" cuts, bras have distinctions of:
Narrow root vs. Wide root (essentially how wide the base of the breast is on the chest).
Degrees of shallowness and projection.
Etc.
If, like someone mentioned on here, someone is swimming in a bra, for instance, you might be more shallow and need a specific bra for that shape.0 -
I used to work in a Lingerie shop. I got to the point where all I had to do was eyeball a woman in her clothes and I could get her the correct size. It was not uncommon for me to see a woman come in wearing a 38 D and have her leave in a 32GG. Most people really have no idea how a bra really should fit. You should be able to fit 2 fingers under the band, but no more. The center of the front should be against your breastbone, and there should be no gap or "double-boob" effect. If the back of the bra is up around your shoulder blades, it's much too big. And for a larger woman, the more hooks in the back, the better. Front hooks are better for women with smaller breasts.
Good luck in getting a good fit!
I'm asking you a question since you seem so informed, if the back rides up, and its too big. Does that mean its the 34 or the cup size thats too big? Since, it does that yet I have red marks all under the bra and it hurts around the sides of the cups.
I'm a 34 E and I know my size isn't perfect ( I was measured ) but I don't know if that is because of a bad bra, or because I'm still in a wrong measurement.
The band is too big and cups are too small for that issue.
The subreddit, /r/ABraThatFits, on reddit is a great resource.
Like jeans are cut for different bottom halves, so too are bras. You could find your right size, but not fit in a bra if it's the wrong shape.
Just like jeans have "curvy" or "slim" cuts, bras have distinctions of:
Narrow root vs. Wide root (essentially how wide the base of the breast is on the chest).
Degrees of shallowness and projection.
Etc.
If, like someone mentioned on here, someone is swimming in a bra, for instance, you might be more shallow and need a specific bra for that shape.
So what would be my logical bra size to try next? 32F?0 -
I"d LOVE to have a good fitting bra!!! Trying on bras is like trying on jeans, for me, anyway. :laugh: Walk in with 10+ and hopefully find 1 that fits correctly. Someone should tape me...I'm sure the sounds and faces I make would be worthy of America's Funniest... I get the underarm side bulge. So, I"m sure I need a different size.0
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I used to work in a Lingerie shop. I got to the point where all I had to do was eyeball a woman in her clothes and I could get her the correct size. It was not uncommon for me to see a woman come in wearing a 38 D and have her leave in a 32GG. Most people really have no idea how a bra really should fit. You should be able to fit 2 fingers under the band, but no more. The center of the front should be against your breastbone, and there should be no gap or "double-boob" effect. If the back of the bra is up around your shoulder blades, it's much too big. And for a larger woman, the more hooks in the back, the better. Front hooks are better for women with smaller breasts.
Good luck in getting a good fit!
I'm asking you a question since you seem so informed, if the back rides up, and its too big. Does that mean its the 34 or the cup size thats too big? Since, it does that yet I have red marks all under the bra and it hurts around the sides of the cups.
I'm a 34 E and I know my size isn't perfect ( I was measured ) but I don't know if that is because of a bad bra, or because I'm still in a wrong measurement.
The band is too big and cups are too small for that issue.
The subreddit, /r/ABraThatFits, on reddit is a great resource.
Like jeans are cut for different bottom halves, so too are bras. You could find your right size, but not fit in a bra if it's the wrong shape.
Just like jeans have "curvy" or "slim" cuts, bras have distinctions of:
Narrow root vs. Wide root (essentially how wide the base of the breast is on the chest).
Degrees of shallowness and projection.
Etc.
If, like someone mentioned on here, someone is swimming in a bra, for instance, you might be more shallow and need a specific bra for that shape.
So what would be my logical bra size to try next? 32F?
Yup! Or 32FF! In my experience (I'm a 30F/30FF), F/FF cups are different from each bra company, sometimes to a wide degree. Always make sure you're "scooping and swooping" into your bra, too!
Also re: measuring. Measuring with a measuring tape is fine. It's good to do to give yourself a ballpark, and then great to know when you go to a professional shop. Nordstrom has good fitters, too, who fit by the proper method (none of this "overbust" or "add four inches" business).
A very rare Victoria's Secret will have someone that knows how to properly fit, and will suggest "sister sizing" because they're trying to sell you a bra. VS has a pretty limited range.
Sister sizing *can* work until a certain point; if the band is too loose, it won't matter if the cups also fit, as your band should be the central support--not the straps.0 -
I always go to Dillards, I have a bigger bust . Come to find out I was wearing the wrong size bra the whole time once I got fitted . Now that I am in my right size it is much more comfortable .
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omg! love it0
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I'm a fan of this method. Of course, it's always best to go to a store and try each bra on, but this should give you a basic idea. Each brand is different, and will be sized a bit differently. Trial and error is a LOT easier when you know where to start.
http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-advice,901,30.html0 -
I went to a specialist store yesterday and they did the two measurements. I was extremely excited to realize my band has dropped from a 44 to a 40! Worth the price to have someone who knows what they are doing and they can bring size/styles you need right to your dressing room.0
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I second Kittenful. Herroom really explains everything perfectly: lots of helpful articles and videos-> http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-advice,901,30.html It takes into account every little detail about your upstairs lady bits. PLUS, since each company sizes slightly different, it really is important to find a store that has a wide variety of bra sizes. I can't go to Victoria's Secret because my secrets are too mighty! I can't recommend this place enough. You can find sexy bras if you are DD+!0
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I got measured at Victoria's Secret and ended up with a size I was satisfied with - in other words, that size seems to fit just fine. I don't even know where any lingerie stores are near me, but now I kind of want to go to one and see if I'm in the right size...
As someone who stuffed themselves into VS D's for years only to find out they're actually at least a G, may actually need to go up a bit from there even, DON'T just assume that VS is actually fitting you properly.
Soma Intimates is where I go for the most part now, they at least regularly go up to a G, good luck finding that in VS....0 -
I got measured at Victoria's Secret and ended up with a size I was satisfied with - in other words, that size seems to fit just fine. I don't even know where any lingerie stores are near me, but now I kind of want to go to one and see if I'm in the right size...
As someone who stuffed themselves into VS D's for years only to find out they're actually at least a G, may actually need to go up a bit from there even, DON'T just assume that VS is actually fitting you properly.
Soma Intimates is where I go for the most part now, they at least regularly go up to a G, good luck finding that in VS....
It's definitely possible for someone to be able to fit into VS bras if they are legitimately that size... but, more than likely, the band is too big and the cups are too small there.
Also, a VS bra might SEEM like it's fitting fine until you've been in a properly fitted bra
(Although, being stuffed into a VS bra gives fabulous cleavage. Nothing quite does like smaller cups, so... if that's what someone's going for, get it girl). 0 -
I agree with the lingerie store. It'll give you at least a decent idea. Mine gave me the right band size, but the girl measuring me was a trainee who gave me the wrong cup size. She was unsure what to do when I was popping out of the B-cup until I suggested perhaps going up a cup size. -_- But it was still worth it, since I'd been wearing a band size that was too big.0
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Another fan of Bravissimo here, and the no tape measure way of doing things! Nothing beats getting measured properly by a professional, but the fitting advice on the Bravissimo website is a good place to start before you go anywhere. I've gone from a 36H down to a 32FF, went through a phase of all the weight coming off my bust for a while so was spending a small fortune! It's well worth it tho', keeps everything where it's supposed to be and it's amazing how much better clothes look when you have a well-fitting bra on underneath - it's a real confidence booster :-)0
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I used to be a tester for a big bra company and that was a big wake up as to how not to wear a bra lol. I had chronic breast pain that I always contributed to hormones n turns out i was wearing over 2 cup sizes too small.
I have been using this calculator for years and it helps to have someone help you do the measurements like holding the tape in place in the back . I know its not always easy to get a professional fitting and while losing weight it can be a hassle going every cpl mos to get fitted. I have bad social phobias so i do most of my shopping on line and prob couldnt muster the balls to let someone do my fitting anyway lol.
" http://www.85b.org/bra_calc.php " is the site i been using for yrs. But make sue you dbl check your numbers as 1 inch off can make an ENORMOUS difference0 -
For those of you who will get fitted for a bra and then order subsequent ones of the same style and size online, also note that a black bra will almost always be slightly smaller than the same bra in white or another colour. It was explained to me that it was because of the dyeing process.
I'm a huge Bravissimo fan (pun definitely intended!) Walked in there after being fitted in a 40E at La Senza only to walk out with 36H bras. That was before a lot of my weight gain. I'm terrified as to what I'll be fitted with next. Unless the old gals lose some of this weight, my next bra is likely to be a 34J! :noway:0 -
I saw someone else mention it, but reddit.com/r/abrathatfits is the best place you can go for more info, or post a thread. There is info in the side bar that is priceless. It will give you an idea of not only how to measure, but help you figure out what type of breasts you have. I personally am a 36JJ/38J (UK sizing) and have full on top breasts. So I know that fuller coverage bras are my best friend but they are closer set, so something with a gore (the place in front where the wires come together) that is too wide is very uncomfortable.
Remember: The back of your bra should be parallel to the ground. The wires should lay against your chest and the gore (the bit in front) should be ON your breast bone. The wires under your armpits should fit under your breast tissue. If you have any bulges, in your armpits or around your back straps, reevaluate your size. You could even have migrated breast tissue! Which is boob tissue that got squeezed out of place because of an ill fitting bra. It should come back after finding a correctly fitting bra.
And one last thing: Don't forget to scoop and swoop when trying on bras. You need to position those girls in your bra, it will make a huge difference if you can make sure that they are correctly placed in your bra. The sidebar on reddit,com/r/abrathatfits has a good example.
Great places to find larger sized bras at decent prices: brastop.com figleaves.com bravissimo.com0
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