Wrong Bra Size ladies?

meshashesha2012

I get all my bra's from Lane Bryant! They are comfy, do great fittings and they are a lot cheaper than VS.

and they are the same bras a Victoria's secret, they just sew a different label on them.

and i wear different sizes in different styles. full coverage and plunge styles i wear my "regular" size. strapless i need to be a full band size lower to make sure the fit is tight enough. demi styles i usually need a cup size larger

RoanneRed

I give up, I'm either a 36/14AA or a 32D using the two websites and the 'inch difference' method listed - I'm sticking with my perfectly comfy 12B!

StatutoryGrape

I hate VS...I'd have to go up to a 32E just to get my tatas into one of their too-small bras. They don't even carry the size I need in stores, so eff them. The way they measure is really weird, too...no under-boob measurement? Really, guys?

I generally take a 34D or 32DD, though I wore an ill-fitting 34B for years. Most of my bras now are either Gilligan & O'Malley (from Target, when I can find the size I need) or Ambrielle (JC Penney). I rock the cheap bras--huzzah for no sag!

skyocom

I quit measuring after I hit 38I. Here's to hoping I can hit even DD before to long. LOL

ChristinaLaunder

Fortunately, I live in the same town as the one store, A Sophisticated Pair, and Layne Bryant sent me over to them. So I went there and got fitted and her bra calculator was dead on to what she fitted me as "in store". I always thought I was a 38DD but when she fitted me and said I should be a 32H/HH I almost fell over. She explained that different bra manufacturers cut different and that at least 80% of the support of the bra comes from the band so adding 4/5 inches is a big NO NO. I tried on 5 bras and found that I was a 32H in some and a 32HH in others. They are also the only store in NC that carries the Curvy Kate brand and I tried two of those on as well. I went up to a 32G in those (see the comment about different manufacturers cutting the bras differently).

Oh, and to the poster that has never seen a 30C. I saw 28A/B/C/D/DD all the way up to 48J (and everything inbetween) at the store. She even custom ordered me 3 bras and gave me 10% off for having to wait 1 week for them to come in. She offers phone and email support too! If you are in the NC area near Burlington/Greensboro...I highly recommend stopping in. Otherwise, call or email them any questions. They are my new favorite store. No more VS or Layne Bryant for me.

jadedone

I had a hilarious experience at Macy's yesterday. The "Bra specialist" wanted to measure me. I politely declined, I have a very good idea of my correct size at the moment. I told her my size was around 34H, and that I am trying not to get 36s since I am outgrowing mine (because I am shrinking).

Well 34H was pretty much impossible to find in Macy's. There were a couple of 36G's. I tried them on, and explained they didn't fit well. She was like are you sure? I can measure you. H is really huge, I don't believe you are an H. Maybe it is the straps. I explained that I needed a bigger cup, and than the band wasn't ideal fit (middle hooks).

She found a 36H. It fit other than the middle hook problem. But obviously, by the time it stretches out after a couple of wears, I'll be on the last hook.....looks like I needed a 34HH in that brand.

So if you are currently wearing a DD, I encourage you to go to a lingerie shop that goes up to H or K. The odds are, you need to go down in the band, and up in the cup.

And another note? I saw a great survey on a blog about bra size and BMI (yes, I realize BMI is useless, but it is sort of helpful in this argument)
http://braslessinbrasil.blogspot.com/2012/03/underbust-survey-part-1-data-range.html

Underbust measurements (which is actual band size for most women, give or take an inch)

Healthy or under BMI


Overweight BMIs


Obese BMIs


So this survey is a pretty small sample, but what you will find is that the vast majority of women are under a 38 band. Even the heavier ones. And slimmer "healthy BMI" women? Most are actually under 32.

So for reference's sake, I wear a size 16 approximately now, my last underbust measurement was 35 (meaning 34/36 should work for me). At my heaviest (250#), my underbust measurement were 37 so I wore between a 36-38 band. My sister, at size 14, wore a 32 inch band. Before I got fitted in the right place, I was around the size I am now, and I was wearing 40DD thinking I needed to go to 42DD.

So many of you are probably wearing a much bigger band than you should be wearing. Some of you wearing 34s might actually be 30s.....

Especially if you are a pear or hourglass shaped woman. If you head over to let's say Victoria's Secret, they assume if you wear a double digit size, then your bust must be 38+. And it probably isn't. If you are an apple or an inverted triangle, the odds are a little higher that your band size is closer to being accurate.

CassandraD82

Great topic Jade!
You're absolutely right not to be bullied into wearing a band size way bigger than your actual ribcage measurement. The band should be snug on the loosest or 2nd hook (and if you're losing weight - absolutely get one that's on the loosest hook and feels tight).

Measure yourself in inches around your rib cage before you go for a fitting and let them round up your band size by 1" at the most (so if you measure a 29" around the ribs, it's ok to go up to a 30 band). Then you can work on the cup size from there

I pretty much gave up on finding decent stores that stock the high cup sizes and go used to buying online.

Also check out Bratabase - the community is awesome at providing suggestions on fit issues.

Erikalynne18

I've been told I am everything from a 40 E (biggest size La Senza sells) to a 38 something MATERNITY bra (not pregnant, just biggest size that store had). My rib cage measurement is 31 inches. I KNOW I'm wearing the wrong size still but I have no other options aside from ordering online (which is near impossible when you are talking about bras unless you have already tried on some from that brand before).

Currently I am wearing a 38 DDD on the tightest hook (smallest band size Addition Elle sells) there is enough room back there to put a closed fist (instead of the recommended 2 fingers lol). The Addition Elle employee was awesome but told me I would probably be a 32 or 34 which they unfortunately don't carry.

31 inches rib cage and 41 inches bust (that's after I have lost 19 lbs). But normal stores only go up to a E cup and plus size stores only start @ 38 inches.... Don't even get me started on bathing suits! LOL

knittingwitch

Very seldom ladies get properly fitted for a bra. It seems to be a lost tradition as stores used to offer them, now you have to ask for them, and then pray you get someone who actually knows what they are doing. If you get properly fitted, you will be surprised as to what your real size is!

Don't forget you have to pray they don't roll their eyes. When I finished breast feeding my boobs when't smaller and I wasn't sure what size I was.

FitbeTMF

Ugh just be happy you have boobies! I'm a AA since having babe-erson. Push ups do NOTHING for my ant bites

astepbysteph

I was wearing a 38DD - fit at Victoria's secret, but I kept having issues with my bra. I went to a store called Allure and they fit me - they have bigger sizes etc for curvy girls all the way down to the sizes you can get in a normal store. I loved that place. They made me feel so good about having a large chest. Ended up my band size was too big and I was wearing the band on the wrong clasps. (Didn't know you're supposed to wear it on the loosest one so as it stretches you can move the clasps in!) I ended up being a 36FF and for once I can say my bra is comfortable!!

pkw58

Honestly VS is pretty bad at sizing...I have pretty (ahhhem..) large boobs and VS constantly sizes me at 34 D...well in fact I wear a 30 G..I have a very small ribcage (which VS does not accomodate) there for they just try to squeeze you into "whatever"!!!!

Go to nordtroms...they have an amazing selection...plus their sales team is highly trained in intimates. Nordies is expensive, but once you find what fits you can start searching for deals..(ebayUK has a great selection of bras)

I've always had great sizing from VS BUT you're right, they do NOT accommodate for ladies with a bigger bust than a DD. Nordstrom is fantastic

Love Nordtroms's. beyond the measurements, they at shape and line you up with the right style of bra!

Morningstar93

Your band size is the distance around your ribs, just under your bust.

When you measure the fullest part around your bust, subtract the band measurement from that number, to find your cup size. 1" difference is an A cup. 2" = B. 3" = C. 4" = D. 5" = E. 6" = F. 7" = G. 8" = H...and so on.

Most American bra manufacturers purport that all women are 1-4" bigger around their busts, than their band sizes (i.e. only offering A-D cups). Some, like VS, tell consumers to add 4-5" to the band size, for some reason.

I did this, worked out at 34D, I last got fitted in LaSenza a couple of months ago as a 36DD then in M&S as a 38C none of these now fit and definitely not 38! I was wearing a 38 B or 36C before I was fitted ................. 34D sounds right for me now but I was wondering if the sizing you put was the same sizing as in England??

jadedone

I've been told I am everything from a 40 E (biggest size La Senza sells) to a 38 something MATERNITY bra (not pregnant, just biggest size that store had). My rib cage measurement is 31 inches. I KNOW I'm wearing the wrong size still but I have no other options aside from ordering online (which is near impossible when you are talking about bras unless you have already tried on some from that brand before).

Currently I am wearing a 38 DDD on the tightest hook (smallest band size Addition Elle sells) there is enough room back there to put a closed fist (instead of the recommended 2 fingers lol). The Addition Elle employee was awesome but told me I would probably be a 32 or 34 which they unfortunately don't carry.

31 inches rib cage and 41 inches bust (that's after I have lost 19 lbs). But normal stores only go up to a E cup and plus size stores only start @ 38 inches.... Don't even get me started on bathing suits! LOL

.
You are more like a 30 or 32 J. Check out Panache, Curvy Kate brands. Or Freya.

I measure about 33 under the bust and 42 on the top.... 34H or 32HH/J work for me. 34 will be too big for you.

Try Nordstroms....they should have a handful of options to try, just to get an idea of what you will fit.

LittleMissNerdy

I was measured at a specialty bra shop (where they make custom bras, corsets...) and of course I was wearing the wrong size but I had no by how much!

iorahkwano

My measurements never make sense. My band measurement is 31.5" and my bust is 37". According to this chart I am a DD-cup, but honestly... I'm pretty flat, I have no idea how they made this up. I fit A & B-cup bras. Maybe my upper rib cage is just huge?

I was wearing 38A for a while but then when I went to buy new bras, I tried them on and felt like they weren't flattering. Everything looked fine but I had some armpit fat sticking out of the outer part of the cups. The worker at LaSenza suggested I try a 36B & it actually fit better!

meshashesha2012

^adding 5" inches to band size is outdated. this is a big reason why women are wearing incorrect sizes and not supportive bras


http://www.had2know.com/lifestyle/measure-bra-size.html

Common Misconception About Band Size

Many women ask, "Aren't we supposed to add 5 inches to the underbust measure to get the band size?" The answer is, "Only if you plan to time travel back to 1950."

In the old method of brassiere sizing, women were told to add 4 to their underbust if it was an even number, and add 5 if it was an odd number. This method was based on the sizing scheme of a particular bra manufacturer many decades ago. Most bras today are not sized according to this scheme . Any bra sizing calculator that tells you to add 5 is using outdated information! Do not add 5.

Exception: Specialty brands of brassieres sometimes have their own methods of measuring and sizing that may be slightly different from the standard method above. If a bra manufacturer has a website, there will be a section that tells you how to measure yourself to calculate the right size. The standard method above works for the brands of bras found in department stores.

jadedone

My measurements never make sense. My band measurement is 31.5" and my bust is 37". According to this chart I am a DD-cup, but honestly... I'm pretty flat, I have no idea how they made this up. I fit A & B-cup bras. Maybe my upper rib cage is just huge?

I was wearing 38A for a while but then when I went to buy new bras, I tried them on and felt like they weren't flattering. Everything looked fine but I had some armpit fat sticking out of the outer part of the cups. The worker at LaSenza suggested I try a 36B & it actually fit better!

I posted above...my measurements are around 33 for the band and 42 for the bust. And if I put on a 38, I get no support at all and there is a ton of room in the band.

Even according to that chart I should be adding 5. Keep on going down. DD isn't always "huge" Remember band and cup are related. So a 38A has the same cup volume as 32D (although they look wildly different.) You should definitely try about a 32F or so and see how it fits.

Another post commented on UK sizes: American cups are cut a lot smaller. I am about an HH in UK sizes and I believe an M in American. Which just sounds ridiculous.

iorahkwano

My measurements never make sense. My band measurement is 31.5" and my bust is 37". According to this chart I am a DD-cup, but honestly... I'm pretty flat, I have no idea how they made this up. I fit A & B-cup bras. Maybe my upper rib cage is just huge?

I was wearing 38A for a while but then when I went to buy new bras, I tried them on and felt like they weren't flattering. Everything looked fine but I had some armpit fat sticking out of the outer part of the cups. The worker at LaSenza suggested I try a 36B & it actually fit better!

I posted above...my measurements are around 33 for the band and 42 for the bust. And if I put on a 38, I get no support at all and there is a ton of room in the band.

Even according to that chart I should be adding 5. Keep on going down. DD isn't always "huge" Remember band and cup are related. So a 38A has the same cup volume as 32D (although they look wildly different.) You should definitely try about a 32F or so and see how it fits.

Another post commented on UK sizes: American cups are cut a lot smaller. I am about an HH in UK sizes and I believe an M in American. Which just sounds ridiculous.

A 32D or F? I would've never thought of that... I can't imagine my 31" ribs fitting in a band that's designed for someone with a 27" band o___o I guess I could ask about it next time I buy bras.

jadedone

My measurements never make sense. My band measurement is 31.5" and my bust is 37". According to this chart I am a DD-cup, but honestly... I'm pretty flat, I have no idea how they made this up. I fit A & B-cup bras. Maybe my upper rib cage is just huge?

I was wearing 38A for a while but then when I went to buy new bras, I tried them on and felt like they weren't flattering. Everything looked fine but I had some armpit fat sticking out of the outer part of the cups. The worker at LaSenza suggested I try a 36B & it actually fit better!

I posted above...my measurements are around 33 for the band and 42 for the bust. And if I put on a 38, I get no support at all and there is a ton of room in the band.

Even according to that chart I should be adding 5. Keep on going down. DD isn't always "huge" Remember band and cup are related. So a 38A has the same cup volume as 32D (although they look wildly different.) You should definitely try about a 32F or so and see how it fits.

Another post commented on UK sizes: American cups are cut a lot smaller. I am about an HH in UK sizes and I believe an M in American. Which just sounds ridiculous.

A 32D or F? I would've never thought of that... I can't imagine my 31" ribs fitting in a band that's designed for someone with a 27" band o___o I guess I could ask about it next time I buy bras.

A lot of manufacturers. Especially the ones who focus on D+ cups, have band size = underbust measurement. A lot of mainstream bands do as well, but the measure you over your bust. I went to SOMA, and found (not surprisingly) that the bands were roughly true to size, and of course they didn't have the right cup. But they may work for you, I believe they went to a G in all band sizes.

One thing to note, fabrics are very stretchy theses days too. Go ahead and actually measure your 36 bra now. I wouldn't be surprised if it measures 37 stretched out.