Ladies - Measuring yourself....

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Amanda21202
Amanda21202 Posts: 210 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm confused as when I get measured at a store I have my bra on, but I did it before with my bra off and there's an inch difference between me having it on and off.

So, do you measure with or without your bra and which is more acurate? :)

Replies

  • tommygirl15
    tommygirl15 Posts: 1,012 Member
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    Obviously it's more accurate to measure without your bra on, as the bra is not a natural part of your body.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
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    I think the measurements are best without a bra. I personally buy a 34 B even though websites say I need a way smaller band size. I hate snug bands! I would just go into a store and try on all the sizes until I find what is comfortable and doesnt push fat over the tight band.
  • Maggie821
    Maggie821 Posts: 55 Member
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    Are you measuring for tracking, or to buy new bras?

    Did it myself and bought bras that just didn't fit right. Got measured at VS last week and went down in band size and up in cup size - a perfect fit. Just keep in mind that there are so many different styles of bras now - you really have to try each one on.

    For tracking? Here's one suggestion..

    Measure your chest, waist and hips. To measure your chest, wrap the tape around your back and over the nipples on your breasts. Use the mirror to make sure the tape is straight all the way around. In the same way, measure your waist by wrapping the tape around the narrowest part of your torso, where your skin folds when you bend side-to-side. To measure your hips, wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips and bottom and write down the number on your paper.

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/209409-how-to-measure-female-body/#ixzz29qCmoeFJ
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
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    The only way I get the right bra size is to have the trained experts at Nordstum's measure and bring me the right style bra. I am 54 years old and started this 3 years ago. I can't measure myself properly and I just tell them what I want in a bra and they bring it to me. I tell them how much I want to spend and they stay within my budget. The different makes , brands, models make a huge difference.

    I have had 4 bra size changes since I started this journey last December 2011. I have gone from a 34 DDD to a 32 DD. I am hoping to be stablized now as I maintain my current weight.

    One more thing - the worse fittings I have had were at Victoria's Secret and Soma. They are great stores for all other underwear and PJ's, but hate their sizing and how "one cup size fits all" in their approach and how they will say "oh if you are 32 DD that is the same as a 34C" because that is the size they have in the store....
  • Amanda21202
    Amanda21202 Posts: 210 Member
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    Thanks ladies :)
    I'm measuring for both tracking and to buy a new bra, at the moment I'm a 38C - when I measure myself with my bra on I get 37" without it I did it exaclty how Maggie said and I'm 36"
    I normally go to Debenhams to get measured and they generally always tell me I'm 38B or 38C
  • vmekash
    vmekash Posts: 422 Member
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    If you're measuring for tracking, it does not matter whether you have your bra on or off, just so you do it the same way every time.

    As for measuring for new bras, have a specialist do it for you. I did this recently, and discovered that I was NOT the 36B I thought I was. In fact, I'm a 34D. No wonder I had such a hard time finding a 36B that would fit! LOL Now, if I grab a 34D, 9 times out of 10, it will fit flatteringly.
  • ChaoticMum
    ChaoticMum Posts: 115 Member
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    If you're measuring for tracking, it does not matter whether you have your bra on or off, just so you do it the same way every time.

    As for measuring for new bras, have a specialist do it for you. I did this recently, and discovered that I was NOT the 36B I thought I was. In fact, I'm a 34D. No wonder I had such a hard time finding a 36B that would fit! LOL Now, if I grab a 34D, 9 times out of 10, it will fit flatteringly.


    I agre with the second part...go to a professional bra sop and get measured and try on bras. It's the only way.

    As for the FIRST part. It makes a difference for me. If I don't wear a bra, I am measuring a flat chest and a very large belly button area .... No joke...my boobs dangle to my waist without an over the shoulder boulder holder. After five kids, breast feeding said five kids and gaining and losing the same 35-50lb over the span of 10yrs...they are not where they are supposed to be.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
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    Honestly I just get measured at Lane Bryant. When I was smaller I used to get measured at Victorias Secrets. But their bra sizes were a bit off from regular bras you find anywhere else ( it is their way of making you shop in their store.). If you are just tracking, I do mine without a bra and punch each measurement into this website (forgot it, sorry) and they will give you an accurate breast size.
  • SusanLovesToEat
    SusanLovesToEat Posts: 218 Member
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    Obviously it's more accurate to measure without your bra on, as the bra is not a natural part of your body.

    I disagree, it is not obvious.

    How you measure depends on a great many factors such as:

    What are you measuring for? If it for an accruate clothing size perhaps you need that extra inch so your shirt doesn't pull across the bust with your bra on.

    Are your breast large, wide, do they hang low, are they small, are you under or overweight? All of these factors can affect the measurement.

    If you measure with your bra on does the bra fit properly? If the cup size is too small and you have front or side spillage the measurement will be smaller. If your bra fits well but your breasts hang then the measurement will be larger as the bra is lifting your breasts to a central location.

    Are you measuring with your lungs filled or after you exhale? This really changes the measurement so you should be consistant.

    Are you measuring for a bra and don't have access to a person who knows how to measure? You can measure yourself. If you have larger than B cup breasts then band size does matter as this will ensure that the band doesn't ride up your back and cause pressure on your shoulders and your breasts won't sag. It is imortant to do try ons as the same band size fit differently across brands.

    If you are measuring to calculate BMI then it really doesn't matter how you measure as the calculation is a guestimate at best-- just do it the same everytime.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
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    I agree - I'd measure with a lose bra on as how much you droop - and you will if you're big or if you've recently lost weight and haven't tightened those muscles up again yet - you will way underestimate breast volume (cup size) if you do it without one.

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