Chest Measurements?

dherrmanmom
dherrmanmom Posts: 16
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
For weeks I've been taking chest measurements and it always comes up at about 34. However when shopping for bras I have to wear a 38. Because I have a small cup size 38 is VERY hard to find in my size. Is this difference in measurements normal?

Replies

  • amycool
    amycool Posts: 57 Member
    Hello, I'm a trained bra fitter. When you measure the chest size you are supposed to pull the measure quite tight then you add 4 on so if you're measuring 34 and wearing 38 then that is totally right, if you already knew that and are actually measuring 30 and have already added the 4 on then I'm not sure why you are having to wear 38's. To find your cup size you measure round the largest part, shouldn't be tight and for every inch more than the original measurement you add one size so if you measure 34 round the bottom and 38 round the cup you would be a 38 D.

    I don't know if that makes sense, I'm not a very good explainer :-)
  • dherrmanmom
    dherrmanmom Posts: 16
    OK, good to know! Looks like I am measuring right at 34 then (around the fullest part of the bust, but not at the "nipple parts", a couple inches above that). So I guess I would have to measure at a 32 to buy a 36 size bra. I "think" I'm a B cup (when I was childbearing and nursing I was a C) but as I'm losing weight I am getting closer to an A. 38B is very hard to find and I'm sure 38A probably doesn't even exist. 38Cs seem to be really common but I just don't have enough to fill a C cup anymore. I will try your cup measurement suggestion.
  • amycool
    amycool Posts: 57 Member
    I have fitted 38 A's loads of times but the bras aren't very nice usually wireless. Do you live in the UK? I could suggest places for you to go for good fitting nice bras for your size.

    Also there is a cheat you can do (sometimes) you can try a bra with the chest one size smaller and the cup one size larger and sometimes it will fit just as well as your proper size. So if someone is a 34B they can try a 32C.

    I really would recommend for you to get properly fitted by a trained person, it's so important. And they will show you the best kind of bras to wear.
  • dherrmanmom
    dherrmanmom Posts: 16
    Nope.. I live in the U.S. I have never had a real bra fitting before it is something I've been meaning to "get around" to. I did try your measurement tip and yes, it looks like I'm back down to an A, which makes me a 38A (my normal size has been a 38C for the past few years). I've never even seen a 38A. So maybe I'll try a 36B somewhere and see how that works. Currently I've been wearing 38Bs (they weren't easy to find) but the straps keeping slipping down and the bra wants to ride up. They are kind of cheap bras though.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    This site has a huge range of sizes: www.figleaves.com

    I order from here, but I am on the other side of the spectrum. Shipments are really fast.

    Personally, I find the most accurate measurement is to measure around your chest underneath your bust. Then over your bust. The underneath measurement is your band size, and the difference in your full chest, and the underneath is your cup. If you are an odd number, you should try up or down since not all bras are the same. (1" = A, 2" = B ....)

    This is an extremely accurate measure for me.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories