How To Find My Correct Bra Size

Whether or not yous habiliment a bra is a matter of personal option, but even if you lot only wear i occasionally, y'all nonetheless need to know how to properly measure your bra size. This volition ensure that those you own fit, flatter and offer all the support they're intended to.

While a expert bra goes completely unnoticed, a bad bra can come between yous and a productive solar day in the library, a great night out, or only the ability to make your graceful descent downward a flight of stairs. Unfortunately, many of us own far also many that fall into the latter category. "Information technology is not uncommon for people to swap between just two bras despite owning between 10 and 20 of them," explains Kelly Dunmore, primary lingerie stylist at Rigby & Peller.

The bra-wearers among us will as well know that our preferred style tin change due to multiple factors, including — but not exclusive to — our outfit, the time of the month, and as our breasts develop and modify in size. So, how to measure for a bra that fits perfectly? We've broken down everything you demand to do to get the correct bra size first time — and improve the ratio of good to bad bras in your wardrobe.

Read more than: Christmas Gifts For Mums

Where to begin

A common mistake is refusing to consider the possibility that your bra size has inverse since the last fourth dimension you were measured. In addition to the impact of age and lifestyle, your size volition likely vary depending on the bra itself. But though sizing differs from make to brand, in that location are two basic measurements that volition guide you regardless: the band size, and the cup size. Many bra-size calculators available online will do the maths for yous, simply if you want to exist sure, attempt the following method…

How to measure your bra band size

Stand upright without a bra on, and using a measuring record, measure around your back and under your bust, where the band of a bra would usually sit down. Make sure the tape is going around in a steady, even line. It should experience snug, but not tight. Measure in inches: if you country at an fifty-fifty number, that is your ring size. If it's an odd number, round it upwards to the nearest inch to find your size.

Read more: The Biggest Spring 2022 Trends

How do I piece of work out my cup size

For this scrap, most retailers recommend you wear your electric current favourite (ie near comfortable), bra, so that your boobs are held in the place y'all actually want them to exist. Then measure out around the fullest part of your chest. Next, subtract your band size from this bust measurement. The divergence denotes your cup size. 0=AA; 1=A; ii=B; 3=C; 4=D; five=DD; 6=F; 7=FF; 8=G; 9=GG; 10=H; eleven=HH; 12=J; thirteen=JJ; 14=Yard and so on. Combine your band and loving cup size, so yous accept a number followed past a letter of the alphabet, for example: 34F. This is your benchmark measurement — simply remember, there'south a whole lot of nuance involved in finding the perfect fit, like because your style and cloth preferences.

How do I know if my bra fits properly?

"In one case you've fully adjusted the garment, you lot actually shouldn't feel like you're wearing anything," explains Miryha Fantegrossi, vice president of merchandising and design at lingerie brand Wacoal. Start past doing upwards your bra using the loosest claw. And then adjust the straps then that they are tight, but not excavation into your shoulders. If y'all look at yourself sideways in a mirror, your breasts should sit midway between your shoulders and elbows. The best way to assess the fit? Put on your slinkiest T-shirt: "If you tin see any lines or bulging pare, you know it'southward non the correct size," explains Emilie Moraes, resident adept at Harvey Nichols.

How do I know if the band is firm enough?

The ring provides 80 per cent of a bra's support – so if it'southward too loose, information technology'south not going to agree your breasts in prime number position. Instead, information technology should fit firmly to the body. "Y'all want to [be able to] get 3 fingers up the back of a bra, and two fingers all the fashion effectually," explains Dunmore. It should be "horizontal around the body, and there shouldn't be any places where it'south pulling up, dipping downwardly, or uneven," agrees Cora Harrington, founder and editor-in-chief of The Lingerie Aficionado.

Don't exist alarmed if information technology feels too tight at first. "If you've been wearing something very loose in the back, and then I put you in something firmer, your trunk needs time to adapt," says Dunmore.

Why exercise my bra straps go along falling downward?

"You should be able to slide one finger underneath the strap, just not lift information technology upwards," says Fantegrossi. Conform them and re-check every three to four times you article of clothing your bra, and e'er after washing. If you find yourself continually adjusting your straps to lift your bosom, revisit your band size. If your straps consistently slide off your shoulders, information technology might be considering your shoulders slope downwards. In this case, movement towards a racer-back style. A good rule of thumb is to be refitted every half-dozen months.

Image may contain: Clothing, Apparel, Human, Person, Dress, Footwear, High Heel, Shoe, Fashion, Evening Dress, Gown, and Robe

What if the band is riding up?

If the ring is riding upwardly on a new bra, attempt loosening the straps, or changing to a tighter claw. If that doesn't work, you will need to get upwards a ring size. Bear in listen that when y'all increase band size, you might need to go down a cup size (and so if your 34C bra is riding up, endeavor a 36B).

Is a bra definitely also tight if it leaves an imprint on your skin?

No. That existence said, if you want to avoid information technology, consider increasing the width of the band at the dorsum.

The cups: how do you avert spillage?

Spillage commonly happens if y'all've reduced your dorsum size (often the correct thing to do), or if your boobs aren't oriented the way your bra wants them to be. Either increase the cup size, or look to a wider wire shape for greater containment.

What about gaping cups?

Try tightening the band to cinch the wire under the breast tissue and bring the cup closer to your body. Tightening the straps might too help. If this fails, you volition demand to go down at least one cup size.

The span: does information technology need to be flat to the body?

The span, sometimes called the gore, is the centrepiece of the bra where the two cups bring together. "In an ideal globe, you want that to sit as close to the sternum equally possible," says Dunmore. If it isn't holding in place, try going down one band size or upward a cup size. Alternatively, try a plunge bra, which ordinarily has a narrower centre front.

What are the all-time bras for my shape?

Every bit with any item of wearable, some only fit our individual shape and preferences ameliorate. Those with a fuller bust might prefer to opt for total cup or balconette bras, which come with thicker straps and more supportive underwiring. While those of us who require smaller sizes might prefer bralette or crop-acme styles. Not only are they very comfortable, just they offering just the correct corporeality of support and follow the natural shape of the bust.

Why don't retailers all stock my bra size?

Once you have followed all of Miss Vogue's tips, you lot may find yourself with a make-new bra size that isn't as ubiquitous in the store floor every bit your old i was. Thankfully, increased awareness well-nigh proper measuring means demand is steadily going up for smaller dorsum sizes and larger cups. Then, bad bras begone: it's fourth dimension to regain command of your underwear drawer. Those with a bust larger than is widely catered to on the high street should look to Freya, Beija and Bravissimo for styles.