Categories: Beauty

How to Measure Your Correct Bra Size

Are you tired of your bra sliding off your shoulders? Do you have four breasts instead of two, the problem might be that you are not wearing the correct bra size. You have seen episodes on Oprah and The Tyra Show addressing the issues of women not wearing the appropriate bra for their size. There are a number of effective methods to measuring your correct bra size. A popular way of measuring your size is using an adjustable tape measure that can be rolled manually. If you are too modest you can measure your size with this type of tape measure at home.

The tape measure will need to be long enough to measure around your body. Measuring your size with your bra off or on does not affect the accuracy. The tape measure might have yards and inch measurements on both sides. Use the inch measurement for the best results.

All bulky clothing such as t-shirts, sweaters, and thick tops need to be removed. If clothing is desired while measuring, bras and camisoles are acceptable.

The band is the elastic that goes around your body, this is the number portion of a bra size. The cup is the material which supports the breast also know as the letter part of a bra size.

For example a 36C is 36 inches around the chest without the cup and C is the cup size. As breast cup sizes increase the letter goes up the alphabet such as A, B, C, and D. After a D cup size, this is getting into the full coverage or full figured bras depending on the designer and band length.

Starting with inch one, the first place the tape measure will go around is the upper part of the chest, just underneath the armpit. The tape measure should go around the body, across the back and be a couple of inches just below the collarbone. Tighten the tape just a little to round the measurement to the tightest number. The number you get from measuring is the band length. This is the first portion of your bra size.

Tightening the measuring tape will allow for the band of the bra to be attached on the first hooks leaving room for adjustments as weight may fluctuate.

The second measurement is the cup size. Again, start from inch one and place the tape around the furthest point outward of your breast. Like measuring the band length the tape will go around the middle of your back and across the outermost part of the breast. This measurement is a little different, but the actual inch measurement will still be used. If the measurement is staggered between two different numbers, use the higher number. By using the higher number, you are allowing for cup room not accounted for while measuring with a bra on.

Another example is if the measurement is between a 37 and 38, use the number 38 as the measurement.

Now that you have your two numbers, you will use the second measured number to figure out the letter of the cup size. Starting the first number from the band length go up an alphabet letter for the cup size starting with A. For each number after your band length number you should be going up a cup size, until you reach the number of the second measurement.

If your band with was 36 and your cup measurement was 40 start with 36. From 36 go to 37 and this would be a A cup, go to 38 and this would be a B cup, and then go to 39, this is a C cup. With the last number to be reached being 40 then it goes to a D cup.

If the cup size goes beyond a D, the next one will be DD also known as an E, then DDD which is an F. As cups move past the F and G sizes they more for large breasts or full figured women.

If the cup measurement is less than an inch from the band measurement, the cup size is an AA. So, if your band length was 34 and your cup measurement was 34.5, since the difference between the two sizes is less than an inch the cup size is AA.

When trying on bras minor adjustments may need to be made due to designers styles and fullness of a cup. Bras come in all colors, sizes, shapes, fabrics, plus the ones designed for special occasions. There are bras for everyone, they include strapless, seamless, padded, under wires, and haltered bras. You may not find the perfect bra in five minutes, but you will know what you are looking for better by knowing your correct bra size.

Finding just the right bra can be a tedious process, nevertheless the outcome is a rewarding feeling. Wearing the correct bra size will not only have you feeling more comfortable but confident as well.