Bra Sizing at home

[AltheaVestr1t]

Teen daughter is wearing the wrong bra size and complaining about being uncomfortable, but absolutely refuses to be measured in a shop. I've googled size chats and calculators but I'm completely baffled. Can someone point me in the direction of a web resource that makes sense please?

Could you look on YouTube there might be a tutorial.

It’s important to get bras properly fitted, especially when growing. You’re going to have a lot of trial and error and uncomfortable bras otherwise. Why won’t she go to a shop and get a professional to help? That’s what they’re there for.

Because she's 13 and thinks taking her clothes of in front of a stranger would cause her to self-combust. I have tried!

I understand measuring under the bust and across the bust, the problem is converting these measurements into a size! There doesn't seem to be a chart on M&S. And other charts/calculators all seem inconsistent.

try here: https://www.abrathatfits.org/calculator.php

I've been doing mine recently as in shop measurements were rubbish! I followed a YouTube tutorial, from memory it was measure around the back then the bust and each inch in difference was the cup size (e.g two inch difference would be a B), worked like a charm. Best fitting bras I'd had in ages!!

the ribcage measurement is the band measurement (no adding on extra inches, unless it’s an odd number and then can round up to nearest even number).
Over boob measurement: if one inch bigger than bra size, its an A , 2“ B cup, 3” C cup and so on.
This is all an approximate guide, all bras are slightly different (like shoes, we have to try them on and see if they are the right style and comfortable).
I think Boob or Bust have a measure guide.

My daughter had hers measured in Marks today and you do not have to take your bra off. The lady looked at her in the bra and then she tried on a few on her own, with advice on fit when decent. No different than being on the beach in a swim suit.

The difference she has learnt so much about how it should fit and what the best model is for her shape, that it was worth the hassle. Sorry, no help with measurements at home.

I've given this a go, it came up with something very unlikely! 🤔

I'll try this, thanks!

What is unlikely? if she's slim, she might need a bigger back size than suggested. But give the size a try, you might be surprised.

Boob or bust calculator.

Don't be surprised at the result though - most people are wearing the wrong size.

We're so used to marks and spencer bra sizing. Which is big backs and small cups. Generally, if you wear a 32 back, you're a size 12, 34 is a 14, 36 is a 16, and so on. I feel like so many people wear 34a or 34b when they are size 8-10 on top, so would be 30 or at a push 32 on the band and should really be in c and d cups. Look up the boob and bust method. Great Facebook group to help you too.

Do the boob or bust calculator. It's really easy and converts to a bra size for you. Mine came up as something (I thought) was crazy but I went and tried some bras on in the suggested size and they fit perfectly!

It's the other way, it was a very small back size when the one she is currently wearing is digging in.

It's the other way, it was a very small back size when the one she is currently wearing is digging in.

I meant she might need a bigger back size than the calculator suggests, but yes it's quite common that the calculator suggests going down a few back sizes, most women tend to wear too big backs. And just because current one is digging in does not mean she needs to go up a back size, she might need to go up in cup sizes instead.
What did the calculator say and what dress size is she normally?

And yes, do the Boob or Bust calculator too, also very good.

If the cups on her current bra are too small, breast tissue will be forced elsewhere so take up band space, making the band too tight.
When all breast tissue is in the cups, the band can be smaller.

A very basic measure round underneath your boobs, pulling the tape tight (as bra bands are elastic and stretch), will give the back size required.

Also make sure your tape is accurate - measure it against a solid ruler. Some are in Chinese inches which are smaller than imperial inches.

Another thing to look at is the underwire. The wire needs to sit flat against the chest on the middle and go all the way to under the arm pit. All the breast tissue needs to be in the cup. If you're in hampshire or near, there is a fantastic underwear shop in Botley that does fittings.

Avoid M&S like the plague. Use the boob or bust method.

As pp have said the Boob or bust website has a very good home calculator

www.booborbust.com/#calculator_top

It gave me the same answer as an in store fitting at bravissimo the next day