Is it fair to say that 36C, 34D, 32E, 30F bras are all pretty much the same size?

[Shinydiscoballs1]

Just that really, I just did a bra calculator and I've put my measurements in. It says I would be a 34D, 32E or 30F
I also have a bra here which is 36C which fits well too.
What actual bra size do I go for?

The difference between those bra sizes is your boobs being properly supported and your boobs having the equivalent of a little hat perched on the top of them.

What was your back size in inches? That determines the back size you are and then you can work out your cup size.

It's between 30 and 31 inches.
Any time I've bought a 32 bra it's always cut in though and given me back fat!!
The 36C feels comfortable even though I know it's the wrong size!

They’re sister sizes.

It depends on how you fill out the bra. If it is tight enough to pinch after adjusting the straps then up a band size. If your breasts aren’t filling the cups where you have gaps bigger than a finger width, go down a cup size.

They are mainly sister sizes where the cup volume is the same but on a different back size although you've missed out DD.

36C, 34D, 32DD, 30E, 28F - same cup volume but different back sizes.

What do you measure under your bust? That's the one I'd try first

@phoenixrosehere

They’re sister sizes.

It depends on how you fill out the bra. If it is tight enough to pinch after adjusting the straps then up a band size. If your breasts aren’t filling the cups where you have gaps bigger than a finger width, go down a cup size.

So if the band size is feeling tight then go up a size?

Maybe the bras in the past have had a cup size that's too small and that's why the back felt tight

Just under 31 under
37-38 over (across biggest boob part)

I know that the bra measuring sites have this thing about "sister sizes", but in practice of course those sizes do fit differently.

I have a naturally quite broad back and am also carrying some fat there and anything below a 34 band size would really dig in to me uncomfortably, even if it did have enough volume in the cups to support my boobs. I've got a mixture of 36DD and 38D bras as the moment.

I think you should probably try bras in a 34D first and if they don't feel or look right, try a 32E.

This is why you have to try things on. I find that I can fit the "sister sizes" of 34F and 32G ok, but once the band gets too small it starts to dig in too much even if my boobs fit in the cup of a 30H, and if the band gets too big then it rides up in the back, even if I fit the cup of a 36E.

Also different styles I take different sizes. Even across brands. Unless you want to do a lot of sending back to websites, best to go down to Bravissimo or a big department store that has lots of brands - I have a family-owned department store in my town that has a brilliant bra department - and just try on loads of different sizes and styles. A good way to find independent bra shops is to look at stockists of Freya bras (even if you don't like Freya, their stockists will have lots of other brands too). www.freyalingerie.com/uk/en/store-finder/

Forget about the supermarkets and M&S unless you try on all sorts of sizes to find a good one, they seem like they're using another system altogether. I have a 32DD bra that fits me from Sainsburys, even though in all my other bras I'm a 34F or 32G.

I wouldn't automatically go up in the back size without trying a bigger cup first.

What do you measure over your bust?

36 inch band would fit a clothes size 18 or so. Which you are not, if your actual measurement is 30-31 inches.

You are wearing a bra which feels 'comfortable', but is giving you the same support as a vest.

It would be a good idea to go and get properly fitted at Bravissimo or John Lewis. NOT at M&S, as they fit bras incorrectly.

I’m exactly your size with exactly your problem! 32s cut into me. 34s are okay. But my comfiest bra is a 36C, even though the circumference is slightly large. I’m tending towards 34Ds lately.

I'd go for the tightest band you can manage comfortably. I'm meant to be a 32dd/e, but I get red lines on my ribcage and it digs in under my arms, where if I wear a 34d I'm fine.
If you can order a few different sizes or try on in a shop, it would help.

30F/FF maybe to start with

With that back size you need a 30 or a 32. You say it has previously felt right, but it will if you haven't got your cup size right. You should feel properly supported. I feel like my boobs are going to fall out of the bottom of the bra in a 36 and the band is halfway up my shoulders. I also measure 31 inches under bust. Some brands I wear a 32G, some a 30GG.

If the bra on a 30 back feels tight then either the cup is too small, you are not used to wearing a bra that fits or the band is slightly too tight.

If you measure 30 inches with a tape measure then you should be bale to get a 30 inch stretchy bra band around your torso.

Have you looked at boob or bust? www.booborbust.com/bra-measuring-guide/

*tight not right

@dementedpixie

I wouldn't automatically go up in the back size without trying a bigger cup first.

What do you measure over your bust?

37-38

I'm a 36 back at a size 20/22 so I would think you'd wear a much smaller one if you only measure 30/31 under bust

The back should be tight, that's what provides support. The straps shouldn't be doing the heavy lifting. A 30/31 measured back would ideally be in a 30 bra, though it depends on your shape and a 32 might be more comfortable. A 36 is pointless - it's comfy because you may as well not wear it.

Are you leaning forward and scooping your boobs in? You need to make sure your whole boob is in, the back band might feel tight because it's encasing what should be in the cup.

@dementedpixie

I'm a 36 back at a size 20/22 so I would think you'd wear a much smaller one if you only measure 30/31 under bust

Ok im a size 8 so I'm certain I'm wearing the wrong size here I had no idea the band size was to be so tight!! I'm 37 years old for reference

If you have a 28" waist you wear 28" trousers - in a style that suits your shale. You wouldn't get 30" or 32"!

Same with bras. Sounds like you need a much bigger cup on a 30" band, possibly 32".

I tried using a sister size bra before and it was a terrible fit. I also find different styles and manufacturers size differently so you have to try a few on before you can be confident in finding one that fits.

It's trial and error. I come up on BoB as a 32F

In reality it totally depends on the bra styles and shop.

I have bras from the same shop in different sizes. Some 32F some 32E and some 34E.

But I like BoB so I know what to grab to try as a starting point.

So basically there's no C cup boob or D cup boob, it depends on the back size and build of the woman!
This always baffled me when my best friend wore a 30E but her breasts only looked what I would consider a C cup