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?

Delilahbucket, your diagram about bust boob ratio is exactly what I was saying that your boob size might be the same but as you go up in band width that cup size decreases. Hence a 36B would provide the same cup size as a 34C. Hence why the OP was given a choice of sizes with band size decreasing but cup size increasing,

I got measured in Victorias Secret. Measure 30” under boobs and was sized as 34” bra. The fit is great and no way could I go down a band width without feeling extremely uncomfortable.
Guess they use the old way of sizing too as in if you’re an odd number measurement add 5, even measurement add 4.🤷🏻‍♀️

@CatJumperTwat

Haffiana evidence that breast tissue gets displaced. Hint: it doesn't.

Of course it bloody doesn't in the sense that it doesn't migrate to my toes or go to Waitrose without me.

However it can and will drop out of a too loose bra cup and get trapped under the band making it feel as if the loose band is too tight.

Wtf is your actual point?

If you get a tape measure out and measure the band of your bras you may find that a 36 band actually measures 32 inches in reality. Some manufacturers call this the 'plus 4' method.

That's why some bras will feel like they're cutting in and some won't. So yes a 36C in one brand may have the same band measurement as a 32DD in another...

@Gobbolino7825

If you get a tape measure out and measure the band of your bras you may find that a 36 band actually measures 32 inches in reality. Some manufacturers call this the 'plus 4' method.

That's why some bras will feel like they're cutting in and some won't. So yes a 36C in one brand may have the same band measurement as a 32DD in another...

I’ve just measured the back of my 30D m&s bra and it is 25inches but is very stretchy and that makes sense why I find any smaller than 30 massively uncomfortable even though I have a 26inch back.

mmmm... I measure 34" (when I breathe out*) & even 34" can give me stomach aches. Can't imagine what indigestion I'd get or how badly I'd split the seams if I tried to wear a 30"

• 36-37" when I breathe in.

@lljkk

mmmm... I measure 34" (when I breathe out*) & even 34" can give me stomach aches. Can't imagine what indigestion I'd get or how badly I'd split the seams if I tried to wear a 30"

• 36-37" when I breathe in.

Why would you wear a 30 if you measure 34"? Some women do actually need to wear a smaller band than they measure, but generally this is mostly for those who have quite squishy torsos and large breasts where the band needs to be firm to provide sufficient support.

Bras are a bit like jeans in that the size you need varies a lot between brands and different cuts, and some bras (like some jeans) just never work regardless of the size. Measurements, and even a professional fitting, are only ever a start point. But as a start point, your underbust measured firmly in inches being your band size is a very good one.

I'm a size 10 and 5ft1 and have a 34 back. Small waist and wide back. It's just my shape. 32 bands dig in horribly. I mainly wear crop tops now anyway as I'm very lucky not to have sag issues.

Why would you wear a 30 if you measure 34"

OP seemed to suggest that there was no fit difference between them, I explained why I suspect there would be (for me).

What about the back fat and the lumpiness below the very tight bands though, if you are carrying a few extra pounds? It’s so unflattering.

I'd never get my fat back into a 34 nevermind a 32

I often wear non wired bras now with a wide lace band, so comfy and I don’t care if they don’t make my boobs ultra perky! 🙂

@Mollysocks

I’m a 36C but I did one of those bra sizes quizzes and put in all my measurements and apparently I’m a 32F!!

A 36 band bra just fits me I’d no way get into a 32 so I’m confused too OP!!

I used to wear a 36B and often wore an extender as the band felt so tight. When I discovered Boob or Bust it put me in a 32F. I laughed and completely dismissed it as ridiculous. Then I went and tried on a few bras and I was a convert! I have thrown out all of my old bras and only wear 30G/32FF depending on the style

When you try on a 32, make sure it is the right cup size.
If you try on a 32C it will be tiny and you'll never get it on.

The test on the band is to put the bra on backward. That will tell you if the band fits.
Remember that if a tape measure shows 32 inches then a bra that measures 32 inches when stretched will fit you.

Stravaig, who posted yesterday, is spot on:

"Sounds like you've decided what a reasonable cup size is and are forcing the band to provide the extra space, which makes for a terribly fitting bra. Too large band/too small cup is apparently typical for most of us. The comfort and support from a smaller band with generous cups is a revelation!"

I wore a 36C for years as that's the cup size that fitted me best when self-fitting in a high street shop with limited range. As Stravaig says - I had decided what a reasonable bra size is and thought a C-cup sounded "about right" for my size.

Finally went for a proper fitting and discovered I was actually a 32E.

Revelation is not too strong a word. A correctly sized bra is more comfortable and infinitely more flattering. I felt held and lifted for the first time ever. My boobs looked much smaller and perkier under clothes.

It took me a while to get over the fact the bra had 'E' written in the label and looked massive, like 2 hats sewn together in my eyes. This was because the cup to band ratio was so different to what I was used to. I basically thought it looked like a comedy bra. But once on me it fitted like a glove and made a huge difference to my self-image.

Best of luck OP. Please do come back and tell us what you discover!

@Blahblahblah21

I got measured in Victorias Secret. Measure 30” under boobs and was sized as 34” bra. The fit is great and no way could I go down a band width without feeling extremely uncomfortable. Guess they use the old way of sizing too as in if you’re an odd number measurement add 5, even measurement add 4.🤷🏻‍♀️

They don’t even do that. I worked at Victorias Secret for a year before I went to work at a ‘proper’ underwear shop and I couldn’t believe the difference.

VS very much enforce the idea of fitting the bra to the customer not the customer in the bra. It doesn’t matter what size they are, you don’t let them leave without a bra if that’s what they want. They only stock up to a DDD (equivalent to an E) but we would fit women with much bigger boobs in this and just put a huge back size on them even if they were a size 8 they could still end up leaving with a 36 DDD if they really needed a 32G.

This thread has confused me beyond belief.

I am a 32/34 band and a size 8/10.

I think if you a quite small chested as I am it really doesn't matter and just wear what is comfortable and looks OK

How can there be that much discrepancy? Surely your chest measurement is what it is.

I don't understand all of it. BOB has me at a 28F but I've lost all volume through breastfeeding so when I wear that there's enough room to fit at least 3 hamsters into the cups on each size (I suppose it'd be warm!)

I have no idea what size to look for and everywhere that used to do fitting here has closed. We only have m&s left and I'm wary of them for sizing.

@pawpatrolneedaunion Could be a style issue. I can't wear full cup bras as the top section would be empty. I wear balconette bras instead. If the 28 back fits then try different sizes and cup styles. Try M&S bras if you like but just don't get measured by them

There seems to be such a range here!!
I've ordered a bra from vinted for £1 (it's nice too) 32DD as a start point.
Will update when it arrives.
30 just seems like it would be far too tight for me. But I won't dismiss till I've actually tried with the bigger cups.
So weird as my breasts don't look big! No one would say I've got big breasts, a large handful maybe, but I guess the ratio to back measurement means the bigger cup size!!

[quote dementedpixie]@pawpatrolneedaunion Could be a style issue. I can't wear full cup bras as the top section would be empty. I wear balconette bras instead. If the 28 back fits then try different sizes and cup styles. Try M&S bras if you like but just don't get measured by them[/quote]
I've tried half cup and balconette, they are still huge up top and after five years wearing nursing bras I also find the wires sit on my ribs and feel awful. I wonder if there is a miracle non wired bra out there for me somewhere.

Maybe try a 30 back if you have less padding on your ribs. And play about with cup sizes. 28F sister size would be 30E so maybe try that and 30DD.

They've similar size cups but the strap at the base is different lengths - which also affects how far apart the cups sit at their fullest. I can't wear anything too tight as I've had a mastectomy (one side) and have scars which make it uncomfortable. Can't wear underwires either. So I go up a back-size. But my favourite bras are the stretchy comfort bra crop top style (they've got pockets to add padding in too). Those ones generally only come in in SML and support me just fine.🤷‍♀️

And I am size 8 and wear a S.