Remind me please - how do I measure my bra size?

[OhThisIsJustGrape]

Just finished breastfeeding and I'm shocked at how little I am left with in terms of norkage :( I'm guessing a 32aa.

So, having been either pregnant or bfing continuously for over 5 years now I desperately need new bras. Can't face getting measured in store as so ashamed of my boobs - if they weren't so saggy (just to add to my misery) then I'd go braless tbh.

Also, can anyone recommend a good bra for someone with so little? I always have a huge gap at the top of the cup which looks ridiculous.

I have told dh to get saving for a boob job - its the least he can do but in the meantime I could really do with some help!

I feel your pain! They will fill out a bit again with time though, gaining then losing weight really helps if you want a shorter term fix.

But yeah, bra size - meaure under the bust, that gives your band size (NO adding 4). Then measure over the bust - the difference gives the cup size. One inch difference = 1 cup size. The same measurement over and under is an AA, one inch diffence is an A, 2 a B, 3 a C, 4 a D, 5 a DD and so on.

Thanks for your help. I've just lost lots of weight so not keen on the gaining it/losing it again bit!

They just look so... Well... deflated :( Vain, I know...

Same thing happened to me after LO didn't want to breast feed anymore, my boobs went down 3 sizes, such a shame as i really liked having big boobs! So now i just wear the bras i wore before i was pregnant, hopefully they wont get any smaller!

Grape on Youtube, search for Mothercare bra fit video - it's the best guide & most accurate that I have found!

Try this bra calculator here and have a read of the info here.

Interesting stuff. According to the method given above I should be a 34DD but using this calculator I'm a 32F/30FF. I've just bought a 30FF and it fits perfectly giving a great shape and no bulgy bits!

MaisieM - To make you a 34DD (starting size) with the method I outlined bellow you'd measure 34 under the bust and 39 over. If I enter those measurements into the calculator you linked to it gives a result of 36D, which is just plain wrong as a starting size for those measurements. A 36D might be the best fit size in some makes and models for someone with those measurements but never the starting size from those measurements. IME a 32E would be a more common best fit than a 36D.

You're a 32F/30FF best fit (in the brand(s) and model(s) you've bought, in any case) which would make me assume you measure something like 31 under and 37/38 over the bust. Putting those measurements in gives a 32E / 32F which is also a blatantly wrong starting size for those measurements.

There are those of us whose starting size is significantly different to their best fit size (I need a band way smaller than I measure and need to scale the cup size to work with that anomaly, for example). But, the cup size indication (based on the basic one inch difference between measurements = one cup size) is almost always applicable. Some women have particularly soft breasts so need 1 cup size smaller than the cup size indication would suggest as standard (me for one. gah). Very occasionally a woman will have such firm, round breasts that they need one cup size bigger than the inches difference would suggest.

Anyway, that calculator is adding 2 to the under bust measurement and that's not right for giving a starting size. Never. I'm glad it's helped you find the correct fit though but IMHO you've been very lucky!

TBH I prefer to fit women by eye, it's far more accurate and so you can usually go straight to best fit size without the palava of starting sizes and scaling up / down in cup sizes - I can't do that on line though!

Sorry, I should have said going on what I've been wearing as I was trying to estimate using the methods given . I've just re-measured and I'm 30" under the bust and 36" over. All my current bras are 34DD. I do have a 32DD which is way too tight and have tried a 32E which just made me bulge and gape at the same time.

I just absolutely hate those flabby under arms bits and seem to get them with every size I've tried. Just waiting for a Panache Tango II in a 32F to see how that fits but I've got the 32FF and that seems OK (ish) too. Aggghhh

Would you say then, that, smaller band and bigger cup is the way to go to get rid of bulgy bits or do I need to start again?

Can you come and fit me please? .

• Oops, just realised that in my first post I said I had bought a 30FF. That should have been 32FF.

Sorry, that calculator really got my goat!

The blatantly incorrect method of adding of 4 to the under bust measurement and is an explainable thing (that I wont bore you with here) but adding 2 is just freaky

Have you significantly reduced your band size with these latest bras? If so, I strongly suspect that you measure 28/29 under the bust and should really be a 28G or 30FF as a starting size.

x posts

will read and return

ProcrastinationAteMyMorning - sorry, didn't mean to annoy . I guess that calculator has got me closer to a more comfortable bra than my last three or so fittings (M&S, JL, House of Fraser) who have all put me in a 34DD or a 36DD.

Maybe I'm just bulgy?

I got sick of being measured badly/wrongly so just grab a handful of bras in different sizes and try them on! Works for me. It is obvious when a bra fits badly, and you can see when one fits well.

OP, go to a specialiset lingerie store and get properly measured and fitted. I mean Bravissimo or a local store. When the boobs deflate they droop down your front - they want hoiking back up. Imagine what they would measure if you bent over from the waist and let them dangle at right angles to your body - they would measure bigger. THat is what you are tryin to get back to. Even if you are sure you are small, Bravissimo will measure you. I am fairly flat chested but went in wearing a 36A and came out a 32D.

I now buy 34D Limited Edition push up plunge bras, they have wires and an inbuilt "chicken filet" style padding, they give me volume at the top of the breast where I never had any before. Avoid balcony styles if you lack volume at the top

It's not you that got my goat!!! I justget annoyed at all the misinformation out there!

OK, right. 30/36 makes you a 30E starting size. You should always be very careful about sizing up in the band - that's what takes the weight and provides the support, not the shoulder straps. Coming down from a 34 to a 30 is a big step and I'm sure you would be comfier in a 32 in the first place, but a 30 is what's actually needed. Band sizes tend to be bigger than indicated on the label more often than smaller, it does happen sometimes though.

TBH if you're hard to fit, which it sounds like you are, you need to get to a rigby and peller or, failing that, a bravissimo or local independent shop. Once you've been fitted properly you'll be able to do it yourself!

Thanks, I feel inspired to start looking again. Unfortunately I am in the depths of the West country and not near a R&B or a Bravissimo. I don;t think there is an independent shop here either. I can feel an expensive trip to London coming up!

OP - sorry for hijacking.

Sorry, me again ProcrastinationAteMyMorning! I just scampered upstairs and had a re-try of the 32FF (and a random 32E). Both seem OK around the band and yes, I think I could probably manage a 30. However, I'm still bulging at the sides. The sides of the cups (on both sizes) reach to about 3cm away from my armpit, hence the bulge. There is plenty of cup room in both (especially in the FF!) at the middle and top. It's almost like the cups aren't wide enough across?

Maisie it sounds like you might be similar to me- I would describe the base of my boobs as being quite wide ie they go quite far round under my arms. As a result some brands are useless- I can't wear panache for instance. Maybe try freya or bravissimo own brand, these work better for me.

Yeah, I'm like that too maisie, makes fitting a right PITA but it's doable. You really DO need to see a proper fitter IRL though. If they start waiving a tape measure about run

Maisie Dingles in Plymouth have a reasonable range and fitting service (I wouldn't say great as their stock is meh in the larger sizes... ) We had an independant for about a year but then sadly that closed.

DorisIsWaiting & scotsgirl23 - I did have a quick look in Dingles last week and saw that they stocked Freya. I shall pop back this week for a proper look.

ProcrastinationAteMyMorning - I shall be on my guard for any tape measures!

It's coming up to my wedding anniversary so I think I'll ask DH for a London trip. Any thoughts on which branch of R&B is the best or are they all equally great?