Confused about bra sizes

[dollybird]

My DD has just turned 14, and I noticed her bras were looking a little on the snug side, so measured her to see if her size had changed. She's currently wearing a 34b and I've now measured her as a 36a which is the same size as me. I consider myself to be fairly small in the boob department, but DD appears to me to be bigger than me and has a pretty impressive cleavage (which I think she tends to be embarrassed about as she's not really a girly girl). Just a bit confused at how we can apparently be the same size but look totally different. I got her to try on one of my new bras which looked a pretty good fit except she didn't like the underwires.

34b and 36a are the same volume in the cup. But boobs are all different and she will have volume where you don't (and vice versa) hence hers seeming visibly bigger.

I must be all back, and she's all front. She obviously doesn't take after me!

Right. First things first. You both need to re measure following this guide: thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html?m=1

There is no way in God's earth your daughter is a 36 anything unless she is very overweight- and I bet you're not either!

Agree with the above, 36a is an unusual size. I think you both need to be re measured

Saying this as I wore a 34b for years and I'm actually a 28dd. Clothes look soooo much better now

Another that thinks unless your 14yo is vastly overweight, there's no way she's a 36 back. Measure her via this method. There's a Facebook group to which has loads of advice. I went from a 36DD to a 32JJ/34H (depending on style/brand etc). My boobs never looked better!

How broad is she? I'm a 28/30 back and find it very unlikely that a girl her age would be anything over a 34 ?

We're pretty much the same height and size (5'3 and size 8). I measured the way I always have (measure underneath, add 4 inches if even number, add 5 inches if odd number. Measure round bust, if the same as under +4/5 measurement then that is an a cup, plus 1 is a b cup etc). Will have a go at measuring as per the links and see what the difference is, although I would say my 36a's are comfy and her 34b's look tight round the back and she's getting the four boob look at the front. Thanks for all your replies so far.

I thought the old "add 4 or 5" was done away with years ago.

The best way to work out your back size is to do away with the tape measure. Try a variety if back sizes on - 30 to 34 to start. If they ride up at the back they are too loose. The right back size will be snug but comfortable on the loosest hook.
Once the back is sorted out work out the cup size. You are aiming for boobs encased in the cups with no gaping.
For reference, i an 5 ft 3, 10 stone, have a small frame and need a size 10 or 12 to fit my back and shoulders. I'm a 30H.

Obviously we're all different shapes and sizes but I am not far off you in terms of measurements - I am 5'4 and a size 8 - I am a 28FF - no way on God's good earth are you a 34 or 36 back size if you are that height and size

Never add anything. You are measuring all wrong. Just get professional measured and be done with it. NOT at M&S though! You are both wearing the wrong size.

BTW I'm a size 14 and only a 34!!!

Another one chipping in to say try a different size! I'm 5"4 and a size 6/8 on top and am a 30C having been previously wearing 34AA for years!

If the bra isn't big enough at the front it will look too small at the back. I'd try a 32D or 30DD on both of you, in a variety if styles. I have wide set breasts that like to escape under my armpits so balcony is by far the most flattering and comfy. If you buy heavily padded / push up then add another cup size.

You are both in completely the wrong size!

Try bravissimo if you have one near you.

I'm an 8 & wear a 28 back. Adding 4/5 is all kinds of wrong.

Agree with above comments re back size! I'm a 38A at the moment - I'm nearly 6' tall and somewhat overweight. My teenage daughter is I think about 5"7' and takes a 32 at the moment.

When you try bras on, take it as a rule of thumb that you increase cup size by one when you reduce the band size. Try a range of sizes and when you get close check a smaller band and a couple of cup sizes till you get the best fit.

I find the calculator at booborbust.com/ very useful.

I also agree you're very unlikely to be a 36 - I am at the moment but only because I'm 7 months pregnant! Usually I'm a 32DD and a size 12. My sister is a size 8 and has a 28 band size which seems more likely to be correct for your daughter

You're doing it the very old way op!! I'm an 16 and 36 back, sometimes 34 - you'll be more like a 28/30...

I'm a size 20-22 and I'm a 34 back just a massive cup size. It's not really about your weight but the way it's situated on you.

The four boobage means the cup is to small. If you get a bigger back it might look like it's fitting but the breast tissue may actually be outside the cup, especially at the side which can actually cause it to be pushed under your arm.

Can we take guesses? I would say about 28FF

You are not a 36 back at size 8

I will let you all know later. I wouldn't have thought I will have a big cup size, but I expect DD will. One problem I foresee with the booborbust measuring is that it is undressed, and there's no way she will let me measure her without a bra on! I can just about get her to show me what her bra looks like on.

I've been measured over my clothes. Honestly it'll be far better to get her measured over her clothes by a professional than for her to be wearing the completely wrong size!

I'm guessing the OP is a 32DD (since she's doing under bust plus 4) and the DD is a 30E.

I'm 5'2", a size 10 and wear a 30FF (although there is some variation depending on the brand and cup shape). No way is a size 8 a 36 back.

@Dollybird go to a Bravissimo or a department store (not M&S) where they will have a good range of sizes and brands to try on or a small independent where they will probably size you by eye.