Bra experts - how should I be measuring myself?

[CatOnABeanbag]

After years of wearing the wrong size bra, a friend told me I was measuring all wrong and turned out to be right- I'd worn a 34a or aa since my teens and was really a 32b. That was over 10 years ago and I've since had 2 babies (not babies any more, both at school) and am about 1/2 a stone heavier. 32bs still do sort of fit but I have a bit of gaping and they don't look quite right under clothes. I also have quite a lot of back fat squidging over the band, mainly at the sides.

I've just measured around my ribs and (despite the back fat squidge) am measuring more like 30 or 31 ins. I can't imagine fitting into a 30 inch bra! I think it would feel really tight.

Any tips gratefully received...I should probably just take myself into town and get measured but would prefer to work it out at home and order online.

What is the measurement over the fullest part of your bust while bent forwards? This will give your cup size. Each inch difference between under and over gives a bigger cup. E.g. 1 inch - A, 2 inch - B, 3 inch - C

booborbust.com

Thanks for the link - that puts me at a 34dd! Find that quite hard to believe but I will head to the shops and have a look.

Oops, typo - 30DD. Not 34.

Haha I have just used that website and it measures me at 36F!! Iv always worn 36B surely that can't be right 🙈

You would only be a B cup if you had 2 inches between under and over bust measurements. If it's coming out as F then you must measure 7 inches more

I find the Boob or Bust method works really well. I'm a size 12 and I have a 30 in band size. Quite comfortably. I was wearing a bigger band in a G or GG but BoB reckoned drop a band and up to HH and it's loads better. Now my back does the lifting, so to speak. Much less harsh on my shoulders.

How tightly/ loosely are you supposed to do the over bust measuring? I couldn't see that on the website. Not as tightly as the under bust, right?

No dont measure tightly around the fullest part.

I also find the Boob or Bust largely accurate. Sometimes you need to go down a cup or so from recommendation, if you've lost a lot of fullness. But I have not seen that someone measures, say 30 inches under bust, and actually needs a 36 bra.

Updating post shopping trip...well I'm not quite a 30DD but most definitely a 30D. Unbelievable as I am really pretty flat chested but - it turns out - true!

Unfortunately it also turns out that 30 inch bras are not very easy to find without paying £££ but hopefully I'll have better luck online.

try ebay, loads of bargains

Brastop is a great source of cheap bras in D cup and over

Thanks! I've just ordered a whole load from.the Figleaves sale.