How to measure teen for bra

[Dottyteapot]

So I have a 12 year old daughter (almost 13) who has needed a bra for the last year but hates being measured for one (she won’t let a shop assistant do that, she’s very embarrassed about the whole idea of her body growing!).

I’ve got her various sizes- crop tops/sports bra/thin strapping ones but most the time she isn’t wearing one so she wears tops and baggy jumpers to hide her chest.

I’ve looked online and I’m getting confused with sizing- can someone tell me a simple method of knowing her bra size if I measure her. Different methods online have put her at 28DD and 30A

Plus if anyone else has had a teen like this, please tell me they eventually get used to wearing one! - I loved my first bra!

Bra sizes differ based on different brands. So you could go into a bra shop and in 1 brand be a 34 d but in another fit better as a 34c. Best way to measure is to look up each brands sizing guides and work from there.

I know you said she wouldn't be comfortable going to get measured but it would be helpful if she did. Bravissimo I couldn't recommend enough. It's private and the staff are just lovely.

Measurement under bust = back size
Measurement around fullest part of bust minus back size gives cup size

1inch difference = A, 2inch = B, etc (C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G)

Thank you @dementedpixie here are the measurement:

Under- 28.5 inch
Full- 33 inch

So what about the half inch measurement?

I'd take it as 28
So 28DD probably

@JLQ1020 I agree, I know she would be better off going in the shop, but she just won’t. I’m hoping as she gets older she’ll feel less embarrassed than she does at the moment.

Boob or bust calculator is good and their mods are brilliant.

Thanks @dementedpixie that’s what I was thinking by these measurements, it’s surprising as I’ve never got bigger than a B I’ll get her different styles in 28DD and see if any fit/are comfortable to wear and go from there.

Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it.

I'd agree with dp, but try some 30D ones as well. Your daughter won't be used to wearing a bra and your proper size will be tight at first, a 30 back is a good way of getting used to it.

Are you sure you're a B cup? Worth using the boob or bust method on yourself too.

Bless her. Could you ask in a shop for advice on how to measure her yourself? She won't be the only teen who finds the whole thing too embarrassing.

If you can afford the initial expensive outlay buy a few multi-packs in different sizes and styles online from M&S, and send those you don't want back. We found that once you have a brand/style that fits then you can stay with that as your daughter grows. My DD also refused to go anywhere near a fitting room, but we compromised by the fitting being at home with dimmed lights, her calling me in to quickly check if they fitted ok.

Thanks all, I’ve just ordered a few from m&s so I’ll see how they fit, thankfully she’s fine with me seeing her so I can check how they fit.

@Dottyteapot

Thanks *@dementedpixie* that’s what I was thinking by these measurements, it’s surprising as I’ve never got bigger than a B I’ll get her different styles in 28DD and see if any fit/are comfortable to wear and go from there.

Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it.

Bet you’re not a B!

@Woffle I was last time I was measured but I’m going to check as that was a few years ago. I am a lot smaller than my daughter! Sadly, I wasn’t blessed in the bust area

My 13 yr old daughter is a bit the same but started to be bothered when playing sports - she does sports 5 x a week, so we talked about tackling the bra issue. I’ve taken her to M&S on Saturday morning and we picked out all bras that she didn’t object to too much and out of maybe 25 bras, there’s was 1 that she was OK with so we’ve bought 4 of them…

I also ordered loads of bras online (different sizes, different styles), but they always had to be sent back so that’s why we decided to try all bras on in the shop

I took my dd to Natalie and she just tried on a few. They had some really nice plain soft bras....she hates anything with bows on!

Natalie.....?! Matalan

Old measures I’m sure used to be back plus 5 inches, then difference between under and over bust for cup. At some point in the last 25 years they quietly got rid of the plus 5 bit and I somehow moved from a b to a d cup - I am fairly sure I haven’t changed much at all though. Definitely worth measuring yourself too.

Oh and forgot to say m/s flexi fit are very soft and comfy and not too much details, and nude colours were often preferred by my young teen neices.