Steps to finding the correct bra size:                                                                              

1. Take a tailor’s measuring tape and measure the circumference around the body, directly under the breasts    (this measures the band size and the tape measure needs to be parallel to the floor all the way around the body).  This measurement needs to be as small as possible, hold your arms to your sides and pull the tape measure tightly to the nearest even number.  Record measurement and add accordingly to reveal your band size.

If the measurement is even, add 4”
If the measurement is odd, add 3”                                                                                 

2. Now measure the circumference around the fullest part of the breast, keeping the tape measure parallel to the floor and the tape measure loosely held (this will measure the cup size).  Take this measurement while wearing an unlined, unpadded bra for the most accurate results. Record this measurement on paper.

3. Now take the band size (not your original measurement) found in step one, subtract this number from the measurement found in step two.  Each inch represents one cup size and the difference represents the cup size found on the following chart.

1-inch difference

A Cup

2-inch difference

B Cup

3-inch difference

C Cup

4-inch difference

D Cup

5-inch difference

DD Cup

6-inch difference

7-inch difference

8-inch difference

9-inch difference

E Cup

F Cup

FF Cup

G Cup

4. Now, no measurement process is fool-proof since there is not one standard figure for all women.  The best thing to do is try on the size that you have measured for yourself or your best fitting bra and confirm that several key components are fitting correctly on your specific body type. 

Stay tuned for next week’s post where the several key components will be outlined in detail!