How to Choose the Perfect Bra Size and Fit: The Ultimate Buying Guide

According to research, approximately 80% of women wear the wrong bra size. Many may think it's no big deal, but did you know that wearing an ill-fitting bra can lead to persistent breast, shoulder, and neck pain? This means your bra isn't doing its primary job: supporting you.

 

According to research, approximately 80% of women wear the wrong bra size. Many may think it's no big deal, but did you know that wearing an ill-fitting bra can lead to persistent breast, shoulder, and neck pain? This means your bra isn't doing its primary job: supporting you.

 

If you're fed up with poor-fitting bras, here are ten tips for choosing the perfect bra size and fit for you!

 

Use Band and Cup Size Formulas

What does your bra size mean? In the bra world, we use numbers (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) to represent band sizes and letters (A, B, C, D) to represent cup sizes. To choose the right bra, you must determine your bra size by calculating your band and cup sizes. The band size is the measurement around your ribcage or underbust, while the cup size relates to the volume of your breasts.

 

The easiest way to find your perfect bra size is to take our bra size quiz. Just answer a few questions, and it will provide you with the best-fitting bra size and style for you.

 

 

If you have a soft measuring tape at home and want to try measuring yourself, here's how! To measure your band size, take a soft measuring tape and measure around your ribcage, just below where your bra band typically sits. If your measurement is even, add 2 inches; if it's odd, add 3 inches. This is your band size - we add 2 or 3 inches because bra bands measure smaller when laid flat than they do when worn, so we add a few inches to provide a more accurate band size.

 

To find your cup size, measure around the fullest part of your bust. Then, subtract your band size from this measurement. This is your cup size. For each inch of difference, you'll increase one cup size. So 0 inches is an AA cup, 1 inch is an A cup, 2 inches is a B cup, and so on. Refer to our bra size chart for more information.

 

If Breast Sizes Differ, Choose the Larger One

If you find that your breasts are different sizes, we recommend choosing the larger one and buying a well-fitting bra, as your larger breast may need more support. You can also opt for bras with removable padding, such as our 24/7® Classic Push-Up Bra, so you can balance your shape.

 

Know Your Size and Sister Sizes

When it comes to buying bras, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The key question is - how do you find a bra size that fits perfectly and complements your unique breast shape well?

 

You might come across a band size that fits well, but the cup feels a bit too tight. Or the cups fit just right, but the band feels a bit too tight. Sound familiar? In such cases, you need to know your sister sizes.

Bra sizes are all about ratios. The cup volume depends on the band size. So if you have a 34C bra and a 36C bra, their cup volumes are different. As band size increases, even if the cup size remains the same, the cup volume increases, and vice versa.

 

Sister sizes are a set of alternative bra sizes with the same cup volume. If you feel the cup volume fits you perfectly but the band is a bit too tight or loose, you can try on your sister sizes to find the perfect fit!

 

Finding your sister size is easy! When you increase one band size, you need to decrease one cup size. When you decrease one band size, you need to increase one cup size.

 

For example, if you wear a 34C bra and the band feels a bit tight but the cup size fits just right, you can try on sister sizes with a larger band - 36B and 38A.

 

If you find the band size fits perfectly but the cup is a bit too small or too large, then your sister size won't help you. Instead, you should stick to the same band size,