Donate SIGN UP

Buying a Bra

Avatar Image
warpig3 | 14:17 Thu 15th Nov 2007 | Shopping & Style
26 Answers
Can someone refresh my memory (mammary?) as to how bra cup sizes are calculated?

For example if you measure 32" underneath your boobs and 38" around your boobs, then the difference is 6" which is a 'what size' cup?
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 20 of 26rss feed

1 2 Next Last

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by warpig3. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Question Author
Thank you whiskeysheri, am having a look at the link now, only problem is that if I buy at bra that is only 32" I find it really uncomfortable and restricting yet I have measured myself and thats what it says. If I were to go up a size then would I be right to assume that I go down a cup size too?
Yes, that's pretty much how it works, wp. I need a back size smaller, too, really, but I find it uncomfortable. If I did, though, my cup size would go up. Hope this helps. :o) x
Question Author
Just had a look, I measure 32 underneath so I add on 4 which gives me 36", so far so good. Now, I measure 38 across my boobs so do I subtract 32 from 38 giving me 6" or 36 from 38 giving me 2"? Jeepers this is like a degree in applied mathematics!
hi warpig...to get your bra size you need to add 4" to underbust measurement (or 5" if measurement is odd no.)
so you are 36
Then subtract that from your over bazoom measurement..in your case 38
so 2" difference = C cup

36C....more than your fair share lol!


http://www.sandras-online.co.uk/acatalog/Measu ring_Guide.html

I get a different answer!
You measure round your ribs under your bra and then add either 4 or 5 onto the measurement (whichever gives you an even number, in your case add 4 to get 36) to give you the "number" part of the size.

As there is 2 inches difference between 36 and 38, it will be a B cup - making you a 36B
Question Author
Ha ha, have just read throught it and by their calculations I should be wearing a 36b/c, just like you calculated robina. but I can assure you that there is no way these puppies will fit into that size cup as I am wearing a 36D at the moment and bits are trying to escape over the top!

I wonder would the fact that I am pregnant alter these calculations, d'oh, bet they will
go on...make me feel even more inadequate why don't you!
hehe...about the boobs that is, not the pregnancy...my baby days are long gone.
maybe you could get measured somewhere, you need something comfy I daresay.

many congrats!
Question Author
Thank you Robina.

Strangely I never had any boobs to speak of until I hit 30 then they appeared overnight (literally). I always thought I would have liked big'uns but to be honest they are not all they are cracked up to be as I find I have to be really careful when buying clothes/tops as too much showing just makes me look ******, nothing to do with the leather mini skirt, fishnet stockings or leopard skdin shoes I always wear, LOL.
Question Author
s L u T T y
haha...I've decided to go for that look this season...only in my case it's called menopausal madness. :o)
By whiskeys measurements I am a DD (far too small) and by Robinias I am an F..which most of the time is too big!

I usually wear an E.
The same size in different makes are different sizes in reality if that makes sense! I find it is best to get an average size and try on loads round about that size and buy what looks and feels righ!
Question Author
Chazza, that makes perfect sense. I will leave it for a bit until I see just how big I get then find the one that fits regardless of the label.
If any of you watched Trinny & Suzanne last week, you`ll recall that they went undercover to various top stores for bra fittings. The variations in size was amazing. What hope have women got of getting "the right bra"???
Question Author
I didn't watch Trinny & Suzanne, BJB, can't stand the way they keep referring to t*ts...... Wish I had seen it now but its good to know that its not just our fault for wearing the wrong bra!
I never think that sizing method works well at all. You're better off to go into a shop and try bras on. For years I wore 36D, and now I wear 34DD - and it's so much more comfortable.
Sorry, I meant to add that if you can afford to pay a bit more to get a good quality bra, it's well worth it because you get a much better fit.
Question Author
Yes Naomi I agree, especially if you are bigger busted, a few extra pounds is worth it. However, if wearing an expensive bra do not have a little too much to drink, go to a Squeeze concert, think its a good idea to throw your bra on stage (the old straps down the sleeve trick) then realise how much it cost and try to ask for it back! It happened to someone I know very well, lol.
If you come round my pub about 1.30pm saturday, me and the lads will measure your boobs for you. No honestly, some of us have admitted to having a fascination with boobs/underwear so you couldn't be in better hands!
Really, anything to help!

1 to 20 of 26rss feed

1 2 Next Last

Do you know the answer?

Buying a Bra

Answer Question >>