Under Bust Measurement 35"
Over Bust Measurement 36"
Typical Band Size 36

My under bust measurement is 29.5" and over bust is a little under 34". I wear a 34 band size.

Under: 30.5, over: 31.5, and I wear 34 band size. The whole measurement system is a mystery to me, but I always get fitted to 34.

under 30, over 32, I am wearing a 32 band

Under: 29"
Over: 31"

I wear a 32 because you can't buy them smaller, but I have had a few altered.

The math works like this, when done properly. Under the bust is your band size (should be). Measure over the bust to determine cup size. Each inch difference is a cup size. Also, a 32B and a 34A have the same cup size. Or so I've been told.

I have found bras as small as 28". 32 is definitely not the smallest. A 34A and a 32B *could* be the same cup size, but I would not count on it. I have heard that nonsense from Victoria's secret before, and I do not trust it in the least. They are a joke when it comes to bra fitting.

Navillustius, The over the bust measurement that I'm seeking isn't the measurement you'd use to determine cup size. It's actually above your bust, on your upper chest--so the tape measure runs under your arms.

I'm just trying to see how accurate this third measurement is in determining band size.

So far, Marianne seems to be the only one whose over bust measurement is not her band size.

I measured out to a little under 32 under the arms and a 28 under the bust. I wear a 32 band size.

Ha, Maya, I have the same measurements as you : 28" under the bust, 32.5" under the arms, and I wear band size 32.

Under bust 29
Over bust 32

Band size can't help you with because Aussie bras come in sizes (as well as cups) - I am either 10 or 12.

I must be an anomaly. Using the method above, I am 34" over the bust (across the bust I am 38"; under bust I am 30".)

I usually wear a 32" band or sometimes a 30" depending on the brand.

Nicole, I wear a lot of Fantasie (one of the few brands that fits me well!) and would love to hear any how you like the products you just purchased if you ever feel like sharing reviews.

Kari, are you sure you want to open that can of worms? Once you get me started talking about bras...it's pretty difficult to get me to stop. :D

I've been wearing this particular style of bra for several years. I used to try a different style every time I'd order bras, but these Fantasie bras have been so good to me, I don't bother wasting my money anymore. But when I find this style is no longer working for me, then the long and arduous task of finding a new bra will be begin. I do remeasure myself before reordering--but I can usually tell if I need to change sizing just by the way the last bras fit.

http://www.barenecessities.com.....earch,.htm

I love that this bra is seamless, and only has 2 hook and eye closures on the back. It's very inexpensive for the quality of this bra, and comes in black, brown and nude (I typically buy 2 nude, 1 brown, 1 black--which helps me rotate them daily). I can wear this bra with just about anything, so I dont' need to have "special bras" for "special outfits". I do wish there was a little more "coverage" in the thickness of the material--but I like that the bra does not add any volume to my already voluminous breasts!

Kari, I also have a few bathingsuit tops from Fantasie. It is the first time in my adult life that I felt comfortable and confident in a bathing suit in public.

I'm making a spreadsheet. I am rounding up any half inch measurements, and I'm adding 5 to any odd numbered under bust measurements and 4 to any even under bust measurements.

This is interesting.

3 people (Shana, Maya and Tanya) get the same band measurement whether they measure under and add 4, or measure over.

2 people (me, and San) get accurate band measurements only with the over the bust measurement. (If we followed the under band measurement method, I'd be wearing a 40 instead ofa 36, San woulde wearing 34 instead of a 32)

Kari and Marianne do not get accurate measurements from either process.

So this just solidifies my beleif that bra sizing makes no sense and you really just have to try on all different kinds of bras and all different styles to find one that works for you. (And pray that the day you find a bra that fits you're not ovulating!)

Nicole, I love experiments. It took me a while to locate the tape measure but I'm:

29.75 under
34.5 over
32 band size

I will add that I wear the 32 on the very last hook to start and that's a bit snug until it loosens up. If I did a 34 (which I have done in pregnancy and postpartum) as the bra stretched I would eventually not have any hooks left.)

Making this measurements helps me realize why I don't like buying tops-- I have fit issues and always feel so broad across the chest.

Thanks Patience, I've added you to my spreadsheet.

You fall into the category with Marianne and Kari--neither formula gives you the band size you prefer to wear.

I think this just shows how truly unique each and every person's body is-- even if we have body types. Someone was just telling me recently that a person's bone structure is just as unique as their external body and so some people can move their bodies in ways that other people just cannot (makes me think of Angie's feet for example). Pretty amazing and wonderful to think about. (Sorry to interject in your thread Nicole.) I think this supports the "you've just got to be fitted" fact of life.

29 over the bust like the photo.

32 over the widest part

26 under bust

32 band size

32-1/2 over bust like the photo

36 over the, ahem, widest part (and without a bra on - with a bra on, it would be more ... eeek)

30 under bust

... so by this method I should be.... a 32D??? Or does that extra 1/2 inch put me at a 34B?

I wear 34B but when I've followed the measuring instructions on some other sites (try googling Oprah's bra intervention), it suggests I might be better in a 32C. It's true that the 34 band, while perfectly comfortable when I first buy it, always stretches out and feels too loose after awhile. Meanwhile, the 32 band is always just way too tight for comfort and I don't have enough patience to wait until it loosens up! I do find very little difference in cup size between the 34B and 32C.

I have long thought I am actually a 33 band size. But they don't make those. :-(

Shiny, I also thought for a long time that I should be a 33 too. I kept switching between 32B and 34 A only to learn that 32 C is my correct size. So maybe you should try 32C/D, just in case?

Hmm, Tanya, you may be right. The 34B bras I bought awhile back are all feeling too loose now. I keep having to tug them down into position. I thought spending on more expensive bras would solve that problem. Sigh.

I think I will drag out my one lone 32C, which I bought as an experiment but have only worn about 3x's because it feels so uncomfortable, and wear that for awhile. See if it loosens up.

It just boggles my mind that I could be a D.... though that could certainly explain why shopping for dresses and tops is so dang frustrating. :-(

Nicole, I just remeasured and over is 32.5, I don't know what I was smoking yesterday!

Patience, I also have issues with buying tops. I always feel that my torso is very square and often have trouble getting the right fit around my rib cage :(

Nicole, thanks for your product advice! I've wondered about the bra you posted. Next time one of my moulded cup bras wears out, I'll give it a try. (I have the non-moulded cup version of that line, which is wonderfully supportive but doesn't provide enough coverage for my taste. I use those "no-peek" inserts that Nordstrom sells, which are great because they don't add bulk.)

In the past I seriously considered buying a Fantasie swimsuit through Figleaves' sales, but now that Figleaves has changed their policy so you can't return sale items, I'm debating about whether I want to make a full-price swimsuit investment this summer. We'll see.

Anyway, thank you for trying out this experiment on us! I think all of the measurement systems are so arbitrary... knowing what proper fit looks/feels like and trying on different sizes/styles until you get there is the only method that works for me (even if it takes forever.)

Oh Nicole, is it important to be measuring with or without the bra? I measured with as in the photo.

With the bra please.

Marianne, I"ve adjusted your measurement.

Ok I've discovered a trend. The following people have an odd number over bust measurement:

Marianne
Nav
Tanya
Patience
Angie
Shiny

With the exception of Angie, you all wear a band size with in one inch of your over bust measurement. Which makes sense because bands do not come in odd numbers. Tanya appears to the be the only who sizes down. Angie actually sizes up 3 inches--but she wear Chantelle bras, which IMO run a size small.

So....could this mean then, that if you measure yourself above your bust, if you have an odd number, you can add 1 or subtract 1 from that measurement for your band size? I'm sure bra brand and personal preference will come into play whether you want to go up or down.

Shiny, could you go and get fitted? That might answer some of your questions. I have to admit I have always felt skeptical when you say you are a B cup. Your measurements are similar to mine, you have some of the fit issues that indicate a larger bust, and you don't look like a B cup to me. I wonder if you are indeed a D cup, or at least a C. I would also say that different brands will fit differently, so don't rule out a 32 band size. It might just be a question of finding a slightly larger fitting 32.

Interesting. I have to add that I can only wear 3 Chantelle bra styles in 32C. It’s not a slam dunk. I actually need a 30C in some of the other Chantelle styles which to Nicole’s point, run small anyway. A 32C in any other bra brand is too big.

Shiny, when were you last fitted? I would put money on the fact that you are at least a C cup.

Nicole - I think I'm a bit skewed off the chart, too.

over: 35
bust: 38
under: 30

I (currently) wear 34DD. I am a very full DD, and have a broad back.

Is it too late to get in on this?

34 over the bust as in the photo
35 over the widest part
30 under the bust
32 band size

This is interesting because I have always worn a 34 B but was advised at Nordstrom on my most recent bra-buying visit to size to a 32 C. I am petite, and have problems with bra straps being too long, even when shortened as much as possible. I used to cut them and sew them by hand to shorten them. The 32 band is tight, but not uncomfortable, and this has solved the strap problem.

I am more and more suspicious that I might wear a 30 now. I also have the problem of straps being too long.

I'm just baffled. A 30 is SO tiny, and I am not so tiny. If Angie wears a 30, how could I possibly be a 30? Bra fitting is so incredibly bizarre.