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small busted

anne

Veteran

Tara wrote on another thread recently ( hope you don't mind my quoting it?)
"Your bra size - 36DD - consists of the BAND size (36) which is the measurement just underneath the bust with either 4" or 5" added to get to the proper band size, and the CUP size (DD), which is the difference between band size and cup size.
(This is just one method. There are others.)

http://www.herroom.com/bra-fit.....01,30.html "

I had a look at the link and can now say that I have an underbust of 29" (having expelled the air out of the chest, as per instructions) and a bust of about 34 inches which should mean I am an AA cup. While I do have some AA cup bras (mostly hand me downs from my Mum I also have A and B cups and don't consider myself to be Trinny (of T & S) like-flat. I'll probably get flatter soon though. Anyway I was just surprised that the bra sizes started at a difference of over 4 inches. I suppose there are options in the junior departments.

BTW is 29" quite a big underbust measurement? I have always thought I had a big rib cage, though I don't carry any fat or muscle bulk in that area, and that measurement would tend to confirm it

Body Type

16 replies

Latest reply was from Carolyn2771

Nicole

Veteran

Anne, Unfortunately, measuring for a bra is not a science. You can take your measurements, write them down and that's your "size" but when you translate it to fitting a bra, well you might as well throw them out the window. Some bra brands tell you to add 5 inches to your under bust measurement, some tell you to add less or nothing at all. Some brands tell you to add different numbers to your under bust measurement depending on what that measurement is. It's INSANE.

So, if you are talking about what size you are in respect to buying new bras, you really just have to try on different sizes in each style. For example, let's say you want to try on Wacoal Style #1234. You should find that exact style # bra in 32AA, 32A and 32B AND 34AA, 34A, and 34B. If one of those sizes fits you, then that is your size IN THAT BRAND AND STYLE BRA. You could try a different style Wacoal bra and find out you're a completely different size. This process does suck, but there really is no conformity in bra sizing.

One measurement you might want to try taking is around your chest over your bust, just about under your arms. The tape measure wont actuallybe in your arm pits, but pretty darn close. ***SOMETIMES*** (again, not a science) this measurement will match up with your band measurement. (keep in mind your band measurement is not typically what the tap measure says, it's the actual measurement plus some number that the bra manufacturer tells you to add to it.)

Also when comparing the full bust measurement to the underbust measurement to determine cup size--you should be comparing the band measurement to the full bust measurement. So if you measure 29" under your bust, and add 3 or 5 inches to that measurement to get your band size of either 32 or 34, you want to subtract 32 or 34 from your full bust measurement to get your cup size. Do not subtract 29 from your full bust measurement to get your cup size.

As far as your personal measurement of 29"--I don't think that is a large under bust measurement.

anne

Veteran

Wow - thanks Nicole!

Becky

Veteran

I recommend a professional bra fitting, Anne. I had one for the first time last summer and was pleasantly surprised at how much easier it was to have the fitter bringing me all different brands and styles in my "estimated" size to try on. Those people usually have so much experience fitting bras they can tell which brands and styles are most likely to work for you.

Kari

Veteran

Anne, I'm larger-busted and suspect that my need for support is a bit different than yours, but I hope you don't mind me stepping in to offer my 2 cents.

I've actually stopped adding 4-5 inches to my band size (I add 0-2" instead) because I get such a poorly fitted bra when I use that method (or else I wind up purchasing a bra where the band stretches out to the point where it's too big within months.) I measure 30" around the rib cage (though I'm not terribly small-framed) and actually have found that wearing a 32" or even sometimes a 30" band gives me the best support. (However, if you choose to go down a band size, you need to go up a cup size or two to get an equal amount of volume in the cup.)

Edited to add: for an illustration of what I'm talking about, I measure 30" under the bust and 38" across. Going by the 'add 4-5" to band measurement, then subtract this number from your bust measurement' method, I should wear a 34D - but if I try that size, I'm spilling out all over the place. The next size up, a 34DD, fits okay but isn't supportive enough. For me, I get the best fit and support somewhere between a 30G and 32F.

Honestly, though, I would suggest not paying too much attention to the number you measure except to use it as a guideline for finding a bra that will fit you correctly. These are some of the links I found really helpful in determining what is (and isn't) a proper fit.
http://www.figleaves.com/us/fi.....%3A34%3A00
http://www.figleaves.com/us/fi.....8;txt=3173
http://bra-makers.blogspot.com.....3583aca864
I'd also second the recommendation from Becky to get a professional fitting if possible. (If you go to a major chain/retail store, I'd recommend Nordstrom and not Victoria's Secret!)

Maya

Veteran

I think finding your size by measurements just gives you a place to start. It's much more important to go by how it feels. Those links Kari posted look helpful. FTR, I am 28" under the bust and wear a 32 band size. I'm somewhere between 35 and 36 inches across the fullest part of the bust. Technically I should only be a C or D, but I wear a DD.

tarzy

Veteran

Anne - I'm just curious - in your original post you said you were a 36DD. How did you come up with that size? If you measure 29" under the bust, I think you'd be a 34 at the most according to the "forumula" (which we all agree is just one method, and just a starting point.) Was that just a guess based on what you've been wearing? I would think 36 band would be too big for you?

Anonymous

I just measured 30" around the ribcage and I'm wearing a 32 band size. I had my fitting at Nordstrom's. I wanted to try a certain brand of bra that I hear raves about here but I just didn't fill up the cup no matter how she tried to adjust the numbers. I ended up with Natori brand. My point is, I agree that it is trial and error in finding you size and brand.

tarzy

Veteran

All the experts I have read/seen say get the snuggest band you can. They say most women end up going down in band size and up in cup size. Don't be afraid of cup size! It's not a moral judgment! When they told me I was DD I was horrified. (Visions of porn stars and strippers.) But it's just a letter (or two.)

Nicole

Veteran

Tarzy, I agree w/you that Anne does not look like a 36. I wear a 36.

boy this is for bra talks....

remember if someone tries to sell you a 'sister' size--they are selling you something that does not fit because they don't have the size that does fit.

anne

Veteran

Oh I don't wear a 36DD!! I was quoting what Tara wrote in another thread as a springboard for my comments. But I think I forgot to close off the quotation marks, which I have now gone back and done. Sorry for the confusion

tarzy

Veteran

Oh - sorry Anne! I got confused!

anne

Veteran

Thanks guys for all the input into this discussion. The advice to get a bra fitting is of course, something we here a lot of here.
Although I do intend to do this, I am not really sure it is worth it until my bust size calms down. Currently, while breastfeeding it changes a lot during the day and one breast is noticebly bigger than the other. And I ruin my bras at the moment because I yank them up or to the side to feed, as my maternity bras are mostly too big!

Becky

Veteran

You're right, Anne, you should indeed wait until you're done breastfeeding to have the fitting.

Eva

Anne, I think my measurements are similar to yours (28” under bust and 33” bust). I used to wear a 34” band because 32” is hard to find and I got “sold” on sizing up. Then I got a bra fitting purchased a 32”. Boy, what a difference! I probably could wear a 30” band, but that is really hard to find. The cup size varies by company, I might be a C in one and B in another. As Nicole, the ultimate bra expert advises, a bra fitting (for each company) is the way to go. (But beware those that try to sell you a larger band because they don’t have a 32”.)

Tanya

Veteran

Anne, I also have similar measurements to yours, 28"under the bust, around 34" at the fullest part. For ages I switched between 32B and 34A , and they both sort of fit, but not quite. Than last summer I got fitted at Nordstrom and they fitted me to 32C! I was quite shocked, it never even occurred to me to try a C cup. I have since gotten a bunch of bras in that size, Chantelle, Calvin Klein , Wacoal and a few other brands, and they all fit! I keep expecting them to be too big but they work fine.

Anyway, I'd wait till your size as stabilized, go to a really good fitting place and try a bunch of them in different brands on. It's pretty much the only way I am afraid.

Carolyn2771

Member

it's so true that getting a professional bra fitting is important. any boutique should be able to help you. I don't know if I trust the bra fittings in big stores though. if you don't feel comfortable getting fitted in stores, you can try online stores. I know the one below offers bra consultation with your order. they have so many different sizes and they also customize bras. I wear their distraction bras and not only I get a 2 cup size jump, but they're the most comfortable bras I've ever had.

http://www.bitasaviss.com/bitasaviss/opener.php