The Ins and Outs of Bra Shopping, Bra Sizing, and More
October 07, 2024Bras. Everyday bras , racerback bras , sports bras , cami bra tops , crop tops , lace bralettes , lace halters , backless halters , convertible bras , cotton bras , teen bras , tween bras , teen bralettes , tween bralettes , crop bras , bras with adjustable straps , bras with removable pads , unlined bras , bras for tweens and so much more…
Bra Sizes. 28AA , 28A , 28B , 28C , 28D , 28DD/E , 28DDD/F , 30AA , 30A , 30B , 30C , 30D ,30DD/E , 30DDD/F , 32AA , 32A , 32B , 32C , 32D , 32DD/E , 32DDD/F , 34AA , 34A , 34B , 34C ,34D , 34DD/E , 34DDD/F , 36AA , 36A , 36B , 36C , 36D , 36DD/E , 36DDD/F , 38AA , 38A , 38B ,38C , 38D , 38DD/E , and 38DDD/F and beyond…
Bra Shopping starts with knowing your Bra Size.
All things that no one likes to do, but you should because it’s not as scary or as impossible as you think. BRABAR is here to simplify things for you. Here’s your guide to knowing when you need new bras, better-fitting bras, how to size yourself, where the support should be, how a bra should fit, and things to keep in mind while you’re shopping for bras.
When It’s Time to Replace Your Bras
If you haven’t bought a new bra in a year, then it is time to get a new bra or two!
It sounds like such a short time frame for the turnover of bras, but there are so many factors to consider about the wear and tear of your bra. Yes, even that favorite bra that you wear nearly every day. The more you use something, the quicker you will need to replace it.
The bra you wear for special occasions will last longer than your everyday bra. I would recommend having at least three everyday bras you rotate through every week, a good strapless bra for occasions, and a sports bra.
If your cups wrinkle, it is a sign that your cup size is too large.
If your cups gap, the band size is too large.
If your breasts spill or overflow out of the sides, the cup size is too small.
If your bra band rises up your back, the band is too loose/big.
If your bra band pinches your skin, the band is too tight/small.
If your bra straps pinch or dig into your skin even after adjusting them, it is a sign your band is too loose. When your straps are doing all the heavy lifting, it will strain your back and stretch out the bra straps. It is something you want to avoid as your support should come from your band.
If your bra straps fall off even after adjusting them, it means the band is too large. If your bra moves up whenever you raise your arms, it means the band is too loose/big.
Other than the wear and tear on the bras, bodies change even over a 6-12 month period. Hence we recommend that you get fitted for a bra every 6-12 months.
Another sign of needing a new bra is a style choice. You might have loved your comfy bralette or everyday bra when you got it, but the style changes over time as well. If you are not as confident and comfortable in your bras, it’s time for a change. And BRABAR is a great place for comfortable and seamless bras to bring back your confidence!
Bra Sizing/How To Fit Yourself
It's important to find your bra size and measurements every 6 months or every year at the very least. Our bodies are constantly changing and getting your measurements right is crucial to ensure you're wearing the right bra size.
Step 1: Wrap a measuring tape around your ribcage, just under your bust. Make sure the tape is snug but not too tight.
Step 2: Round the measurement to the nearest whole number. If the number is even, this is your band size. If it’s odd, round up to the next even number. Band Sizes are 28 Band , 30 Band , 32 Band , 34 Band , 36 Band , 38 Band , 40 Band and so on.
Step 1: Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust, keeping it parallel to the ground. Keep the tape not too loose, but not too tight.
Step 2: Again, round to the nearest whole number.
Cup Size :
Step 1: Subtract your band size from your bust measurement.
YOUR OVERBUST MEASUREMENT - YOUR BAND SIZE = YOUR CUP SIZE
Step 2: Each inch is a cup size.
Less Than a one-inch difference is an AA-Cup.
A one-inch (1) difference is an A-Cup.
A two-inch (2) difference is a B-Cup.
A three-inch (3) difference is a C-Cup.
A four-inch (4) difference is a D-Cup.
A five-inch (5) difference is a DD-Cup or an E-Cup.
A six-inch (6) difference is a DDD-Cup or a F-Cup.
A seven-inch (7) difference is a DDDD-Cup or a G-Cup.
-Or-
Less than 1-inch difference = AA-Cup
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 or E-Cup
6 inch difference = DDD-Cup or F-Cup
7 inch difference = DDDD-Cup or G-Cup
Do not shop by your Cup Size only.
The band of your bra is where the support should come up and not dependent on your bra shoulder straps. A bra band should fit like a good strapless bra . The band should hug your ribcage.
If you have your correct Band Size and Overbust Measurement, you will have your correct Cup Size, therefore, you will have your correct bra size.
The difference between bust and band is the constant.
The bust and band are the variables.
In other words, if your Band Size were to change either going up or down, your Cup Size would be vastly different. The constant is always the difference between the Band Size and the Overbust Measurement .
Everyone’s cup size looks different because the bust and band are different.
A 28DD Bra Size looks different than a 38DD Bra Size . They both have DD-Cups, but it is not the same.
A 28DD bra size would have a 28 Band and 33-inch Overbust.
A 38DD bra size would have a 38 Band and 43-inch Overbust.
There is a whole ten-inch difference between the two bra sizes, so of course, a 28DD Bra Size looks different than a 38DD Bra Size . But the constant is the difference between band and overbust. Both have a five-inch difference, and a five-inch difference between the overbust and the band is always a DD-Cup.
I’ll give you an example. If you walk into a bra store and go “I need a B-Cup bra,” which only leads you to bras that don’t seem to fit and the C-Cups are too big…but you’re looking at 36B Bra sizes . Eighty percent of women and girls are wearing the wrong size bra.
While BRABAR has been working towards standardizing bra measuring since its founding, it is still the case. When that happens, your band size is likely smaller and your cup size is larger. Using the 36B example, and you’re trying the right size you think, but it doesn’t work, you get measured or measured yourself using our Fit Guide, and the Bra Size Calculator tells you that you are a 32DDD Bra Size !
This very thing happened to a young adult who had come into BRABAR looking for 36B as that was what she had been told, but I measured her to double check and she was indeed a 32DDD !
So the lesson: if you think you know your size, but have never been fitted, measure yourself or get a proper fitting with the rib cage method or the EZ-Fit Method.
The traditional bra has wire, but it is not necessary. Underwire is the shape, not the support. As explained, the Band is where the support should be. Wire and bra straps are not the support.
Things to Keep in Mind: Breast Shape Types
A thing to keep in mind when shopping for bras is the breast shape because it will determine what kind of bra you want to get.
Asymmetrical breasts are when one breast is slightly bigger than the other. You want a good everyday bra to even them out.
Athletic breasts tend to be smaller and more muscular. They tend to be perkier and need less support than other breast types, so keep it in mind. A push-up everyday bra would be certainly a great choice.
Bell-shaped breasts tend to be heavier at the bottom as implied by the name and need more support and lift. The halter bras would be a good choice for this style.
Conical-shaped breasts tend to have a cone shape and have a separation between them. A good T-shirt and everyday bra would help.
East-West breasts are what they are named. East-West breasts are pointed in different directions. A good T-shirt everyday bra or a bra with good side support would help center them.
Relaxed breasts have nipples that point downward. Relaxed breasts need full band support. A good longline cami bra would be a great choice.
Round breasts tend to be full and round, so you don’t need too much padding with this, so it’s good that BRABAR has bras with removable pads. A good T-shirt and everyday bra would also be a good option. The band support is vital.
Teardrop breasts are heavier on the bottom, but less full at the top. You tend to want to look like you have more volume so something with good support would help.
BRABAR ’s mission is to educate girls about bras and bra sizing and show them that they are so much more than their bodies by having confidence. After you check our Fit Guide for the Bra Size Calculator, check out the full BRABAR collection for more styles and colors!