Everything I Wish Someone Told Me About Finding My Bra Size
How do you measure your bra size correctly at home, and how often should I re-measure?
FIT GUIDE
brabar
FIT GUIDE
BRABAR
FIT GUIDE
Knowing how to measure your bra size at home can be a huge part of helping to know hw you can advocate for yourself!
By: Lucy DiChristina
It is the sad reality that we cannot rely on retailers to tell us our bra size, no matter how popular their product has become. I am not saying that you cannot buy bras from the “it girl” bra retailers like Victoria's Secret, Skims, and Aerie. I am just saying that to walk out of these stores with a bra that fits you correctly, you must already be armed with your bra size. I know, I know, these bra retailers will lay out their specific measurement methods online, or say you need their special measurement tape, or even say you must come in person to be measured correctly and “professionally” by their bra “experts”. However, that is not the easiest or even the most successful way to do it. The brands won't tell you this themselves, but there is a universally accepted method for finding your right bra fit, even if it is not the one these brands push on their consumers. Finding your bra size should not feel like solving a mystery. The good news is that your body already contains all the information you need. The challenge is learning how to measure it correctly and knowing who to trust.
Beginner Guide To Bra Measurements!
Luckily, everything you need to accurately measure your bra size is already at home. You will need: A soft tape measure, a mirror, and a lightly lined or unlined bra. Before you get started, there are some common bra measuring mistakes I want to tell you about. First, women can make the mistake of measuring over bulky clothes, which, not to be dramatic, can make a huge difference when you are measuring your bra size. The other common mistakes are all about how you use your tape measure. Don't use your tape measure as if it is your bra. Remember that you are trying to get an accurate measurement of your size, so you don't want to measure yourself too tightly or too loosely. The most important thing to remember is that these measurements belong to you, not to a brand's interpretation. Before a calculator, a fitting room, or a retailer gets involved, your body already provides the information needed to understand your size. The goal of measuring at home isn't to force yourself into a specific bra size. It's to understand your own measurements so you can make informed decisions when you shop.
"your size does not determine your worth"
Step 1:
Step one is to measure your underbust. While I don't want to say this is the most important step, remember that the measurement you are about to take is responsible for 80% of your bra's support. Place your measurement tape right underneath your breasts (on your ribcage), exactly where you would want your bra band to be sitting. Wrap the tape measure around yourself so it is taut against your body, but not so tight that it feels like it is squeezing you. HUG not a squeeze. That is your underbust measurement! If you have ended up with an even number then that is your band size. If you end up with an odd number, round up to the nearest even number; that is your band size. No unnecessary addition needed, just simple anatomical answers!
Step 2:
Step two is a little more complicated, but still not nearly as complex as the retail market makes it. Time to measure your bust! This is the measurement around the fullest part of your bust and is the second piece of information needed to understand your bra size. To take your bust measurement, wrap a soft measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust while keeping the tape level all the way around your body. It should feel secure but not tight - you are measuring your body, not trying to squeeze it into a smaller number. Stand naturally, relax your shoulders, and resist the urge to suck in your stomach or change your posture. Trust us, your measuring tape does not care. The resulting number is your bust measurement! But how does your bust measurement translate into a letter that represents your cup size? That is step three!
Step 3:
This measurement matters because bra sizing is not determined by your bust measurement alone. In fact, neither your bust measurement nor your underbust measurement means very much on its own. It is the relationship between the two measurements that helps determine your bra size. So, to find your cup size, you subtract your underbust measurement (step one) from your overbust measurement (step two). The number that results from this simple subtraction will correspond to one of the letters listed in the chart below!
" your bra size should not be a hidden treasure."
1/2 inches = AA
1 inch = A
2 inches = B
3 inches = C
4 inches = D
5 inches = DD or E
6 inches = DDD or F
7 inches = G
8 inches = H
9 inches = I
10 inches= J
11 inches = K
12 inches= L
13 inches = M
14 inches = N
At this point, you might be thinking, "Why would I spend all this time measuring myself so I can just type my measurements into an online calculator and let it tell me my size?" Fair question. In theory, that sounds like exactly what bra calculators should do. Unfortunately, if you've ever used multiple bra size calculators, you've probably noticed a pretty big problem: they rarely agree.
The answer is that many bra calculators are not necessarily designed to find your best possible fit. They are often designed to fit you according to a specific brand's sizing system. Every brand offers different size ranges, philosophies, and measuring methodologies for how bras should fit. Some brands carry a limited range of sizes. Others use retail fitting methods that prioritize fitting customers into the sizes they already sell. As a result, the same body measurements can produce completely different recommendations depending on which website you visit. The best size they offer may not be the best fit for your measurements, so they adjust your measurements instead by adding 4 or more inches to the band size.
When Should I Remeasure
Now, because you will be wearing a comfortable bra, it will be pretty easy to determine when it is time to re-measure your bra size. The simple cheat code for when you should re-measure is every 6-12 months, during puberty, if you have had a growth spurt, and when your bra stops feeling comfortable. Also, just because you are measuring yourself does not mean you should necessarily expect a different bra size; you are just checking in with yourself and your body. But if your size does change, it is completely normal for your body to evolve as you get older! Some lookout signs that can indicate re-measuring beyond being uncomfortable include: your bra band riding up, your straps constantly slipping, your cups gaping, and spillage from any and all areas of your bra.
One Last Thing Before You Go
The more you understand your own measurements, the less power confusing sizing charts and retail calculators have over your shopping experience. Let's take back our confidence, and first take back our bra size. Finding your correct bra size can completely change how you approach getting dressed and who you present to the world. Good luck, and your bra size should not be a hidden treasure.
XOXO BRABAR
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
FAQS
You only need three things: a soft measuring tape, a mirror, and a lightly lined or unlined bra. By measuring your underbust and bust accurately, you can determine your band and cup sizes without relying on in-store fittings or brand-specific sizing calculators.
Many online calculators are designed around a brand's specific sizing system rather than your exact body measurements. Since brands carry different size ranges and use different fitting methods, the same measurements can produce different recommendations across websites. That's why understanding your own measurements is often more reliable than relying solely on a calculator.
A good rule of thumb is to re-measure every 6–12 months, during puberty, after a growth spurt, or anytime your bras stop feeling comfortable. Your size can fluctuate throughout the month. Signs that it may be time to check your size include a band riding up, straps slipping, cup gaping, or breast tissue spilling out of the cups. Regularly measuring helps ensure your bras continue to fit your changing body properly.
