Tales from a Macro Girlie
As a girl with a large bust and wider ribcage, bra shopping was always awkward for me. I hated bra shopping in-store because of my own insecurities. The wires would dig in, not supporting me in the right areas, making me feel worse about myself. I reached the point where I'd just buy whatever size was the closest fit and call it a day. This resulted in sagging and gaps - downright uncomfortable, and it didn't make me feel very good.
What I Learned About My Own Sizing
Fast forward to today, where I learned here at BRABAR that the way I'd been finding my size had been all wrong. The whole time I was tugging on my straps for support, I really should've been relying on my band. Every store I'd gone to for a fitting relied on the armpit method to measure, which gave a size that ran too big or too small in the cup or the band. That's why my bras were always sagging and gapping where they weren't supposed to.
A bra should fit like a good strapless bra, hugging the ribcage and supporting from the band. BRABAR measures around your ribcage first - the band should support you snugly, not your straps. The whole time I wasn't feeling my best while bra shopping, it could've all been avoided if I'd found BRABAR sooner and been sized correctly from the start.
How I Found My Real Size
The way I found my bra size was as simple as this: overbust measurement minus band size equals cup size.
The short version: first, measure your underbust or rib cage with a soft measuring tape, rounding to an even whole number to get your band size. Second, with the same tape, measure your overbust, around the fullest part of your bust, rounding to the nearest whole number.
Then subtract your band size from your overbust measurement to get your cup size. Each inch is a cup size: 1 inch = A cup, 2 inches = B cup, 3 inches = C cup, 4 inches = D cup, 5 inches = DD/E cup, 6 inches = DDD/F cup. Your band size and cup size together are your bra size. If your band size changes, so does your cup size - it's good to get re-measured every six months.
It's truly that simple - nothing more complicated than subtracting two measurements.
Finding a Bra That Actually Felt Comfortable
My other issue with bra shopping before BRABAR was that the bras were just so uncomfortable. I wanted a bra that didn't feel like a bra - one I could almost forget I was wearing. Other brands used heavy materials that wouldn't breathe well or felt itchy. I wanted to move around all day with support while feeling like I was wearing a comfortable t-shirt.
I found all of that with BRABAR's Everyday Bra, in Mushroom, Natural Gray, and Black. It's one of my favorites because it's such a staple piece, whether you love wearing a bra or not - no wires digging into my skin, soft and breathable material, and removable cups, which is a big plus for me since bra cups in other brands are often too stiff. BRABAR also has other everyday bras depending on your needs, like the Soft Day Bra, Everyday Longline Cami, Soft Cami Bra Top, Everyday J-Hook Bra, Everyday Scoop Neck Bra, and Soft Crop Multiway Bralette - all just as comfortable and stylish as the Everyday Bra.
What I Wear to Stay Active
I have a pretty active life - between errands and chores, I also like to go to the gym. Though these aren't high-impact sports bras, for lower-impact workouts I found I could get away with the HUG Strappy Halter Bra or the HUG Lace Halter Bralette. The band on both gave me the support I needed. The halter bralette style, like the HUG Open-Back Halter Bra Top, was cute and let me move through my day without worrying about anything popping out.
My Go-To for Easy Days
On days when I just want something simple to throw on but still look put together, I wear the Soft Strapless Bra Top. I know why it's one of BRABAR's bestsellers - it comes in Black and Mushroom, has that soft cotton material we all love, the perfect amount of stretch, and isn't see-through at all. Even though it's strapless, I didn't need to keep pulling it up throughout the day, because the rib cage sizing method was accurate enough that it stayed snug like a hug and gave me the support I needed - because it was finally the correct size for me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the armpit method give an inaccurate size?
Measuring near the armpit picks up more of the ribcage's natural width above the bust, which tends to produce a band that's larger than what actually sits under the bust - leading to less support and more gapping.
How often should you re-measure your bra size?
About every six months, since band and cup size can both shift with weight changes, activity level, and other factors over time.
Can a strapless bra really stay in place without constant readjusting?
Yes, when the band is genuinely the correct size. A well-fitted strapless bra relies entirely on the band for support, so getting that measurement right is what keeps it from sliding down.
So I leave you with this challenge: go to your closet now and try BRABAR's Fit Guide and Bra Size Calculator. You might learn you've been wearing the wrong size the whole time. And check out BRABAR's full collection once you find your real size.
