Tales From BRABAR Studio: Finding a Teen’s Correct Bra Size Starts with the Band

Teen bra and bralette shopping can be a mind-numbing experience if you don't know where to start. Moms and teens often are at a loss on how to find the right bras. The first step is demystifying bra size measurements, which aren't standardized across the intimates industry. But finding the correct size is easier than most think.

At the BRABAR Studio, it was a chance to educate moms and daughters on how to find the right fit by measuring or re-measuring when necessary.

A Real Fitting

A teenager was brought in by her mother to look for bras and bralettes for the summer. She originally told me she was a 36C, but I offered to measure her. She had a 32-inch rib cage, so a 32 band. Her overbust measurement was 38 inches. Subtracting the 32 band from the 38 overbust gives a 6-inch difference - a DDD/F cup. She was actually a 32DDD/F.

Shocked at the size, they didn't believe me at first, since the band seemed so small to them. So I had her try on both a 32-34 and a 36-38, and explained how the band should hug the ribcage snugly to provide support - the wire isn't the support of the bra, the correct band size is.

What I Recommended

In no particular order:

• The Everyday Bra - a versatile, all-day supportive bra with a back closure and removable cups.
• The Soft Strapless Bra - ultra-versatile, ideal for off-shoulder, one-shoulder, halter styles, and tube tops.
• The Everyday Longline Cami Bra - sophisticated, ideal for layering, with a keyhole back closure.
• The Soft Day Bra - combines the ease of a bralette with surprising support.
• The Soft V Crop Bralette - super soft with thicker straps, doubles as a sports bra or a classy bra top.
• The Soft V Laceback Bralette - reversible, now in nine colors.
• The Soft Cami - a fan-favorite, versatile bra top and a great starter teen bralette.
• The Strappy Halter Bralette - a seamless design that can double as a medium-impact sports bralette.
• The Lace Halter Bralette - feminine details with everyday comfort and support.
• The Open-Back Backless Halter Bralette - great for backless and open-back outfits.
• The Cotton Stretch U-Back Bralette - breathable, elegant U-back design with medium-impact support.
• The Cotton Stretch Racerback - seamless and breathable, built for medium-impact activities.
• The Soft Crop Multiway Convertible Bra Top - endless styling options, from backless halter to criss-cross.

What She Chose

The teenager ultimately chose the Soft Strapless Bra and the Soft V Laceback Bralette. The Soft Strapless works for many summertime outfits. The Soft V Laceback Bralette is comfortable and versatile - it can be a top on its own in the summer or go with any open-back outfit. Both were bought in the 32-34 BRABAR size, since they fit much better than the 36-38.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my daughter's real band size come out so much smaller than she expected?

Most people size themselves based on how a bra has fit in the past, often using a band larger than their actual ribcage measurement. A rib cage measurement can reveal a much smaller correct band than someone has been wearing for years.

Why does the band matter more than the wire for support?

Support comes from the band hugging the ribcage snugly, not from underwire. The wire mainly affects shape, so a well-fitted wire-free band can provide the same or better support than a loose, wired one.

Should I trust a self-reported bra size, or always measure?

Always measure when possible. Self-reported sizes are frequently wrong, since most people have never been professionally fitted and are working from guesswork or years-old assumptions.

The Cheat Sheet

• Measure Underbust: Wrap a soft measuring tape right below your breasts. Round to the nearest even whole number for your band size.
• Measure Overbust: Wrap the tape over the fullest part of your breasts. Round to the nearest whole number for your bust size.
• Calculate Cup Size: Subtract your band size from your bust size. Each inch of difference is one cup size, from A up through DDD/F.

Use BRABAR's Fit Guide and Bra Size Calculator to measure yourself accurately at home.