Tales From the BRABAR Studio: Getting Your First Bra Can Be An Overwhelming Experience

Oftentimes finding your first bra can be a daunting task when you have no clue where to start, or what would be good for your specific needs.

BRABAR strives to give tweens and teens the tools they need to find the bra for them, starting with finding the right bra size, and finding the right bra for a fun and memorable experience.

At the BRABAR Studio, I have measured many tweens and teens and guided them to what would work best for them as their first bra. In this case, the young girl was no more than eleven years old and had been very nervous to walk into a bra store with her mother. The overwhelming feeling of stepping into a world she had no knowledge of, and the knowledge that her body was changing, can make it a very awkward time.

Usually, when a mother/guardian and daughter come in together, and the daughter is very nervous about the experience, I offer to size the mother/guardian first to show the tween or teen how to measure. Measuring takes no more than a minute. It is quick and easy.

Measuring the Mother First

First, I measured the mother. She measured 36 inches around the underbust, so her band size was 36. Her overbust measurement was 40. Subtracting the band (36) from the overbust (40) gives 4 inches. Each inch is a cup size, so four inches equals a D cup. The mother was a 36D. Her BRABAR size is 36-38.

Then Measuring the Daughter

Once the mother was measured easily, the daughter agreed to be measured. The young girl measured a 27-inch underbust, making her band size 28. Her overbust was 31 inches. Subtracting the 28 band from the 31 overbust gives a difference of 3 inches - a C cup. Her bra size was 28C. Her BRABAR size is 28-30.

It is important to note that this can feel like a big size to a young girl, and to the parent listening to the size after I measure.

Why Band Size Matters More Than Cup Size

The tendency for most people looking for bras is to focus on the cup size rather than the band size. Both are needed to have the right bra.

Everyone's cup size looks different. A 28C will look very different from a 38C. Though it's the same cup letter - both have a 3-inch difference between overbust and band - the actual proportions are very different. The 28C has an overbust of 31 and a band of 28; a 38C has an overbust of 41 and a band of 38.

The constant is always the difference between the overbust and the band: 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, and so on. The habit of focusing on cup size is hard to unlearn after years and years, but it's an important lesson to impart to the younger generation so they know how to find the comfort and fit they need.

What They Picked

After the mother and daughter were measured, not only did the daughter try on bras but so did the mother. My suggestions for a girl just starting out:

• The Soft Cami - a fan-favorite, comfortable, versatile, seamless, unlined double-layer wire-free bra top.
• The Soft Crop/Convertible Multiway Bra - ultra-versatile, wearable as a backless halter, criss-cross style, or with fully adjustable cami straps.
• The Cotton Stretch Racerback - seamless, supportive, and built for medium-impact activities.
• The Everyday Bra - a versatile, all-day supportive bra with a back closure and removable cups.

In the end, the daughter loved the Soft Crop/Convertible Multiway Bra in 28-30, and the mother loved the Soft Day Bra in 36-38. Both mother and daughter left satisfied with their new well-fitting bras, and their new knowledge about how to find the correct bra size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to help a nervous first-time bra shopper feel comfortable?

Measuring a parent or trusted adult first, right in front of the teen, takes the mystery out of the process. It shows how quick and painless measuring actually is before it's her turn.

Why did my daughter's bra size come out bigger than I expected?

Most people focus on cup letter alone, but the letter only means something relative to the band. A smaller band paired with a moderate difference between band and bust can produce a cup letter that looks surprising at first, even though it's accurate.

Is a C cup the same size on every body?

No. A 28C and a 38C share the same 3-inch difference between band and bust, but the actual bust and band measurements underneath are very different, so the physical size is not the same at all.

The Cheat Sheet

• Measure Underbust: Wrap a soft measuring tape around your body, 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 AA up through DDD/F.

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