Tales From the BRABAR Studio: You Don’t Have to Find the Right Bra Alone

Bra shopping can be an awkward and confusing experience, but when you go with friends, it can make things ten times easier.

Two friends arrived, one was looking for bras, the other was not. This was usually the case when groups of people came into the BRABAR Studio location. Having a support system, be it a friend, sister, cousin, mom, aunt, grandmother, or whomever, can make the bra shopping experience better, especially when you could use a second opinion.

Measuring Both Friends

I measured both young women. The one who originally had been looking for bras measured 24 inches in her underbust, so her band was 24. Her overbust measurement was 30. The 24 band from the 30 overbust is a difference of 6 inches. Each inch is a cup size, so her cup size was DDD. Her bra size was a 24DDD.

The young woman in question told me she had been wearing 32AA her whole life. This is a very common issue for people with a petite ribcage, since they often can't find a bra that fits. She was thrilled to find her correct bra size and understand why her bras never fit and always gapped unflatteringly.

I measured her friend with an underbust of 34, so her band size was 34. Her overbust measurement was 39. The 34 band from the 39 overbust is a difference of 5 inches - a DD cup. Her bra size was 34DD.

What They Chose

They both asked for suggestions. For both young women, I suggested:

• The Everyday Bra - a versatile, all-day supportive bra with a back closure and removable cups.
• The Soft Cami - a fan-favorite, seamless, unlined double-layer wire-free bra top.
• The Soft Crop/Convertible Multiway Bra - wearable as a backless halter, criss-cross style, or with fully adjustable cami straps.
• The Soft Day Bra - combines the everyday ease of a bralette with a surprisingly supportive bra.
• The Soft V Laceback Bralette - a reversible bralette with a V-neck lace back, perfect for everyday wear.
• The Everyday Longline Cami - a sophisticated longline cami bra ideal for layering.

The young woman who was the 24DDD loved the Everyday Bra, the Soft Day Bra, and the Soft V Laceback Bralette. The young woman who was the 34DD loved the Soft V Laceback Bralette and all its colors - Pale Mauve, Faded Denim, Black, Ash, Asphalt, and Chive. Both left the store confident and secure with new bras they loved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it common to be sized much larger or smaller than expected?

Yes. A petite ribcage paired with a fuller bust is one of the most underserved combinations in mainstream sizing, which is exactly why so many women in that range end up wearing bands that are far too large for years without knowing it.

Should I bring someone with me to get measured?

It can genuinely help. Bra fitting can feel awkward alone, and having a friend, sibling, or parent along - whether or not they're also getting measured - tends to make the whole process feel more comfortable.

Why do two different band sizes sometimes end up with the same cup letter feeling so different?

Cup letter only measures the difference between band and bust, not the actual volume. A 24DDD and a 34DD are both technically full-cup sizes relative to their bands, but the real proportions and appropriate styles differ quite a bit.

The Cheat Sheet

Here's a helpful tool for understanding the correct band measurements and how to measure bust sizes:

• Measure Underbust: Wrap a soft measuring tape around your body, just below your breasts. Round to the nearest even whole number for your band size.
• Measure Overbust: Wrap the tape around your body 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, moving from A up through DDD/F.

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