This post was borught in partnership with Debenhams lingerie. Seriously, when I was in the UK I was so jealous that you can just go in there and actually find sizes like 28DD hanging on a rack, and they are cute and affordable! And on that note, Debenham's has a lovely online store with lingerie and more, and international shipping to many countries.
I have already written a measuring guide using tables and a good size calculator. However when I´m nowhere near a computer, I like to use a very simple method for calculating someone´s bra size. All you need is a measuring tape that uses inches.
This method works only in the UK sizing. If you are in the US, you may still find that many brand with a bigger range of sizes use the UK system, as the US system is very unorganised.
Another thing I like about this method that it demonstrates simply how cup size is not static but is relative to band size (what this means is that a 34B is a bigger cup size than a 32B; or that the cups of a 36D, 34DD and 32E are the same size.)
If you have just discovered your correct bra size for the first time, have fun in this new world where bras are comfortable, supportive and pretty, no matter what your size is. If you have been reading this blog for a while, I'd love to know whether you prefer to calculate bra sizes this way or do you just use the calculator of Sophisticated pair, or maybe another method?
This method works only in the UK sizing. If you are in the US, you may still find that many brand with a bigger range of sizes use the UK system, as the US system is very unorganised.
How to calculate your bra size:
1. Measure tightly under the bust, on exhale.
2. Measure loosely in the bust, once standing and once leaning forward. If the difference is bigger than two inches, use the average of the two numbers. If less, use the leaning measurement.
3. Calculate the difference between the bust and the underbust measurement. Each inch stands for a cup size. For example, if the underbust measurement is 30 inches and the bust measurement is 36, the difference is 6 inches. That means an E cup (the cups go: A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF; G, GG, H, HH, I, JJ, K, KK) (and no, I have no idea why this sequence is so weird). Less than one inch is an AA cup.
4. Round up your underbust measurement (from step 1) to the nearest even number (if necessary). This is your band size.
5. You got your band and cup size now! Remember that this size is just a starting point, not the final verdict. Try on bras not only in the size you just got from the calculations, but also nearby sizes. Here is how to tell if a bra fits correctly or not.
6. If at this point you are going: "no way I can be an __ cup", you need to know the secrets of the Bra Matrix. And do take a look at these amazing before and afters!
7. This method is not very accurate in the bigger cup sizes (around G and up). You will definitely need to try on several different sizes to find the correct one. Also, read this post on tips on fitting G+ cups.
8. If your underbust measurement is bigger than 36 inches, might need a smaller band size than what this method tells you. This is explained in this post on fitting bigger band sizes.
9. When in doubt (or kinda between sizes), go for the smaller band and the bigger cup.
10. Breasts come in all kinds of shapes, and the firmness and even your body type can influence the size you need to try. Here are a couple of posts with tips on bra fitting for petites, tall women, plus sizes, pectus excavatum, pendulous breasts and migrated breast tissue and shallow breasts. There is tons of info and tips on this blog about where to shop, what to buy, different bra styles, as well as solutions to all kinds of problems.
11. Always remember to scoop and swoop when putting on a bra. I can´t stress how important this is!
Another thing I like about this method that it demonstrates simply how cup size is not static but is relative to band size (what this means is that a 34B is a bigger cup size than a 32B; or that the cups of a 36D, 34DD and 32E are the same size.)
If you have just discovered your correct bra size for the first time, have fun in this new world where bras are comfortable, supportive and pretty, no matter what your size is. If you have been reading this blog for a while, I'd love to know whether you prefer to calculate bra sizes this way or do you just use the calculator of Sophisticated pair, or maybe another method?
