My Smarty Pants Bra Fitting Guide

International reports suggest that between 70- 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, that is a lot of women out there walking around being uncomfortable!

A badly fitting bra can also cause health consequences. Back, neck and shoulder pain caused by bad posture can be attributed to an ill fitting bra size. Irritation and soreness from the bra rubbing and by not lifting and supporting your breasts properly can also be unflattering under your clothing too.

If your bra fits correctly, it should not be painful, or uncomfortable to wear. When choosing a bra, try to get yourself fitted by a professional.

Tips on getting a bra size right:

• The band size (chest size) is the number of your bra size. The cup size is the latter part. eg: if you are a 34C, then 34 is your band and C is your cup.
• You will get a more accurate measurement if you allow someone else to do it for you. Not all fittings will tell you the 'right' size, but will give you a very good place to start.
• Take the time to try on different brands and styles. Every style fits and feels diffently, and will determine the shape of the bustline.

Finding the band size:

• Have someone measure around your chest with a tape measure, just under your breasts, around to the back. Ensure the tape measure lays flat against the skin, and it in a straight line across the body. Add 4- 5 inches to this measurement- that's your band (chest) size! eg- 32+ 4= 36 inch band size.
• If you end up with an odd number, go up to the next even number as bra sizes usually only come in even numbers.
• If you are a 'plus size', you won't need to add those extra inches.

Finding the cup size:

• Have someone measure you again, this time the measurement goes on top of the fullest part of your breasts. If you already own a well fitting non padded bra, you can wear this whilst getting fitted, as long as it does not flatten the breasts. Record this number, and find the difference between that and the first initail band size. The difference tells you your cup size:

Difference:

inches negative <1 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8"

cup size AAAA or AAA AA A B C D DD or E DDD or F DDDD or G

Rememeber again, bra fitting is not exact science. And how could it be when womens breasts come in so many shapes and sizes? Most of us have one bigger than the other, they might be challenged by gravity etc. It it fits right, and feels comfortable, it's your size even if the tape measure tells you differently.

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