Ladies I need your help. This is a serious request. I am trying to measure for a bra and all the sites I have visited instruct you to measure under your breasts and then add anywhere from 3 to 5 inches to measurement to get the band size. Then you measure across the fullest part of your breasts. The difference between your breast size and your rib cage size denotes the cup size. Here is my dilema. My base measure is 40 inches and my fullest measure is 42. If I follow the directions I should wear a 45 -B. That is just ridiculous! I also measure 40 inches above the breasts as well. Does anyone know of another calculation? I feel I should wear a 40 B but usually end up with a 38C as 40Bs are almost impossible to find. Imagine trying to find a 45-B! LOL *************************************************************** 02-27-03, 02:12 AM Jenny Roberts Georgia The last time I went to be measured, three shops gave me three different sizes. I did it myself eventually using a mail-order catalogue's instructions. I ended up with a 40D which fits perfectly. Most mail order catalogues give measuring instructions and a chart to work out your size. Hope this helps *************************************************************** 02-27-03, 02:53 AM VivienneHa Hi Georgia, I have had a quick look at some of the sites for bra measuring and most of them seem confusing to say the least! Your fullest bust measurement (42) is the size of your bra,do not add 3 inches to it! What you do is calculate the difference between that and your underbust measurement (40) which in your case is 2 inches and that determines your cup size.You can work out your cup size from a chart such as this. AA cup - half inch A cup - one inch B cup - two inches C cup - three inches D cup - four inches DD or E cup - five inches F cup - six inches G cup - seven inches
So by these calculations you should be 42b.Are you sure you are 40 under the bust? This seems quite a broad measurement,I've seen your picture on the site and you seem very slim!Remember that when measuring under the bust to keep the tape tight,but looser when measuring the fullest part. It can be difficult to measure yourself so it might be easier to ask a (good!) friend or better still get a proper bra saleswoman to do it.. I know what Jenny is saying about being given different measurements in shops,but I have generally found the best places are the smaller,more old fashioned establishments,you may not want to buy their bra's but they do seem to know how to fit them! I understand the trouble you have finding the size bra you need,I am a 38b I often have trouble getting the size I want,but it is really worth perserving to get a good fit.Don't be tempted to buy a cup size bigger than you should,the cup size is the size of your actual breast and if you buy a size too big there will not be the correct support and it will not make any difference to the circumference of the bra.If you really can't find a 42b you are better off buying a 40b than a 40c,although both bra's will probably be too tight and end up uncomfortable.
[This message was edited by VivienneHa on 02-27-03 at 03:08 AM.] *************************************************************** 02-27-03, 08:49 AM Georgia85 Yeah Viv - I am sure. The picture may make me look like I am slender but if you study it you will see that I am pretty much an H shape and also note there is no-one around me to compare my size to. I also have a "barrel" chest and very wide back. I have never been able to wear a strapless gown that zipped up the back because of this.
Now for a laugh...after searching through 100's of websites last night I finally found one that said to measure under the breasts and to NOT add any inches to that. I was delighted that someone realized not all woman have a V shaped torso....until I realized the site was for TRANSVESTITES! I just sat and cried. Guess I have a man's shape!!! Frown *************************************************************** 08-02-03, 11:33 AM cattywampus Why not go to the mall and try on a few? I'm a 42DD but have to have a hoist to get them up into it. I have found that a little too big is better than a little too small, and they may shrink (bras not boobs) a bit anyway.
Catty Cool *************************************************************** 08-02-03, 12:39 PM MrsS Catty...sadly, boobs sometimes shrink a bit, too! I go once a year to either Victoria's Secret or The Bon, where they have trained fitters...many upscale shops offer the service, free of charge. Also I find that I need a different size in different types of bra...a 34B for strapless or push-up bras and a 36B for regular ol' everyday bras... *************************************************************** 08-02-03, 04:56 PM Georgia85 Catty...the problem is the band size...not a cup size. I'm a B and just barely - but can't find a bra to fit around my rib cage. So I got professionally measured and I am a 44B....thing is you can't find those anywhere in a strapless. I did find one from Sears...had to special order it...and when I got it the band was shorter then the 38 I have been wearing.
So yesterday I just went and bought a 38B Wonderbar and added 2 bra extenders...that's the only way I can seem to manage.Gosh I'll be glad when winter comes and I can go braless again! *************************************************************** 08-02-03, 04:58 PM cattywampus I like those stores, too, but they're a bit pricey for me. My latest I got at blair.com. It's a plain old Playtex, $20. Fits great, well made, doesn't roll up - I like it and I'm going to get another.
If anyone's interested, I've got 2 almost brand new ones in size maybe 38 D. They've been worn but they're still in great shape.
Catty Wink *************************************************************** 08-02-03, 07:15 PM cattywampus Good luck to you in getting fitted, Georgia. I think the bra extenders are a good idea, if you can hang on to them. I always lose mine.
Catty Smile *************************************************************** 08-02-03, 08:55 PM MrsS Catty...I never said I SHOPPED there...I just shamelessy abuse the free fitting service! I can only shop those places during major clearance sales! *************************************************************** 08-02-03, 09:37 PM cattywampus LOLOL @ MrsS!
Catty Big Grin *************************************************************** 08-04-03, 10:42 AM Elexina I have found Victoria's Secret to be incredibly helpful. The girl there measured me and made suggestions as to which bras fit smaller or larger, etc. Basically, I just tried on about twenty bras until I found one that fit me well. The trouble with sizes is that they're not uniform. You can know your size, but that doesn't mean every bra that size will fit you the same. So it's a good thing you sought professional help Wink. Maybe they can suggest where you can order from? Have you thought of using an ace bandage? Wink *************************************************************** 08-04-03, 11:51 AM Georgia85 I actually went to Victoria Secret last year for help. The sales person put me in a 38 C...which I didn't fill out so the cups stick out about an inch...and the dang thing cuts off my circulation. Not to mention it cost 50 bucks. Felt fine when I first put it on tho! LOL
And you can laugh about an Ace bandage but I actually have used tube tops under shirts before so I wouldn't have to wear a bra Big Grin *************************************************************** 08-04-03, 09:07 PM MrsS Georgia...it would be horridly expensive as an initial investment, but you might contact a corseteer(one who makes corsets) and see about having a couple of bras made to measure...If you can put up $150 (maybe more... Eek)for the first, your pattern can be kept on file and subsequent orders would cost less...and you would have bras you love. *************************************************************** 08-05-03, 08:26 AM Georgia85 I didn't know I could do that MrsS! Excellent idea! Now...what would I look under on realpages.com to find one....cause I'm pretty sure that's not one of our internet headings... LOL *************************************************************** 08-05-03, 08:34 AM MrsS Check in with upscale adult shops in your area...the ones that carry the horridly costly leather accessories and lots of non fiction books. *************************************************************** 09-06-03, 03:10 AM samantha what about under wire bras do you guys like those? *************************************************************** 09-06-03, 10:05 AM MrsS For effect? I love them! For comfort? Dear God, no! I have had a few that I liked, but they always seem to discontinue the ones that don't pinch.....two of my favorite bras are underwires that I took the metal bits out of, relying on the additional seams for support. *************************************************************** 09-07-03, 01:38 AM samantha oh i have never worn one but they sure don't seem to be comfortable at all to me either. *************************************************************** 09-08-03, 02:58 PM kittypal I love underwire bras, they make small boobs look bigger and big boobs get more lift and shape. I NEVER wash mine in the washer or put them in the dryer, it makes the wire all bendy and then it pokes you. My troube is a 32A is a bit tight, but a 34B is too big Roll Eyes Do they make a 33 AB????? *************************************************************** 09-08-03, 03:06 PM Georgia85 Kitty..buy your 32A and then buy a bra extender. You can find these at Walmarts or fabric stores. They come in 2,3,and 4 hook versions and all you do is hook one end to the hooks on your bra band and the other end hooks into the loops on the other side of the band. No sewing involved!
That's what I've been having to do with my 38s to make them into 44s! LOL
And, fyi, I love underwire padded strapless bras. They make us flat chested girls look like we have something to show off! *************************************************************** 09-08-03, 05:25 PM kittypal Kewl, thanks Georgia, I'll do just that!!! Smile *************************************************************** 09-10-03, 10:05 AM Georgia85 Kewl? Is he here?? Run for cover! Razz
But yes Kitty, extenders will lengthen the band while the cup of course stays the same. I have seen the commercial advertising the new line from Playtex that does have half sizes in the cups now. You might want to look into that if you need a slightly larger cup. *************************************************************** 09-10-03, 12:53 PM kittypal Yeaaaaaaaaaa, I did buy an extender AND one of the new platex bras, it does fit better, but I still like my underwire better so I will put the extender on that!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! Smile *************************************************************** 09-10-03, 01:19 PM Georgia85 Well I'm glad I could help you with your quest! Now remember mine...if you ever see a STRAPLESS underwire padded bra in a 44 B GRAB IT for me! Big Grin *************************************************************** 09-16-03, 01:50 PM Ruthann Georgia, Just thought you might be interested in these new bra auctions on ebay. *************************************************************** 09-16-03, 03:19 PM Georgia85 WOW! I just checked out the link...only one strapless bra listed with a starting bid of 15 dollars. THANKS Ruthann! I've never done this before but I'd def gonna give this auction thing a try.
Think I should order an "open bust bra" while I'm at it? Big Grin *************************************************************** 11-09-03, 08:57 AM angela-cc Don't fall into the booby trap!
Finding a perfect fitting bra can be a daunting task for most women. Many fall into the 'booby trap' by either making do with what they have or simply choosing the bra size they think they are. Most of us still don't seek expert advice when buying a bra. We go on buying the same sized bra for years without considering whether it still fits. Wearing the wrong sized bra may not just affect our appearance, it can also affect our health. Incorrectly fitted bras can be responsible for problems with the skin, back and posture, as well as causing the obvious aching breasts. The best idea is to go to a women's shop and get an expert fitting. After all that's what they get paid for. *************************************************************** 11-12-05, 03:15 PM booyalab hi people, I just joined.
I have a weird bra size, 30E/F, and so I've done a bit of research to find a better bra size calculation method than what is suggested by most manufacturers.
I suggest the method from this link even if you dont think you're a 'plus size' bra type. http://www.plussizebras.org/measure.html the abovebust measurement is very important, although you dont hear about it often, because logically your rib cage measurement where the chest band sits should NOT be larger than the rib cage measurement above your bust, but often the standard calculation results in a measurement for chestband that is higher than what the above bust measurement would be. (the author of the link believes that is done by manufacturers to reduce inventory, and that is definitely a plausible theory if you think about it...VS only seems to have 34ABCD 36ABCD)
Here's an example: My underbust measurement is between 28 and 29 inches. According to the standard calculation, I add 4 or 5 depending on whether it's even or odd,so my chest band measurement is 32 or 34. Yet my above bust measurement is 30! there's no way that the circumference of my ribs below the 30 measurement would be 2-4 inches more!
as for 'fitting professionals', i wouldn't necessarily trust them. Alot of them work on comission, which encourages them to give you any bra..even if they dont have your correct size..just so you'll buy something, instead of suggesting you try somewhere else that has your correct size. *************************************************************** 11-12-05, 06:02 PM Sherasi I've bought quite a few from Victoria's Secret Stores and good results. They were careful to measure me right and I have liked the products I received. Smile
Since losing my weight, I will soon neeed to be getting more smaller ones because I can see chnages in my appearance and the fir of the bras. *************************************************************** 11-14-05, 01:03 PM Georgia85
quote: Originally posted by booyalab: logically your rib cage measurement where the chest band sits should NOT be larger than the rib cage measurement above your bust
mine is....Roll Eyes 42 chest band, 39 above... No wonder I can't find anything to fit. *************************************************************** 11-15-05, 09:37 PM GarColga I felt terribly guilty reading this thread Razz *************************************************************** 11-19-05, 04:29 PM booyalab
quote: Originally posted by Georgia85:
quote: Originally posted by booyalab: logically your rib cage measurement where the chest band sits should NOT be larger than the rib cage measurement above your bust
mine is....Roll Eyes 42 chest band, 39 above... No wonder I can't find anything to fit.
what's your underbust measurement? the reason I ask is because your chest band measurement should be somewhere in between that and the above one. i dont understand how it's possible for the middle measurement to be higher because the human back tapers from the shoulders to the waist. Even if you're on the heavy side, the top of the back should be that much larger..proportionately. Is it possible you're figuring some of the breast fat or tissue in with your calculation of the chest band measurement? So that your chest band measurement is actually 40 but your cup is larger than you thought? *************************************************************** 11-20-05, 12:13 PM aminator2002 Apparently my personal opinion was just backed by Oprah so I guess it's time to post it. Nordstroms has the best bra department anywhere and they do an excellent job of finding the perfect bra for each person. The best thing is to go and be fitted at the store. It will make a difference. They carry more sizes - as mentioned above Vic Secrets only carries up to D and many women need a larger cup than D. *************************************************************** 11-21-05, 08:17 AM Georgia85 Booyalab - underbust is 42 inches. The top of my back is not larger - I have what is called a "barrel chest" or enlarged rib cage. *************************************************************** 02-11-06, 03:23 PM VivienneHa Thought I would bring this topic up again as I have just had a great bra buying experience. After much persuasion from a friend we went up to Mayfair in London to Rigby and Peller's,(a very high class lingerie shop,it's where the queen has all her underwear made !) The shop is renown for it's fitting service,it's range of bra sizes (stocks FF cups),and that fact that if they don't stock your perfect bra then they will make it ( at a cost). I have worn bra's from 36A to 38B. Rigby and Peller reckon that 85% of women who walk through their doors are wearing the wrong bra size.As lately I have come to realise that 38 is too big,I was fairly sure that at they would find me to be 36B,I really couldn't see any other possibility.For a start they didn't measure me,not a tape in sight! The fitter pulled at my 36" band declaring it too loose,then using her thumb and index finger she stretched her hand under my cup.She came back with several bra's,the first one I tried on fitted perfectly,when I asked her what size it was, she replied 34D and I nearly fainted ! I tried 3 bra's of different makes all 34D and they all fitted fine.Needless to say totally overcome by my newfound voluptuousness,I spent a fortune on new underwear! Now this seems like a huge difference in sizes, but I realise why. With the method given on so many web sites etc I take my underbust measurement 34 add 4 38 which is meant to be my band size measure my bust 38/39 then the inch difference makes me an A cup,but if I use the correct way of measuring my bust,which is, measure my under bust, 34 inches,measure my fullest part,38 inches,work out the difference 4inches,voila ! i'm a 34D! They bra's I bought are all underwired but not one of them is padded,which my bra's usually are,yet I have better shape then previously. Also an invaluble thing they showed me was how to put your bra on correctly.You should bend forward and drop in to the cups,then using your hand lift your breast from the sides forward into the bra so they are full into the cup and pointing forward.If you wear an underwired bra,they wire should never dig into you.It should encase the outside of your bust The wire at the bottom shouldn't be tucked right under your breast but lie on your ribcage just under where your bust ends. I now realise many bra sizes fit, but only one fits perfectly
