Bra Fitting 101: Are You Wearing the Right Size?

It has been estimated that up to an astounding 80% of all women wear the incorrect size bra, which can lead to back and other problems. With a few simple tips, you can guarantee you are wearing the right size and help reduce your risk of pain.

A Few Simple Facts About Bra Fitting

There are two key things to remember when measuring your bra size: band size and cup size. The band size is the measurement around your torso (i.e. the 36 part in a 36C measurement) and the cup size is the letter.

Just short of being an amazing contortionist, getting an accurate measurement is not something you can do yourself. Many lingerie stores offer help in bra sizing, and it is not necessary for you to remove any clothing to be measured, unless you are wearing super heavy clothing. (A simple tee shirt is recommended while fitting.)

If you are planning on being fitted with your old bra on, do not wear a padded bra. The key is accuracy in cup size, not what we wish our cup size was.

Finding the Band Size

Have your "measurement buddy" start with a tape measure just underneath your breasts and around your back, making sure the tape is flat against your skin. Add four inches to this measurement, and you have your band size. If you encounter an odd number, round up to the nearest even number (bra sizes only come in even numbers.)

Finding the Cup Size

Again, take a tape measure flat along your back, but this time instead of measuring under your breasts, measure across their fullest peaks. Add four inches, and compare with your band size measure. The difference is your cup size, keeping in mind the following:

Negative Number AA A

Less than 1" AA

1" A

2" B

3" C

4" D

5" DD or E

6" DDD or F

How to Tell a Bra Fits Correctly

- If you are choosing an underwire bra, the wire portion should rest flat against the skin and comfortably between your breasts. No poking here!

- You should not be spilling from the cup for any reason. That includes top, bottom, and sides.

- Raising your arms, make sure your bra stays snug in place without riding up. If it does, adjust the shoulder straps until this is no longer the case.