Something we never learned as teenagers was how to size ourselves for bras, if it looked right we went with it. Most of us learned that at 17 we were a 34C and still wear 34C, but we have matured, gained weight, lost weight and just changed shape in general. We are NOT the same size we were in high school. I can tell you with full confidence that 90% of women are wearing the wrong bra size right now.
I think a lot of it has to do with the stigma that comes with bra size…too big, too small, not big enough for my height, too big for my height, but the problems that can arise from your girls not being fully supported are serious.
Here’s the easy way to measure yourself for a bra:
(drop your ego here and take off your padded bra)
- Find a fashion measuring tape and place the beginning of the tape at the middle of your ribs where your rib cage separates, just below your breasts.
- Hold the end there and wrap the tape around your back until it meets in the middle again. It should be snug, but not tight, enough room for a fingertip to be inserted between the rib cage and measuring tape, but it should lay flat across your back and be straight. This is the number in your bra size, the circumference of your rib cage. For example, mine is 30 inches.
- Next Step: Find the fullest part of your breast, place the tape measure on the outside of your breast, circle the tape around your back and meet back at the start. Make sure the tape is laying flat and has not drooped around your back, keep it as even as possible, this is your bust measurement. You should get a number slightly larger, for example, mine is 34.
- Take your second measurement (your bust measurement) and subtract your first number (your rib cage measurement). 34-30= 4
- 1=A Cup; 2=B Cup; 3=C Cup; 4=D Cup; 5= DD Cup; 6=DDD or E Cup and so on…My Bra Size is a 30D.
A 30D? Yes, you can be smaller than a 32! You can also be bigger than a 44! If this happens, you need to have your bras altered, just like a pair of trousers. Take it to any bra specialty store (not Victoria’s Secret) and ask them to alter it for you.
Don’t trust yourself to do the measurements? Ask a friend or go to a specialty bra retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus. One Stop Shop!
Bras also have “sister sizes”. It’s an “up-down” measurement. Go UP one size in the rib cage, go DOWN one size in cup size. My 30D=32C. Your 32c=34B or 34D=36C. Get it? Got it? GOOD!
Now, need a sports bra that is cup size specific and high impact? Try Moving Comfort in Fiona or
Juno. If you are ordering online, I would suggest going up a number size in Juno as it runs a bit tight. 32C order a 34C…you get it.
Ladies, do the right thing…get in the right bra size! You’ll feel the difference immediately.
Tags: activewear blog, atlanta activewear, bra size, designer work out clothes, fashion, fashion blog, fitness, high impact sports bras for women with large chests, how to measure for bra size, lululemon, mpg sport, rogiani, savannah rock and roll