Bra Fitting
Although for any bra size it is important to have the correct band measurement, for smaller bust sizes, it can really make a big difference due to how bra cups are sized. Basically, as the band size goes up, so does the cup size. For example, a 36AA cup is larger than a 34AA cup and a 34AA cup is larger than a 32AA cup.
How to Determine Your Bra Size
STEP 1: Determining Band Size
- Wear a lightly lined or unpadded bra.
- Take the measuring tape and place your fingers on the 8" mark of the tape with your right hand.
- Bring the tape behind your back with your right hand.
- Place your left hand behind your back.
- With your right hand, pass the tape to your left hand, following the bottom edge of the back of your bra band.
- With your left hand, pull the measuring tape to the front of your body, towards the top of your breastbone.
- With your right hand, pull the tape to the front of your body as well, meeting your left hand at a point at the top of your breastbone.
- Do not pull the tape too tight or too loose at your breastbone.
- If the number is even, then that is your band size (i.e. 34”).
- If your measurement is an odd number then add 1”. (i.e. if you measured 31” then round up to 32").
STEP 2: Determining Cup Size
To ensure accuracy, we recommend you measure yourself while wearing an unpadded bra. Using a measuring tape, measure around your body across the fullest part of your bust. Again, this should not be too tight or too loose. To calculate your cup size, subtract your band size from Step 1 from your cup measurement. The following chart provides sizing details.
| Difference | Cup Size |
|---|---|
| Less than 1/2" | AAA |
| Less than 1" | AA |
| 1" | A |
| 2" | B |
| 3" | C |
Bra Size Conversions
| USA | European | Austrailian |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | AAA | AAA |
| AA | AA | AA |
| A | A | A |
| B | B | B |
| C | C | C |
| USA | European | Austrailian |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 65 | 8 |
| 32 | 70 | 10 |
| 34 | 75 | 12 |
| 36 | 80 | 14 |
| 38 | 85 | 16 |
| 40 | 90 | 18 |
Tips for Ensuring the Perfect Fit
The best way to know whether a bra fits well is to try it on!
- All women have one breast that is bigger than the other so choose the cup size of the bigger breast and adjust the strap on the smaller side to accommodate.
- Make sure the straps are adjusted so that in the back, the lower edge of the band should land below the shoulder blades and be level across your body. The back of your bra should not be higher or lower than the front. If it is higher, then you may need to go down a band size or readjust the strap length.
- The center seam (space between the cups) should lie flat against your chest. You will need to go up a cup size if the center seam is not laying flat against your body. The only exception can occur on wireless molded cup bras as these bra styles lack underwires to press the center front area down against your breastbone. As long as you are not spilling out of the top or sides of the cups in the wireless styles, then it is the way the the center front should lay.
- Your breasts should not bulge out of your bra, either at the top or sides of the bra.
What Else You Should Know
- It is perfectly normal to change bra sizes throughout your life. We recommend measuring yourself or have someone measure for you.
- Be aware of variations among bra sizes based on the manufacturer's size interpretation and also the style. Normally, 34B cups are used as the average size and AAA, AA and A cups are scaled down from the B cup. This can result in inaccurate AAA, AA and A cup sizes.
- Bra sizing is very individual. A great fitting bra for one 34AA woman may not fit another 34AA woman the same way. We all vary in breast shape, volume and spacing.
- Bra fitting is not an exact science. Use your bra size as a guideline. There may be instances when you may need to go up or down a size, depending on how the bra was designed.
We know how difficult it can be to purchase a bra online so feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
