How To Know Your Bra Cup Size

How to measure your bra size is something that seems straightforward, but if yous Google information technology, you can hands autumn down a rabbit hole of confusing information. It'due south something we often do just once (probably a shop bra-plumbing fixtures dorsum when puberty arrived) and so blissfully ignore for the foreseeable future. Simply, it's coming at a cost, because research suggests that 90% of British women are actually wearing the incorrect bra size, despite the obvious telltale signs.

Signs you're wearing the wrong bra size

If your bra doesn't fit properly, chances are you're not getting the best form of support. Some people even study experiencing discomfort such as:

straps slipping off
gaping cups
spillage
underwire digging in
tightness around your rib cage
back and shoulder pain

Tin can your bra size change?

Yes, absolutely! Your bra size is always going to vary. Factors including diet, weight loss, and hormone fluctuations all contribute, and you may even be totally different cup sizes depending on the brand you lot buy.

But guessing games aside, it is good to have a definitive number and letter to be looking out for to make shopping for a new bra (peculiarly online) enjoyable again.

All you lot need to measure your bra size at home is a tape measure, and a slice of paper to take notes of each measurement you make.

How to measure your bra size at home

First up, let's measure your band size. While braless, bring the tape measure around the top of your rib muzzle, only below where your bra would ordinarily sit. Pull it snug, but not too tight, and take the measurement in inches. Write it down because we'll come back to it in a second.
Whatever number you got as your measurement (e.g. thirty), we're going to add another number to that. So, if y'all got an even number every bit your measurement, you lot're going to +4, or if you got an odd number, +5. Eastward.g. if your original measurement was xxx, information technology would be thirty + iv = 34 (band size). Easy, right?
To mensurate your cup size, wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your breast, and write downwardly the measurement to the nearest whole number.
Nosotros promise you lot like maths! Now subtract your calculated band size from pace one (e.chiliad. 34) from the bust measurement y'all've just done. The difference in inches determines your cup size. Eastward.g. 37 inches (bust) - 34 inches (ring) = 3 inches. That's a 34C. Refer to the chart below for a helping manus...

Yeji Kim

Information technology's worth noting that there may be occasions where you demand to movement upwards or downwardly a bra size, depending on the brand and/or way.

Here'south a guide for how to motion up and down a band or cup size:

Yeji Kim

It may take a few attempts at the cycle of buying, returning, and re-buying in a unlike size to get this totally right, but in one case you lot know, yous know.

For example, if you lot're currently wearing a 36C and it's gaping open up at the cups, you may desire to try a 36B. Even so, if you're wearing a 36C and find the underwire is digging into your sides, it may be because you lot need a 38C.

Signs your bra fits properly

Once y'all remember you're happy with how your bra fits, there are a couple of signs to be sure:

The bra feels secure on the loosest claw. Your bra will lose its elasticity over time, so starting on the claw that gives the biggest band means that you can tighten it when y'all need to, rather than realising it's too large when it'south also tardily.

Your straps experience fixed in place but don't dig in. At that place'southward cypher worse than pulling your bra straps up 100 times a day. Tighten your band beginning, and so tighten your straps then they're secure, but non hurting.

There is a finger-width of space underneath the band. A proficient indicator of whether your bra fits you properly is how many fingers you tin can slide underneath the ring. A well-fitted bra should merely permit you lot slide i finger under it.

Follow all of these steps and you'll be on your way to some well-deserved, well-cupped boobs. Oh, and a bra that fits properly. If you needed an excuse to hit 'purchase' on that lingerie set that'south been sitting in your cart for months...you're welcome.

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Maddy Alford Shopping Editor Maddy is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women's Health, where she styles photoshoots, creates shopping content, and covers celebrity fashion online.