What's up with bra sizing!?

[foot_lover_jess]

Okay, so after a year of hormones, I have clear and obvious breasts.
They are clearly visible if I were to ear a tighter top or dress.
They bounce, they hurt, they are sensitive...
But I'm something of an AAAA still? Really?
Okay, so my measurements are 33" under breast, and 37" around at nipple height.
That gets me a 38 band, and a -1 cup size, so, that's a I'm flatter than plywood?
At least on the good size I'm up a full two inches from exactly one month ago.
Am I doing something wrong that the hormones aren't being effective? Not enough sleep? Too much caffeine? Too much stress?
ARG!

[BunnyBee]

The best thing is to try them on because manufacturers can be kind of arbitrary with how they do their measurements.  If the material on the cup wrinkles or is loose, the cup size is too big; if your breasts overflow on the bottom, top or sides, the cup size is too small. For the band, if the straps are digging into your shoulders, you need a smaller band because the band should be doing most of the support work.  If  the band rides up on your back you need a smaller band.  If the band digs into your skin so it squeezes out from the band, you need a smaller one.

[foot_lover_jess]

36A, that's what I wear now, since that seems to be the closest to the measurement that is not too complex to buy.
It's not like I can just go out and try different sizes on at this point.
3", really? I've always head 4 if even, 5 if odd.
So 33 + 3 gets me a 36 band and +1 cup, so 36B? Obviously you did that math, hu?
Well, hell. I'll have to pick a B and see if I get a nice fitting surprise then.
I just keep looking down and thinking... There's no way I'm not at least an A. :/
Of course I only recently started measurements for progress, no idea why I never thought of it before. Really with I did could I could see where I started from.
I suppose I should just sit there and look more carefully how it fits now though.

Thanks.

[Ann Onymous]

Even a specialist is going to tell you that the old math was still just ball-parking it and that different manufacturers will fit differently even though the two bras were labeled as the same size...

I've lost track of the number of different sizes I have seen over the past 20 years or so of buying them...even sports bras are not always consistent.

[Tyler]

First thing, adding numbers to your measurements are a thing of the past. That was done when bands did not give any strech. With a 33 underbust that would put you at 32 or 34 band size. If you are 37 inches of overbust, that is a four inch difference. Putting you at a 32D 34D. If I were you I would try on your new size, Maybe vary down to C.

http://www.wisegeek.com/videos/326722981.htm

[BunnyBee]

3", really? I've always head 4 if even, 5 if odd.
Thanks.

I think I had the 3" in my head for my measurement, but I think that only applies to measurements over 34".  Really though, going by measurements is a total shot in the dark, which is why I deleted all that anyway.  You really have to try them on and see how they actually fit.  Not only are manufacturers inconsistent, but measuring yourself can be really tricky and variable.  If you can't go out, order the size you think is best and then send it back if it's wrong.

[JungianZoe]

I agree... you have to try them on.  Even within manufacturers, sizing can be wildly variable.  I have two Victoria's Secret bras that are the same size, numerically speaking, yet I only halfway fill the cups on one of them and almost completely fill the cups on the other.  No amount of self-measurement could have predicted that anomaly.

[Tyler]

Yeah! Like everyone else is saying, you gotta try them on!

[foot_lover_jess]

Thank you all, I knew there was variances, but I wasnt aware they were that great.
Seems Ill have to go shopping... Oh Darn!

[LivingInGrey]

I just went through this.

I did the +2 (+3 for odd measurement) to under breast and I ended up with 39 +3 = 42. One of my new bras are a 40 and fits fine, the other one is a 42 and it's a little snug.

I wont even go into cup size

[JennX]

I agree... you have to try them on.  Even within manufacturers, sizing can be wildly variable.

This + 1000.

I was in the mall the other day looking at jeans. I pulled out 3 different pairs of size 6 Guess jeans... all 3 had different waist widths when held up side by side, despite all 3 being marked "size 6" (same model/brand/etc)... none of the 3 were exactly the same. Buying clothes sucks... and I hate trying stuff on... but there really is no other way to be sure.

[Jillieann Rose]

Oh my Jennx.
I love shopping and trying clothing on.
The only thing better is buying them. 

I have found the same thing true with bras as the jother girls have said.
In my wardrobe is mostly 36B bras and they fit good to fair. But I have 1 40B that fits great.
I tried some other the same size and the girls get lost in them.

Yes going shopping and trying the bras on is the best way.

[justmeinoz]

If you go to a specialist bra shop they will have had experience with CD and TS customers, so it's no big deal to them.
You are a customer with MONEY!  and there is a fair chance you will be a regular if they do a good job. The women I have dealt with have been great, genuinely interested and friendly.
Have fun. lots of nice things in those sorts of shops.

Karen.

[Dana_H]

I don't know why it is, but I have found that women's sizes in apparel are FAR less uniform than men's sizes. I can walk into any department store menswear section, pick a brand at random, find an article of clothing in my size, and know that it will probably fit.  With the women's section, it's a real crapshoot.  I currently have four bras in the exact same size (supposedly) in four different brands;  one fits well, one is too small, one is too big, and one has a band so short that it takes two band extenders just to get it to hook. Guess which brand I'll be buying from now on.

[BunnyBee]

Don't get me started on the Gap and sizing discrepancies.  It is total craziness.  A large can be like wearing a tent.  "Big top" in more ways than one.  "Ohh it's a Small and I fit it!  I must have it!!"  I guess this is the logic? =/

[JungianZoe]

Don't get me started on the Gap and sizing discrepancies.  It is total craziness.  A large can be like wearing a tent.  "Ohh it's a Small and I fit it!  I must have it!!"  I guess this is the logic? =/

Just last week, my ex and I were in the Gap and she confirmed that logic.   That's the only store where I can fit into an XS size with enough room left over to smuggle an iguana under my shirt.

[BunnyBee]

Lol.  Well there's a side benefit I hadn't thought of

[Keaira]

The history channel had a documentary on it once: The History of The Bra.
It was really interesting. The average bra lasts around 6 months with constant usage. Bra sizing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so its best to try before you buy. Also its best to get sized professionally and then go from there.

those were some of the facts they brought up.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/man-made/3072/Overview#tab-Videos
and
http://www.thehistoryof.net/the-history-of-the-bra.html

[foot_lover_jess]

I was in the mall the other day looking at jeans. I pulled out 3 different pairs of size 6 Guess jeans... all 3 had different waist widths when held up side by side, despite all 3 being marked "size 6" (same model/brand/etc)... none of the 3 were exactly the same. Buying clothes sucks... and I hate trying stuff on... but there really is no other way to be sure.

I've found Mossimo to be fairly true. I have a few of size 8s and they are danged close.
Although we were in JCPenny's the other week and ended up with a size 2 dress! --Neither of us are a 2! HA! It must have been in the "feel good about your size" section.

[foot_lover_jess]

If you go to a specialist bra shop they will have had experience with CD and TS customers, so it's no big deal to them.
You are a customer with MONEY!

Yea... NOT AROUND HERE!

I don't know why it is, but I have found that women's sizes in apparel are FAR less uniform than men's sizes. I can walk into any department store menswear section, pick a brand at random, find an article of clothing in my size, and know that it will probably fit.  With the women's section, it's a real crapshoot.

Well, see, I'd imagine that's because men don't mind going by measured inches but women don't want to be a size 30! Being size 8 sounds so much better. But then, there is no real measured inch to size standard, so each brond creates their own standard and then falls with 10% of it.

Don't get me started on the Gap and sizing discrepancies.  It is total craziness.  A large can be like wearing a tent.  "Big top" in more ways than one.  "Ohh it's a Small and I fit it!  I must have it!!"  I guess this is the logic? =/

YES! YES! YES!

The history channel had a documentary on it once: The History of The Bra.

I usually don't miss any documentaries! How'd I miss that one... hum.
AAAHHH!!!!
There's no video at natgeo? There's just no content.
Maybe some other site has it up somewhere.

Oh!
wearing a nice 36B Victorias Secret and didn't bounce all around while driving in to work today! yeay!