Bra Size Question

[Rachel]

I measure under my breasts 36.5 inches and around my breasts 43.5 inches. That would make the size 37 D. But when I look at them they do not look like a D, more like A or B. What am I doing wrong?

[ReaverMarcus]

Ok, I'm actually gonna help with this cause I had to learn about the cup size crap in high school (a time when I thought i was just going through a phase before discovering I was ftm)

Cup sizes are strange. I mean my breasts {which i plan on getting rid of when i have the money} are about 42 inches. I know for a fact that I'm in a 38B (cause bras come in even sizes anyways.) Underbust i am 36 but i have to wear the 38 because i am a big B, but not quite a C.
With the sizes you gave, it sounds like you are similar to me (currently) try a 38B or 40B.

If you want them to perk more, use an underwire, otherwise, try to get a wire free, for comfort. The wire actually can be quite sore are the breasts.

[Rachel]

Thank you.

[Jenna Marie]

Mostly I just second that bras are weird.   Those online measuring guides are just a starting point, and you won't know what size you really are until you try bras on or (even better!) get professionally fitted. I know I've tried those guides and come out anywhere from 36A to 44DD, which is a heck of a range. (Professional fitting put me at 38DD, my favorite perfectly-fitting bras are 42DDD, your guess is as good as mine which is my "real" size. I suspect they're about the *same* size, and expensive brands just run smaller, but anyway...)

Also the broader your chest is, the smaller breasts will look; it's a proportion thing. Cis women with really tiny ribcages can look HUGE at a B cup, whereas someone with a bigger rib cage will look smaller than that at a D cup. 

Your rib cage is not all that big around, mind you, but even a small difference can cause this sort of effect; I'm about an inch to an inch and a half broader across the chest than my wife, but she definitely looked bigger at a DD cup than I do.

(Also there's no such size as 37 - bras only come in even band size numbers - so you'd probably be a 38.)

[Rachel]

Thanks,

got it, even under breast.

I am a 38 and need a fitting, gulp.

I am 6'3", 200 pounds and small rib cage. I definitely could stand to lose 20 pounds too.

Maybe I will order a 38B and see how it fits.

I am 10 months in and a growing girl

[allisonsteph]

Thanks,

got it, even under breast.

I am a 38 and need a fitting, gulp.

I am 6'3", 200 pounds and small rib cage. I definitely could stand to lose 20 pounds too.

Maybe I will order a 38B and see how it fits.

I am 10 months in and a growing girl

I understand the frustration with some of the online guides. I checked three different websites and was given three different sizes.

I'd recommend a professional fitting. I went to Victoria's Secret and they were very helpful. I didn't even have to ask to be measured... the girl saw me looking at a bra display and asked if I needed to be fitted. I was surprised at the size (38C), I wasn't even close with my measurements when I took them on my own.