Bra sizing

[KathyLauren]

Try it out!.......  A Bra That Fits

I tried it out, and it told me I should wear a 36B.  The person in the store measured me at 38A, but the bra she got for me was in fact a "Medium" that claims it fits 38A, 36B and 34C.  So it sounds like it works for me.  And I like the sound of 36B better than 38A.  Might have more variety, too.

[Jessica]

I tried it out, and it told me I should wear a 36B.  The person in the store measured me at 38A, but the bra she got for me was in fact a "Medium" that claims it fits 38A, 36B and 34C.  So it sounds like it works for me.  And I like the sound of 36B better than 38A.  Might have more variety, too.

I'm glad it worked for you @KathyLauren as well as it worked for me.
But as with most anything, not for all.

[valerie anne]

The method I use for my bra fitting is as follows:

Measure under your boobs, that is your basic band size. Then with no bra, measure across your nipples. If the answer is 1" bigger, you are an A, if 2" bigger, a B and so on. That's only the start, though.

Now go on eBay and order a couple of cheap bras to your nominal size (but not ones from China, cup sizes too small). Better to bid for used bras from well known makes like M&S or Victorias Secret. Used bras can be bid for very cheaply.

When they come, assess whether they fit well or not. After a couple of tries you will establish your size with reference to a principal supplier and off you go.

A new brassiere may well feel firm on first wearing, but my "go to" bras were always a bit too tight to start with.

When in doubt, I go for the larger cup size with padding, as I can always use chicken fillets and nipple pumps to advantage.

Unsuitable bras can go to the Salvation Army.   

[KatieP]

I too tried the ABTF measurement method. I currently wear 38B in most US bra lines. (This came from being professionally measured a couple times, and years of thinking 38B was very comfortable -- I have not had any discomfort with this size.) But the ABTF site said 38DD. My first thought was, "IF ONLY!" And, I went through all the measurements again, thinking I had messed up the process. Nope. It said 38DD again.

Then I read a lot more on the site. Learning about "Swoop and Scoop" and the ABTF method was a bit different than I had ever heard. So, with my 38B bra (actually I tried 3 different ones), I used the ABTF Swoop and Scoop. And... Sure enough, the cups were too small. Well, what do you know about that???

But... I don't think they were THAT far off.

I think I will try 38C in the same brand, and see how that goes.

In every case, this was FABULOUS information!!! Thanks!!

Kate

[LexieDragon]

hmmm, looked up swoop and scoop...interesting...

[Donica]

So I just went to Victoria's Secret website an used there bra calculator. I measure 40 inches above my breast and 43-44 inches over my breast. Victoria's calculator says my bra size is 40C. So my question is, Victoria's Secret bras fit as measured? I ask because, the bras that I have now are from Bare Necessities Glamorise collection in size 44A (should be 44B) and they fit?   

[Harley Quinn]

So I just went to Victoria's Secret website an used there bra calculator. I measure 40 inches above my breast and 43-44 inches over my breast. Victoria's calculator says my bra size is 40C. So my question is, Victoria's Secret bras fit as measured? I ask because, the bras that I have now are from Bare Necessities Glamorise collection in size 44A (should be 44B) and they fit?   

In my experience with VS bras, no they do not fit as measured.  Your best bet with their stuff is to just try it on.

[mm]

Best to go to a bra specialty shop or dept store that has a good bra dept to get measured and the best fit.  VS is known to fit you in the bra they have in the store not the correct one for you.

[KatieP]

I think the problem with VS is the inconsistent quality of both people and product.

The first "professional" bra fitting I ever had, which now seems like about 100 years ago, was at the VS in Redmond Town Center, WA. The middle-aged woman "manning" the store was VERY accepting of me, took her time, and after measurement, let me try on about 15 options. I still have the two bras I bought that evening. They are worn and stretched, but I keep them because I still think of them as the most comfortable bras I have ever owned. (Although one of my ThirdLove bras took over actual 1st place in that category last year.)

[mm]

ThirdLove has great bras if you can afford them.  They do last I understand.

[krobinson103]

I too tried the ABTF measurement method. I currently wear 38B in most US bra lines. (This came from being professionally measured a couple times, and years of thinking 38B was very comfortable -- I have not had any discomfort with this size.) But the ABTF site said 38DD. My first thought was, "IF ONLY!" And, I went through all the measurements again, thinking I had messed up the process. Nope. It said 38DD again.

Then I read a lot more on the site. Learning about "Swoop and Scoop" and the ABTF method was a bit different than I had ever heard. So, with my 38B bra (actually I tried 3 different ones), I used the ABTF Swoop and Scoop. And... Sure enough, the cups were too small. Well, what do you know about that???

But... I don't think they were THAT far off.

I think I will try 38C in the same brand, and see how that goes.

In every case, this was FABULOUS information!!! Thanks!!

Kate

Reading this I looked up 'swoop and scope' OMG what a difference it makes... a whole cup size and D cup fits really well with no extra space. No one tells you these things when you are trans sadly.

[KatieP]

Reading this I looked up 'swoop and scope' OMG what a difference it makes... a whole cup size and D cup fits really well with no extra space. No one tells you these things when you are trans sadly.

Based on the stats, and comments about genetic women being in the incorrect size, I am not sure anyone tells the cis-gendered women these things either...

Well, now we on this thread anyway, know one of the gnostic secrets of the universe... 

Kate

[KatieP]

Actually...

Thinking about it, one reason swoop and scoop makes so much difference for us is that there is so much breast essentially in the arm pits, because of the wide set breast roots. At least for me. So, the part that has the most effect in filling my cups is the swoop part, which pulls all that material from the side, into the bra cup.

Wasted cleavage there in the arm pit! Who knew?

[krobinson103]

Actually...

Thinking about it, one reason swoop and scoop makes so much difference for us is that there is so much breast essentially in the arm pits, because of the wide set breast roots. At least for me. So, the part that has the most effect in filling my cups is the swoop part, which pulls all that material from the side, into the bra cup.

Wasted cleavage there in the arm pit! Who knew?

exactly. I can actually get a decent cleavage going doing that despite my larger rib cage.

[Donica]

How many of you like underwire bras? All of mine are wire free. I had one years ago but I remember it poking me in all the wrong places. I think the wire free are more comfortable but I'm still not completely happy with them. I think I need longer (or more stretchable) straps because the front starts to ride up a bit when I raise my arms. But the straps still fall off too???

[KathyLauren]

How many of you like underwire bras? All of mine are wire free.

I don't like wires.  I think they make the bra less accommodating of our wider-than-cis interboobular distance.

[Jessica]

@KathyLauren

I don't like wires.  I think they make the bra less accommodating of our wider-than-cis interboobular distance.

I entirely agree, my wireless bras form fit me best and the swoop and scoop does work to bring the girls center and forward, decreasing the interboobulation! 

[Anne Blake]

Most of my bras are wired and few wire free. I only have problems with the wires when a growth spurt has sensitivity to the outer areas, not common. I find more style choices if I accept and can handle the under wires.

Tia Anne

[KatieP]

I find too that the underwire helps keep the swoop part of the breast inside the bra cup. I think I have only 2 bras that don't have underwire and they are old and rarely worn. Perhaps one just gets used to the wires at some point?

Katie

[mm]

Underwire bras definitely need to be the correct size and style or the wires will poke you all the time you have it on.  Need to get fitted and try on different sizes/styles until you find the one that feel the best. It should be like you almost don't even know you have a bra on.  If you have any size at all the swoop and scoop procedure does make them and you feel and look a lot better.  Finding a comfortable bra can take some looking around and trying on many different ones.