Bra sizing

[AnneK]

I'll soon be starting on hormones and hopefully will be needing larger bras.  I understand the band sizes, but also see small, large, etc.  How do those compare with band size?  I'm currently a 38A.  Would that be a large? Medium?  Is there any actual correlation between the two systems?

[KathyLauren]

Congrats on starting HRT soon!

Bra sizing is all smoke and mirrors.  The only thing that works is to try them on.

I am a 38A, too.  My dressy bras are 36B with an extender, because I couldn't fill the 38As that I tried on.  My at-home, walking the dog bras are Large, due to the band size.

[GordonG]

Bra sizing is all smoke and mirrors.  The only thing that works is to try them on.

I am a 38A, too.  My dressy bras are 36B with an extender, because I couldn't fill the 38As that I tried on.  My at-home, walking the dog bras are Large, due to the band size.

I have a 46 B that I don't fill at all. Can't find a 46 A or AA that I would want. I have to rely on online ordering, as there are no stores I can go into to try on such a size.

[AnneK]

Congrats on starting HRT soon!

Tnx

I was thinking of those S-M-L type bras for when I'm growing, as they don't seem to have a cup size.  I'll get a proper fitting again, after I've been on hormones for a couple of years.

As I mentioned in another thread, my appointment with the endocrinologist is in April.  Hopefully, I can start the hormones shortly after.  I have no idea what to expect, as in Ontario it's informed consent, with no need for a therapist.  In some threads, I've read about someone getting the prescription on the first endocrinologist visit, others, a later visit.

[AnneK]

I have a 46 B that I don't fill at all. Can't find a 46 A or AA that I would want. I have to rely on online ordering, as there are no stores I can go into to try on such a size.

Hopefully, I won't have that problem, as I already nicely fill a 38A and 38B & C appear to be fairly common.  I bought my bras from a bra shop where I was measured and the clerk found some bras for me to choose from.

[Jaime320]

It's all smoke and mirrors when it comes to clothes, intimates included. Try things on and find the brands you like.  You'll quickly learn why works. Many stores have online ordering with free shipping and in store returns. When it comes to bras, learn about sister sizing. It's come in handy a few times. Good luck and congrats on starting HRT.

Oh and when it comes to sizing use a cloth tape measure and use the manufacturer sizing guide to get in ball park.

[valerie anne]

Finding your bra size for a particular make is a protracted process!

It doesn't help that there are different measurement methods.

The modern way is to measure under your boobs, and that is your band size. Then. preferably wearing an unpadded bra, you measure over your nipples. If you are 1" bigger, it's a A cup, 2" bigger, it's a B cup etc.

But all the bra manufacturers seem to have slightly different standards, and it also depends on the style you desire: plunge, balconette, unpadded etc.

I resorted to buying cheap pre-owned bras on eBay, so that I could try the various combinatons of band and cup size. Those that didn't fit, I sent to the clothes bank.

I would add that if you are not used to wearing a bra, then an intitial wearing might appear to be impossibly tight. A bra is a support garment, and it requires a tight back band and shoulder straps.

It will mark you!       

[AnneK]

I resorted to buying cheap pre-owned bras on eBay, so that I could try the various combinatons of band and cup size. Those that didn't fit, I sent to the clothes bank.

I would add that if you are not used to wearing a bra, then an intitial wearing might appear to be impossibly tight. A bra is a support garment, and it requires a tight back band and shoulder straps.

It will mark you!       

I've been wearing a bra daily for over 3 years, so I'm used to wearing one.  I see Walmart has some bras that are cheap enough to experiment with, though I'd go elsewhere for good bras.

[kaitylynn]

As near as I can tell, your original question about small/medium/large correspondence to band/cup sizing is that one is for sports bras and the other for traditional bras.  I was a 38B and started getting pretty active and felt the need for extra support.  When I started needing a sports bra, a large seemed to correspond to my traditional band size or 38.  That is about as near as I think the two are close.

Interesting, I am now a bit larger in cup size and had to replace all of my traditional bras for 38(larger cup) ones.  I still wear the same sports bras though...like the cups stretch so they can accommodate everything from an A to pretty big!  The band size of the large sports bras are still perfect.

[AnneK]

As near as I can tell, your original question about small/medium/large correspondence to band/cup sizing is that one is for sports bras and the other for traditional bras.

Yes, I was wondering about the sports bras.  I'm trying to decide the best way to go as I grow.  My current bras, which I bought in a bra shop, were fairly expensive, but also good quality.  For the next couple of years, I'm wondering if I should go with sports bras, which can accommodate various cup sizes, or just buy "disposable" bras from Walmart.

[Linde]

I have a 46 B that I don't fill at all. Can't find a 46 A or AA that I would want. I have to rely on online ordering, as there are no stores I can go into to try on such a size.

A 46 B is a rather large cup?  My exact cup size is a 34 B.  This cup is just made for me, if I just would have a 34 bandwidth.  Mine is 40, and a 40 B cup is large enough to hold both of my breasts and some groceries!  I found some 38 A on Amazon, and will try them with a band extender.  I m sick and tired to have to stuff these foam chicken cutlets into he bra all the time, because they always find a way to sneak out toward the top!

I was at the gym today without a bra on, but my girls are big enough that the bouncing feels uncomfortable.  I have to find a solution pretty soon, because they will continue to grow!

[mm]

Dietlind, you probably need a sports bra at least when you go to the gym for support.  Try going to a Sports store or walmart and try on several sports bras and see which one seems to hold them in place when you jump a few times.  That is a good way to find one that will work for you.

[Linde]

Dietlind, you probably need a sports bra at least when you go to the gym for support.  Try going to a Sports store or walmart and try on several sports bras and see which one seems to hold them in place when you jump a few times.  That is a good way to find one that will work for you.

I think I need to do this, because it starts to get uncomfortable without.  TA sports bra probably can press my boobs down enough to allow me to continue to go tot the gym in guy mode for a little longer.

[Jaime320]

I have a 46 B that I don't fill at all. Can't find a 46 A or AA that I would want. I have to rely on online ordering, as there are no stores I can go into to try on such a size.

Try to find a 44b sister size. If you can stand a tighter band, or extender.

[Linde]

My 38 A cup bras from Amazone arrived,  They are supposed to be made from bamboo rayon (who actually cares whether the rayon fiber is made from bamboo or espen?), and the material is pretty stretchy.  They have a front closure, and wonder over wonder, I can fit into a 38 bandwidth, and the A cups are just there where my boobs are.  And the girls fit nicely into the cups and fill them on their own!

I now can officially declare that I need a 38 A cup bra!


I finally found a bra that fits me pretty well!  I am excited!  No pieces of foam rubber required anymore that try to sneak out of the bra!

And if I push a little at the sides of the cups, I can create something that could be called cleavage!

[valerie anne]

Congratulations!

You have found your bra size, and you can fill a woman's cup size with your boob tissue.

You now need to wear a bra, and can think about getting bigger! 

[GordonG]

Try to find a 44b sister size. If you can stand a tighter band, or extender.

Good idea. I'll look into that. I had never heard of sister sizes.

[Jaime320]

Good idea. I'll look into that. I had never heard of sister sizes.

Use who you want this site is just one example on sister sizing. I've found their other guides educational as well.

https://www.herroom.com/bra-sister-sizes,328,30.html

[Cassi]

As my twins have grown I can totally understand why the "Burn Your Bra" movement started so many years ago.  I probably have about 12 bras now ranging in size 38 to 44, B to D cup and they can be exactly the same size and still be different. 

Kinda like shoes, can't go by the sizes

[ChrissyRyan]

As my twins have grown I can totally understand why the "Burn Your Bra" movement started so many years ago.  I probably have about 12 bras now ranging in size 38 to 44, B to D cup and they can be exactly the same size and still be different. 

Kinda like shoes, can't go by the sizes

That's for sure!

Chrissy