Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So I have gotten pretty good breast development in two months on HRT but I have no idea of what cup size.  How do I determine a cup size?

I did a Google search on bra fitting 101.

Helped a lot to understand the science behind it.

http://www.barenecessities.com/feature.aspx?pagename=fit_sizing&c3api=1284147288&cm_mmc=GLSR-_-none-_-none-_-DSA&source=GoogleA&term=DSA&adpos=1t1&creative=42112060855&device=c&matchtype=b&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQjwmPKeBRCj4bOro6nBitABEiQABa2FJPH-0P5L8uMIJIgkgDEFlYpR-uG5nYGYRzW-jm2dMMMaApu08P8HAQ&cmp=BNS20 (http://www.barenecessities.com/feature.aspx?pagename=fit_sizing&c3api=1284147288&cm_mmc=GLSR-_-none-_-none-_-DSA&source=GoogleA&term=DSA&adpos=1t1&creative=42112060855&device=c&matchtype=b&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQjwmPKeBRCj4bOro6nBitABEiQABa2FJPH-0P5L8uMIJIgkgDEFlYpR-uG5nYGYRzW-jm2dMMMaApu08P8HAQ&cmp=BNS20)

Basically, it can vary so much by brand, style, and manufacturer that the best choice (especially early on when things are changing constantly) is trial and error - go into a store and pick out the ones that look likeliest, and see which comes closest, and triangulate from there.

I was professionally fitted at 38DD, my fave bra is a 42DDD, and I can wear all the cup/band combinations in between in at least some random bras, so it's kinda more like an averaged final size for me - and for many women. :)

Learning about fitting is good, but unless you have a particular brand you love, trying things on is vital even after you narrow down your range. My bra size always varied by brand. Once your development stabilizes you will eventually be able to eyeball a bra and tell whether it will fit.

I would like to help out with this as it's kind of a hobby subject of mine, please pay attention (lol) get a tape measure.
1.measure your rib cage right underneath your breasts tightly making sure no breast tissue is surrounded by the tape. This number can be from anywhere as low as 26 if you are very petite and slender to as big as 50+ if you are big built and enjoy the extra cookie here and there :), this measurement is your band size, let's say the tape says 32", that's your starting point but if you like to feel tight and safe in your bra you can go to a 30 band or if you like extra comfort you could go up to 34", do NOT add any inches to the band size, that is OUTDATED sizing that was invented back in the 50's and no longer works, so if you come across a site that tells you to do this, it won't give you a correct bra size,

2. Now measure right across the fullest part of your breasts.  make sure the tape measure is completely horizontal when you do these measurements. The number will be higher than the band. Each inch higher this number is than the band will make for one cup size. I recommend you look up uk sizing as the uk has this a lot more down to a science and then look up the us sister size. Or viceversa. Let's say your bust is 3" bigger than the band size of 32 then you are most likely to be a 32C. But what if u want the band to be more loose? Then you go up to a 34 band and you go down a cup size to B that's what makes a sister size between different bands. So 32C=34B=30D (if you wanted to go to a tighter band)

If you wanna try an online bra size calculator I would suggest this one http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bracalculator.htm and don't be afraid if you see cups like E-F-G it's all part of the new sizing, DDD is actually obsolete and used only by mall retailers like Victorias secret. DDD used to be the max out size but there is no longer a ceiling and cup letters  can go as far as an L, I myself am a 32FF - 34F uk they are big but not as incredibly insane as they sound. If you end up in the D+ range and wanna splash out on a good bra I recommend a uk site called bravissimo.

I hope this helps . Carly x

Quote from: calicarly on August 03, 2014, 05:03:50 AM
I would like to help out with this as it's kind of a hobby subject of mine, please pay attention (lol) get a tape measure.
1.measure your rib cage right underneath your breasts tightly making sure no breast tissue is surrounded by the tape. This number can be from anywhere as low as 26 if you are very petite and slender to as big as 50+ if you are big built and enjoy the extra cookie here and there :), this measurement is your band size, let's say the tape says 32", that's your starting point but if you like to feel tight and safe in your bra you can go to a 30 band or if you like extra comfort you could go up to 34", do NOT add any inches to the band size, that is OUTDATED sizing that was invented back in the 50's and no longer works, so if you come across a site that tells you to do this, it won't give you a correct bra size,

2. Now measure right across the fullest part of your breasts.  make sure the tape measure is completely horizontal when you do these measurements. The number will be higher than the band. Each inch higher this number is than the band will make for one cup size. I recommend you look up uk sizing as the uk has this a lot more down to a science and then look up the us sister size. Or viceversa. Let's say your bust is 3" bigger than the band size of 32 then you are most likely to be a 32C. But what if u want the band to be more loose? Then you go up to a 34 band and you go down a cup size to B that's what makes a sister size between different bands. So 32C=34B=30D (if you wanted to go to a tighter band)

If you wanna try an online bra size calculator I would suggest this one http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bracalculator.htm and don't be afraid if you see cups like E-F-G it's all part of the new sizing, DDD is actually obsolete and used only by mall retailers like Victorias secret. DDD used to be the max out size but there is no longer a ceiling and cup letters  can go as far as an L, I myself am a 32FF - 34F uk they are big but not as incredibly insane as they sound. If you end up in the D+ range and wanna splash out on a good bra I recommend a uk site called bravissimo.

I hope this helps . Carly x

This was very helpful. Thank you for posting this.  I will use this method and post my results.

http://www.85b.org/bra_calc.php

I use this one ^. Personally I love it 'cause it takes all 3 sizes into account, unlike most calculators which only use 2 and try to tell me that I'm a D or DD, when there is no freaking way that it's true! Unless I'm wearing something with padded cups I barely show.

I can't believe I didn't think to post this earlier, but here's a guide to actually figuring out whether a bra *does* fit, as well as where to start looking size-wise.

http://sameatschildren.tumblr.com/post/45962915522/do-it-now-guide-to-proper-bra-fit-and-measuring

(When my wife was professionally fitted, she ended up as a 36J. So I can't recommend Nordstrom's enough for a) women willing to get a professional fitting and b) really obscure bra sizes - they also carried down to a 28DDD when we were there.)

Like most girls I find this (and all women's sizing) is almost like Voodoo so I thank Jessika and Jenna for the links - I will definitely give them both a whirl

be well
Jennifer

Just adding a link to another bra calculator. This one takes into account how the breast behaves standing, leaning over and lying flat; as well as taking into consideration chest band comfort.

http://www.brasizecalculator.tk/ (http://www.brasizecalculator.tk/)

Just want everyone to know.

You can do all the calculations and come up with a approx. size needed

Each and every bra hold its own style and fit so one still needs to try them on to make sure if fits.

One size up or one size down in band will change the size of the cup.

So do your calculations and then go try them on.

I used a few of these calculators and have come up with sizes that I think will just not fit. x.x I mean I did measure the firs time I got a bra, and from there I just experimented with like sister sizes.  Then as I grew I already had an idea of where to go next. ^.^
so I wouldn't take any of those calculators to heart they don't seem accurate at least to me.

Personally, I went and was fitted at Victoria's Secret. I was looking at some bras and a salesperson approached me and asked if I would like to be fitted. I took her up on the offer and walked out with the most comfortable bra I've ever owned.

Quote from: Leila on August 06, 2014, 12:10:19 PM
Just adding a link to another bra calculator. This one takes into account how the breast behaves standing, leaning over and lying flat; as well as taking into consideration chest band comfort.
http://www.brasizecalculator.tk/ (http://www.brasizecalculator.tk/)

  This is the only one I've tried so far that seems to give a realistic band size (34).  Most tell me I'm 38A but this is much too loose and the cups are too large on the one I have (and it's a push-up type even).  I also have a 36B but this is still too big in band and cups.  The newly calculated size via the above link was 34E UK which would be 34F/DDD in US terms according to their chart.  This cup size is way out of whack based on the larger band sizes I've tried.  If I were to guess I'd say I was probably a 34A or maybe a 36AA depending on brand.  For now I'm sticking with basic seamless bras while I'm still part-time and until I fill-out a little more.

  For reference, here are the numbers I put into the calculator - 34/32/39/40/38.  I could also really use some help in better-guaging my cup size.  (The band size I'm fairly certain of.)  It seems all these calculation methods are very poor at determining breast volume from circumference measurements.  Either that or my ribcage tapers out wider towards the shoulders much more quickly than on the typical female.  (I don't exactly have wide shoulders though.)

 Ok here is a problem some of you may be finding here, if you do have some upper body mass you most likely go wider as you go further up your torso, you probably will find that if you have been on Ahrt For a while your bra size can be calculated like any other female, but if you haven't been on HRT for a while, you are likely adding inches to the cup size that aren't breast tissue, but muscle mass and upper body fat common in males. This is definitely something to consider for some of you, the poster herself seems as she has been on HRT for some time and her avatar shows a figure with very little upper body mass so I think her measurements can go on as usual.

If being honest with yourself, you find that your body does build up towards the top then consider using a bra calculator that measures above your breasts as well. I think someone else posted one of those. These bra calculators do work to give you a rough idea and you have to work to what you find is right for you from there. Hope that helps.

Quote from: calicarly on August 07, 2014, 03:35:27 AM
Ok here is a problem some of you may be finding here, if you do have some upper body mass you most likely go wider as you go further up your torso, you probably will find that if you have been on Ahrt For a while your bra size can be calculated like any other female, but if you haven't been on HRT for a while, you are likely adding inches to the cup size that aren't breast tissue, but muscle mass and upper body fat common in males. This is definitely something to consider for some of you, the poster herself seems as she has been on HRT for some time and her avatar shows a figure with very little upper body mass so I think her measurements can go on as usual.

If being honest with yourself, you find that your body does build up towards the top then consider using a bra calculator that measures above your breasts as well. I think someone else posted one of those. These bra calculators do work to give you a rough idea and you have to work to what you find is right for you from there. Hope that helps.

Yeah, I didn't find a single calculator that gave me an accurate size.. I went and got fitted - the fitter said I was having issues with them because I have a large ribcage for a woman of my size..

  One thing I've noticed is that over the length of the whole circumference measure it takes very little to push the figure up or down an inch.  Natural variation day-to-day around my bust can vary an inch or more while the under-bust measure stays static.  I don't have a lot of back muscle but I know that it tapers in a way that makes it difficult to land the tape in the same place every time without it slipping too low.  An inch or two of variation or error has too much bearing on the cup calculation.  Even including the over-bust measure in two different calculators didn't help.

  I'm also wondering if certain people's (cis or trans) bone structures would require them to subtract a set number of inches from the bust and over-bust measurements to achieve an accurate result.  Perhaps I will experiment with that using the various calculators to see if the figures come out more realistic and, more importantly, consistent.

  My experimentation with subtraction is yielding much more consistent and realistic results so far from the various calculators I'm testing.  I've learned two things that apply to my body - a very tight under-bust measure is necessary (32 rather than the 34 I'd been working with before), and subtracting four inches from the bust measure gives much more realistic cup sizes.  Above-bust measure works better when subtracting three inches.  With these adjustments I'm seeing 34B or 36A/AA almost across the board.

  One calculator was still spitting out 38 and is likely using the old 'plus 4' system.  Beware of this because it is considered out of date to measure this way.  One calculator warned, "* Please note that we do not use the plus 4 method so this calculator may not be suitable for women up to a C cup."  This is a bit concerning because it suggests that other calculators may not work properly for smaller cup sizes either but simply provide no warning.

  There was one site I came across that would be good reading for anyone starting out and it has decent illustrations:

http://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Your-Bra-Size (http://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Your-Bra-Size)

I think this is the first time wikihow.com ever had any information I found useful.  It is all-around good advice that is in line with accurate information I've read elsewhere.

  One last observation I read is that US manufacturers often add a lot of band length that is not reflected by the stated band size, and this can vary a lot between the various brands.  This is likely following on the heels of the realignment of the clothing size scale so that women wouldn't feel as bad about themselves since the average weight in the population has gone up.  This starts to get really confusing when some of the bra size calculators output non-US sizing schemes.  The required conversion tables to get your US size could be inaccurate depending on where you look.  For those of you in the rest of the world this could get equally confusing if you have to convert the other direction.

  In conclusion I would have to say that even after finding the right adjustments to the measurements the calculators are only going to get you in the ballpark.  This seems to be most true of US sizings.  I at least feel armed with enough information now that my first assisted fitting should go much more smoothly.