Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I am having a hard time measuring for my bra I have tried 3 ways that I found on the Internet but my numbers are coming out goofy I measured under my breast and across the center of my breast by the nipple 45 under and 47 across middle can anyone help me the numbers have been going up over the last few months

You want to measure under the breast/pecs this is your band size.
Measure loosely around the larges part of the breast/pecs.
subtract measurement 1 from 2 and thats your cup size. you can find charts online that will tell you the letter associated with your measurements. it makes a difference were you live so make sure you google the right chart. for example a 5 inch difference is a DD in the US but a E in the UK.

Bras can be funny, I find its best to know your band size and then try different cup sizes on at the store.

Thank you for replying to my post so what would 45" under and 47 "across middle figure out to be a aa I think the 45 and the 47 was before doing any math

is there anywhere possibly to go get a real measurement?

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Brandy,
Even the sizing labels on bras differ to actual. Try and try again if mail order or be braver than me and go ask. For me lots of items stacking up that do not fit, bras, shoes, boots, and stuff I would love to wear.
Enjoy finding your way.


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Quote from: bree_davis01 on May 12, 2016, 02:19:46 AM
is there anywhere possibly to go get a real measurement?

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You can get a proper fitting in any higher end lingerie store and the ones around me tend to be very trans friendly.
Based on the measurements you listed, I would start with a 46A. You want the band to be snug on the largest setting. The cups should lay flat on your breasts.
Good luck!

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higher meaning? ie: macys? VS? jcp... Lil more explanation lol

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real simple (US) says band bust diff is cup size i.e., 2" diff is B, 3"=C.

I had a similar situation that every time I measured I got a different result so I decided to google lingerie boutiques in my area (I'm in the UK). I read through the information and chose one that caught my eye as they had what I considered a caring write up. The shop was in the end 20 miles away but well worth the trip. I asked the lady in the shop if she could measure me for a bra and cheerfully said of course, closed the shop door and took me to the fitting room, she judged my size and tried one bra but the cups were too big then came back with another and it fitted perfectly, she even stood back and said I look good in a bra.
Christine did everything to make me feel at ease and have a positive experience and it was wonderful, she even suggested clothing sizes as well so if you can then search a place like this and get fitted correctly, it saves a lot of time and money

I'd get someone to size it for you at a store. It took me a while to find the right size for me and switching brands always results in disaster. My measurements tell me I need a 45 band size, but the bras that actually fit me are 38s. Then I tried to order a 38 online and it was so tight I couldn't even come close to closing it. I gave it to my daughter instead. It's pretty difficult to find high band sizes with low cup sizes too.

There's a site with crossdresser in the url name that has conversion charts that should be helpful too.

Quote from: Kristina57 on July 09, 2016, 03:12:02 PM
I had a similar situation that every time I measured I got a different result so I decided to google lingerie boutiques in my area (I'm in the UK). I read through the information and chose one that caught my eye as they had what I considered a caring write up. The shop was in the end 20 miles away but well worth the trip. I asked the lady in the shop if she could measure me for a bra and cheerfully said of course, closed the shop door and took me to the fitting room, she judged my size and tried one bra but the cups were too big then came back with another and it fitted perfectly, she even stood back and said I look good in a bra.
Christine did everything to make me feel at ease and have a positive experience and it was wonderful, she even suggested clothing sizes as well so if you can then search a place like this and get fitted correctly, it saves a lot of time and money

Sorry to interrupt the thread all. However, I wanted to take a moment to welcome Kristina. Thanks for jumping in with your experience.

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Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.

With warmth,

Joanna

Don't feel bad, my measurements say I'm a 50 band with a D cup. That's without HRT. i feel maybe a B or C. good luck

I'm not sure this is correct because mine says 39 under with a 42 top and mine look like a solid A cup. The male rib cage makes a HUGE difference.

Getting your bra size right is a difficult exercise.

The band size is critical, and if you are new to bra wearing it's difficult to realise how snug this must be to get a good supportive fit. On the loosest set of hooks, with new bra, you should only be able to get  3 or 4 fingers under your bra band. As the bra wears, you can move to the next set of hooks.

A properly fitting bra is really firm, and this takes some getting used to! Many lingerie shops measure your under bust size then add 3", forgetting that modern elasticated bra bands are designed to stretch. This is wrong. If you measure 36" under your boobs, then you need a 36" band.

For cup size, the starting rule is to add a size for every inch your across-nipple bust exceeds your under bust.So if you measure 38/36, you are nominally 36 B.

This is the starting point, and the problem is that manufacturers have different standards for their bras. You may be a 36B with Wonderbra, but 38A with Victoria's Secret.

When you try on new bra, don't forget to "scoop" all your breast tissue into the cup. This can make quite difference, especially with a push-up.

Two tips: a bra is a support garment, and to do any good, it will be tight. Your band will be firm and your bra straps need to be quite snug to avoid them slipping down (do avoid the dropped bra strap!). Your bra will make marks on your back and shoulders. If you take off your shirt, it will be obvious that you have been wearing a bra. I have needed a bra for some time and I carry permanent grooves on my shoulders. But my bra straps locate in them nicely, and this is all part of becoming a bra lamb. 

Secondly, bid for used bras on eBay. They are often very cheap and you can experiment with different sizes, styles etc, at low cost.   

Measuring my under breast worked for me. I used that number without adding. Im an A cup. I know its a small cup but I dont want to wear forms so I stick with that cup. I hope one day to go to a B cup. I used the adding 4 to the measurement but then it was too big and could not find any bras in an A cup. I do so enjoy wearing a bra.

Be Happy
Heather

36B fits me nearly perfectly with a 36" ribcage and 42" bust.

I have found that bra size can differ between brands, however though trial and error, I have found that I am currently 52B

Start with your under boob measurement as your band size.

Then measure over your boobs and nominally start with band + 1" = A cup, band + 2" = B cup etc.

Then go to a lingerie store and try on bras with these starting dimensions. Or, bid for used bras on eBay, which you can generally pick up for a song.

Try different makes and styles and send the failures to the Sally Army clothing store. Used white bras will soon become grey.

The bras which will become your "go to" brassieres will initially be tight and constricting. Any bra which is comfortable on first wear will become slack & non-supportive later.   
     

What about stores that sell bra's in  small med and large and x large I bought a sports bra it was a x large the cup size is very close if not just right But the band going around my back is way to tight to wear and tough to put on any input on this would be great it was bought at target its not cotton bra I want to buy another one so is cotton or silk or spandex better

Getting a bra fitting not once but twice was well worth the trip and exercise.  Hugs Shannon

Always try on any new bra before you buy, never know how the style will fit you.

Completely agree each brand and style is different.  My bra fittings were very helpful, insightful and instructional.  Being Shannon for that hour each time was wonderful.  No judgement but just helpful customer service. I really appreciated it and in know my at the time very tender breasts did too

One way or another, you do need to establish your basic bra band and cup sizes.

To do this, you do need to try on various bras. Lingerie stores are one way, and if you are shy, like I am, then eBay is another.

Remember that supportive bras are a tight fit and the straps will press into your shoulders. All T girls know this! A new bra may be tight across the band and the straps may dig in, but with wear it will become comfortable.

A good tip is to buy a set of bra clasp extenders. These are cheap to get and extend your bra band by 3 extra hooks.

This is particularly useful if your nominal band size is large (38" or 40"), but your cup size is small (A or AA).

For example, It's sometimes difficult to get a 38 A or 40 AA bra, but you can easily buy a 36" A cup bra and wear it with the clasp extender until the bra stretches with wear.

The problem with bra clasp extenders is that they can set your strap anchorage points too far apart, so that you risk dropped bra straps.     

But what I am trying to find out is like at Target thy go by small med large and x large So what I was wanting to know what what number sizes go with small med large or x large sizes also a few other stores use the same as target for sizing 

I had said that different manufacturers size differently....Well I just got home from rehab and there was a package with 3 bras waiting for me. Just tried one on and boy is it TIGHT compared to all my other bras. :-P It feels like the girls are ready to pop out!

This web site is very helpful, "A Bra That Fits" (ABTF) on ->-bleeped-<-:

https://www.->-bleeped-<-.com/r/ABraThatFits/

which includes their calculator:

http://www.brasizecalculator.tk/

Beware of recommendations to size by  band size = underbust meaurement + 4  (all in inches).  This is an antiquated method that is not generally followed by the major manufactures today.  If you go for the cheap Chinese stuff, it is sized closer to this inflated band size.  In my experience Bali (all Hanes brands for that matter), QT, Felina, Carnival, and Leading Lady band sizes are pretty reliably going to fit using this calculator.  There is some judgement needed, especially if you are overweight, something the ABTF calculator tries to take into account, based on the "squish" factor of the chest under compression by the band of the bra.  This is all described in detail on the website.  It's a very informative read.  There is a new section which discusses bra fitting/sizing for TG women given the differences in chest anatomy.  CD and TG fitting unless post BA is frequently complicated by the problem of shallow breasts:

https://www.->-bleeped-<-.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/shallow

In the fitting and when donning the bra, don't forget the "swoop and scoop" maneuver, summarized in this fitting video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jk55ep4XUQ

Also, don't forget the band size-cup size dependence and concept of sister sizes:

http://www.sizechart.com/brasize/sistersize/index.html

For example, all of the following have the same cup volume: 36DD, 38D, 40C, 42B, 44A.  The common logic leading to statements such as "I'd love to be a D cup..."  are inherently absurd since there is no specific definition of a volume specific to a letter cup size.  That said, in proportional terms, a 34B probably looks similar to a 40B although the actual breast volumes in the 40B are much larger, something on the order of double.  On the larger body size of someone with a 40 band size, a 40B gives the visual impression  similar to that of the 34B on the smaller body size. 

If in the fitting process, you find one bra that fits well in the cup, say a 36C but the band is too tight, upsize the band to a 38 but down size the cup to B, the sister size (same cup volume).

These sites were very helpful for me, helped make a lot of sense out of the chaos.

One additional thought: 

Leading Lady produces an extraordinary range of sizes which include odd TG friendly sizes with large band size and A cup sizes 36A - 54A.

I am particularly fond of Bali, which produces most of it major styles inclusive of sizes 40B and 42B.

Fully agree, the "under bust size + 4 inches" is completely wrong. I think it comes from the days when cotton bra bands didn't stretch.

One of the difficulties in fitting is accepting how large a cup size you actually are. Add a cup size for every inch your across boob measurement exceeds your band size. On this basis, even flat chested men are an A cup!

As I have said before, a new bra in your size will be tight. It is a support garment, and requires getting used to wearing full time.

You should only be able to get three fingers under your band, and you should adjust your straps so that you can only pull them up to the bottom of your ears. Look at women with summer tops on, you will see how tight their bra straps are worn.

Always wash a new bra before wearing: they contain a lot of starch and stretch a lot with use. My best bras started with hooks on the outermost clasp, or with a bra extender, and with the straps at maximum extension. Now, I need the middle set of hooks and my straps have been tightened by two inches.

The next stage is when the bra "dies". It's soft and comfortable to put on, but you sag and the straps slip off, however much they are tightened. Also, white bras go grey, and so I get rid of those, as I love to present a crisp snowy white bra band & straps under a sheer top.



   

The ABTF site is really excellent as it addresses many of the issues you make, in particular the shallow breast problem, which is what typifies many transwomen's problems with the usual simplistic (maximum bust - underbust) measurement difference algorithm for determining cup size.

The ultimate test is, and will remain actually trying on the bra and testing the fit.

I completely agree with your points about the lifetime of the bra and the aging of the elastic.  The lifetime is actually fairly short and as a result we've always got to keep an eye out for needed replacements.  There are several styles I have really grown to like, taken out of production or replaced by a newer version I like far less.  Somehow, fortunately, it seem there is always a new favorite that pops up to takes its place.

If you have not visited this site and the various linked sites such as venusian glow, it's a very informative read I highly recommend.

I love to wear a snow white bra under a see-through top, but how do you keep your white bras in such virginal condition? 

i would recomend a bra fitting at a shop, different make are different sizes just like dresses and shoes can be

Alice x

I'm having a lot of trouble believing these guides...

Ultra-tight underbust: 37
snug underbust: 38
bust, lying down, across nipple: 44.

the cup size that yields seems crazy to me.   but the numbers are what they are....   ideas?

I ignore the numbers.   According to them I should have an F cup.  In reality it is 36B.  The reason appears to be shallow breast as described above. So the band size comes from the tape measure and it's trial and error after that.

Thanks.  Should have read the full thread...   I am noticing something funny though.  I, of course, have a few bras I bought for private play, they don't fit for beans, it was kinda fun buying them, cheap, and no stress.   Clicking the button on a $40 bra I intend to wear, outside; biking and running, that was a tad more intense.   I guess giving up $1 guy underwear is part of the package...

No choice anymore though, to much motion to tolerate and a nipple cover (yes its a real thing) for running just won't cut it anymore.  nb... When the sportsgirl/runner-clerk explained what I needed (with blood marks on my running shirt and all...) she kind of cracked up, but was sympathetic and helpful.

I should get myself to a shop for a fitting these days, meantime here's what works for me -- I guess I've been at this for a while.

Back in the late 90s-2000 there VS or a dept store wouldn't allow men to use the fitting rooms .. well not where I live which is a pretty liberal area. The few times I asked I was told I would have to take my prospective purchases over to a men's dept and use those fitting rooms.

I've always wanted bras with some pretty in them, whether lace or color or fabric choice.

So I guessed off the rack and bought online usually from VS or more recently BareNecessities. at 41" under bust I should have been in a 40, but trying to find even a 38 in an A size cup back then was nearly impossible and so my goto size has been a 36B coupled with getting to know which styles had more elastic construction. Fortunately my GF takes a 34C and so often the 36B that didn't work for me would be something she could use and save the hassle of returning. Still, we returned many.

I think the makers have finally figured out that trans women are a market. It used to be that 38 and up bras started at a C or D cup size and were tailored for and sold as 'full figure'. Now I'm having little problem finding 38Bs that are usually OK, 40Bs that usually aren't in the styles I'd like but at least are being sold and a few more months on HRT and I will probably be fitting a 40C and have much better selection.

Again, gotta get back to the dept stores, it's great to hear they're more friendly now.

I just checked out the recreational bras I had in the box, they were 42s and 44s with D cups.    Now, I ordered a 38 B.

I tried the toys on, and that band is still pretty snug on the 42.    I think I'm in for a real surprise when I put that 38 band on and see what tight really means! lol.

Quote from: rwOnnaDesuKa on August 18, 2016, 11:16:31 AM
I think I'm in for a real surprise when I put that 38 band on and see what tight really means! lol.

It depends on how stretchy the band is. Some have more give than others and don't even bother with the front close ones if you are going down in band size. They never seem to stretch much at all.

I feel your pain, Sister.  I struggled with bra sizing for years.  I'm not expert but happy to share what I know.

Once again, sizing depends on brand.  Most current major brands have or are moving toward the band size = snug underbust size.  Personally, tend prefer Bali, and find the sizing to be pretty consistent across the underwire bras in their line making it easy to buy their bras.  I find them well made, reasonably priced and comfortable.  In this post I'm going to use examples of Bali bras I am familiar with to illustrate points--not a promotion of this brand.

Many older bras are sized by the underbust + 4 band size.  I wonder if this is why your current 42 band feels about right.  I have noticed  that the cheap Chinese brands on Ebay size the bands on the order of the underbust + 4 sizing.  I'd stay away from that stuff, go with a few decent major brand bras that actually fit properly. 

You can look at my thread on this site on silicone enhancers, pads, "chicken fillets" or "chicken cutlets" as they are variously called.  Figure out the bust size that looks about typically right on your frame size, usually about a B-C cup for given band size; or the whatever size you are inclined toward (buxom?).  Try out the added volume using the short grained rice in a piece of a stocking or pantyhose leg  trick, being careful to measure the volume of rice accurately.  You can do this repetitively at different volume to do a test drive of different bust sizes before plopping down money on some decent quality silicone gel enhancers that will make up the difference between your actual breast volume and the volume of the 38B or 40B that is probably what you are going to end up wearing.  I am partial to the Softleaves line of enhancers Again, my personal preference based on having tried many, not a promotion), but there are numerous others such as Braza and ones you can buy in the major department stores.  I'd advise against foam devices as they do not mimic the texture, bounce, density and softness of actual breast tissue.  With the ones I have on right now, I can only tell they are not me by virtue of the absence of sensation of touch over the silicone.  I would hazard a guess that if anyone were to touch my chest, even while wear in a thin unpadded bra with these in place it would not be possible to tell it is not all me.

This gets to the next questions:  wire or wirefree, padded or unpadded.  The molded lightly padded underwire bras are a godsend for most of us as they help provide smooth, natural, attractive breast shape.  For example, look at the Bali 3470 or B534 both available in 38, 40, 42 B and larger cup sizes.  Of note, repeating an earlier post, Leading Lady underwire bras come in A cups to huge band sizes which I am sure was part of the business plan to accommodate larger women with small cup size but also the TG customer.  I'd love to know what proportion of the >38 band A cup bras in their line are purchased by genetically male TG buyers.  There are a myriad of other brands--enjoy the shopping... 

I am of the opinion that the underwires are our best friends since they help contain the breast tissue within the cups.  Be absolutely sure to "swoop and scoop" as I alluded to in the prior post.  This is a critical step, moving as much of the tissue into the cups while leaning forward.  This is shown in the video and will make the most of what you've got  since  the typical breast anatomy of a transwoman is tendency toward wide root, shallow breasts. 

Even unpadded bras with underwires work better than you'd probably expect but will not provide as much shaping as the molded lightly padded unless you go for ones with highly structured, usually 2-3 seam cups such as my favorites, the current model Bali 6543 "Lace Desires" or the Carnival 509.  Both are balconette designs which place the straps toward the outer edges of the cups which is generally a good design for the TG chest and are pretty well structured giving very nice contour and shape.  Surprisingly, the Felina Harlow, a fairly daring unpadded highly structured lace balconette, looks pretty good with the help of a minimal mount of silicone.  I had one of these but just found it looked like I was trying too hard, bordered on age inappropriate, too sexy.

In the world of wire-free bras, I'd look at sports bras and bralets.  These are good for the wide root, shallow anatomy.  Sports bras will tend to flatten what you've got but are good for the purpose of support and prevention of nipple friction (such as with exercise) or the "headlights" phenomenon in the cold. Most bralets, particularly the cute ones,  often do not come in larger band sizes so are difficult to find.   The bralets provide much less support and shaping.  There are hybrids that are wire-free, usually seamless knit design such as made by Barely There and several others.  This is a good option as you will be able to find a larger band and elastic cups that will more easily accommodate your smaller current breast size and shape.  The Barely There (Bali-Hanes) line has some bras which are sized S-M-L-XL-2X which tend to be the ones I've found to have the stretch cups and are easy to fit and wear.  There are others in this line that are sized by traditional band/cup sizes which will have more cup structure.

The appliance type, utilitarian bras such as Bali 3820 are just too homely, approaching ugly for my tastes.  There are some that are a bit better from other manufacturers but I have yet to find one I really can say I find attractive in a larger band size and I don't tend to like the flatter less rounded separated shape usually resulting from these bras.

Don't forget to visit HerRoom.com.  It has a huge inventory and is a great website with lots of customer reviews and recommendations.  This is a much better source than Fig Leaves or Bare Necessities.  It has a very TG friendly policy, even recommendations for best TG  undergarments and lingerie based on men's or transwomen's customer reviews on the site:

http://www.herroom.com/lingerie-for-men.aspx

Even better, they are extremely helpful on the phone. Yes, you can call and discuss sizing and fit with a real and to my experience, knowledgeable salesperson--something like a transtelephonic virtual fitting.  The salespeople are gracious and don't flinch when you explain that you are a transwoman looking for a particular  garment.   They have frequent sales, stock most every major brand and have a very liberal return policy.  Great company to do business with.

But ultimately, here is nothing like a fitting with a real human being at a store.

Best of luck!

Wow.  Thank you so very much.   First good bra is on the way, and is a Fiona moving comfort sports bra, which is what I need at the moment; did a run this morning and the bounce and abrasion was pretty awful.  I'll probably hold off for another month or few to see if I drop a couple more inches on band size before getting anything dressy; I was originally quite frail at 5'8" (110-115 lbs), so its not all that unlikely as E, exercise, and diet work my size back down to reasonableness.

I'd also like to note, was the first time I've been referred to in feminine language in regular text about something fairly mundane, living life related.

It hit me like a ton of bricks.   In a good way.   Had to go walk a bit and get my composure, or I would have started crying.    I love having real emotions.   really do.

Seriously, consider the rice-in-the-stocking experimentation.  I'm guessing you'll want to be about a 38-40B is you have a slight, somewhat frail build.  There are loads of really nice styles in these sizes--just rummage around on HerRoom and you'll see.  Pick a reasonable, more conservative, practical style molded cup underwire in your band size and a B cup for starters.  Do the experiments, figure out the extra volume you need to look good in the bra, filling the cups fully.  Once you know the volume, you can go to the Softleaves website and buy enhancers based on this volume.  They will report the weight of silicone in each, but the density of the silicone gel is only very slightly greater than that of water so to the necessary precision for this exercise, it can be assumed 1 mL of rice volume equates to 1 gram of silicone gel in the enhancer.  I use the Softleaves X99 enhancer, which works great.

The other option is to get a set of breastforms.  If you want large silicone breasts, this is the way to go.  These are "complete" silicone breasts.  I had enough breast tissue that I wanted simply to augment what I already had, did not want large breasts, liked the idea of seeing the actual cleavage and contours of my own chest.   For this reason I did not go this route.

SO, to this point if you are not inclined to go the breastforms route: If you start HRT you will develop increasing size breasts. Consider the reasonable option to take what you have now, figure out how much volume it takes to make it a full "B" and go with that now.  It is very comforting to be able to wear a nice, stylish bra, filling it out properly if even needing a bit of silicone help to do so.  As you develop, you'll need less extra volume, downsizing and eventually dispensing with any sort of silicone padding of the bra cup--it will be all you!  In the mean time, you get to enjoy having a  demurely feminine figure with a bit of help.  I think this is good for the psyche (it is for mine at least) and helps (me) fight dysphoric feelings.

I wasn't  kidding when I said I feel your pain, Sister.

Slight fix, I've been on HRT for a little while now and have some development.  Its why I need the sports bra....   I realize this is the crossdresser board, but the numbers on the bra measurement just were making me a little crazy.  I'm also still slightly over 200lb and have a ways to go to undo this disaster...

Thanks, I do appreciate the help.

Thank you.  It made my day.

-Steph

Thanks for the encouragement, had a bra fitting today, we used their private fitting area.   I'd recommend it to anyone who prefers subtlety and discretion in all things.

fwiw, 42 was the answer.  Apparently my concept of snug involves dislocating ribs and bruising skin.   42's made the available cup sizes a bit to large on top, but the underwire and lower supporting part of the cup are amazing.  I could jump up and down without pain.    She showed me the forms that would fill it out, and oddly enough they didn't look weirdly huge under a shirt.  Honestly looked normal to my eyes for my current frame.    I didn't get them because I do expect considerable reduction in band size over the next 12 months.  (band crosses my Lats, which are substantial...)

WHEW!   I did it!    THANKS.

(and I didn't get treated like a space alien)

Congratulations, task accomplished!   Wow, you must have pulled that tape measure TIGHT.  As Bullwinkle would have said "Gee Rocky, Don't know my own strength!"

Now figure out what you want to but inside to fill out the cups.  Good luck!