Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I was looking through some online bra calculators and I got these numbers.

https://www.lindasonline.com/bra-fitting-calculator.html
Your recommended bra size is 38DD/38E

http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bra-size-calculator/
Suggested Bra Size: UK 34E or US 34DDD

https://glamorise.com/size-calculator
38 C

http://www.calculator.net/bra-size-calculator.html?bustsize=40&bustsizeunit=inch&framesize=35&framesizeunit=inch&x=91&y=20
US   40 inches   DD or E


But really if I was that big I'd be in the big show biz! I think I am barely a full A cup. Does anyone know of any good calculator out there that really tells you what size bra you should wear?

I measured myself today and I got 35 under the bust, 40 1/2 over the bust and 37 over the bust :(. Used to have better numbers, but I was off HRT for a long time.

The glamorize one seems strange. It gave me a 41dd at 41 band size and 45.5 over the breast. While I would love for it be that size it most certainly isn't. In fact they all say the same thing. Last time I went to a shop I got 41 c/d that wasn't more than a month or so back.

That's a pretty good bust size :). Can you fill the cups all the way? With the measurements I am getting and the cup size I feel like at best I can fill an A cup pretty well!

Bras are difficult to size simply by measurement.  Many cis-women, using measurement formulas, still end up uncomfortable.  With the altered proportions of the transgender thorax, this problem is substantially worse.  You have to try before you buy (or order from a place with a solid return policy).

I have never found the calculators to be anywhere close. They always suggest a few cup sizes larger than my breasts will fill. Trans women usually have a larger rib cage and our breasts set wider or further apart than most cis gals. This difference shifts the scale and gives false numbers from the online tools.

I measure 35 under my  breasts so I purchase 36" bras and vary between B and C cups depending upon the feel. It was difficult my first trip in but trying them on really works best. Victoria's Secret has always treated me with respect, even the first time I went in over two years ago. I was dressed in male mode at the time...still no problems, just a silly grin on the sales assistant's face, can't blame her.

But when we measure under and above the breasts isn't that basically the rib cage size and... when we measure over the nipples isn't that basically rib cage size + also breast tissue? Breast tissue could have many different shapes though :( not so conical more snoopycal? How do you then know if you have big boobs???

Honestly, I would avoid the calculators and go into a store for a fitting if it's safe for you to do. I felt awkward, but it was another day at the office for the woman who helped me.

I was taught by a former Victoria's Secret GM.

Wear a good fitting unlined or unpadded bra. Measure just below your bust. This is your band size. From there, measure your breasts, at the broadest area, typically above the nipple.

I measure 33.75 inches band and 36 bust.

Subtract to the band from the bust, every 2 inches, is considered 1 cup up.
If you want to fill the cup, with no room for potential growth, always round down. Be careful of spillage from your bra though.

With this math I am a 34A. This measurement system is true for me. I deeply inhale while measuring my band, it seems more accurate. So far the math has been correct.

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Why exactly do you need to wear a bra while taking your measurements? Why is bare chested a no no? Is it sagging maybe that may cause an issue? What if you have none? I could see sagging as a problem when measuring... maybe? Salania so I guess that would mean I am a B cup? But if I measure with a bra on... won't my measurements go up by a good amount?

Daisy how come you felt awkward? You look pretty passable :)

Daisy I totally love your chest piece!

I wasn't really explained the reason for with a bra on. But if you don't own one, maybe try a form fitting top so that they would lay approximately where they would with a bra on.

Any fabric on an article of clothing is thin enough to not alter measurements enough to give you a huge variance. Think of a blouse to a sweater to compare a lined or padded bra to something more akin to a bralette.

If I remember correctly, your average fabric roll is approximately 12 yards long and has the box in the center. Now imagine a fabric roll without the box and it might be about 1.5 to 3 inches depending on the fabric, so just enough to wrap around you shouldn't alter any measurements. You can subtract an eighth inch if you think it's necessary though.

Hopefully this is accurate for the rest of you.

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None of those measuring systems work for me.  My measurements are band 37" and bust 43".   The different calculators all give an F or G cup in various sizes from 36 to 40.

There's no possible way that cup size is right.



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Based on most calculations I should be a 40 or 42 A, but I find a 36 C fits the best.
You need to try them on.

I have  few bras I just don't believe I have any that are not slightly padded in some way. Obviously those make me look better :P. I did have before one or two thin fabric bras, but I believe one I turned into a breast pump support bra, lol, and the other I can't even remember about. Every time I take the measurements for my boobs though I am always naked! I was just wondering why exactly you'd want to wear the bra. I thought maybe if there was a lot of sagging? or maybe for privacy if you go in to get yourself measured at the store? Your info is pretty nice though :). Now, where is my breast pump support bra at >.>?..

A few bra tips:

1.  "Sister sizes"  Cup sizes may seem highly variable, but within a specific brand/type, the cup size goes up along with the band size.  A 34D is the same cup size as a 36C.  So is a 38B.  This holds true within the A-D range.  Get into the AA's and DDDD's and all bets are off.

2.  If you are a tall woman, most bras are too short for you.  Shoulder strap adjustability is a non-negotiable, and your height might still throw off the way the cups hit you.

3. Try not to push up until there is something to push up.  You're better off buying a pair of silicone inserts ($25 or so) and actually inserting them into the padding slot of a minimally padded bra.

4.  Consider band extenders.  Your chest is not just larger than that of a ciswoman.  It is also different in shape in terms of where the maximum diameter occurs.  Pre-HRT, I wore a 38AA with a 2" expander.  Voila!  40AAA.  Try finding that shape anywhere.  Post-HRT, I wore 38A with a 2" expander--40AA.  Believe it or not, I had shape with both of these, even though they were only 1/16th inch padded--just enough to hide pointy man-nipples.

5.  You don't need to exactly fill the cup if it looks like you exactly fill the cup.  'Nuff said.

6.  You need to try it on, hon.  Post augmentation I wear sizes from 38B to 40D, depending on the brand and style.  Go to the store, grab a dozen and get a room.  You are a customer, and your money is as green as the next girl.  The store keeper is often trained to be sensitive to your needs.  Shopping in person is a great way to practice being out full time.

Quote from: Deborah on January 26, 2018, 08:52:03 AM
None of those measuring systems work for me.  My measurements are band 37" and bust 43".   The different calculators all give an F or G cup in various sizes from 36 to 40.

There's no possible way that cup size is right.



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With those numbers it should be roughly a 38B or 38C

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Maddy but what if feme voice mastery is still not quite there yet? I sound like a young boy which is rather  difficult for me to deal with and I get self conscious. Also, what about breast root height? I did think that maybe my boobs look a bit lower than what they should be. No sagging, but the placement seems low. I think before I stopped HRT due to family/life issues my under the bust measurement was 33 and waist was 32 though I could be wrong since it has been a little while. Wouldn't having a smaller under bust measurement naturally make you get a smaller band and so a bigger cup size??? Waist cinching comes to mind.

Quote from: Asakawa on January 26, 2018, 10:49:03 PM

Wouldn't having a smaller under bust measurement naturally make you get a smaller band and so a bigger cup size??? Waist cinching comes to mind.

No.  It may give you the appearance of a waist, and it most likely will make you miserable, but it won't change your bra size.

Quote from: Asakawa on January 25, 2018, 10:45:55 PM
Why exactly do you need to wear a bra while taking your measurements? Why is bare chested a no no? Is it sagging maybe that may cause an issue? What if you have none? I could see sagging as a problem when measuring... maybe? Salania so I guess that would mean I am a B cup? But if I measure with a bra on... won't my measurements go up by a good amount?

Daisy how come you felt awkward? You look pretty passable :)

Thank you! It was a few months before this picture was taken and a lot of changes happened rapidly in the months after the fitting. Also, the sunglasses hide my brow bones pretty well. I was super sad when I broke that pair.

 Asakawa,

I wear a 38GG bra size. I only say that to acknowledge that I do have something to hold up. You have been given amazing advice in many of these posts and all that is left is to follow it.

The online calculators are meant to give you a starting point. Due to very little standardization within manufacturers you need to try them on which has been mentioned numerous times here. It will take awhile but you really need to get over the letter thing regarding cup size. The mantra that most people have digested over the years about A, B, C, D etc has very little to do with reality. As the oft sighted line about a great percentage being in the wrong size states.

You are in a state that has numerous boutiques with good reputations. Take a brief trip if you have to and go have a fitting. Whether in male mode or en femme, good voice or bad. It really doesn't matter. They have been through it all. You would be amazed how many men wear bras because they need to. I did for quite awhile before I came to the understanding about being trans.

I went to numerous fittings totally in male mode because that's I had. Initially quite embarrassing, definitely, did I die. Certainly not and found some lovely bras in the process. Our tendency is to overthink it. Talk to any woman with any amount on her chest and she will attest to the challenges of getting the right bra. Do the right thing that so many have figured out, take it seriously and go to a shop or big department store. It is well worth it. You may pay a bit more but once you have it figured out you can begin to save the money online.

Let go of the stress and have some fun with it.