Ok so I looked online to measure for a bra. All show to measure below the bust and at the fullest part of the bust.

I'm 40" below and 45" at fullest.  So its a 5" difference. Charts show I'm a D cup but I don't come close to filling out a D. If I buy a 40C I still have some emptiness in the cups.

What gives?  How do you ever figure out your real bra size?

Thanks

Kay

A proper in-store measurement is the best way to go, they'll get you one that fits you just right.

I always forget but I think cup size is the difference  between the fullest part and above the breasts. Band size is the measurement below them.

I had a friend suggest, if i remember right, you can go down a cup size if you go up a band size. Example i measure at a 38C but wear a 40 B because i don't have the volume yet. With that knowledge in hand you can then go to a place like Walmart that will let you try on a bra and find one that is comfortable and fits well. Remember you only want to be able to fit your first two fingers under the band creating a snug fit. Any more fingers, try the next set of hooks and the opposite if its too loose.

Quote from: kariann330 on November 23, 2013, 11:09:57 AM
I had a friend suggest, if i remember right, you can go down a cup size if you go up a band size. Example i measure at a 38C but wear a 40 B because i don't have the volume yet. With that knowledge in hand you can then go to a place like Walmart that will let you try on a bra and find one that is comfortable and fits well. Remember you only want to be able to fit your first two fingers under the band creating a snug fit. Any more fingers, try the next set of hooks and the opposite if its too loose.

This^ +1

Quote from: Joanna Dark on November 23, 2013, 11:53:53 AM
This^ +1

Another thought, also try several different brands too. Clothing sizes are regulated at all. There is one bra in my dresser that is the 38C that i measure at and i fill it perfectly...only downside to that bra tho is that it's poorly made and hella uncomfortable so i only wear it when all of my other bras are dirty and i don't wanna wear a sports bra.

I'm sure you will find it's a case of trial and error; the feminine formulas just don't work on a male chest. I've been measured in two separate reputable stores, and both of them scratched their heads, then throw the rule book out of the window. I'm sure there is a formula for us, but all I know is that a 40D fits me perfectly and my stores verify this. Thing is my boobs tend to look more like C cup when their naked.

I was on a site, which I think was called Cheryl's Breast Forum which was for Transsexuals, and I'm sure there were some useful formulas popping up from time to time. I shall have to see if I can find the site.

Hmm, I think the male chest is more broad or something. But overall it the regular formula works for me. But my band measurement is 31" and my bust is 34.5 so I have fairly typical measurements for a 31 year old woman. I also have no muscle to speak of and had B cup boobs b4 hormones.  But I can see where the problems would be if you have a broad chest like 40 or above with not much cup volume.Generally women who need a 40 or above have pretty voluptous boobs. I guess I'm lucky. That's a first!

Quote from: Joanna Dark on November 23, 2013, 04:15:41 PM
Hmm, I think the male chest is more broad or something. But overall it the regular formula works for me. But my band measurement is 31" and my bust is 34.5 so I have fairly typical measurements for a 31 year old woman. I also have no muscle to speak of and had B cup boobs b4 hormones.  But I can see where the problems would be if you have a broad chest like 40 or above with not much cup volume.Generally women who need a 40 or above have pretty voluptous boobs. I guess I'm lucky. That's a first!

Yep - the male chest is more broad so the breasts typically are wider and don't stick out as far.  And the larger the band size, the larger the effect. Think of a short cone with a wide base vs a tall cone with a small base - same distance to go over.... Keep the band size and drop a cup size - or even two cup sizes.  You can also go to an underwire sports bra - they tend to be broader at the base and not stick out as far.  For one of those, the size chart seems to work, at least for me.

Hugs,

Jen

As Willow said go to a bra store and get fitted. They are used to it!

.I live in a metro area of 3.5 million with lots of stores.  There is also a large population of transgendered individuals.  I have yet to find one store that will work with me (in either boy or girl mode).  Most of the time, I do attract the attention of a very nervous sales person who approaches and asks "Can I help you?".  If I try for a bra, I am politely informed that "It is against store policy to allow men to try on a bra" and then get the "leave now" look.  When I jumped up in size, my wife even went with me to help.  That didn't work either. 

I just order off Amazon.  I'm generally a 40DD in most bras.  I order a 38DD, a 40D, a 40DD, and a 42D. I keep the one that fits and return the rest.  Sport Bras used to be easy.  Now, try finding a sports bra in a 40DD for someone 6'1" (186 cm). They are all to short in the arms, don't cover my breasts or are padded.  Really, a PADDED 40DD?  Are there big ego issues?  A 40DD isn't big enough so it has to be padded?

Love the USA but we are silly sometimes...

Frustrated,

Jen

I have a very 'V' shaped chest. Minus any boobage I can have a three inch difference between around the nips and a couple of inches below and about two inches wider if you go above. So the 'Typical' way to measure a bra for me is just plain useless. According to the charts I am on average a 'C'. In real life either a full A or B in a bra (another subtle hint not often stated in the charts). By eyeball alone when naked you might say AA.

Odds are you already have some idea of what you are within a cup size. The manufacturer and style can make a big difference. Trial and error is the way to go. I've known women to stock up on a bra style that fits because it is a PITA getting fitted or doing try-ons.

Depending on where you live returns may be allowed for retail stores. I guess mail-orders too

If the cups are too big, go down a cup size. That's how I figure it out

Just try em on. If you can't do that, just waste $10 on Walmart bras until you get it right.

The size differs from one brand to another. Lucky me mine can fit into 36A VS pushup bra. (Yeah push-up) Yet before I found out my right size, I had trial-and-error process. So keep trying!

Kristia

Going by all the measurement schemes I read gave me too large a band size to fit snugly.  The calculations came out to 38" but it's clear I need a 36" after trying a 38".  I really think it's going to involve a lot of trial and error for me especially as I go through development.