It’s estimated that a whopping 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Comforting to know I’m not alone.
Thanks to 123underwear.com, I learned that not only was I wearing the wrong cup size but band size too. I’m not surprised since I’ve never found my bras particularly comfortable and my weight has obviously fluctuated with being pregnant, nursing, etc.
Wondering if you’re wearing the correct bra size? It’s pretty simple to measure. 123underwear sent me a tape measure with the following instructions and I had a quick call with a consultant to confirm:
Measurement A: Find your bust size
• With a soft tape measure, measure the fullest part of your bust. Be sure you are standing straight. If the measurement falls between inches (36.5, 32.1, etc.), the safer bet is to round up.
Measurement B: Find your band size
• Now measure around your rib cage, directly under your bust. The tape measure should fit snugly, but should not feel constricting. If you have an even-number measurement, add two inches. If you have an odd-number measurement, add three inches.
Find your cup size
• Subtract measurement B from measurement A. Then follow the chart below:
| If The Difference Is… Your Cup Size Is | |
| Less than 1 | AA |
| 1 | A |
| 2 | B |
| 3 | C |
| 4 | D |
| 5 | DD or E |
| 6 | DDD or F |
| 7 | DDDD or G |
And just like that I went from a 36B to a 34C.
123underwear’s owner Beverly Russina also offers the following professional tips on how your bra should fit:
Front of the bra…
• Underwire must lie flat against your rib cage. Breast tissue should not be billowing out from below the underwire. Basically, underwire should not be resting on breast tissue but on bone.
• Your breast tissue should sit comfortably within your bra cups – with no excess material. Breast tissue should not be billowing out the top or sides of your cups.
• The bridge of the bra must be flat between your breasts
Back of the bra…
• Your bra band lies straight across your back. It should not squeeze, dig or leave marks. It should stay in place and not ride up or down.
• Bra straps must stay in place. No rolling down or digging into your shoulders.
Always remember that your breasts should be perched upright in your cups. For truly proper support your breasts should be sitting – halfway – between shoulder and elbow.
So tell me, have you too been wearing the wrong size?
{I’m participating in a sponsored campaign called Project #BraHappy with 123underwear. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}
These are great tips! I worked at Victoria’s Secret one summer and was so stunned to discover just how many women had been wearing the wrong size for years and years.
Funny thing is, I knew my size for the longest time. Now, two kids later and having nursed both, I have no idea what it is. I really need to invest in a little tape measure and find that out like yesterday.
Yakini recently posted..Solange Knowles in Acne
I was totally wearing the wrong bra size until last Jan…it’s amazing how “off” we can be. Love this guide – it’s great!
Sarah at The Stroller Ballet recently posted..Pre-school. Takes a while to be cool.
Sigh. I used to wear the right size, then gained some weight, but kept buying the old size (wishful thinking?). I need to remeasure.
Selfish Mom recently posted..How to peel an avocado
Twitter: BiculturalMama :
Wow, this is great, very precise and I never knew this was the way you measured. Just disappointed I went down in cup size, but things, um, deflated after nursing the baby stopped since she’s now a toddler.
Bicultural Mama recently posted..I Chopped 14” of Hair for Locks of Love
Twitter: stylennaina :
Awesome tips and I really never knew you were supposed to measure by subtracting B from A. More than anything I am so overdue for new bra’s!
I’m laughing b/c my experience was a lot like yours. I went from a 34B to a 32C!
Shell recently posted..Mechatars Review and Giveaway: What’s More Fun for Kids Than Robots!
Twitter: anoptimisticmom :
I recently found out I had been wearing the wrong size bra and the correct size made a big difference. I think this is a great post for women to bookmark so they can check every so often to make sure everything is still in the same place.
Optimistic Mom recently posted..Paying it Forward
it does make such a difference. I discovered the same thing about a year ago and I swear the girls look much better as a 34c than they did at 36b!
Twitter: MommyDelicious :
I found out I was wearing the wrong bra size at the LPC event you hosted back in February. LOL. But since then, I’ve gotten new bras… in the right size and it’s definitely made a difference.
Alicia @Mommy Delicious recently posted..Texting While Drunk
I am SO SO jealous that you went up to a “C” cup. When they measured me….I went from an “A” to an “A.”
The Mommyologist recently posted..I’m Starting a 10-Day Detox! (VIDEO)
Twitter: jennifergarry :
It’s really amazing how much thinner you can look when you’re wearing the right size bra… That said, I could definitely use a little reevaluation!
My only concern is that I’m nursing right now. Do you ladies think I should bother picking up a few inexpensive nursing bras in my correct size (for this particular moment) or wait until I stop? The wee one is 6 months old.
Jen @ A Touch of Lovely recently posted..Polka Dot Madness
Twitter: Glamamom :
Hi Jen, from 123underwear.com:
“If you’re nursing right now, do get fitted. You really need a proper bra to provide much needed support during this time. Our suggestion would to purchase higher quality nursing bras to ensure comfort, fit, and to avoid irritation from cheap fabrics. After you’re finished nursing – do get fitted again.”
Twitter: noshoppingliz :
Great tips. I always feel compelled to get a bigger band size because I don’t want to feel constricted, but then, I spend all day pulling that thing down.
elizabeth-flourish in progress recently posted..Monday Dare: I offended a granny. Again.
Have had several professional fittings where they have me wearing a 36DD. According to this system, I wear a 40D. Go figure.