Bras - What Bra Size Do I Really Wear?

The most important factor in buying a bra is knowing your exact bra size. Bra Sizing can be determined by taking a few easy measurements. Begin by wearing your best fitting bra (unpadded and not a minimizer bra). You also need a soft measuring tape and a mirror (otherwise use a string and a yard stick). If possible, have someone other than yourself measure you (with your unpadded bra).

Step 1: Under Bust for Bra Band Size

Wearing your unpadded bra, hold the tape snugly around your ribcage, directly under the breast. Note the measurement in inches.

Underbust Measurement _____________

Plus 3" if Under Bust is Odd number _____________

Plus 4" Under Bust is an even number _____________

= Band Size _____________

Example 35" + 3= 38" Band Size

Example 34" + 4"=38" Band Size

Step 2: Upper Bust Measurement to Verify Bra Band Size

Hold the tape snugly above the bust under the arms. Note the measurement in inches. This measurement should equal your bra band size calculation without adding inches; however, if the measurement is an odd number add an inch. Note: Larger measurement=broad back, Smaller measurement=small back.

Upper Bust (no inches added) = Lower Bust (with inches)= Band Size

Step 3: Full Bust to Determine Bra Cup Size

Hold the tape loosely around the fullest part of the bust. Do not let the tape droop in the back . Use assistance when finding your bra cup size or the help of a mirror. Subtract the bra band size from this measurement (Step 3 - Step 1).

Full Bust _________________

Under Bust __________________ Difference __________________=Bra Cup Size

Example: 42" (full bust) - 38" (band size)= 4" C Standard Bra Cup Size

Check Below to Find your Standard American Bra Cup Size (i.,e., Goddess, Le Mystere)

1"- A

2"- B

3"- C

4"- D

5"- E

6"- F

7"- G

8"- H

Check Below to Find Your Standard European Bra Cup Size (i.e., Fantasie, Freya, Panache)

1"-A

2"- B

3"- C

4"- D

5"- DD

6"- E

7"- F

8"- FF

9"- G

Note: French Bra Sizes run a little small.

By Susan Gilbert

How to Find The Right Bra

Buying a bra may seem simple but it is actually quite complex. First and foremost it is essential that you know your correct size. A properly fitted bra is essential for both comfort and posture and is especially important during the teen years when your body is growing.

The Importance of Knowing Your Bra Size
A poorly fitting bra can cause back problems, muscle tension, and even headaches. Since teens are still growing the strains caused by an improperly fit bra can lead to life long problems with posture and back pain. To ensure that you are wearing the right size bra you should be fit by a lingerie consultant once a year or after every noticeable growth spurt.

Different Bras for Different Reasons
After you have the right size the next thing to think about is why the bra is needed. Is it for support, coverage, comfort or athletics? Bras come in a variety of fits and fabrics. There are different styles of bras designed for specific body types, fashions and activities. No one bra can do it all!

First/Training Bras
Training bras are for young girls who have started to develop breasts but do not yet fit the standard bra sizes. A young girl who has started to develop breasts should wear a training bra but there is no harm in letting a girl get one before there is a real need. Remember, training bras are intended for girls of any age who have started to get breasts and who are not yet able to be fitted with a regular bra. If your breast size warrants a full fitting bra you should wear one, even if you are very young.

Light Support Bras
Light support bras usually have no under wire and are good for girls with smaller breasts. They are less constricting than full support bras and many girls feel that they are more comfortable. Because they are wireless they offer less shaping than other bras and are most flattering on trimmer figures. These bras come in padded and unpadded versions, which you choose is really a matter of personal preference.

Full Support Bras
Full support bras usually have an under wire or plastic boning holding them up. They can be worn by girls of any breast size and are a must for those with larger cup sizes. These bras offer a shapely cut and have a structured build. These also come in padded or unpadded version and are flattering on any figure type.

Push Up Bras
Once called padded bras, push up bras are designed to show off cleavage. These bras lift the breasts and add shape to them with extra padding. Some more innovative push up bras use silicone inserts or water sacks to imitate the fullness of a natural breasts. They are said to lift and separate creating a full cleavage look on breasts of all sizes. These bras always offer lots of support.

Sports Bras
Of all the bras the sports bra is probably the most important one for growing teens to have. Sports bras stop the breasts from moving during athletic activity. Breast tissue is very delicate and growing breast tissue needs to be protected during high impact exercise. Even girls with smaller breasts should invest in a good sports bra if they take physical education or participate in sports.

By Mike Hardcastle

Bra Shopping 101

Bra shopping is no easy task, not matter what your size happens to be. The color, the fit, look, shape, feel, and size all need to be just right, and yet they never seem to be. Whether you are looking for your first bra, or you one hundredth bra, it is important to understand it will take time, and no matter what, you will need to make adjustments.

Here are some helpful bra shopping tips that can help you tremendously.

Do your bra shopping online. If you are not sure about what style and shape of bra you like the most, the internet is probably your best bet. Looking at a variety of bras on the internet allows you to really see how each style if supposed to fit because each bra is modeled (as opposed to on a hanger). This can make it easier for you to determine what styles suit your taste.

Unfortunately, if you are looking for a bra shopping video to help you, there may be trouble finding one that isn't some sort of joke. You should also be careful about the keywords you use because you might end up on a website that you did not intend to see. Just stick to the catalogs and still pictures to get the basic idea.

Once you find the general style that you like, it is time to figure out what size. You should measure the inches just under your bustline to determine the number portion of your bra size. Most of your support comes from the band. The cups should encompass your breasts and the center (between the cups) should reach your breastbone.

Most women do not realize that they are actually wearing the wrong bra size. If your bra band doesn't provide the main support, or your bra feels too tight, you are most likely in the wrong size. As you are bra shopping, consider the appropriate fit. You may have to visit a boutique and try on a few bras so that you can be sure.

Sometimes women find the proper bra size, but they are unable to adjust their bra to the perfect fit. Even if they do, they will not last forever. Don't feel badly if you have a difficult time finding a good bra, because you are certainly not alone. No matter what your size, it seems that the perfect bra may not even exist.

That is why you should find a good bra accessory to help you achieve the lift and support that you need. The best thing to do is find something a little extra to get the results you are looking for. Finding the perfect bra is next to impossible!

It's been said that a good bra is a woman's hardest working piece of clothing. So it's no wonder that before you can say end-of-season-sale, that favorite bra is ready for rubbish. And for most women, it's hard to part with the perfect bra'you know the one that doesn't ride up, never slips and supports you just right.

By Wolfram Krammel