Apparently, 85% of women are wearing the wrong bra size! June Kenton, Kate Middleton’s royal bra fitter, told Fashionista.com that almost all of us are wearing the wrong cup or band size. It is very easy to do unless you have been to a professional bra fitting. And even then, sometimes different places might give you different results.
You can follow some of these easy tricks to make sure you are wearing the right bra and band size!
How to measure bra size at home correctly
To start, what equipment or tools do you need to measure your bra size? The good thing is you don’t need heavy machinery. All you need is a tape measure!
Step 1: Measure your band size
The first thing to do is to take off your bra or wear one that doesn’t have any pads. Then grab your tape measure and find the measurement directly under your bust. Make sure the tape is snug. This is called your band size.
For band size measurements conversions, check out this bra size chart:
| Band Size | FR / BE / ES | EU | US / UK / CA | AU / NZ |
| XXS | 75 | 60 | 28 | 6 |
| XS | 80 | 65 | 30 | 8 |
| S | 85 | 70 | 32 | 10 |
| M | 90 | 75 | 34 | 12 |
| L | 95 | 80 | 36 | 14 |
| XL | 100 | 85 | 38 | 16 |
| XXL | 105 | 90 | 40 | 18 |
| 3XL | 110 | 95 | 42 | 20 |
| 4XL | 115 | 100 | 44 | 22 |
| XL | 120 | 105 | 46 | 24 |
Step 2: Measure your fullest part of your breasts
You can measure your cup size by taking your bust measurement. Use the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest and round to the nearest number.
Make sure to use the tape measure loosely!
Step 3: Calculate your cup size
You don’t need a bra size calculator to know your cup size. Simply subtract the measurement for the fullest part of your breast to your band size. You can find your cup size based on the chart below:
| Bust – Band Difference (Inches) | US Cup Size | Bust – Band Difference (CM) | UK and AU Cup Size |
| Less than 1 | AA | 10 to 11 | AA |
| 1 | A | 12 to 13 | A |
| 2 | B | 14 to 15 | B |
| 3 | C | 16 to 17 | C |
| 4 | D | 18 to 19 | D |
| 5 | E or DD | 18 to 19 | DD |
| 6 | F or DDD | 20 to 21 | E |
| 7 | G or DDDD | 22 to 23 | F |
| 8 | H | 24 to 25 | G |
| 9 | I | 24 to 25 | GG |
How to tell if you’re not wearing the correct bra size
Here are some of the tell-tale signs that you are not wearing the correct band or cup size:
Is your underwire sitting away from your chest?
Your underwire should be sitting right against your chest. If it is gaping, it is not the right size bra for you. Tighten your straps and lift your arms above your head. If your underwire stays in the same place, it is the right fit for you!
Take a look at non-wired bras >
Are your straps digging into your shoulders?
If this is happening to you, you need to go down a band size. The band and straps should be working together, so if your straps are cutting into you it means that they are giving the majority of the support.
Is the back of your band riding up?
Your band is probably too big. Your band should fit comfortably but firmly across your back, and not pull up.
Are your cups wrinkling or gaping?
Your cup size is probably too large. You should try going down a cup size.
Do your breasts fit in the cup completely?
If your breasts are bulging out the top, sides or under the cup, you should probably go up a cup size.
Check out support bras >
Is your strapless bra slipping down?
Go down a band size, or a few! The band is the only support you get from a strapless bra.
Try our strapless bras >
What happens when you don’t wear the correct bra size?
Whether you’re not wearing the correct band size or cup size, there can be effects not just on your breasts but overall health. Here are some of the side effects of wearing an ill-fitting bra:
- Excessive or premature sagging for women with larger breasts. If you keep wearing a bra without sufficient support, the breast tissue can get stretched or damaged.
- Back pain. If a bra is too small, it can apply pressure on the rib cage and shoulders. If it’s too big, it won’t give adequate support. Both scenarios can result in annoying back pain.
- Skin damage and stretch marks. Letting the boobs sag can stretch the sensitive skin around it, causing stretch marks and other damage.
- Neck and shoulder pain. If your bra is too tight, it can chafe your shoulders. If the straps are not designed for your cup size, it won’t disperse the weight properly across the shoulders, which can further strain this area.
- Blocked lymph nodes. By wearing bras that are too tight, you may be blocking your lymph nodes located around the breasts. They contain immune cells that filter harmful substances in the body.
- Discomfort. Any ill-fitting garment can cause discomfort. If you’re wearing the wrong size of bra, you may find yourself adjusting it every so often to relieve the discomfort. And doing it in public can be a bit embarrassing too!
- Bad posture. You may find yourself slouching forward because of the weight of your breasts. This can contribute to bad posture and other musculoskeletal issues.
- Headaches. Bad posture and pain from the neck and back can cause headaches too.
How to choose the right bra size for your age
Some of you may ask, “How to choose the right bra size for a 13-year-old?” or “How to find the right bra size for tweens?” but choosing the correct bra size is dependent on your body size and not your age.
Everyone is gifted with different types of bodies so learn how to appreciate and accentuate your own! And you can start by wearing the correct bra size!
How to get the right size for sagging breasts?
Breasts may get saggy because of menopause, pregnancy, significant weight loss or gain.
Another factor that can contribute to saggy breasts is wearing the wrong band size! If the band is too loose, this can pull down the front of your bra. To remedy this, you usually need to go one band size and up one cup size.
How to choose the perfect bra for your cup size
Now that you know your bra size, it’s time to choose the correct bra! Is there such a thing such a perfect bra for the perfect size? Though there aren’t any strict rules, there are certain guidelines you can follow to ensure that you feel comfortable and confident!
For example, if you have a larger cup size, find a bra with good support. Thicker straps and a wide band can do the trick! Check out these plus-size bras and minimiser bras!
If you have a smaller set, you may also choose to wear push-up bras to give you that extra oomph!
If you want to refresh your lingerie wardrobe, give our gorgeous lingerie sets a go!
Check out our lingerie collection >