How should a Bra fit?

How should a bra fit?

The band should be tight enough that you can’t fasten it in the front and rotate it to the back. (Sorry, but that’s the way it should be...the band is primarily what gives you the support, and it needs to be snug) however, it shouldn’t cut off circulation to the lower part of your body!! You should be able to get a finger under the band but not your fist.

The straps should not dig into your shoulders, but again should be snug. You may need one strap shorter than the other due to manufacturing differences or because you have one shoulder that is lower than the other.

With a shirt on, you shouldn’t be able to feel any overflow above your bra cups.

The breast mass (both of them!) should fit within the cups and shouldn’t be oozing out underneath the bottom (cup is too small if it is). But there shouldn’t be a “flat” section of fabric under your breasts either (except where the wire is) (cup too big)

The center fabric (or hardware) section between your breasts is the “bridge”. It should sit against your chest without gapping forward.

Wearing the correct size bra corrects many problems for many women so you may not need my service. But there are many women for whom the “right” size is still not right. But until you’ve given the commercial “right” size a chance, there’s no point in coming to me (unless you want to design your own bra...think pink one side, purple the other? Or lace covered to match a specific outfit? Or it needs to be designed differently (lower, higher, more scooped, etc.) here or there to fit under a favourite new outfit? But I digress. (See Product Listing for more information on designing your own bra!)

First things first! Measure yourself (or have a friend, spouse or neighbour do it) or go to a store and get measured. Measure in INCHES!

1) With your best fitting (even if tattered) bra measure around your rib cage under your bra. Round to the nearest full number and add 3-4 inches so you end up with an even number. This is your measured band size

2) Measure around your rib cage high on your bust under your arms

3) Measure around the fullest point on your bust.

4) Subtract 2) from 3). Each inch of difference equals a cup size. If the difference was 3” you measure as a “C” cup.

Now go and try on commercial bras in the correct size range. Try the “measured” cup and band sizes and plus one and minus one size in both the cup and band sizes. So, if your measurements say you should be a 38C, to start try: 38B (minus 1 cup size), 38C (measured cup size), 38D (+ 1 cup size), 36D (minus 1 band size but same cup volume) and 40B (+ 1 band size but same cup volume). You may end up trying on the 36C or E (=DD) if the 36 band is better, or the 40 A and 40C if that band is better.

However, think back to step 4). Each INCH of difference is a cup size...what about all women with the “something and half inches”? This may be why you’re checking out my website! An inch is quite a bit of difference. Some other countries use smaller increments so they have more sizes so more women can get fitted correctly! Your choice...order from overseas and risk that it might or might not fit, or give me a call.

Alison Empey, Owner

86 Blackburn Cres

Kilworth (London)

RR5 Komoka,

Ontario, N0L 1R0

(519) 471-8523

Email: Info@sizingmatters.com

Website: www.sizingmatters.com

How do you know what size you are?

First, you should know that, in general, in North America if you increase the band size by one size (ie: 36 up to 38), then you can have the same breast mass fitted into a cup one size smaller (ie D to a C). In other words, a 36D has the same amount of fabric, making the cups the same size as a 38C. Simply the band is larger. So if the 36D bra fits your breast nicely, but the band is too tight, then try the 38C. It should be good.