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Sizing Guide for Bras and
Panties
Bras:
Here is a useful set of guidelines to follow
when it comes to making sure that you are
wearing the right size
bra. Statistics show that
the majority of women are known to be wearing
the wrong bra size. The way a bra fits is the
key to wearing the correct bra size. Certain
factors in a woman's life will cause for her bra
size to fluctuate. A woman's bust measurement
will change when she is pregnant or her weight
fluctuates. There are two easy steps to follow
when it comes to purchasing the correct bra size.
First you will need to determine your "Band
Size" (example: 32, 34, 36, etc.) and second you
will need to determine your "Cup Size" (example:
A, B, C, D, DD, etc.).
Step 1: Let us start with the band
size measurement. Begin by wearing your best
fitting bra that is unpadded. First you will need to
determine the measurement
under your bust line. Take a measuring tape and
firmly measure around your body just under the
bust line. Make sure that the tape measure is
straight across your back and chest so that it
is parallel to the floor. This works best while
facing a mirror. The measurement needs to be
rounded up or down to a whole number. As a
general rule, if the measurement is less than a
half inch, round down. If the measurement is
more than a half inch round up. (For example: if
your measurement is 37 1/4 round down to 37
inches. If your measurement is 37 1/2 round up
to 38 inches). If the rounded measurement you
come up with is an odd number then add 5 inches
to it. If the rounded measurement is an even
number then add 4 inches to it. (Example:
rounded measurement of 38 inches + 4 inches = 42
inches). This is your "Band Size."
Step 2:
Next you will need to determine your
"Cup Size.". Standing in front of a mirror,
measure from around your back to the largest
part of your bust, keeping the measuring
tape somewhat looser than the band size
measurement. Make sure that the measuring tape
is straight and parallel to the floor. Round up
or down to a whole number as you did with your
band size measurement. Now, subtract the "Band
Size" measurement from the measurement you just
measured and this difference will determine your
"Cup Size." (Example: "Band Size" of 42 inches -
39 inches = 3 inches = C "Cup Size" ). For
Standard cup size measurements, please refer to
the chart below.
Cup
Size Measurements
|
Difference |
Your Standard "Cup Size" |
|
1/2 inch |
AA |
|
1 inch |
A |
|
2 inch |
B |
|
3 inch |
C |
|
4 inch |
D |
|
5 inch |
DD or E |
|
6 inch |
DDD or F |
|
7 inch |
G |
|
8 inch |
H |
|
9 inch |
I |
|
10 inch |
J |
European Conversion Chart
|
Centimeters
to Inches |
Centimeters
Divided by 2.54 = Inches |
|
Inches to Centimeters |
Inches
multiply by 2.54 =
Centimeters |
Please keep in
mind that calculating your bra size is not
an exact science. We feel that the sizing
guide above is the most accurate way to
measure for a bra. We feel that our sizing
guide is a great way to determining band
size. However, cup size is always a little
more difficult. Generally you would know
your cup size better than any measuring
system out there. So do not be surprised if
your cup size ends up being different to
what you feel it should be.
It is important
to note that cup sizes in the D and higher
range tend to vary between different
manufacturers. We strongly suggest that you
refer to the links above corresponding to
our manufacturer's charts for more accurate
size selections.
Bra
Fitting
Checklist
Here are a list of things
to look for to make sure you have selected the
correct bra size.
(1) If your breasts do not
fill out the cups then you will need a smaller
cup size. On the contrary if your breasts are
bulging out of your cups then you need a larger
cup size. Since in most cases women have one
breast larger than the other sometimes by one
cup size, then the rule of thumb is choose the
cup size that will fit your larger breast.
Another thing to keep in mind is that as the
band size increases, so does the cup size. So a
"D" cup in a 36D is going to be smaller than a
"D" cup in a 38D.
(2) The center section of
the bra between the cups must fit flat against
your body. If it does not then the cup size is
too small or the center section of your
bra
between the two cups is not extended enough to
accommodate for the distance between your
breasts.
(3) The bottom of the bra
in the back and front must be parallel to the
floor. The lower edge of the band must lay below
the shoulder blades. You will get the best
support the lower the back fits.
(4) After wearing your bra
for a prolonged time it should not leave any
deep marks or lines on your body. If it does
this means that either your bra is hooked too
tight or the band size is too small.
Panties:
It
is crucial that your panties fit well, otherwise
you will not feel very comfortable all day. When
selecting the right size
panties you need to
know two measurements. The first is your waist
measurement and the second is your hip
measurement.
Waist
Measurement: To measure your
waist take a measuring tape and measure around
the natural break in your waist.
Hip Measurement:
With a tape measure first make sure that it is
parallel to the floor then measure the fullest
part of your hips.
After determining
your waist and hip measurements, it is important
to note that panty sizes tend to vary between
different manufacturers. We strongly suggest
that you refer to the links above corresponding
to our manufacturer's charts for more accurate
panty size selections.
If
you find that you fall in two different level
sizes for your waist and hip measurements on the
manufacturer's chart, then select the larger of
the two sizes.
Panties
Fitting
Checklist
Here are a list of things
to look for to make sure you have selected the
correct panty size.
(1) Make sure that your
panty fits naturally against your body.
(2) Your
panty in the
buttocks area must be cupped. If you find that
your panty is not covered over your buttocks
area then you need a larger size.
(3) Your waist band should
fit snug. If you find that it is rolling in the
front or bunching up, then your panty is too
large.
(4) The leg openings in
your panties should be snug but not so tight
that they leave deep marks or lines around your
thighs.
(5)
If you find that the
waistband or the leg area in your panties are
stretched out, the material is fraying, or your
panties keep riding up, then it is time to
replace them. |