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The Mystery of Measuring Your Bra Size

By Karen LaPorte

Who wants to wear an uncomfortable bra especially in the summer heat? Your bra should fit comfortably with out pinching or riding up and with enough support so you don’t sag. Did you know that 85% of American women wear the wrong size? Well I dare you to not be in that percentage. With a little help from the CEO and founder of Le Mystere, Michael Rabinowitz we are going to solve the mystery of measuring your size.

Here are his tips from The Handbook of Style:

Step One: Measure Band Size

1. Measure yourself while wearing an unlined or thinly lined bra.
2. Using a soft measuring tape measure around your rib cage in inches – just beneath the bust. Ensure that the tape is snug, smooth, and level in the front and back.
3. If your measurement is even, add four inches to this number to get your band size; if your measurement is odd, add 5 inches to this number to get your band size. Fuller figured women with rib cage measurements of more than 36 inches may only need to add 1 or 3 inches to get to the next even numbered band size.

Step Two: Measure Cup Size

1. Keeping the measuring tape straight and snug, measure around the fullest part of your bust.
2. Subtract this measurement from your rib cage measurement.
3. The difference is the basis for your cup size; each inch of difference is equal to one cup size.

You can look up your cup size here:

• less than 1 inch = AA cup
• 1 inch = A cup
• 2 inches = B cup
• 3 inches = C cup
• 4 inches = D cup
• 5 inches = DD cup (E)
• 6 inches = DDD cup (F)
• 7 inches = DDDD cup (G)

Sounds pretty easy right? Mystery solved! Now if you really can’t be all that bothered to do the measuring yourself your lingerie retailer should have professional staff that will offer you a complimentary bra fitting consultation. Don’t be shy, this is an invaluable service.

Keep in mind that just because you have a bra fitting once doesn’t mean you’re finished. Do not set that size in stone. Weight loss, weight gain, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and water retention can change your size over the years. Another thing to keep in mind is that not all bra manufacturers fit the same. Use the size you have measured as a guide and go try on some bras! No make that lot’s of bras!

We love the Le Mystere Isabella Sexy Sheer Underwire Bra shown above, available at Bare Necessities.