This article discusses bra sizing and provides tips and information to help women find the perfect bra fit. Bra fitting is surprisingly complicated and this only reinforces the need for all women to have a professional bra.

1. Bras are made to be very tight. Bras are actually made to fit snug around the chest, tighter than most women. This results in most of the women I see wearing the wrong size bra (usually too big in the back and too small in the cup).

The reason for this is simple, the bra band has a very important role in supporting the weight of the breasts, that is not just a job for the bra straps. If your bra is too loose, the band can’t help support the weight of your breasts, and your shoulders are likely to ache around the bra straps. A bra that is too loose will “ride up” over time and your breasts will be completely out of position.

2. New bras are supposed to be placed on the set of hooks that give the largest size. I’m always amazed at the number of women who try to put new bras on the medium hook set or tighter (in case they gain weight). The different sets of hooks are not there to allow for poor measurement/adjustment.

The hooks/eyes are there because as you wear and wash your bras they will stretch slightly as the material relaxes. When this happens, you can move on to a tighter grommet set to retain the support you need. This will extend the life of your precious purchases.

3. Cup size does not measure the size of your breasts Cup size doesn’t actually measure your breast size, it measures your breast size in relation to your chest size. Although the term “DD” has become synonymous with someone who has large breasts, it is not strictly correct. Someone with a size 34DD will actually have similar sized breasts to someone with a size 38C, or even a 42A!

4. Different countries use different cup size methods. Just to make things even more difficult, different countries use different ways of indicating cup sizes. They are all the same up to (and including D cup), but then they are different.

Tea British method size goes (in increasing cup sizes): AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ (never understood why AA is more small than an A, but a DD is bigger than a D, or why there is no EE size)

A lots of European manufacturers don’t use “double letter” sizes at all, and their cup sizes are (except AA): AA, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, etc.

finally many U.S manufacturers only use more D as the cup size increases above a D, as follows: AA, A, B, C, D, DD, DDD, DDDD, etc.

As long as you are a D cup, or less, life is simple, as all systems are the same. Anything above that and things get very complicated. For example, a British “E” cup will be a European “F” cup and an American “DDD” cup. As you can see, it’s vital that you find out where your bra was made and what size you wear, especially if you’re shopping online.

conclusion The more I’ve worked with women and bras, the more I understand why so many women have the wrong size bra. There are so many things to consider, I really advise all women to get a professional bra fitting done. Hope this helps a bit with your next purchase.