HOW TO MEASURE BRA SIZE: OUR BRA FITTING AND MEASURING GUIDE

Many of us think that we get our bra size measured once as a teen and then that is it for life! Well, we are here to break it to you that this is not the case. We all need to be measuring our bra sizes or going for an expert bra fitting every six months to ensure we are wearing the correct size, to properly support our boobs and ensure they look fabulous in a perfectly fitting bra!

Our bra fitting experts have pulled together this handy guide to show you exactly how your bra should be fitting and how to measure your bra size easily yourself too! 

HOW SHOULD A BRA FIT? HOW TO TELL IF YOU ARE WEARING THE RIGHT BRA SIZE OR NOT

Before you start digging out the measuring tape or booking a fitting appointment, it is good to get a general understanding of whether you are wearing the wrong bra size. Just by checking a few different ways that your current bra fits, you will be able to tell if it is the wrong size for you and your boobs!

HOW SHOULD A BRA CUP FIT?

Whether you love a mesh or a lace bra cup, these rules apply for all:

If your bra cups are either gaping or overflowing even slightly, it means you aren’t wearing the right size bra! Your bra cup should fit comfortably holding your boobs in them without overspill (which means the cup is too tight) or without gaping (means you are probably wearing a bra that is too big!). 

An important point to note when checking if your bra cup fits right is that the wire at the side should be sitting on your rib cage, not on your breast tissue. If your bra cup isn’t fitting right, you should either measure your bra size yourself (we will explain how shortly) or book in for a professional bra fitting in store! 

You’ll be amazed at what a difference wearing the right fitting cup size can make! 

HOW SHOULD A BRA BAND FIT?

The under band of your bra (the number part of your bra size) can be a real pain if it doesn’t fit just right! Plus, most of the support from your bra actually comes from the band, so wearing the right size is super important!

Your bra band should fit parallel to the front of the bra at the back, and you should be able to slightly pull the underband away from the body, without there being too much stretch! 

A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to pull the underband out 1cm from your side and 2 inches from your back. 

If your bra band feels tight and digs in, it means you are probably wearing a size too small. If you find your bra band rises up at the back, or your boobs come out of the bottom of your bra, this means your band size is probably a bit too big! 

If you find that either your band or cup size feel wrong, it really is important to measure your bra size rather than just sizing up and down. When you change one size (cup or band) you also need to adjust the other! You can either learn how to work out your bra size with the below steps or go in store for an in-person bra fitting! 

HOW SHOULD BRA STRAPS FIT?

No your straps shouldn’t be slipping down all the time, or digging in and leaving marks - this actually means you might be wearing the wrong bra size or style for your boobs!

Straps being too tight could be a sign that your band isn’t giving you the support you need! Of course, if your bra straps do keep falling down you might just need to adjust them, but if they still aren’t sitting right you might need to check your sizing and find out which bra style is best for your boob shape and size! 

A plunge bra might be best for some boob shapes whilst t-shirt bras might be best for others! A good way to check if your straps are fitting correctly is to check if you can fit two fingers under the straps when you pull upwards from your shoulder.

HOW SHOULD THE CENTRE FRONT SIT?

The Centre front of your bra is another part to consider when checking if your bra fits properly – the centre front is the section of your bra between both cups at the front – if this doesn’t sit right, it can be another sign your bra size needs checking! 

If your centre fold is standing away from your chest, this can be a sign your cup size is too small. If you find it is digging in, it could be the band size that is too small!

So now you know all the signs to look out for if your bra isn’t fitting right, now it’s time to learn how to measure your bra size yourself…

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA SIZE EASILY AT HOME

Measuring your bra size to ensure you have the perfect fit so you look and feel as fabulous as possible in your bra is easier than you may think! All you need is a measuring tape and a mirror and you’ll be wearing the perfect bra size for you in no time. Follow the steps below and you will be saying goodbye to gaping cups or digging in bands and hello to comfort and support! 

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA BAND SIZE

As you now know, most of the all-important support your bra provides actually comes from the band! So getting this measurement right is key to your comfort and boob health!

1. Stand in front of your mirror side on and without a bra!
2. Use the tape to measure around your ribcage, directly under your bust (along the bottom of where the band would sit). Keep the tape snug against your body, and level all the way around. Make sure the centimetre side of your measuring tape is facing outwards, so it’s easy to read and convert in the charts below!
3. Get the measurement from the tape, in centimetres. Then use an underband chart to find your underband size (the number part of your bra size). 

 

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA CUP SIZE

Now you know your band size, it’s time to work out what size cup you are, and it is just as easy! 

1. Take one of your current bras and look at the underband size marked on the label. 
2. If the new measurement you just got is smaller than the current underband size, you’ll probably have to go up a cup size to get the right fit.
3. If your new measurement is bigger than your current underband size, you’ll likely need to go down a cup size.
4. If your new measurement is the same as your current underband size, but your cups aren’t fitting right, you’ll need to go up or down one cup size, depending on the fit.

Remember cup sizes vary by country so use the conversion chart below to make sure you are selecting the right cup size for you wherever you are!

International Cup Conversion Chart

 

OUR TOP TIPS FOR TRYING ON BRAS

The next thing you are going to want to do once you have successfully measured your bra size is ofc go bra shopping for new perfectly fitting bras! We have a few more tips to make choosing your new bras even easier and ensuring the fit is perf!

• Bend forward while putting on the bra and hook it before you stand up straight. This will help you fully settle into the cups.
• Use a finger to test whether the bra is too tight or loose. You should be able to slide one finger easily underneath the underband.
• Check whether the centre front of your bra (where the cups meet in the centre of your bust) is lying flat. If it isn’t, then the bra is the wrong size or shape.
• Lift up your arms and twist your body from side to side. If your bra is the right fit, it will stay in place.
• Before you commit to a bra, try it on under a form-fitting t-shirt to make sure there are no wrinkles, puckers, lumps or bumps.
• To check for support, look at a side-view of yourself in the mirror. With proper support, your breasts should sit midway between your shoulders and elbows.
• Bra straps provide secondary support to your back, so make sure they’re properly adjusted. They should lie flush on your shoulders and shouldn’t be so tight that they dig into your skin.
• Remember, sizes may vary a bit across different brands and styles. A good rule of thumb is if you need to go down one cup size, go up one underband size, and vice versa.
• An underband will typically have three or four hooks. Choose one that gives you a good fit on the outermost hook. As the fabric loosens over time, you can move to a tighter hook.

So there you have it - everything you need to know about how your bra should fit and how to measure your bra size easily when it doesn’t fit right! 

Remember to measure regularly as your size may change more than you think! If you want to be extra sure of your bra size and get expert Boux advice on which bra style is perfect for your size and boob shape, then book a bra fitting appointment in store with us! Our expert bra fitters will help you out! 

Share your new bra picks with us over on Insta using #myboux - we know you’ll all look fabulous! 
Happy bra shopping love Team Boux x