It is still always interesting that years after that mantra went out" 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra, that 80% of women are still wearing the wrong size bra!!!!!
Women still buy one dress size up simply because they know the top does not fit right. Sometimes the simple solution to the problem, is to hoist the girls a little higher. The darts on the dress are supposed to hold/enhance (whatever) the breasts not be above them.
One good rule of thumb when all is said and done, is that your nipples must be aligned between your shoulders and your elbows. Hoist, hoist, hoist :)
Measuring for the correct bra size.
The Lilyette Minimizer Bra by Maidenform minimizes size, not shape. Step 1: Determine Your Band Size
Wearing your best-fitting, unpadded bra, use a flexible measuring tape to measure around your rib cage, directly under the bust. Make sure the tape is flat and straight against your back and measure tightly.
If you come up with a fraction, round down if it's less than ½. Round up if it's 1/2 or more. For example, if your measurement is 30 and 1/4 inches, round down to 30. But if your measurement is 30 and 1/2, round up to 31.
Next, add 5 inches to your rib cage measurement. If you come up with an odd number, round up to the next even number (bras only come in even sizes). For example, if your rib cage measurement is 30 inches, adding 5 inches equals 35. You would then round up to the next even number, 36.
Write your even number down. This is your BAND SIZE.
Step 2: Measure Over the Bustline
Measure loosely around your chest at the fullest part of the bustline (usually across the nipples). Keep the tape measure horizontal, straight, and flat all the way around your body. Round up or down to the nearest whole number.
Write this number down. This is your BUSTLINE MEASUREMENT.
Step 3: Determine Your Cup Size
Subtract your BAND SIZE (step 1) from your BUSTLINE MEASUREMENT (step 2). The difference between the two determines your cup size.
If the difference is:
½ inch, your cup size is AA
1 inch, your cup size is A
2 inches, your cup size is B
3 inches, your cup size is C
4 inches, your cup size is D
5 inches, your cup size is DD
Here’s an example to follow:
Step 1: The ribcage measurement is 28. Add 5 inches to equal 33. Round up to the next even number. The BAND SIZE is 34.
Step 2: The BUSTLINE MEASUREMENT is 37.
Step 3: The difference between the BAND SIZE (34) and BUSTLINE MEASUREMENT (37) is 3 inches, so the cup size is C. Our example bra size is therefore, a 34C.
For fuller figures click here: Full Figure Fashion for a great selection of bras.
Now that you understand the three steps to determine your bra size, keep in mind that this measuring system is more of an approximation than an exact science. Unfortunately, there are no real industry standards for bra sizing, so fit may vary depending on the manufacturer and style.
It is also important to realize that every woman's body is unique. A woman's height and weight, and the volume, shape and spacing of her breasts may affect how different bras fit. Ultimately, a bra that is perfect for one woman may be totally wrong for another, even though they wear the same size.To find the perfect bra for you, try on a variety of brands and styles for fit. This will take a bit of time and patience, but the bra size you determined from your measurements is a great place to start. Try to think of it as shopping for shoes-even though you wear a size 7, some 7s may not look or feel that great when you try them on. So hit the racks with your newly measured band and cup sizes in mind. And remember, if the bra fits, buy one in every color.
Read about underwear challenges faced by Stacy and Clinton on "what not to wear".
