It’s estimated that 80% of women wear the wrong bra size. Finding the perfect size for you isn’t a guessing game, even though many people do just that at the store. When you’re shopping for a bra, use this bra size quiz to help you find a bra that suits your body and style. The perfect bra should fit comfortably without any gaps in the cup. The band shouldn’t dig in. The straps shouldn’t fall off your shoulders, nor should they dig in. Here’s what to know about getting the right fit.
Underwire Pressing Into Side Of Breasts
As a general rule of thumb, your bra should fit comfortably. Unfortunately, underwire bras for women often get a bad rap because they are uncomfortable. If the underwire of the bra is pressing into your breasts, it’s not the band size that is the problem. It’s that the cup size is too small. If the underwire presses into your side or your armpits, the cup size is too big. If the band and/or underwire dig into your skin, making the bra uncomfortable, your band size is probably too small.
Gap Between Breast & Cup
The cups should fit to the curve of your breasts. There shouldn’t be any gaping or spilling over. If the cups gape at the top of the cup, try tightening your straps for a sleeker look. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to go a half-cup size. If you are flowing out of the cups, you may need to go up a cup size to reduce the spillage. Fuller coverage bras can also help reduce spillage.
Snug Straps
The straps should fit snugly against your shoulders. If the straps are slipping, you may need to tighten them up. The elastic stretches out over time. If adjusting the straps doesn’t help, look for a bra that has narrow-set straps. If the straps are leaving marks on your shoulders or digging in, it’s a sign of an ill-fitting bra. The band is what should be supporting the weight of the breasts, not your straps. You should get a smaller band size.
Measure For a Bra That Fits
Get a good tape measure to measure your bust size and rib cage to find the right size bra. To find the band size, measure your rib cage, under the breast tissue. If the number is an even number, add 2 inches. If the number is an odd number, add 3 inches to get the band size. The band measures a little differently when it’s laid flat than when it’s actually on a person, so these extra inches can give you a more accurate fit.
To get the cup size, measure the fullest part of the breasts. Now subtract the band size from the over-bust. The differential is the cup size, starting with 0 for an AA cup, 1 is an A cup, 2 is a B cup, and so on. Our bra size chart can help you find the right size if you’re buying online.