A Conversation for How to Measure Your Bra Size and Buy a Bra that Fits
Correct way to measure bra size
ToniLou1 Started conversation Nov 16, 2006
For years I have tried to follow the suggested method of measuring your own bra size, only to find that I apparently have inverted breasts!
I am currently 7 months pregnant & was a 34B before pregnancy.
I am obviously growing bigger & decided to measure myself to see what I am now as I need a new bra.
According to this method I am a 36A??? Ok then, I don't think so....My current bra is a 36D & is too small now!
So I checked out the bra measuring guide on Contessa's website.
According to Contessa, I am a 36E, this is more like it. I now see where the other guides are going wrong.
The first part seems to be correct (add 4 inches if its even & 5 if its odd) but the cup size is where it goes 'tits up' (pardon the pun!).
The difference is between the initial measurement & the fullest part of your bust, not after you have added the 4 or 5 inches.
If in doubt with my theory check out www.contessa.co.uk/assistance.asp#top
I hope this helps others out, as I have been confused for years about my inverted breasts! 
Correct way to measure bra size
ToniLou1 Posted Nov 16, 2006
Ok.....just been back on Contessa's site & have noticed that they do say 'difference between bra size & fullest bust = cup size'.
So they're pretty much agreeing with all the other dumb measurement guides.
I find this confusing though, as I have been in store & they said it's the difference between the initial under bust measurement & the fullest bust = cup size.
Now I'm not so sure whether my sizing is correct! Lol! It might be just pure fluke that I'm about a 36E. I don't know! Makes more sense than the other measure guides I suppose!
Correct way to measure bra size
belladonna_eyes Posted Nov 28, 2006
You're right, the cup size gets totally skewed when you add anything to the under-bust. The best way IMO is to round the under-bust up to the nearest even number, then work out the cup size, and only then go up a band size and down a cup size if necessary.
eg, if your under-bust measured 33" and your bust measured 41", the conventional method would put you at either 36DD or 38C depending on how many inches you add, but if you work out the cup size first and then round up, it would be 34F or 36E, which is much more accurate.
Key: Complain about this post
Correct way to measure bra size
More Conversations for How to Measure Your Bra Size and Buy a Bra that Fits
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."