Brassiere measurements

Brassiere sizes are commonly labeled by manufacturers with a code consisting of a number and one or more Latin capital letters, the number referring to the circumference of the ribcage, and the letter referring to the relative volume of the breasts. The single most confusing this about bras is that cup sizes are relative. Most people think that cup sizes are the same across all bra sizes, meaning that a B cup on a 34 is the same size as on a 36. This is not true. Cup sizes are relative to the band size, so the same cup size is bigger on a bigger band size. Try this experiment - compare a 32DD and a 36DD. The cup on the 32DD is much smaller than the cup on the 36DD - in fact, it holds about the same volume as a 36C. So don't presume your cup size will always be the same - it might adjust with your band size.Several different systems are used worldwide to define these labels, based on either inch or centimetre body measurements.

Modern sizing

Sizing varies considerably between garments produced by different manufacturers; even professional bra fitters often produce inconsistent results. There is currently no commonly agreed formal standard that defines an inch-based bra-size system. Due to these uncertainties in labeling, customers should always verify whether the garment fits well, rather than rely entirely on the labeled bra size. The method described below attempts to approximate current practice in the United States and United Kingdom. [ [http://www.figleaves.com/uk/fitting_room.asp?cat=129&txt=2679 Bra Fitting Guide] ] . All measurements are in inches.

*First measure tightly around the torso, directly underneath the breasts. This is the "frame size", or underband. Round this to the nearest even number to calculate the "band size"Fact|date=August 2008. (Many bra fitting guides say to add four or five inches to the underbust measurement, but this is not correct Fact|date=August 2008. This method was devised in the 1930s when bra design was in its infancy and does not work with modern bras.)Fact|date=August 2008
*Next measure loosely around the chest including the fullest part of the breasts, while standing straight with arms to the side. This is the "bust size" or overbust.
*The "cup size" is then the difference between the bust size and the band size, converted into a letter using the following table:

Fact|date=February 2007

izing issues

The most common bra size worn in the UK is 36C.iVillage - Are you wearing the right bra size? http://www.ivillage.co.uk/beauty/promotions/articles/0,,628687_694143,00.html] Telegraph - A Weight off my shoulders: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2003/04/14/htest14d.xml] However, many studies have shown that around 80% of women are wearing the wrong sizeBravissimo - A Perfect Fit: http://www.bravissimo.com/perfectfit/] Rigby and Peller - Bra fitting: http://www.rigbyandpeller.com/advice-centre/bra_fitting.aspx] with the most common mistake being to select a bra with too large a back band and too small a cup, for example, 38C instead of 34E, or 34B instead of 30D.Bravissimo sizes up staff - Royal Free Hampstead: http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/default.aspx?top_nav_id=2&tab_id=2&news_id=430] Bravissimo, the large cup size specialist, estimates that the average woman should be wearing a 34DD or 34E bra. These fitting problems are exacerbated by the lack of education about bra sizing and fitting, and the myths perpetrated by the media (DD cup breasts are regarded as being significantly larger than average.)

ee also

* EN 13402 – European clothes sizes standard (including bra sizes)

References

* [http://www.lasenza.co.uk/cs_sizing.asp?s=9&section=3_2 Bra Sizing guide]
* [http://www.fashion-era.com/bras_and_girdles.htm Bra History - Fashion Era.com]

External links

* [http://www.barenecessities.com/fit_sizing.asp "Bra Fit Guide"]
* [http://www.brameasurement.co.uk "Bra size measuring tape and fitting guide"]
* [http://www.85b.org/bra_conv.php "Bra Size Converter"]
* [http://www.becheeky.com/size-guide-and-charts-i-18.html "Lingerie size conversions"]