Breast size and Bra size not always the same

[Brandye]

Over the years, many questions addressing breast size have shown up. There are no magical pills or potions to grow your breasts. Your mother has already established most of what you will grow. The bigger message is that presentation is more important than size. In other words, show them off to your advantage and this begins with a properly fit bra. Many places on the web, and most discount and department stores will make two measurements: around the rib cage under the breasts and around the fullest part of the breast, usually over the nipples. From these two measurements, and some will add a third under the armpits above the breasts, you are supposed to arrive at your correct bra size.

The problem is that we are shaped differently. Some of us are globular, some conical; some are wide set and some close together; some of us have broad shoulders and others narrow and sloped; broad backs with narrow waists are different from narrow backs and broader waists; some of us point outwards and some, straight ahead; some of our nipples point down and some up. A properly fitted bra is built for how we each are built and not for the generic woman. Here are the measurements that are taken for custom bras: Around: neck, armpits, fullest breast, ribcage, waist and hips. Vertical: tip of shoulder to tip of elbow, cleft on top of sternum to each nipple, center of shoulder to band line, band line to waist. Horizontal: nipple to nipple, shoulder tip to shoulder tip. Then, there are subjective considerations: full breasted, pointed, slope of the breast. Whilst a bra fitter may not take all of these measurements, she will be considering them as you try on bras.

Your bra, ideally, will meet four criteria: 1. Hold ‘em (what is the modern metaphor for “tit caught in a wringer?”). 2. Be comfortable. 3. Enhance your appearance (not necessarily your size) and, 4. Be reasonably attractive. A good bra fitter will know your priorities; the daily bra is usually in the order listed; for party wear, perhaps the reverse ( a platform, for instance, holds little but certainly shows them off); under polos or t’s, pick your own order; an intimate evening is all appearance and attraction – discomfort be damned!

Some manufacturers cater to full breasts and some to more typical or smaller breasts. Some seem to use forms that assume wide set breasts and others narrow, pointed ones. A bra fitter should be aware of all this. No, you will not get a bra on bargain getting this service but you will find out where to start and if you use a shoppe that carries popular brands, you will learn what models of what brands fit you in what sizes. Once every few years, you can pay full price and buy on bargain between fittings.

Many of us will spend hours and many pounds selecting our “special occasion” bras, platform, strapless, sheer, demicup, backless, deep plunge and so on, that we will wear for a few hours (or even minutes!) and reach for the bargain bin for every day bras. That is all backwards. We wear our “regular” bras day in and day out, often the first thing on in the morning and still be wearing it twelve or more hours later. These are the bras that need to be fitted carefully and properly for your comfort. Moreover, a properly fitted bra, properly cared will last far longer.

Your “presentation” requires matching the bra to the top you are wearing as well as proper fitting. The bra for under a blouse will usually not do it under a bulky sweater; demicups are only appropriate for sedentary business roles (unless you are advertising!). Your daily bra will not work for dressy occasions. Some wear the regular daily bra under all blouses and sweaters; others will want different effects with some of their tops. That is a judgment call. But each should be fitted and you will usually wear different sizes in the different models.

OK, you have your new bra wardrobe, how about care? Never wear a bra two days in a row. The modern fibres need to rest to maintain their shape. I have four daily bras – two white, one nude and one black – because I most commonly wear white blouses to work. Bras never go in the washer or dyer; soak for twenty minutes or so in mild soap or detergent solution (baby shampoo is great and rinses easily). Then hang BY THE STRAPS to drip dry. Children hangars are good. My bra fitter “gives” them out with bras. Store the bras folded flat or on the hangars. I pay a high price for each bra, custom fitted, but, in the long term, spend about the same as other women to comfortably hold ‘em.

[raunchy gal]

What about the bras that you can buy that convert from everyday to strapless /evening with removable/ interchangeable straps.My daughter has several of these.She is rather small busted as i was at her age and can get away with just buying off the rack.I have more fuller breasts now that i have had children and put on weight as i've gotten older,and i would probably be better off getting my bras properly fitted for practicality and comfort.I am surprised that no one has replied to your thread Brandye as i have found it very informative.

[Brandye]

With a petite body and small breasts, it does not really matter but for larger women, bras made to do what they do well are the order of the day. Multi-purpose means too many compromises to do anything really well.

Decide what you want to accomplish and get a good bra to do that, with the help of a professional fitter.

[maupassant]

Due to my circumstances I have to buy my wife's bras. Initially I used to go to a stall where the delightful lady knew of my circumstances and I was safe in that she would know I would not be requiring bras for my own 'purposes'. Buying sanitary towels was another problem.
However Brandye, you have given me food for thought and maybe using one of the better stores which advertises the services of an adviser (M and S??) would be a boon to me.
Thanks for all the advice. I reckon I am guilty of 90% of the cardinal sins regarding bra care!

[sphinx]

This is really good useful information. I guess to carry on from that people buying lingerie for a woman they are married to, partnered with or whatever should generally take good consideration of this right? Is it possible to walk into a Bra shop with these more precise measurements and get a good quality bra for your partner than if you went to say Ann Summers or such and went by the 28B or whatever the common bra measurements are? Mind you on that note, could you turn it around into a bit of pampering foreplay, or in fact just pampering? Although I guess men aren't really allowed inside a bra fitting shop right? And buying lingerie for your partner is usually something more than pampering. Just a few thoughts from reading this article. Thanks for the info.

[Marebear1991]

Can a doctor take these measurements for you if you are too embarrassed to have a bra fitter do it? Where are some good places to get custom bras made?

[Brandye]

No, most doctors would not have the vaguest idea of what or how to measure. Bra fitters at good lingerie shoppes or some department stores are generally quite good - assuming they represent a selection and not just one brand. Corsettiers are what we call the bra makers in Europe and they are fast disappearing.

Sphinx, a bra is likely the most difficult garment there is to fit properly. Men seem to choose sexy fashions and that is ok. The problem is that going from brand to brand or even among models of the same brand, sizes are not constant. Then there are the considerations (shape, spacing, etc) that can only be noted when being worn.

[EvilEvilKitten]

Comfort in a bra means - you forget you're wearing one. Just think of this as one less annoyance in your day; one less thing you have to subconciously 'deal with'.

Also your breasts will change during your life so don't think you're always going to be whatever size/shape you are now.

[ladyb]

Ok here is a problem I have 3 dif. sizes of bra s because well some days I have boobs and some days I don't. What the hell is the damn deal ? Any body know ? My mom is the same way.

[RedRoses]

Hi LadyB,
Anything typical about events prior to such changes? I've experienced changes due to how much my breasts got fondled with; getting larger and more firm after a good make-out session

That must be difficult on your wardrobe! But I can imagine when it shifts 3 sizes (cupsizes I assume), it could hurt as well. Or is that not so? I happen to know a woman who experiences the same due to fluctuating hormones and at times it's really difficult for her. Not saying this is the case with you, off course, just an example... I'd say: consult your doctor in this. Think about things such as: is there a relationship between the sizes and your cycle. Any other complaints that perhaps come and go about as quickly as the change in breastsize? The doc could take away your concerns and/or your complaints.