A Guide to Bra Sizing.

Did you know that finding the right sized bra is not rocket science… it’s far more complicated than that! Before we go any further, this guide is not intended to supersede the services of a professional bra fitter, it’s intended to highlight just how difficult it can be trying to get the correct sized bra.

Sizing for a normal everyday bra is a case of taking two measurements; those being the bust size and the under-bust size. The difference between the two measurements determines the cup size so an under-bust measurement of 34 inches and a bust measurement of 38 inches gives a difference of 4 inches. This 4 inch difference means your cup size is D. Regardless of whether the under-bust and bust measurements are 28 and 32 inches respectively or 40 and 44 inches, the cup size will carry the same letter as the proportion of 4 inches is constant in all these measurements. Once you’ve determined your proper bra size, you should choose a bra which fits on the loosest set of eyelets. This allows the bra to be tightened as the fabric relaxes over time… Simple isn’t it?

When it comes to measuring for maternity bras you need to do things a little differently. Firstly, you need to ensure that your maternity bra fits on the tightest set of eye lets instead of the loosest as you’re only going to get bigger in the coming months. In the early stages of pregnancy you will most likely go up a bra size, from say 36 to 38 inches, but need the same cup size. This means you’d go from a 36D to a 38C and not a D as you may expect. However in the later stages of pregnancy you’ll want to increase the cup size too as your body prepares for breast feeding.

After giving birth you’ll need to trade in your maternity bra for a nursing bra if you’re breast feeding your new born child. During this period your breast size will change considerably and often as milk is produced and extracted. In addition to this your under-bust measurement will begin to decrease as you body-shape returns to normal. Nursing bras are designed for comfort, support and convenience and are more often non-wired than wired and the majority of advice recommends opting for a non-wired nursing bra as wired nursing bras can restrict milk flow and could lead to blocked ducts or mastitis.

There is no substitute for getting a bra professionally fitted, especially as you go through pregnancy and nursing where ‘any old’ bra simply will not do.

By Carl Liver and Barry Summers