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bra sizes

Can the right bra change your life? We believe it can. So many of us walk around every day without giving our bras much thought. You might forget you’re wearing a bra until the strap falls off your shoulder or the bra band starts to dig into your skin. And you just kind of accept the discomfort as something that comes along with wearing a bra.

But what if there was a better option out there? What if there was a bra that stayed in place, provided support, and felt comfortable throughout the entire day? Whether you’re a believer yet or not, bras like this do exist and they’re not as rare as you’d think.

So how do you find a bra that fits well and feels good? Here’s how:

Get a bra fitting

There’s a reason why it’s first on our list. This is the most important step. Before you buy another bra, do yourself a favor and get a bra fitting. Bra fittings are crucial for finding the right size bra – you can’t be comfortable in a bra that doesn’t fit.

We recommend getting bra fittings every 6 months at your local lingerie boutique. The bra fitters at your local lingerie boutique are trained to help you find bras that fit well. They also have extensive product knowledge, so they know if a brand runs small and which styles are best for each breast shape.

Remember: Your bra size is a guide.

One of the most challenging parts of being a bra fitter is explaining to someone who has worn the same size for years that there is a different size out there that will fit them better – especially when it involves a bigger cup size.

You’ve probably heard that a D cup is “big”. And while it is bigger than a B or C cup, the cup size doesn’t mean anything without a band number in front of it.

Here’s why: Bra sizes are made up of two components – a band size and a cup size. The band size is indicated by the number on the tag (30, 34, 40, etc.) and the cup size is indicated by the letter on the tag (A, G, HH, etc.) Since cups are measured in terms of volume, a 32D bra will fit differently than a 34D bra (the 34D bra has a larger band size and more cup room).

If we take this a step further, we’ll want to look at bra sister sizing, which matches a bra size with the two closest bra sizes with relatively the same cup volume. Fortunately, this is where it all starts to make sense.

Let’s take the 32D bra that we were just talking about. The bra sister sizes for 32D are 34C and 30DD. You might be wondering how someone who wears a D cup could fit into a C cup or a DD cup. This is possible because the cup volume is relatively the same. With bra sister sizing, you’ll experience the biggest difference with the fit of the band. The cups should fit you about the same in all three sizes (32D, 34C, 30DD).

This is why we suggest becoming familiar with your breast shape and bringing a few different sizes and styles into the fitting room.

Remember: Your bra size is more of a guide than a set rule. You might find that you wear a 36D in one brand and a 34DD or 36DD in another lingerie brand. As always, go by the fit of the bra no matter what. The size doesn’t matter.

Do we think the right bra can change someone’s life? Yes! Ask anyone who has ever had a bra fitting if wearing a bra that fits made them feel more confident, comfortable, and helped their clothes fit better and they’ll probably agree. Think of it this way: You wear a bra every single day. You’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re suffering in an ill-fitting bra. Why not visit your local lingerie boutique and find a few that fit you perfectly?

We Highly Recommend

Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.

Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.

If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.

Happy bra shopping!


Featured image lingerie:
Nouveau Racerback Padded Bra A1531 | Nouveau Hipster A1535 in Nude
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Published by

Katie Donnelly

Katie Donnelly is a full-time freelance writer, content manager, and founder of Katie Rose Creative. An experienced bra fitter, Katie has helped hundreds of people shop for lingerie. Her favorite bra is the Sandrine Plunge Longline Bra.

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