Should You Measure Your Bra Size At Home? Read This First!
Having a beautifully fitted bra is the foundation of any gorgeous outfit! That’s something that most every woman out there needs to know. When it comes to looking as utterly fabulous as you feel, you need to work from your underwear up. Slipping into some gorgeous lingerie is the ideal way to start your dressing routine and sets the president for everything else you choose to wear.
Sometimes, though, things don’t go quite as smoothly as you may have planned. For instance, when you pop your bra on and notice that it is suddenly quite uncomfortable, that is a major problem.
Here’s what you need to know about bra fitting and whether or not you can do it yourself at home.
Does your bra fit you well?
Let’s deal with the most important question here: Does your bra fit you well enough? When you take the bra off at the end of the day, do you notice nasty little marks where the straps were? Is it uncomfortable throughout the day and do you feel as though it digs into your skin? If the answer is yes, it’s clear to see that your bra no longer fits you.
Don’t panic! Since your bra size can naturally change over time, this is nothing to worry about. However, getting a well-fitted bra should be at the very top of your priority list. It may seem like a somewhat minor thing, but this small change can affect your confidence levels, how you feel, and so much more. So, can you measure yourself at home?
How to measure your bust at home
Literally speaking, of course, you can measure your own bra size. However, it is worth keeping in mind that this process is not always as easy as it sounds. If you’re planning on measuring your bust size, you will need a measuring tape (of course!), a lined bra (avoid sports bras, push-up bras, and padded bras in order to get the most accurate measurements), and a mirror.
Put the bra on first so that you can easily identify the areas where it is ill-fitting. Doing so will give you a super quick idea of what you need to measure and where things are wrong.
Related: How To Tell If A Bra Fits In 4 Easy Steps
Things you should consider
It’s not just about your breast size, you know? When it comes to measuring your bra size, you need to make sure that you cover all bases here. That means that you should check out your band size, your cup size, what type of cup works for your breast shape, and what style of bra is likely to suit you. Needless to say, there’s a whole lot more than goes into this process than many women believe.
Band size
The band size is measured around your rib cage. To get this right, you need to use a measuring tape and hold it flat against your skin in this area. The tape should be just under your breasts, right where you would usually find the band of any of your bras. Take the number of inches you measure here.
Note: Your band inch will always be an even number and you need to round up. So, if you get a measurement of 37 inches, your band size would be 38.
Cup size
Next, wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your bust. To find your cup size, you will need to do a little math. When you have a reading of this area in inches, you’ll need to subtract your band size from it.
For example, if your bust measures at 42 and your band size was 38, your cup size would like be a D cup (4 inch difference – A = 1 inch, B = 2 inches, C = 3 inches, D = 4 inches). Of course, your cup measurement isn’t only determined the difference between your underbust and overbust measurements. As you can see, it can be quite confusing, if you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing. While there are loads of resources online, you could easily get this one wrong by accident.
Bra style
The bra style/cup type that you choose will mostly depend on the particular shape of your breasts. When you see a fitter, they can usually advise you on which types of cup will suit you and which won’t. As a general rule, women with larger breasts may find full-cup bras to be most flattering. However, it’s important to remember that everyone is unique and will have a unique style that suits them.
Related: Bra Sizing Explained: Here’s How Bra Sizing Works
Problems with these measurements
Of course, there is a whole wealth of problems with measuring your own bra size at home. Not only is it super easy to get things muddled up and end up making mistakes, but you are likely no expert in lingerie.
Seeing a fitter who really knows what they are talking about is a much better way to go. That way, you get help, advice, and support, all of which will guide you in the right direction when choosing your next bra.
Remember:
While measuring your bra size at home is an option, it may be trickier and less accurate than you first thought. Booking an appointment at a local lingerie boutique is super simple and means that you will get the size right and get any extra help you need. Simple!
Related: How To Find A Local Lingerie Store You Will Love
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!
