How a bra is sized.

Bra sizes are quite confusing. The bra size is determined by two measurements. There is a number and a letter. The number is the size around your ribcage. This is important for choosing a good fitting bra. This number is NOT your measurement around your body. Oh no, that would be too simple. The ribcage measurement has 4 inches added then the size issued.

The cup sizing is given a letter to denote the fullness of the breast. The letter relates to the difference between the breast measurement and the bust measurement. This starts at an A,B,C,D and then repeats as in DD, DDD, E, F, G……This system was first created by Warner bra in 1935. It enabled a standard for manufacturing and is still used today.

The combination of ribcage and breast volume are described as 36DD for example.
The little known reality of this sizing system is that as the band size increases so does the cup sizing. If you compare a 36D bra with 48D bra you might expect the cup sizes to be the same. They are both a D cup but the size 48D will be larger than a 36D.

( See the Black Goddess bra from the photo )

Brenda
Owner/Designer & Fashion Consultant
www.PlusSizeBrasAndPanties.com
Brenda@PlusSizeBrasAndPanties.com
Plus Size Bras, Plus Size Panties, Plus Size Shapewear, & More

Does your Plus Size Bra fit properly?

http://www.plussizebrasandpanties.com/

 A properly fitting plus size bra is such a difficult task. So many women wear an ill fitting bra and don’t even know it. Most also tend to wear the same size their entire life. Many changes over a lifetime change a woman’s bra size.

This short checklist will tell you if you are wearing the correct bra.

• The center front of the bra is sitting close to, or right against the breast bone.
• The band around your ribcage sits parallel to the floor. It is snug, comfortable and does not ride up.
• The straps do not dig into your shoulder and you can easily run your finger along under the strap.
• The cups sit smoothly.

Most women believe that the straps support the bra. This is not the case. The majority of the support comes from the band. The band holds the bra in place. Make sure the bra fits you when it is closed to the largest setting of hooks. This will give you 2 more hooks to tighten the bra as the fabric relaxes when the bra ages.

It is easy to know if the band is too small as it will be tight and uncomfortable. Buy a larger band size.

It is not as easy to recognize that the band is too large. The most common problem is the band riding up. This is because it is not tight enough so the weight of the breasts fall forward pulling the band up in the back. This is a common problem for Plus Size Women. The reaction is to tighten the straps and then they really dig in. Another sign is the breasts fall out under the bra. Buy a smaller band size.

You must also remember that a larger band size will have a larger cup even if it is the same cup size. You may need to change your cup size as well. It is a size grading feature that changes the cup size as you grade up to larger sizes. Although a 34C and a 42C are both C cups the 42C cup will be much larger.

It takes a bit of effort to find the correct bra but well worth the work.

Brenda
http://www.plussizebrasandpanties.com/