How to measure properly to get the right bra size!

I'm so happy that I got up at 5:00 am Saturday (to go to an ASDP event--Bra Fitting).

I had to get up so early because the presentation was being held at Lady Grace... in Braintree, MA, which is 2 hours away from me.  Happily, I had company, my friend Grace came along with me (no relation), we had a great time!

Here's a quick recap--When we got there, we were welcomed by several other ASDP members and the very knowledgeable and friendly staff of Lady Grace.  Claire, the store manager, (who has been fitting bras for over thirty years) gave an excellent presentation... It was well worth the early wake-up!  Many of the ASDP members do custom garments and special occasion dresses, so one of the goals was to learn how to educate customers on how to buy the proper foundations to go under their dresses and such. One of the things Claire explained was how to measure to determine which bra size you should start with.

So, as we all know bra sizes are made up of two different parts--band size and cup size:

The band size is determined by the measurement of your middrift directly below your bust.  (The bottom tape).

Here's how you use this measurement to determine your band length.

1.  Measure yourself directly under your bust (make sure that the tape measure is straight across your back). 
2. So, let's use me for example.  My middrift measures 35 inches.  Here's what you do with this measurement:
1. If your measurement is UNDER 35 inches (not me)... add 5 inches to this number.
2. If your measurement is 35 or more, add 3 inches to this number.
3. So in my case, 35 + 3 = 38 
4. 38 is my starting band length size.
3. Ok, I now know I should start trying on bras that are 38 ____
4. Now, let's determine cup size (yuck).  Measure across your full bust. ... In my case, I measure 41 inches. 
5. Here's what you do with that measurement:
1. An A-Cup = 36 inches
2. A B-Cup = 37 inches
3. A C-Cup = 38 inches
4. A D-Cup = 39 inches 
5. Here's where it gets tricky... Depending on the sizing chart it could go like this:
1. A DD-Cup = 40 inches -- OMG, I can't shop at Macy's anymore!!!!!
2. A DDD-Cup = 41 inches
3. A DDDD-Cup = 42 inches (you get the idea)
6. Here's another way it could go depending on sizing charts:
1. A E-Cup = 40 inches
2. A F-Cup = 41 inches
3. A G-Cup = 42 inches (... Lady Grace carries bras up to a N-Cup)
6. So, based on my measurements, I started trying on  38F bras (I'm whispering that by the way...)

Fitting tips:

It's important to try on several styles--  Depending on how things are fitting you may have to go up or down a cup or band size.   Also, keep in mind that as band size goes up, cup size goes down.  What I mean is a 36C = a 38B.  So, for example, If your 38C bra seems to fit fine, except for the fact that it feels loose around your middrift--a 36D might fit better.

One sure sign that the band length is too big is that your bra rides up in the back.  (Ideally, the back of the bra should lay evenly at the same level with the lower end of the front of your bra.)  

Another tip I got at Lady Grace--Fit the bra using the MIDDLE hooks--that way you can loosen or tighten the band as needed! (I never knew that... I always hooked my bra on the tightest hooks..  As my bra stretched out... I had nowhere to adjust it tighter!) (Of course I had plenty of room if I felt bloated!)

Obviously, you can tell if the cup size is too big... but sometimes it's hard to tell if it's big enough.   

If you wear an underwire, the wire should extend just past the bust along the sides.  This could put the end of the wire under your arm .... but that's ok, as long as it's within 1/2" of the end of the fullness.  (This is often overlooked when choosing a cup size.  Usually I'm too busy paying attention to what the cleavage area is doing... and whether or not they slipping under the wire!) 

Anyway, those are the tips I picked up.... in the end here's size of the bras I left Lady Grace with (I got beige too!)  BTW, thank god I don't live in France... I would be 95F yikes!!

I must say that having the correct size bra is not only more comfortable, but it also makes my bust smaller.  I know this because my turtlenecks get stretched out less when I'm wearing them Yay!

Happy bra hunting!! (For you or your custom clothes customers!  (I wouldn't do a fitting without one!)