On Bands, Cups, Breast Volume, and Brassieres - A Primer

The other day, a woman and her teenage daughter came in for a bra fitting.  When I informed them of their respective sizes...28E and 36D - the mother wondered aloud how it was possible that her young daughter had a larger cup size than she, even though to look at them, you would easily conclude that the daughter has smaller breasts....

So here is the thing about bras...like with most things...it's all relative....

Cup size is a measure of the difference (in inches) between the band measurement (blue line #1) and the bust measurement (green line #2).

Each inch of difference between those two numbers is equal to one cup size...

1" = A Cup	9" = I Cup
2" = B Cup	10" = J Cup
3" = C Cup	11" = K Cup
4" = D Cup	12" = L Cup
5" = E Cup	13" = M Cup
6" = F Cup	14" = N Cup
7" = G Cup	15" = O Cup
8" = H Cup	16" = P Cup

But when we are trying to compare  breast volume - the actual amount of "boobage" - it is good to remember this handy rule: Whenever we go up one size in the band, we go down one size in the cup in order to contain the same breast tissue...and vice versa...down one size in the band, up one size in the cup.  Confused?!?  I believe this handy infographic will shed some light...

Thank you, ErrantWhimsy of Reddit for this!

So you see, band and cup size are linked, not independent.  Which brings us nicely to the topic of sister sizes....  Once you have figured out your "correct" bra size (or a fair approximation thereof), gotten over the shock, and decided to go shopping for some new undies, it is important that you understand what sister sizes are...because just like shoe size, bra sizes are not universally uniform...only more so...in fact, WAY more so.

Let's take a real life example.  Let us say that you measured yourself at home and came up with a size of 34F.  Let us further assume that you luck into a store that carries a wide array of sizes.  A charming brassiere catches your eye...you grab a 34F off the rack and go to try it on.  You discover that while the cup fits pretty well, the band seems to big.  When you go to take a 32 off the rack (don't forget to throw on a shirt first) do not get a 32F!  Remember, down in the band, up in the cup.  To contain your boobage well, you will need to get a 32G.  Here is another handy chart to help you understand what I mean...

Thank you to Amalas of Reddit for this!

Are you slowly (or rapidly) coming to the realization that you are wearing the wrong size bra?  Well, if it is any comfort, naming a problem is the first step to solving it.  I invite all of you lovely ladies to call me today at 054-246-1191 and set up a time for a personal bra fitting.

I sell high quality bras (regular and nursing) in a very wide variety of sizes (currently around 150 sizes and growing).  I am also a bra-fitting expert; if I don’t stock it, I will order it for you or direct you to a place where you can purchase the very best bra for you.

I look forward to helping you find a bra that will lift, embrace, support, separate, and sculpt your bust giving you a more streamlined, youthful, and slimmer appearance, and boosting your self-image to boot...and who couldn't use more of that in their life?!?

Blessings,

Nili