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Measuring for Your Ready-to-Wear (commercial) Bra Size
(Information from The Bra-Makers Manual by Beverly Johnson, with permission from the author.)
Should you wish to determine your own closest to correct size of ready-to-wear bra, compare your own
measurements to those in the following two charts as a fitting guideline to know what commercial bras
to try on when you go shopping. (You might feel more confident of the final results if you do this
with a friend!)
As you take your measurements, keep two thoughts in mind:
- the number reading on the tape measure is just that: a number.
Good fit is your ultimate goal; and
- a specific bra size from one manufacturer will not necessarily be that same size
from another manufacturer. So if you shop for different styles from different
manufacturers, dont be afraid to try on a size below or above what you have
determined is your correct bra size.
Now, just before we start, a few definitions and some guidelines for measuring.
Your measurements will be most accurate if you wear your best fitting bra during the measuring process.
As you take the measurements, keep the tape measure parallel (level) to the floor and make sure it doesnt twist!
Three measurements are the most important: your high bust measurement, your full bust measurement and
your rib cage measurement.
High Bust Measurement
The high bust measurement is taken with the tape measure just above the breasts, but under the arm. The
tape should be snug, but not tight.
Full Bust Measurement
The full bust measurement is taken over the fullest part of the bust, but do not pull the tape tight.
Rib Cage Measurement
The rib cage measurement is taken with the tape directly under the bust. Again, the tape should be snug,
but not too tight.
To determine your cup size:
Difference between Full Bust
and High Bust Measurements
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Bra Cup Size
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Less than 1/2
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AAA
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½ to 1 (2.5 cm)
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AA
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Up to 1 (2.5 cm)
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A
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Up to 2 (5 cm)
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B
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Up to 3 (7.5 cm)
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C
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Up to 4 (10 c.)
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D
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Up to 5 (12.5 cm)
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E, also called DD
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Up to 6 (15 cm)
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F, also called DDD or EE
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Up to 7 (17.5 cm)
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G, also called FF or EEE
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Up to 8 (20 cm)
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H
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Up to 9 (22.5 cm)
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HH, also called I
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Up to 10 (25 cm)
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J
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Up to 11 (27.5 cm)
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K or JJ
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Up to 12 (30 cm)
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L or KK
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To determine your band size:
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Rib Cage under Bust
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Band Size
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27 28 ½
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32
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29 30 ½
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34
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31 32 ½
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36
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33 34 ½
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38
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35 36 ½
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40
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37 38 ½
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42
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39 40 ½
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44
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41 42 ½
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46
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43 44 ½
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48
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45 46 ½
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50
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Happy bra shopping!
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