Tomima's Blog – Lingerie & Underwear Expert

 

Personally, I think finding the right band size is really tough.  A bra’s cup size either fits or it doesn’t, but finding the right fit in a band size can be a little subjective.  And it’s because of this that mistakes can be made.

Simply put, women – and bra fitters for that matter – have their own opinions on how tight a band should fit.  I know that I prefer a bra band on the slightly loose side.  I’ve seen bra fitters put women in band sizes that I thought were way too tight.  The final decision should ultimately rest with the wearer of the bra.  So, how do you decide your personal band size?

First, women with cup sizes C or smaller can decide what is the most comfortable for them.  Their breast size does not dictate the necessity for a firm band size.  But, D cups and larger really need to consider a few more variables.  Ninety percent of breast support comes from the bra band.  Therefore, the band should be firm enough around the chest to support the breasts.  A quick trick to see if this is the case is to put on a bra, then take the straps off your shoulder.  If the bra falls down to your waist, or slips down your torso, your band needs to be tighter.  Another test is to put on a bra and then twist your shoulders side-to-side.  If your bra band is moving on you while you do this, your band is too loose.

The difference between band sizes is 2".  Almost every bra comes with 3 hook closure options along the back.  The difference between the loosest and tightest position is between 1" to 1 1/2".  So, when you put a bra on for the first time, try it on its tightest position first.  If it feels comfortable, I would go down a band size. The reason is that you have nowhere to go once the bra begins to stretch with wear, and the next band size down will accomodate that stretch.  Say you are trying on a 38 band size on its tightest fastening and it feels comfortable.  I think you should go down a band size to a 36. Note: when you go down a band size, you need to go up a cup size if you want to maintain the same cup volume.

Alternatively, when you put on a bra for the first time, you should fit to the loosest adjustment.  Put on a bra and attach the hooks to the closest eyes on the bra’s other end.  Does it feel snug?  If it does, that’s your band size.  Now, as you wear that bra, you have the ability to adjust it tighter as the bra stretches out over time.  And, all bras stretch over time.

So, where do you start to find the right band size for you?  Begin with a tape measure.  Making sure it’s parallel to the floor, wrap the tape measure around yourself along your bust crease – the place where your breast skin turns into tummy skin.  Do this while not wearing any bra, and exhale to make this measurement as small as possible.  Now, to that measurement, add 3" or 4" to get you to an even number.  This should be your starting band size.  But, it doesn’t have to mean it’s your final band size.  You decide whether that band size feels comfortable to you and you like the support it provides.  Go up or down a band size till you feel comfortable.  But remember two things.  1. Each band increase/decrease means a 2" difference in the circumference.  So, if one size is a little tight, and the other is a little loose, fine tune your decision by moving the bra closure in the back to the second position.  2.  Cup sizes change in fit when you go up or down a band size.  So, say you like the fit of a 38C bra in the cups, but the band is too tight, you should move to a 40B.  If the 38C band is too loose, you should move to a 36D.

Again, let me emphasize that you should be the final arbiter on what band size you wear.  Don’t let someone else tell you what it should be.  There are a lot of women who own bra mistakes because they didn’t speak up or challenge the band size choice when they were fitted.

 

 

Find bras in all sizes at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras

 

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Posted by Tomima at 9:26am
Tags: bra band sizes, Bra Fitting, bra sizes
7 Comments »

 

We’ve got something fun for you! Check out our ‘Show Us Your Drawer(s)’ Contest on Facebook.

The New Year is a great time to clear out the old and bring in the new. So, submit up to 3 photos of your lingerie drawer and the HerRoom staff will select the drawer we think is most in need of a makeover–the messiest or the emptiest or even just the most creative or funny photo. The winner will get a $400 LINGERIE SHOPPING SPREE on HerRoom. One runner-up will get a $100 shopping spree.

See the details by ‘liking’ us on Facebook. And get snapping!

 

 

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Posted by Jan at 12:06pm
Tags: Women's Lingerie, women's underwear
No Comments »

 

I was blown away by the cleverness of a recent Christmas ad by the lingerie manufacturer La Senza.  They have seven models ranging from cup size A to G.  They then assigned each model the musical note to match her cup size.  Then,  with each model lying down on what sort of look like piano keys – and of course scantily clad in La Senza lingerie– each sang her note to the tune "Deck the Halls."  Appropriately called "The Cup Size Choir" this video went viral and has over a million hits on YouTube in less than a few days.

All I can say is "Wish I’d thought of it."  Enjoy!

 

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Posted by Tomima at 11:50am
Tags: cup size, la senza
1 Comment »