HOW BRA SIZING WORKS Bra manufacturers are trying to make us fit their bras instead of making their bras fit us! The Old (but still used) Fitting System: It is best to get someone else to take these measurements because they will be far more accurate. But you can also take them yourself, standing in front of a mirror. Full Bust - measure around the fullest part of the bust; over the nipples, keeping the tape level with the floor and not pulling it too tight so it sinks into your boobs. Ribcage - measure around your ribs directly beneath your breasts, pull the tape snug. Add four inches to your Ribcage measurement to determine your Band Size. Subtract your Band Size from your Full Bust to determine your Cup Size. Each inch equals a Cup Size letter; A, B, C, D, DD, F, G, H, I, J and so on... Here are two examples to illustrate how unreliable this system is... Subject 1: A lean, flat-chested woman Full Bust is 33 inches Ribcage is 31 inches Adding 4 to 31 = 35. Band sizes only use even numbers so round up to 36. Subtract 33 from 36 = -3 (a 1-inch difference is A, some manufacturers say that 0-inch difference is AA, but nothing for negative sizes). Determined Size: 36A or 36AA The Problems: The 36 band would be too loose on a 31-inch frame. There are no Cup Sizes below AA. You would have to round down the Ribcage from 31 inches to 28 inches, giving her a snugger 32 Band Size, just to get an A-cup! Most manufacturers don't make AA-cups or Band Sizes smaller than 34! Subject 2: A slim, busty woman Full Bust is 39 inches Ribcage is 34 inches Adding 4 to 34 equals 38. Subtracts 39 from 38 equals 1 (the first letter of the alphabet is A). Determined Size: 38A The Problems: A 39-inch bust in a 38A?! Imagine Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft trying to squeeze into an A-cup. It's like pouring two litres of milk into a one-litre jug... the contents flow over the top. Clearly, this fifty-year-old sizing system is flawed but companies still use it because everyone's mother and grandmother used it. Bra manufacturers are trying to make us fit their bras instead of making their bras fit us! If you'd like to find out your size using a newer and accurate system, send me an e-mail.