By Emmalee Benhayon
Buying your first bra, and honestly, buying a bra at any stage in life, can be confusing and overwhelming. With all the A’s to DD’s and a wide range of different numbers and sizes, finding the right size can sometimes be difficult. Added to this experience is the embarrassment of buying the bra itself, especially if it is your first time. It might seem we have limited options in handling this new experience by either just grabbing one off the shelf and thinking, “Close enough is good enough,” or alternatively ending up in a changing room filled with many different styles and sizes not knowing where to start.
But thankfully there is a simpler way when it comes to buying a great bra.
Firstly lets start by explaining the different sizes…
But thankfully there is a simpler way when it comes to buying a great bra.
Firstly lets start by explaining the different sizes…
| In Australia the first four cup sizes are - A, B, C and D. For those with larger breasts the cup sizes go up as follows DD, E, F, FF and so on. The most common sizes are A to DD cup but all shapes and sizes can be catered for if you take your time to choose the right bra for you.  |  Next there’s the band size... That’s the numbers that are placed before the letter that represents the cup size, for example 12D. In Australia you may find bras with both Australian sizing numbers, often similar to your dress size, which are as follows 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 etc. and US and UK sizing numbers which are 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and so on. |
A UK/US band size of 30 is supposed to be equal to an Australian size 8, 32 equals a size 10, 34 a size 12 and so on.
There are various methods of calculating a woman’s bra size by measuring the underbust (around your chest where the bottom of your bra would fit) and coupling that with a measurement at the fullest part of your breast whilst wearing a thin, non-padded bra or singlet.
But most of the time you can throw this method out the window and here’s why…
There are various methods of calculating a woman’s bra size by measuring the underbust (around your chest where the bottom of your bra would fit) and coupling that with a measurement at the fullest part of your breast whilst wearing a thin, non-padded bra or singlet.
But most of the time you can throw this method out the window and here’s why…
You see, when it comes to bra sizes, just like many clothing sizes, the size changes with every different brand. This is especially common in bra sizing, where even within the same brand of bra you may have different fitting bras labeled with the same cup and or band size.
To add to this whole bra confusion many countries have their own set of bra sizings with the US and UK, as just one example, having slightly different cup sizes marked with the same letters.
The design of the bra also needs to be closely considered when it comes to bra sizing as depending on the shape of your breasts you could be a different size in a balconette bra, a bra style with more U shaped cups, as opposed to a t-shirt bra with more tear-drop shaped cups.
This may make a girl want to give up when it comes to bras, but there really is a simple, practical and fun way to shop when it comes to buying a bra.
Firstly, accept your breasts! The shape, feel and size, big or small whether one larger than the other (a trait more common in women than even sized breasts) in all their glory and also accept their (apparent) imperfections.
Do not be embarrassed by or ashamed of your breasts, they are a natural and an important part of a woman’s body and play many more important roles in our health and well-being than most care to consider.
The design of the bra also needs to be closely considered when it comes to bra sizing as depending on the shape of your breasts you could be a different size in a balconette bra, a bra style with more U shaped cups, as opposed to a t-shirt bra with more tear-drop shaped cups.
This may make a girl want to give up when it comes to bras, but there really is a simple, practical and fun way to shop when it comes to buying a bra.
Firstly, accept your breasts! The shape, feel and size, big or small whether one larger than the other (a trait more common in women than even sized breasts) in all their glory and also accept their (apparent) imperfections.
Do not be embarrassed by or ashamed of your breasts, they are a natural and an important part of a woman’s body and play many more important roles in our health and well-being than most care to consider.
Okay, so now we have gotten that out of the way, here comes the fun part.
Shopping!
So after reading the beginning of this article you may be as confused as ever about band and cup sizes but have no fear, you will be able to find some amazing bras that are right for you.
A good place to start…
Pick a simple bra in a style you like making sure it comes in many different sizes.
Pick a lot of different sizes and ask for assistance from a helpful shop assistant as often as you need. However, when getting advice always stay true to what feels right on your body – only you can have the final say on what feels right in a bra for you.
Consider the following:
Shopping!
So after reading the beginning of this article you may be as confused as ever about band and cup sizes but have no fear, you will be able to find some amazing bras that are right for you.
A good place to start…
Pick a simple bra in a style you like making sure it comes in many different sizes.
Pick a lot of different sizes and ask for assistance from a helpful shop assistant as often as you need. However, when getting advice always stay true to what feels right on your body – only you can have the final say on what feels right in a bra for you.
Consider the following:
These factors are important to consider every time you buy a bra and not just the first time. The process takes some time and effort but in the end it is well worth it.
If you end up buying a bra that is not quite right, don’t worry. Our breasts can change shape and size throughout our menstrual cycle and simply throughout our lives. It can take a while to find the right bras for you and it is a process of feeling your way. You may find you need a different bra before or during your period than you do at other times of the month. Honour these feelings, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to find bras. But it does mean we need to pay close attention to our bodies when buying a great bra.
Every young woman (and women of all ages) deserves to feel great and supported in her body. Buying a great bra is just one part of supporting ourselves as women.
I am no expert on bra fitting or sizing, I am however a young woman, I have breasts and have tried many different bras in different sizes. I know from experience what it’s like to buy a bra and I know it can be a great and empowering experience and can also at times be overwhelming.
The important thing to remember is that as women we do deserve to take care of ourselves. Our breasts are not a hindrance and are a part of our body for us to nurture and care for. Buying a bra can be a fun and rewarding experience and a great bra can be comfortable, beautiful, playful and sexy. So with all this in view, enjoy your next bra shopping experience and never settle for less than the bra you feel is true for you!
If you end up buying a bra that is not quite right, don’t worry. Our breasts can change shape and size throughout our menstrual cycle and simply throughout our lives. It can take a while to find the right bras for you and it is a process of feeling your way. You may find you need a different bra before or during your period than you do at other times of the month. Honour these feelings, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to find bras. But it does mean we need to pay close attention to our bodies when buying a great bra.
Every young woman (and women of all ages) deserves to feel great and supported in her body. Buying a great bra is just one part of supporting ourselves as women.
I am no expert on bra fitting or sizing, I am however a young woman, I have breasts and have tried many different bras in different sizes. I know from experience what it’s like to buy a bra and I know it can be a great and empowering experience and can also at times be overwhelming.
The important thing to remember is that as women we do deserve to take care of ourselves. Our breasts are not a hindrance and are a part of our body for us to nurture and care for. Buying a bra can be a fun and rewarding experience and a great bra can be comfortable, beautiful, playful and sexy. So with all this in view, enjoy your next bra shopping experience and never settle for less than the bra you feel is true for you!
