Fitting Guide & Size Charts

Banish badly fitting bras forever with Freya's 'The Holy Fit' Fitting Guide

Are you wearing the correct sized bra?

Surveys tell us that 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size so how can you be sure that you are not one of these?  Here are some of the indications that your bra is the wrong size:

• Band rising up at the back (Band too big), it should fit snug around the middle of your back

• Boobs spilling out of the cups giving the '4 boobed look' (Cup too small)

• Uncomfortable bulges (Cup too small)

• ‘Leakage’ of your boobs under the bra (Band too big)

• Indent marks left by straps and underwires (bra too small)

• Underwires that are out of shape (Did you put them in the washing machine!!) or that dig into your armpit (cup size too big/too small - or this bra just isn't the right one for you)

• Baggy cups and saggy breasts (Band and cup too big)

• Shoulder and/or back aches (Incorrectly fitted bra, start with your band size and find your correct size.)

You will find our bra fitting guide below to help you find the right size for you.  Please remember that this is a guide only and sizing can differ between brands, manufacturers, fabrics and styles so once you have your measured size you should try on a variety of bras to find the one that is the right fit for you.  You might find that your 'measured size' feels too loose around the band so choose a smaller band size but remember to adjust your cup size up accordingly - the charts below will help you find that size.

Measuring yourself:

You will need a tape measure that measures in inches as bra sizes are still sold in inch measurements.

First you will need to find out what your back size is. Stand up straight wearing your best fitting unpadded bra, place the tape measure around your back, ensuring that the tape is flat across the middle of your back.

Looking in a mirror, lift your breasts and run a straight line from under the breast tissue around your back - this is where the band of your bra should sit, snug and firm.  You should just be able to get fingers inside the band.

Take care not to place the tape too high and bring the tape straight around your front measuring under your breasts.  The tape should fit snugly without pinching or being too tight.

Now take this measurement, if your measurement is an even number this is your back size, if it is an odd number, round it to the nearest even number in inches to find your back size.  

Some of you will say 'hold on, aren't you supposed to add 4 or 5 inches?'  From my vast fitting experience, it has become apparent that 'the old way' just does not work and this leads to women wearing the incorrect bra size, bras are now made of better quality materials and it is not necessary to add inches on, but this guide is just that, a guide, you should try on various sizes to see which one you prefer to wear, so use this as a starting point. Choose a bigger size if you do not like how snug a bra fits, if the bra feels too loose, go down a size - however, it does need to be snug to be well fitting and supportive.

Measurement in Inches = Band Size

Examples:

Next you need to find your cup size:

Placing the tape around your back, bring the tape forward to measure around the fullest part of your breasts. Again, make sure the tape is not to loose, tight or pinching as you are looking for a snug fit.  If you are in between inches round to the nearest inch, and if you are on a half inch mark round up to the next inch. This is your cup size.

Now you need to subtract your back size from your cup measurement to find your cup size.

Difference in Inches = Cup Size

Examples:

Your cup measurement is 33”, subtract your back size calculated above in example 1 (28), this is a difference of 5”, so your cup size is DD, and your estimated bra size is 28DD.

Your cup measurement is 40”, subtract your back size calculated above in Example 2 (32), this is a difference of 8”, so your cup size is FF, and your estimated bra size is 32FF.

Remember, with both of these examples this is just a guide so, using the example above, if you feel that the band is too lose on the 32FF, try a 30G, if a 32FF feels too tight, try a 34F instead.  Each time you adjust your band size you must also adjust your cup size - band size down = cup size up, band size up = cup size down.

Finding the right bra for you:

Once you have found your correct bra size you need to make sure the fit is correct.  Here are some more points to make sure you find the right bra:

1. The bra should be worn on it's loosest hook.

2. The bra should fit flat against your body at the front - if it doesn't then choose a smaller band size.

3. There should not be any 'overspill' at the top or the sides of the bra - if there is you need a larger cup size.  If you have one breast larger than the other then fit the biggest breast as a slight gape at the top of the bra is better than have an overspill.

4. Some marks are normal but the bra should not leave any deep, painful marks on your body once wearing for a while, this shows it is too tight. 

5. The back of the bra should fit straight across the middle of your back, if it is riding up then you need a size smaller.

6. The straps should not be too tight. If the straps are leaving marks then check the back size of the bra, you may find it is too loose.

7. The bra should fit comfortable and not dig in under the arm - if it does then choose a bigger cup or band size.

8. If you are wearing an underwired bra, the wire should rest on your rib cage.  It needs to be against hard bone, not soft tissue which can get damaged.

When putting the bra on, ensure that you place your breasts into the cup first and then fasten at the back as this ensures that the breast sits in the bra naturally.  Check that you do not have excess material under the breast.  Put your hand into the bra and scoop the breast tissue and ensure it all fits snug inside the bra. Remember that breast tissue goes all the way to your underarm so ensure it all sits in the cup and does not spill out the side.

Once you are happy with the fit of the bra put your top back on and take a look in the mirror to ensure that it gives the right look under clothing too.  Wearing the right fitting bra will improve your posture too.

If in any doubt then please do not hesitate in asking us for help by email or telephone.

Bra Size Charts

Conversion Chart for UK Band Sizes

Conversion Chart for UK Cup Sizes

Conversion Chart for UK Sized Briefs, Thongs & Swimwear Briefs