Bra Measurement - Student Handouts printable pdf download

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Bra Measurement

How to Correctly Measure Your Bra Size

Getting the correct bra measurement is very important for every

woman, young or old. A well-fitting bra leads to good posture,

while a poorly-fitting bra can lead to severe back and shoulder

pain, as well as bad posture. Despite the simplicity of measuring

for the correct bra size, millions of women in the United States

alone are not wearing the right size bra. To get started, all you

need is a measuring tape (the cloth or paper kind used in sewing).

1. Measure the circumference underneath your breasts. Round

up to the nearest inch. This is your band size.

2. Measure the circumference of your breasts. Do NOT wear a

bra while you do this. You want to be certain to measure your

breasts at the largest spot, which may require bending forward

slightly, if your breasts are larger than average.

3. Subtract your breast circumference from your band size. Each cup size equals an inch of this difference.

Notice that "E" cups are often sold as "DD" cups, and "F" cups are often sold as "DDD" cups.

Example 1: Sarah's band size measures 36 inches. Her breast circumference is 38 inches. The

difference between the two is 2 inches, making her a "B" cup, a "36B" in bra size.

Example 2: Deborah's band size measures 32 inches. Her breast circumference is also 38 inches, just like

Sarah. The difference is 6 inches, giving Deborah an "F" (sometimes sold as a "triple D") cup, a "32F" or

"32DDD" bra size.

Be aware that bra size changes overtime. You should measure your

bra size at least once a year. Additionally, bloating (particularly

bloating associated with menstruation) can cause the band of your

bra to feel tight. When bloated, use a bra extender.

If you find that you are a hard-to-find size, do not despair. You need not

resort to finding the "closest fit" at your local department store. Simply

do an online search using your bra size, such as "32F bra" or "42A bra,"

and many results will come up for online retailers offering brassieres in

your size. Better yet, if you find you need a different size, they will

readily exchange the bra(s) for you.

Wearing the correct size bra today will free you from a future of

back problems.

Examples of common bra extenders.

Note: Some ladies find measuring themselves for a bra difficult. Don't

be shy about asking your mother, sister, or best friend to help you.

Free Education Resources

Bra Measurement - Student Handouts