Bra sizes are misleading - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ShaniFaye · 10-18-2006, 05:43 AM

so I have been trying to figure out a definative bra size to put on my Plastic Surgery support board for my before and after pics....most of us know that the "secret" forumla to finding your bra size is a pain in the ass, but, I just dont have time to go somewhere to get measured professionally.

So...for days Im trying to work this out, and I measure underneath to get the band size per loads of website instructions and it keeps telling me its 36 (the difference between that and the widest part of the boob measurement is supposed to be your cup size, some sites say add 5 to your band number, some say dont UGH). Well Im pulling my hair out because the ribcage number is 36....36...ummmm the bra I wear, in which the band fits just how its supposed to is a 44, thats an 8 inch difference.

There is NO way in hell I can get a 36 bra on myself, so why is the tape measure telling me I'm a 36?

Well, in frustration I laid my bra out flat and measured it from end to end....

would you friggin believe it measured a 36 EVEN THOUGH its tagged as a 44 ddd?

I had no idea...why the heck isnt it labled what it friggin measures?

I get out another bra...same thing....I call my mother at like 930 and tell her to get a bra and a tape measure and check hers....same thing measurement is less than the tagged number

Did ya'll know your bra's bands number is actually less than the tag says? I always assumed the tag number was the inches :huh:

maleficent · 10-18-2006, 05:46 AM

to measure yourself (something i've never forgotten from years of working in retail and having to measure people in the lingerie department)

measure under the breasts - whatever that number is - add 5 - that's your band size.

now measure across the fullest part of the breast.

subtract the differece between the band size and that ends up bieng the cup size

0 to 1/2 inch AA
1/2 to 1 inch A
1 to 2 1/2 inches B
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches C
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches D
4 1/2 to 6 inches DD (E)
6 to 7 inches DDD (F)
7 to 8 inches G
and so on...

in some cases it's not always accurate, that's why it's suggested that a person try on multiple sizes...

There was an article in some magazine or newspaper recently, that stated that some very high percentage of women are wearng the wrong size bra... I'd definitely believe that based on what i've seen...

ShaniFaye · 10-18-2006, 05:50 AM

yep thats what it says....but do you know if I do it that way it tells me my boobs are a B cup? lol

did you know that "add 5" varies on your body build? not all women "need" to add it, or some women only need to add 1 or 2 or 3

what you posted is a "guide" its not actually "right"

example....if i add 5 to 36 it gives me a 41, which you'd round up to a 42...if I attempted to wear a 42 it rides up on me and leaves marks and I cant get my fingers under it, so adding the 5 def doesnt work for my body style

my main reason for posting though was to find out if Im the only woman alive who didnt know that that the tagged measurment on my bra wasnt the inches of the length of the bra

ngdawg · 10-18-2006, 06:33 AM

I've never taken a tape measure to myself, but my size is a 34D...so I find it hard to believe I'd measure only 29 inches. For years, I was buying 36C or 34C and I'd either pop out when I bend over or they'd pucker and gap; one style of 36C that I have is now too small..there's a WTF.
I think it was Sears who instructed measuring the area above the breast, under the arms and then across the fullest part, then using the differences as Mal has. (maybe above is a truer approximation to band size, who knows).
Could you possibly go someplace like Victoria's Secret to get measured?

ShaniFaye · 10-18-2006, 06:47 AM

thats why I posted this, I want women to test this...measure underneath, measure the length of your bra, see if those numbers match...THEN see if that number is that same on your tag.

I have not found one person yet thats done it that was same (keep in mind that MY difference is 8 between the 36 me and my bra measure. If you dont want to measure yourself....just measure your bra and compare it

shesus · 10-18-2006, 06:52 AM

As NG said, go to Victoria's Secret to get measured. That is what I did after I lost my weight and I have been happy with the size they said I was...well after the initial sadness of dropping from a C to an A cup.

Anyway, the other option is try on a variety of bras around your size and see what fits and feels best. Good Luck!

Edit: Ok, so I measured myself and my bra. I measured under my breasts at 27 in. My bra measured 27 in. I was 33 in the cup area which is 1 inch difference from 32 which is 27+5. My bra size is 34A. 27 + 5 doesn't equal 34. 2 inches off. Guess I could try a 32A the next time I bra shop, but it probably wouldn't fit since the 34 is 27 inches which is what I need. Who the hell knows?

ShaniFaye · 10-18-2006, 06:57 AM

since Im losing 700 grams (or about that) per boob next week, Im not REAL worried about it right now (which is why I will not make the trip to the wicked mall of the west before my surgery), I just wanted to test these website theories and see if it gave me the size I've known I am for 5 years.

besides....I would NEVER go into a VS EVER again, that place is awful and will never get any business from me. They spent years telling me "we dont have anything that would look good and/or fit YOU" so when Im smaller....they can fuck off

maleficent · 10-18-2006, 07:23 AM

any lingerie store will have staff to measure you - or go to Macy's and find the little blue haired lady with the tape measure around her neck and the glasses on the chain at her bosoms..

You get a much more accurate measurement when someone else does it...

ShaniFaye · 10-18-2006, 07:31 AM

(really wishes ya'll would stop focusing on ME going to get mesaured lol its POINTLESS for the next 3 months, I promise when Im healed Im going to Intimacy and having it done and buying a fantastically expensive fitted bra) I just want somebody to go measure their bra and compare it to the tag size lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by shesus

As NG said, go to Victoria's Secret to get measured. That is what I did after I lost my weight and I have been happy with the size they said I was...well after the initial sadness of dropping from a C to an A cup.

Anyway, the other option is try on a variety of bras around your size and see what fits and feels best. Good Luck!

Edit: Ok, so I measured myself and my bra. I measured under my breasts at 27 in. My bra measured 27 in. I was 33 in the cup area which is 1 inch difference from 32 which is 27+5. My bra size is 34A. 27 + 5 doesn't equal 34. 2 inches off. Guess I could try a 32A the next time I bra shop, but it probably wouldn't fit since the 34 is 27 inches which is what I need. Who the hell knows?

SEE!!! your bra length and the tag is 7 inches off

Im NOT insane

ngdawg · 10-18-2006, 08:03 AM

Ok...the 36C I mentioned that was too small? Measures 26...
The new 34D(from Victoria Secret) measures 28.5.
I did the Sears method and it's accurate, 35 inches!
SO there ya go...measure ABOVE the breast, about where it starts to 'stick out', then measure across the nipples for the difference.
Good ol' Sears

ShaniFaye · 10-18-2006, 08:14 AM

but what do you measure underneath? (just out of curiosity and correct results for my survey)

ngdawg · 10-18-2006, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaniFaye

but what do you measure underneath? (just out of curiosity and correct results for my survey)

Nothing...it's a moot point since that varies so much...
Here's how the size is measured: http://www.barenecessities.com/fit_sizing.asp

*Nikki* · 10-18-2006, 05:39 PM

When I have some time I am going to try this experiment out. It seems to me though that what you measure should be what you are. Why do they have to make it more complicated?? I mean what is the point of all this adding?? Ugh.

ngdawg · 10-18-2006, 07:51 PM

In reading different sites regarding measuring, only the one I linked does it the same way as the old Sears catalog showed. All the others say to measure underneath, but then some say add 5, others add 7....why bother if measuring under the arms is accurate? Who came up with that other crap??
Sheesh....guys don't have this problem buying underwear....

Mrs Master · 10-26-2006, 02:36 AM

No Aussie comparison at sears.

And you thought you had problems ShaniFaye

Here we size the cups alphabetically but band size is measured like dress size 8,10,12,14,16 and then I have the problem of converting that to american dress size which I believe is one up or one down to our equal, what conundrum

10-18-2006, 05:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	Bra sizes are misleading so I have been trying to figure out a definative bra size to put on my Plastic Surgery support board for my before and after pics....most of us know that the "secret" forumla to finding your bra size is a pain in the ass, but, I just dont have time to go somewhere to get measured professionally. So...for days Im trying to work this out, and I measure underneath to get the band size per loads of website instructions and it keeps telling me its 36 (the difference between that and the widest part of the boob measurement is supposed to be your cup size, some sites say add 5 to your band number, some say dont UGH). Well Im pulling my hair out because the ribcage number is 36....36...ummmm the bra I wear, in which the band fits just how its supposed to is a 44, thats an 8 inch difference. There is NO way in hell I can get a 36 bra on myself, so why is the tape measure telling me I'm a 36? Well, in frustration I laid my bra out flat and measured it from end to end.... would you friggin believe it measured a 36 EVEN THOUGH its tagged as a 44 ddd? I had no idea...why the heck isnt it labled what it friggin measures? I get out another bra...same thing....I call my mother at like 930 and tell her to get a bra and a tape measure and check hers....same thing measurement is less than the tagged number Did ya'll know your bra's bands number is actually less than the tag says? I always assumed the tag number was the inches :huh: __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

10-18-2006, 05:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	to measure yourself (something i've never forgotten from years of working in retail and having to measure people in the lingerie department) measure under the breasts - whatever that number is - add 5 - that's your band size. now measure across the fullest part of the breast. subtract the differece between the band size and that ends up bieng the cup size 0 to 1/2 inch AA 1/2 to 1 inch A 1 to 2 1/2 inches B 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches C 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches D 4 1/2 to 6 inches DD (E) 6 to 7 inches DDD (F) 7 to 8 inches G and so on... in some cases it's not always accurate, that's why it's suggested that a person try on multiple sizes... There was an article in some magazine or newspaper recently, that stated that some very high percentage of women are wearng the wrong size bra... I'd definitely believe that based on what i've seen... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less. Last edited by maleficent; 10-18-2006 at 05:48 AM..

10-18-2006, 05:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	yep thats what it says....but do you know if I do it that way it tells me my boobs are a B cup? lol did you know that "add 5" varies on your body build? not all women "need" to add it, or some women only need to add 1 or 2 or 3 what you posted is a "guide" its not actually "right" example....if i add 5 to 36 it gives me a 41, which you'd round up to a 42...if I attempted to wear a 42 it rides up on me and leaves marks and I cant get my fingers under it, so adding the 5 def doesnt work for my body style my main reason for posting though was to find out if Im the only woman alive who didnt know that that the tagged measurment on my bra wasnt the inches of the length of the bra __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!* Last edited by ShaniFaye; 10-18-2006 at 05:53 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

10-18-2006, 06:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	I've never taken a tape measure to myself, but my size is a 34D...so I find it hard to believe I'd measure only 29 inches. For years, I was buying 36C or 34C and I'd either pop out when I bend over or they'd pucker and gap; one style of 36C that I have is now too small..there's a WTF. I think it was Sears who instructed measuring the area above the breast, under the arms and then across the fullest part, then using the differences as Mal has. (maybe above is a truer approximation to band size, who knows). Could you possibly go someplace like Victoria's Secret to get measured? __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

10-18-2006, 06:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	thats why I posted this, I want women to test this...measure underneath, measure the length of your bra, see if those numbers match...THEN see if that number is that same on your tag. I have not found one person yet thats done it that was same (keep in mind that MY difference is 8 between the 36 me and my bra measure. If you dont want to measure yourself....just measure your bra and compare it __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

10-18-2006, 06:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
shesus Fancy Location: Chicago	As NG said, go to Victoria's Secret to get measured. That is what I did after I lost my weight and I have been happy with the size they said I was...well after the initial sadness of dropping from a C to an A cup. Anyway, the other option is try on a variety of bras around your size and see what fits and feels best. Good Luck! Edit: Ok, so I measured myself and my bra. I measured under my breasts at 27 in. My bra measured 27 in. I was 33 in the cup area which is 1 inch difference from 32 which is 27+5. My bra size is 34A. 27 + 5 doesn't equal 34. 2 inches off. Guess I could try a 32A the next time I bra shop, but it probably wouldn't fit since the 34 is 27 inches which is what I need. Who the hell knows? __________________ Whatever did happen to your soul? I heard you sold it Choose Heaven for the weather and Hell for the company Last edited by shesus; 10-18-2006 at 07:02 AM..

10-18-2006, 06:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	since Im losing 700 grams (or about that) per boob next week, Im not REAL worried about it right now (which is why I will not make the trip to the wicked mall of the west before my surgery), I just wanted to test these website theories and see if it gave me the size I've known I am for 5 years. besides....I would NEVER go into a VS EVER again, that place is awful and will never get any business from me. They spent years telling me "we dont have anything that would look good and/or fit YOU" so when Im smaller....they can fuck off __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

10-18-2006, 07:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	any lingerie store will have staff to measure you - or go to Macy's and find the little blue haired lady with the tape measure around her neck and the glasses on the chain at her bosoms.. You get a much more accurate measurement when someone else does it... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

10-18-2006, 08:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	Ok...the 36C I mentioned that was too small? Measures 26... The new 34D(from Victoria Secret) measures 28.5. I did the Sears method and it's accurate, 35 inches! SO there ya go...measure ABOVE the breast, about where it starts to 'stick out', then measure across the nipples for the difference. Good ol' Sears __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

10-18-2006, 08:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	but what do you measure underneath? (just out of curiosity and correct results for my survey) __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

10-18-2006, 05:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
Nikki ~~~~~~~ Location: Charleston, SC	When I have some time I am going to try this experiment out. It seems to me though that what you measure should be what you are. Why do they have to make it more complicated?? I mean what is the point of all this adding?? Ugh.

10-18-2006, 07:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	In reading different sites regarding measuring, only the one I linked does it the same way as the old Sears catalog showed. All the others say to measure underneath, but then some say add 5, others add 7....why bother if measuring under the arms is accurate? Who came up with that other crap?? Sheesh....guys don't have this problem buying underwear.... __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

10-26-2006, 02:36 AM	#15 (permalink)
Mrs Master Tilted	No Aussie comparison at sears. And you thought you had problems ShaniFaye Here we size the cups alphabetically but band size is measured like dress size 8,10,12,14,16 and then I have the problem of converting that to american dress size which I believe is one up or one down to our equal, what conundrum