How is bust size measured

Anyone who has worn an ill-fitting bra or the wrong bra size knows that doing so can ruin an otherwise flawless outfit—or worse, an entire day. The breast pain and backaches that can come with large breasts are nothing to joke about.

The solution is finding and investing in a set of undergarments that are the right cut, fit, and size—but it's not a simple solution. Bra size is notoriously fickle between different lingerie brands; a C-cup at one store can easily be a D-cup at another, and some bra sizes can grow and shrink especially in band size over the course of a day or between washings. The best option is to know your bra size by taking bust measurements using these simple measuring instructions, which will ensure a perfect fit in band and in cup—and can even help you find the right amount of support.

Learning how to measure bra size can feel uncomfortable, but knowing your measurements—and keeping them written in a note on your phone or somewhere else that's accessible when the bra-shopping mood strikes—will make bra shopping so much easier, especially for online shoppers.

Equipment for measuring bra size is minimal: All you need is a tape measure and a little free time, and you'll have saved yourself a lot of bra-shopping misery. Best of all, knowing how to measure your bust will make adjusting to changes in your breasts from losing or gaining weight, hormone fluctuations, aging, pregnancy, and more so much less stressful.

Bra size shouldn't be a guessing game. With this guide, managing irregular bra cup sizes yes, even for sports bras should be a breeze, and sore, achy breasts from ill-fitting bras will be a thing of the past. Here are a few telltale signs that you may not be wearing the right bra size: wrinkling in the cups, underwire poking the sides of your breasts, a band that rides up, cup spillage, slipping straps, or a bra that hikes up when you lift your arms, says Sandi Simon, a fit consultant at Bra Smyth, in New York City.

Keep in mind that certain factors can cause you to change bra size, a weight gain or loss, a new exercise regimen, pregnancy, and a change of diet among them. If you suffer from any of the fit issues above, head to a professional bra fitter—or bust out the measuring tape and follow the steps here to measure your bra size at home.

While braless or wearing a non-padded bra, use a measuring tape to measure around your torso directly under your bust, where a bra band would sit. The tape should be level and very snug. Round to the nearest whole number. If the number is even, add four inches. If it's odd, add five. Your band size is the sum of this calculation. So if you measured 32 inches, your band size is If you measured 33 inches, your band size is Wrap the measuring tape around your torso horizontally, keeping the end of the measuring tape at the front of your body.

Place the tape directly below your armpits and directly above your breasts, generally where your bra strap would meet the cup of your bra on your body. Hold the measuring tape gently around your body and take note of the circumference of this area, for example 34 inches or 38 inches. This measurement is your bra band size. If you measure an odd number, round the number up to the next even number.

For example, if you measure 35 inches, your band size would be 36 inches. This is the number you see on the tag when you buy a bra. Wrap the measuring tape around the widest area of your bust, making sure the measuring tape remains parallel with the ground. Hold the tape gently around the bust so you are not squeezing your breasts. Make a note of this measurement -- for example, 36 inches or 40 inches.

This measurement is your cup size. If the back goes up it may be because the clasps are in the wrong place. Usually the middle position is best, ideally you should be able to put two fingers between the bra fabric and your back.

Adjusting straps to suit my shape We're not all the same length between our shoulders and our bust. For maximum comfort and balance, adjust the straps to suit your build. An easy thing to do is to check they're not too tight: if you can put your finger between the shoulder and strap once adjusted then it means it fits properly. If you have a large bust, choose a model with wide straps for better support.

Does my bra suit my bust? Have you tried to adjust your bra and it still doesn't feel right? If you feel like you're wearing a bra, it may be time for a change or you may not have picked the right one for your shape. Are you an apple, pear or hourglass?

Find out which models and cuts are right for you with our shape guide. My bra band goes up at the back The band is the most important part of your bra. But what if you can't get it to fit with the clasps? Just lengthen the straps a bit to stop it going up. If that doesn't work, it's because your bra is too big. Choose a bra with a smaller band size but don't change the cup size. The cups on my bra are loose If you feel like your bust isn't properly supported then it's because it isn't: the cups are loose or the top of the cup doesn't touch your skin.

You've chosen a model that's too big. To resolve the situation, choose a model with a smaller band size and cup size. The underwire is annoying me and isn't fitted For underwire to do its job, it has to perfectly encase your breasts and mustn't "squash" your bust.

Get a bigger bra if it's squashing you. If the pain is only under your arms, get a bigger cup size.