Bra Size Measurements Brassiere measurements (also called brassiere sizes, colloquially bra sizes) are labeled differently depending on the system of standards set in various countries. They usually consist of a number, indicating a band size, and one or more Latin capital letters indicating the breast cup size. These standard sizing systems are typically used to label off-the-shelf bras and are not used for made to measure bras or bras built into other garments. The shape, size, symmetry, and spacing of women's breasts vary considerably, affecting the bra size. Another issue that Further complicates finding a correctly fitting bra is that bra sizes vary considerably from one manufacturer to another. Even professional bra fitters produce inconsistent measurements.[1][dead link][2][3][4][5] Manufacturers' standard bra sizes provide an approximate fit. The band size can be adjusted to a small degree using a series of hooks and eyes in the clasp. In the United States, there is no formal standard defining the inch-based bra-size system. Women cannot rely on labeled bra sizes for a proper fit. Measuring bra size There are at least two methods for determining bra size. Bra measurement is not an exact science.[7] Even professional bra fitters can produce different recommendations for the same woman.[8][9] [edit] Band size The band size is the measurement around the woman's torso. A correct band size is obtained by measuring around the torso while wearing only a well-fitting bra. Two methods are recommended, over the bust[10] and under the bust.[7] Some bra fitters recommend that if a woman's measure is between sizes, that she choose the next larger size.[11] Fit can be adjusted using the hooks on the band. Measuring above the bust produces the band size, unless the number is odd. Because band sizes are only manufactured in even numbers,[7] the wearer must round down to the closest even number.[10] The second method requires the wearer to add five to the number unless it is odd, in which case the wearer must round up to the next even number.[7] In countries that have adopted the European EN 13402 dress-size standard, the measurement is made in centimetres and rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 cm. Cup size should be considered separately for each band size, as the actual volume of a cup size changes as the band size does (i.e., a D cup on a 38 band will be larger than a D cup on a 36 band). However, those fitting larger cupped women (D+) recommend going for the smaller size to give maximum support to the bust, often arguing that the previous tendency to use larger back sizes and compensate using straps and smaller cups often damaged women's breasts and caused severe discomfort as well as back issue due to support being poorly distributed[citation needed]. The majority of women in the UK wear the wrong size bra; the most frequent sizing mistake is to have a bra with too large a band size[citation needed]. Band sizes vary around the world.[6] Region/Country Sizes XXS XS S M L XL XXL 3XL 4XL 5XL Under bust measure (cm) 58-62 63-67 68-72 73-77 78-82 83-87 88-92 93-97 98-102 103-107 EU standard EN 13402 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 France 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 Italy 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 USA and UK (in) 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 UK dress sizes (approx.) 2 4/6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 When looking for a bra in a store, it is necessary to know which sizing system is being used for each bra. Some of these discrepancies are the result of use of centimetre measures in some countries and inch measures in others. In Australia and New Zealand, dress size is used to indicate band size. [edit] Bust measure The bust size or bust line measure or over bust measure is the loose circumference around the chest over the fullest part of the breasts, while standing straight with arms to the side. These are measured in the same units — inches or centimetres — as the band size measure. [edit] Cup size Pictogram for the European bra size 70B using EN 13402-1 The cup size is then determined as the difference between the bust size and the band size (not necessarily the under bust measure), converted into a letter using the following table: Cup size (UK and Australia) Cup size (rest of Europe, Canada and US) Difference between bust size and band size (inches) AA AA Less than an inch A A 1 inch B B 2 inches C C 3 inches D D 4 inches DD DD or E 5 inches E DDD or F 6 inches F G 7 inches FF H 8 inches G I 9 inches GG J 10 inches H K 11 inches HH L 12 inches J M 13 inches JJ N 14 inches K O 15 inches A single measuring system is not applicable to every woman. Breasts that have been augmented and sagging breasts are shaped differently and require different kinds of bras. [edit] US practices These are equivalent UK cup volumes The bra labeling systems around the world, especially in the United States, are at times misleading and confusing. The bra size obtained using these sizing systems should not be regarded as definitive, particularly for larger cup sizes. In many cases it is not possible to accurately predict bra size using measurements alone because the actual volume of each cup size increases with the band size. This creates confusion in relation to cup sizes.[citation needed] There is a common misconception that cup sizes are the same across all bra sizes, meaning that a B cup on a 34 is the same size as on a 36, but in fact they are relative to the size of the band, so the same cup size is bigger on a bigger band size. Bra manufacturers refer to a cup volume instead of to a cup size as defined above. For instance, the cup volume is the same for 30D, 32C, 34B, 36A, etc. It is for this reason that bra sizes have sister sizes that are related by having the same cup volume. Although it is important that a wearer has a correctly fitting bra, it is sometimes possible that two adjacent sister sizes both fit reasonably well, since the cup volume is the same, and the difference in band size can be accommodated by fastening the back on a different hook. However, fastening a bra initially on the smallest adjustment does not allow for tightening the band as the fabric begins to lose its elasticity.[6][12] In addition, many bra manufacturers, especially in the US, will add four, five or even six inches to the band size.[13][14] There is no known reason for this practice, other than as an example of vanity sizing. The intention is that the purchaser will feel better by thinking she needs a low bra size. The add 4 to 5" practice was devised by Warners in 1935, but the practice continues to apply to modern bras.[6][15] [edit] Older European systems The EN 13402 standard was introduced in 2006, and a range of other cup-size definitions are still in use in Europe, using either centimeters or inches to indicate the under bust girth. One common cup size system amongst European manufacturers, in order of increasing size, is: AAA-AA-A-B-C-D-DD-E-F-FF-G-GG-H-J, although the use of double letters is not consistent between manufacturers (e.g. some may use EE rather than F, DDD rather than E, etc.). The majority of bra bands run true to size (as in, a size 36 band measures, when stretched, 36 inches). It is expected that the EN 13402 standard will eventually help resolve the current confusion surrounding cup-size codes in Europe.[citation needed] [edit] Fitting issues Women often have a difficult time finding a correctly fitted bra because of the limitations of standard bra sizes. The results of a number of surveys and studies in many different countries show that between 70% to 100% of women wear incorrectly fitted bras.[16][17][18][19][20][21] Normally a perfect fit can only be achieved by purchasing a custom-made bra, which takes into account the position of a woman's breasts on her chest, the asymmetrical shape and position of her breasts, and breast size. In a study of 103 women seeking mammoplasty, researchers concluded that "obesity, breast hypertrophy, fashion and bra-fitting practices combine to make those women who most need supportive bras the least likely to get accurately fitted bras."[9] Their research found that bra measuring systems often lead women to choose an incorrect size, most commonly resulting in too large a cup size (by a mean of three sizes) and too small a band size (by a mean of 4 sizes).[9] In November, 2005, Oprah Winfrey produced a show[22] devoted to bras and bra sizes, during which she revealed research that eight out of ten women wear the wrong size bra.[23] “ The current popular system of determining bra size is inaccurate so often as to be useless. Add to this the many different styles of bras and the lack of standardization between brands, and one can see why finding a comfortable, well-fitting bra is more a matter of educated guesswork, trial, and error than of precise measurements.[24][25] ” In 2003 the most common bra size sold in the UK was 36C,[26][27] while a more recent study showed that the most sold bra size in the US in 2009 was 36DD, an increase of one cup size compared to 2008.[28] However, many studies have shown that around 80% of women are wearing the wrong size,[12][26][29] with the most common mistake being to select a bra with too large a back band and too small a cup, for example, 38C instead of 34E, or 34B instead of 30D.[12][26][27][30] Larger-breasted women tend to wear bras that are too small, and conversely, smaller-breasted women bras that are too large. Larger women are more likely to have an incorrect bra fit.[16] This may be partly due to a lack of understanding of how to correctly determine bra size. It may also be due to unusual or unexpectedly rapid growth in size brought on by pregnancy, weight gain, or medical conditions including virginal breast hypertrophy. As breasts become larger, their shape and the distribution of the tissues within them changes, becoming ptotic and bulbous rather than conical. This makes measurements increasingly unreliable, especially for large breasted women. The heavier a woman's build, the more difficult it is to obtain accurate measurements, as measuring tape sinks into the flesh more easily.[9] Finally, most women's' breasts are asymmetrical (10% severely), with the left breast being larger in 62%, especially when the breasts are large.[31] Bra experts recommend that women, especially those whose cup sizes are D or larger, get a professional bra fitting from the lingerie department of a clothing store or a specialty lingerie store.[32] Some bra manufacturers and distributors state that trying on and learning to recognize a properly fitting bra is the best way to determine a correct bra size, much like shoes. Obtaining the correct size is further complicated by the fact that the size and shape of a woman's breasts fluctuate during her menstrual cycle,[16] and also with weight gain or loss. One study found that the label size was consistently different from the measured size.[9][24] Even breathing can substantially alter the measurements.[33] Even professional bra fitters have been shown to produce different recommendations for the same woman.[8][9] A 2004 study by Consumers Reports found that 80% of department store bra fittings resulted in a poor fit.[34][35][dead link] The British Chiropractic Association warned that wearing the wrong bra size can lead to a number of problems, including back pain, restricted breathing, abrasions, breast pain and poor posture.[36] Many of the health problems associated with bras are due to fitting problems. Finding a correct fit can be very difficult for many women which has affected sales.[37][38][39] Medical studies have also attested to the difficulty of getting a correct fit.[33] Scientific studies show that the current system of bra sizing is quite inadequate.[40]