Finding a bra that fits well should be a priority when shopping for lingerie. You do not have to go into a store to get a good fit. Today there are lingerie brands selling high-quality bras online and offering fitting help. The key to finding your best fit is understanding how to read an online bra chart.
Band Size
Band size is a major element of understanding online bra charts. Your bra band, which plays an important role in providing support, sits just under your breasts. To measure your bra band size, wrap a tape measure around your torso just under your bust, and pull it tight.
Round the measurement to the closest whole number. If the measurement is odd, add five inches. If it is even, add four inches. The sum of the measurement and the extra four or five inches equals your band size.
Proper band measurements are particularly important if you want a properly fitting strapless bra, as the band is the only support. In an online bra chart, the band size grows larger from left to right.
Cup Volume
Cup volume is the amount of breast tissue a particular bra cup can hold. There are two stages to finding your correct cup volume. Begin by measuring your breasts. When measuring, remove your bra or wear only a light bralette. Place a tape measure around the fullest part of your bust. Gently snug the tape but do not pull it tight. Round to the nearest whole number.
Next, subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. The resulting number determines your cup volume and therefore, your bra size. An online bra size calculator can help you interpret the results to determine your best size.
For example, if your band measurement is 35, and your breast measurement is 38, the difference is three inches. According to online charts, the difference of three inches indicates you are a C cup. Your correct bra size is 38C. In online charts, cup size grows larger from top to bottom.
However, not all breasts are shaped the same. Another set of measurements called sister sizes helps you find the best fit for your size and shape.
Sister Sizes
Your breasts are unique, and determining your sister sizes is vital to finding a bra that fits great. Sister sizes are groups, or families, of size equivalents that are connected according to cup volume.
If the particular bra size you have calculated does not fit quite right, it has related sizes that may better accommodate your particular shape. To find your nearest sister sizes, either go up one band size and down one cup size or go down one band size and up one cup size.
You can take your own measurements and then take a bra quiz to tell you even more about your best bra options. Knowing your sister sizes is the final step in finding the best bra size for you.
Reading an online bra chart is not complicated once you understand what the numbers represent and how to take your measurements. Even better, you can use your related sister sizes to help you choose the best-fitting bra to make the most of your unique beauty.
