y’all bras shouldn’t be uncomfortable!!! if they are you’re probs in the wrong size - various studies have found between 70-90% of ppl who wear bras could benefit from a different size. i know way too much about bra fitting and can talk for years abt it so if u have any questions abt how bras are sized or how they should fit PLS ask. also check out the calculator at abrathatfits.org if you’ve ever found bras uncomfortable and are interested in trying a new size!!
You can bra fit yourself for free and more accurately if you have a tape measure. Underbust measurement: band size. Take your Overbust measurement, subtract your underbust measurement, and each inch in difference is a cup size. 1in-A, 2in-B, 3in-C, 4in- D 5in-DD 6in-DDD/E, 7in-F, 8in-G, 9in-H, 10in-I, etc etc. Try on that size first, adjust cup size for overflow/gaping, adjust band size for support/comfort.
they do but unfortunately their goal is not to fit you accurately, it’s to fit you into the range of sizes they sell. and unfortunately the 32-40 A-DDD system only fits something like 40-50% of ppl who need bras - so they typically use a method where they add 4 inches to the underbust measurement, which gives you a size 2 bands larger and 4 cups smaller than you actually need. they also tend to underestimate your bust measurement. some fitters go rogue and actually do it right but they’re rare
this is accurate but i find that only measuring your bust while standing tends to underestimate due to gravity!! the calculator i linked has you measure in 3 different positions (standing, lying down, leaning over at 90 degrees) to get a better idea of how much space your chest will take up in a bra :)
True! It’s recommended to wear your most comfortable/best fitting bra when measuring too, bc that tends to be the measurement where you like your chest to sit. Also important note is the shape of the cups will impact fit a bit too. For example, in the same size full coverage bra I deal with gaping, which leads to rubbing and chafing and for them to wear out quickly, just bc of where my breasts sit. But if I wear a balconette bra everything sits perfectly with no overspilling or weird top gaps
oh i dont recommend wearing a bra at all when you measure!! i know a lot of people do but especially if the bra is made of that stiff foam material, you’re not measuring your chest at all - you’re measuring the bra :( and if you’re needing to measure, chances are the bras you have aren’t a great fit! that’s what makes those three measurements so helpful :)