Which cup size is bigger?

Did you know that around 80% of women wear the wrong bra size? So, if your straps dig in and give you rashes on the shoulders or your bra’s underwires stab you at the underbust, you’re probably one of those 80 % women. Every woman is different and so are her breasts, which is why finding the right bra size becomes imperative. It is not only important to enhance appearance but also to define correct posture and lend the needed support. So, it’s time that you wear your bra according to your size as per the bra size chart.

We have an easy Step-by-Step guide to measure bra size using the bra size chart. The first thing to understand about measurements in the bra size chart is that there are two sizes to consider: the band size and the cup size. In order to get an estimate, you need to get a measuring tape and ensure wearing a well-fitted non-padded bra. Now, follow these simple steps to find your bra size.

Record your overbust and underbust measurements and refer to the bra size chart below to know your correct size amongst the list of bra sizes. Alternatively, you can find your perfect fit with our 2 minutes bra fit test.

Your underband should have a snug fit and lie parallel to the ground. You should be able fit two fingers comfortably underneath the band.

The broader the sideband, the better the support. For a plus-size bra, the sideband should be broad enough to provide the utmost support & avoid spillage.

Make sure that the centre of your bra between the cup sets lies flat against the chest. The higher the gore, the better fit it offers.

You know you’ve found the right bra size when you don’t feel like you are wearing a bra at all. Wires and seams shouldn’t dig into your breast or underarms. There should not be any top and side spillage from the cups. The cups should properly fit your breasts without any gaping lines or quadra-boobs.

Not all bras are underwired, but the ones that do are usually made of coated metal and situated at the bottom of your bra’s cups to offer a gentle lift to the breasts. These wires are enclosed in fabric to keep you poke-free all day long.

The bra straps shouldn’t glide off your shoulder or dig into your skin. They shouldn’t have any hard clasps or plastic bits either.

Most bras have double hook & eye enclosures for a comfortable fit. However, for women with bigger bust sizes, double hook & eye enclosures are a better option. You can tighten or loosen them as per your comfort level.

Even after finding your correct bra size, there are times you might need help from ‘Sister Cup Sizes’. These are alternate sizes where the cup volume stays the same even though the band size and cup letter change. The reason is that cup sizes aren’t consistent by letter, they’re consistent by band size. The larger the band size, the larger the cup. Therefore, the cup of 34B is the same as 32C or 36A.

Here’s a bra size measurement chart for sister cup sizes to help you slip into the perfect one!

Now that you know your correct size, let’s look at the popular styles.

Make Sure About The Band Size: The band should feel comfortable on the loosest set of hooks. This allows you to move to the inner hooks to tighten the bra as it stretches with regular wear. The front level should be parallel to the back level, it should not ride up.

Make Sure About The Cup Size: The cups should properly fit into the cup without causing them to slip out of or open up within the cups.

Make Sure That Straps Are Not Falling: Check out the straps. Tighten the band first, then shorten the straps according to your convenience.

Bra accessories are ultimate saviours that help us in times of need and emergency. They are accessories that can be attached or detached from/to your regular bras to give you the desired look and fit You can get a huge range of bra accessories online at Clovia. A few of them are:

Q. 1. How should my bra fit?

Ans: While wearing a new bra, be sure to start on the last hook (i.e the loosest hook). In this way, you can tighten it as the band naturally stretches later on. The band should feel comfortably snug around your body without compressing. With a new bra, the band should fit properly and comfortably on the loosest set of hooks.

Q. 2. What do I need to know about band and cup sizing?

Ans: Subtract your calculated band size from your breast measurement. Your bra size is your band size with your cup size. For an instance: 36 inches (bust) – 34 inches (band) = 2 inches. That’s a 34B

Q. 3. How long should my bra last?

It should last about six months. Experts recommend replacing bras every six months.

Q. 4. Which hook and eye should I wear my bra on?

Be sure to start on the last hook (i.e the loosest hook). In this way, you can tighten it as the band naturally stretches later. The band should feel comfortably snug around your body without compressing. With a new bra, the band should fit properly and comfortably on the loosest set of hooks.

Q. 5. Why do my bra straps keep falling?

If your bra straps are falling, then you picked the wrong size. This means if your straps are falling off your shoulders, your band size is too big and you need to go down a band size.

I get questions about cup size all the time, with inquiry subjects ranging from specific bra styles and different types of bra cups to determining a general cup size that is reliable regardless of bra style, material or band width. My answer to all of these questions looks something like the following: Your unique cup size is subject to change alongside different bra factors and has to do primarily with measurements! If you have similar questions, know that you're not alone. I'm here to help you find the cup size and associated band size that works best for you. To help explain this in detail, I have created a comparison guide for cup sizes A-DD that also includes helpful tips for finding your overall best bra size or sizes. Let's get started, shall we?

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When it comes to finding a bra, cup size is not something you should take as a general suggestion. Your cup size is something worth determining in specificity because an accurate cup size match helps your bras fit better. During your time as a bra wearer, it's probable that you've experienced a few annoying effects of wearing certain traditional bras. These common bra issues might include red marks on your skin, spillage, skin bulges and more. More often than not, these issues can be solved by a change in cup size! By making a cup size change, you will create a better fit around your breast and prevent further issues. Your cup size refers only to the size of the cup itself and not the entire bra or any other part of it. As cup size gets bigger and moves in alphabetical order from the letter A onward, the bra cups become deeper and wider. Cup size is measured by the bust measurement (including the breasts) minus the rib cage measurement taken just underneath the breasts. For example, a woman with smaller breasts might fit best in an A or B cup size while those with larger breasts might fill out a C or D cup.

Now that you're familiar with the specifics of cup sizing, it's time to have a little side-by-side comparison between different cup sizes. This is helpful if you already know your cup size or if you are still in the process of determining yours. Each section features an in depth description of the cup size and how it relates to overall bra size. I've also included a few notes on each cup size including shopping tips, material suggestions and the best bra styles for each cup size.

Both A and B cup sizes make up the smaller end of the cup size spectrum. However, just because these cup sizes are smaller does not mean that they don't require a supportive bra. It's important to wear a bra even if you have an A or B cup because it gives you the support you need and the smoothing power you desire underneath your clothing. If your breasts fall into one of these cup size categories, it's also important for you to wear a sports bra when working out or engaging in high-impact activity. This will keep you comfortable and help prevent any muscle tearing in the chest area.

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Do you think your cup size is an A or B? Grab your measuring tape and find out! If your bust measurement, which measures all the way around your rib cage including your breasts, minus your band measurement, which measures all the way around your rib cage just under your breasts, equals exactly or close to one inch, then your regular cup size is in the A category. If that measurement - we'll call it the cup size measurement - is closer to two inches, then you're in the B cup category. Both of these cups work well with just about any bra styles, but I do have a few notes on each to help with shopping and styling.

Best Bra for A Cups: If your boobs are on the smaller side and A cups fit you best, then you can rock just about any style of bra! There are even special petite bras available for those of you with a small overall frame.

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Best Bra for B Cups: If an A cup size isn't quite enough and you're beginning to see spillage, bulging or both, give yourself a little more room in the cups and try out a B cup. The difference between one cup size to the next is the same, but sometimes switching from A cups to B cups makes an entire world of difference. B cups can be enhanced easily, but they also look great without much enhancement at all. Take advantage of this size if you have it and rock a cute and flirty bralette! This stylish yet comfy bra style is made to be shown off and gives just the right amount of support for B cups.

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As my list of cup size comparisons begins to grow from A to B cups and beyond, consider the C cup to be a midway point of sorts. If your breasts have their best fit inside a bra with C cups, you have so many great options when it comes to bras and what they can do for you. Of course, this is not to say that the little sister B cup doesn't have anything to offer. Let's compare.

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A pair of B cups presents enough to show off and enhance, but they're also easily secured for running and other high impact workouts. If you're looking to take your B cups to the next level, look no further than a high push up bra, which will take you from B to C - and maybe a little further - in no time. For those of you who comfortably fill C cups without push up power or other bra enhancements, know that there is no shortage of ways for you to wear a bra, either. Your size C cups might look best in a soft bra made of t-shirt fabric or a wireless bra, though a traditional underwire bra is a solid option for optimum support and shaping power.

Best Bra for C Cups: I think C cups are a lot like blondes in that they get to have all the fun. In addition to a great everyday bra with ample support, your C cups deserve to be shown off in different styles of sexy bras! Fun, sexy bra styles can vary in cup shape and other elements, but your mid size C cups will fill out any style beautifully. Go for sexy bra styles with mesh cutouts, sleek fabrics, sultry color combinations and more.

The graduation from C to D cups can be surprising at times. I've found there is a bit of gray area between C cups and D cups, and that's mostly because the two cup sizes generally include those with similar band sizes. The distinction between D and DD cups can get even foggier. If you remember, we talked about band size earlier and how it customizes the fit and support level of your bra in addition to the cup size. The band size can also give you a bit of wiggle room in terms of cup size, and I see most of that happening between C, D and DD cups. This is also known as your bra sister size and often comes in handy if your regular bra size isn't in stock or you want to try different cup and band size combinations for a more customized fit.

If C cups are the midpoint or medium breast size indicator on the cup size scale, then D cups mark the transition towards larger breasts and DD cups are the exact opposite of A cups. You see, C cups are quite versatile and, like B cups, tend to fit nicely into a diverse selection of bra styles while still looking natural in shape and proportional to the body. On the other hand, to my ladies with lovely, large D cups or DD cups, you're blessed with the size push-up bras were designed to emulate. Take care of them, support them and, most importantly, flaunt them!

Best Bra for D Cups: My rule is that larger cup sizes should be met with more support. For D cups, I recommend a supportive underwire bra to keep those D cups lightly lifted and securely in place all day long. Thankfully, Leonisa has the most comfortable underwire bras on the planet in an impressive range of styles.

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Best Bras for DD Cups: Underwire bras are a great everyday option for DD cups, too! In addition to having a few underwire styles in your bra rotation, I like to recommend a minimizer bra for those times when you need a little extra support. These bras offer a smoothing effect around the cups, under the arms and in the back area for a seamless and sleek look underneath your clothing.

Aside from your cup size, your overall bra size also includes your band size. The band is the portion of the bra under the cups and straps that wraps around your chest and back. Depending on the style of bra you prefer, your band might clasp in the back via two or three hooks, clip together in the front between the cups or feature a clasp-less design that is meant to be pulled over your head. Regardless of band type, your specific band size is the same as the number of inches in your chest measurement as measured just under your breasts in the rib cage area.

An accurate band size is important because the band is responsible for overall bra support. The band should fit securely, feeling snug but not too tight, in order to create a good bra foundation and shape when combined with the cups and straps. If you've ever felt generally unsupported by your bra or felt like your breasts were moving around too much during wear, you might have been wearing a band size that was too large. On the other hand, bands that are too small present their fair share of problems as well. If you notice rib cage pain, difficulty breathing or that your straps fall down a lot, consider reevaluating your band size in order to eliminate these problems and get a better fit.

I prefer to buy all my bras online and try them on in my own home, which is why I know it's important to be informed about the difference in cup sizes. If you're still unsure of your real bra size, don't worry. Take the Leonisa bra size quiz, a step-by-step bra size finder, and you'll know which size or sizes to order so you can spend less time making returns and more time enjoying your perfect bra.

If C cups are the midpoint or medium breast size indicator on the cup size scale, then D cups mark the transition towards larger breasts and DD cups are the exact opposite of A cups.

This kind of thinking can get you into trouble fast, since (obviously) your bra size changes as your body does. And since you probably don’t want to go careening to and from Victoria’s Secret every time your body changes, it’s probably worth it for all of us—and I mean all of us—to learn how to measure our bra size at home.

Below, find a quick and dirty five-step guide to measuring your bra size at home.

Make sure it’s soft and pliable, preferably made of fabric. If you don’t have one, head to a local fabric store, drug store or even a mass retailer, like Walmart.

You wouldn’t go on a first date without first putting on your best outfit, so don’t measure your bra size without wearing your most well-fitting bra. It should fit snugly, preferably have an underwire and be sans padding.

Pro tip: Be sure your breasts aren’t sagging; if your nipple isn’t located approximately halfway down the top half of your back, adjust your bra straps to make them tighter.

As you know, most bras are sized via band then cup., i.e., a 34-D bra is a bra with a band measurement of 34 and a cup measurement of D. But don’t be fooled by appearances: The band size often isn’t precisely the measurement of the circumference of your torso.

Here’s how it works: Using your soft tape measure, measure around the trunk of your torso right where the bottom part of your bra clasps around you. Using a mirror, make sure the tape is taut exactly across the middle of your back (not hitting at a diagonal, which can skew the measurement). See where the end of the tape meets at the front of your torso. This is your literal torso measurement. Write this number down.

Sometimes, your band size is equivalent to your literal torso measurement. But if your torso measures, for example, 31 inches, you will probably need to round up to a 32 for your band size.

Compared to measuring bust size, band size is a relative walk in the park. Cups are trickier because the size of your breasts can actually change depending on myriad factors, like what day of the month it is and if you are experiencing bloating or not. Try to pick a day to measure your cup size when you feel (relatively) true-to-size.

Your posture also plays an important part in measuring an accurate cup size. To counteract a mis-measurement on account of slouching or standing up abnormally erect, try this: Bend forward at your hips before measuring. So your body, from your feet to the top of your head, looks like an upside-down letter “L.”

This helps ensure that you are getting all the breast tissue in the tape. Then carefully place the tape so it’s straight across your back (again, you can use a mirror to help you do this) and measure your breasts at the fullest point, which typically is where your nipples are. Take a mental (or literal) note of that number.

Because in the land of bras, everything is more confusing than it really needs to be: Your bust size and your cup size aren’t the same. The bust size is the literal number you just read on the tape measure while contorting yourself into the “L” shape. The cup size, however, is the difference between your band size and your bust size.

Here’s a chart of standard size differences and how they equate to cup sizes:

Here’s an example from start to finish:

Let’s say you measure around your torso and get the measurement of 33 inches. Because it’s an odd number, you should round up to 34. When you measure around your full bust, you get 36 inches. That means there’s a 2-inch difference between your full bust size and your band size. The chart above says a 2-inch difference is equivalent to a “B” cup size, so your final bra size is: 34B.

Make sense? There’s also this handy-dandy bra size calculator if you’re still feeling a bit lost.

Cup size is based on a simple measurement, that of the difference between ones band measurement and ones chest measurement.  By subtracting the former from the latter, you get a number of inches that corresponds to a letter cup size, for example, an A cup means your breasts are lifted an inch of your chest, a B cup means they are lifted 2 inches off your chest, and so on and so forth, per the below chart:

Therefore, one woman can be the same cup size as another, but due to their band size have a very different appearance.  Sister sizing as it’s called, plays a role in this as it relates to cup volume.

Starting with the primary measurement (band size is ultimately most important as the band, not the straps, should be responsible for most of the support needed by the wearer), the numerical representation of the circumference around ones ribcage, just underneath the breasts, gives a band size, typically in the range of 30-44.

34 is considered the baseline or “true cup” size, therefore cup volume is based off of the difference between this under bust measurement and that of ones chest.  Taking a 34B for example and going down a band size to a 32, would require going up to a C cup, conversely, going up a band size to a 36 would require going down to an A cup.

In the end, these sizes deliver the same cup volume, or the amount of breast tissue that this size bra is meant to contain and support.  To find your sister sizes, use the chart below and find your current bra size, then go up or down depending on the issues you may be experiencing such as gaping (try going up a band, down a cup) or spillage (go down a band, up a cup).

If that wasn’t enough to potentially confuse you (but don’t let it, we’re here to help!), everything seems so straight forward until we get past D cup…then the duplicates and letter skips come into play (especially for European brands).  For a long time, the bra industry, and many of its largest brands, simply didn’t offer sizing much past D cup.  When they did start offering larger cup sizes, perception issues around larger sizes caused them to avoid going to the next letter and instead, the duplication began, with the original being DD.

As such, this size inherited a reputation for being HUGE (which it’s not, again, we’re only talking about a 5” difference between band and bust here), and it was incorrectly thought that only full figured women would require such a size (or larger).  In reality, the size difference between D and DD with same band size is 1”, the same measurement difference as between an A cup and a B cup, a B cup and a C cup, a C cup and a D cup. Assuming any of these cup differences are on the same band size, one would only appear slightly larger than the other, sticking out an additional inch.