The word bra (from the German Büste "women's breasts" and H alter "holder") is deciphered literally as a breast holder. In colloquial speech, the word "bra" is popular, which is a diminutive form of the word "bodice". A bodice is a part of a dress in a women's wardrobe that covers the chest and back (the so-called "stan").
The importance of choosing the right one
In a lingerie store, the beautiful half of humanity often forgets how important it is to choose not only a beautiful bra, but also a functional one, which is much more important. Knowing how to properly size a bra and cup is lost in mind at the sight of a charming bodice, and a tempting "discount" tag turns a woman into a hungry vampire.
However, mammologists around the world unanimously say that the wrong bra cup size, strap width, and girth around the chest are fraught with problems with the mammary glands.
Due to the wrong choice of underwear, the following problems are possible:
- impaired blood supply to the mammary glands;
- the occurrence of tumors due to excessivechest compressions;
- The width of the straps, chosen incorrectly, leads to the fact that the chest does not receive the necessary support, therefore, it quickly loses elasticity;
- strong squeezing or incorrect shape of the cups leads to pain in the back and upper shoulder girdle, which are harbingers of osteochondrosis.
Women need to be very careful about their mammary glands. The size of the bra cup, straps and matching the shape of the bodice to the chest is very important for young girls, and for adult women, and for nursing mothers. Any lady who cares about her he alth must carefully consider the choice of this wardrobe item.
Types of sizes
Many women are faced with the fact that the sizes we are used to, indicated in letter form, do not always coincide with the size grids of foreign-made underwear.
The bottom line is that some manufacturers designate underwear sizes as simply as possible, expressing them as a ratio of numbers and letters corresponding to body measurements, while others accept symbols that encode the same parameters.
Nuances that not everyone knows about:
- it is customary to express the fullness of a bra cup in letters of the Latin alphabet;
- numbers indicate the girth under the bust.
Consequently, in order to correctly determine the required size, you need to know the girth around the chest and the fullness of the cup. Understanding how to spell your bra cup size is not difficult. The digital equivalent of the size looks likeeven easier.
What size bra with cup A from another manufacturer? It is easy to determine this using the table.
Sizing
How do I know my bra cup size? This will require a little skill and the simplest tailor centimeter. You can manipulate yourself or with someone else's help.
It will be necessary to take measurements on two parameters:
- Bust. It is measured at the most protruding points of the mammary glands around the ribs and across the back. The centimeter is strictly parallel to the floor. Correct measurement - the tape tightly wraps around the body, but does not squeeze the skin. Too much squeezing or too little tension gives incorrect results.
- Girth under bust. Measured at the base of the mammary glands. Measurement is taken independently or with the help of a second person. If the measurement is taken on your own, then you must wear underwear that lifts the chest, but does not contain moldings or thick foam rubber.
Measurements are taken in several ways. It is a little more difficult to do this on your own - it is not so convenient to be in a relaxed state and at the same time take measurements. To get this right and then determine your bra cup size, you will need to use some tricks.
Sizing
Measurement methods are divided into modern and traditional. The second option is used more often, but the first one is more convenient.
The modern version consists of measuring the volume of the chestcages and cup size definitions:
- The volume of the chest is determined. To measure, you need to become straight, relax your back, spread your arms to the sides. A centimeter measures the girth of the chest under the mammary glands. Processing the result is simple - if the figure turned out to be odd, then you can buy linen, rounding the result both up and down. For example, 77 cm allow you to purchase underwear with a girth of both 76 and 78. This is due to the elasticity of the ribbons that are sewn into the bodice - stretching, they easily and comfortably sit on the required volume. If, as a result of measurements, an even figure is obtained, then it corresponds to the girth that is needed. But she, too, can fluctuate, as physique plays an important role.
- Determination of cup size. This indicator correlates with the size of the breast and is considered relative. For measurements, you need to become even, place your chest parallel to the floor (i.e., lean forward so that your back is even). If there is help, then you can take measurements in a standing position - for this, you need to raise the mammary glands with your hands, and the second person will take measurements.
A centimeter is circled around the body along the most protruding points of the chest. Too tight or too loose tension of the centimeter will indicate an incorrect measurement.
To determine the size from the obtained indicator of chest girth, you need to subtract the result of measuring the girth under the bust. The difference obtained in this calculation will determinebra cup size. For example, 86 - 77, 8=8, 2.
Correctly taken measurements, unfortunately, are not a guarantee that underwear of these parameters will immediately fit comfortably. The shape of the cup greatly affects the fit of the bra. Wide-set busts make it especially difficult to find a comfortable cup shape.
Owners of large breasts need to be especially careful when choosing this item of clothing. But curvaceous ladies should prefer comfortable models that will not cause discomfort.
The classic way
In this case, the help of a second person is needed. How to determine the size of a bra cup? First, the volume of the chest is measured. The centimeter passes strictly under the chest, without deviating or sliding. Sizes average:
- 67 - 72=70cm;
- 73 - 77=75cm;
- 78 - 82=80cm;
- 83 - 87=85 cm;
- 88 - 92=90cm;
- 93 - 97=95 cm;
- 98 - 102=100 cm.
Now you need to determine the girth of the chest. The centimeter passes through the most protruding points. Having taken the measurement, it is necessary to find the difference between the OPG and the OG.
How do I know my bra cup size? The size in literal terms is determined by the table.
| Metrics | Size |
| 10 - 12 | 0 (AA) |
| 12 - 13 | 1 (A) |
| 13 - 15 | 2 (B) |
| 15 - 17 | 3 (C) |
| 18 - 20 | 4 (D) |
| 20 - 22 | 5 (DD) |
| 23 - 25 | 6 (E) |
| 26 - 28 | 6+ (F) |
It is customary to indicate both the average size under the bust and the fullness of the cup on the product. For example, you can find out what size bra with a D cup by yourself by taking measurements and using the table.
It is worth noting that in some countries there are markings that are unusual for us: DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, K, KK, L, LL. Do not be surprised, on the tags of these manufacturers there are always duplicate sizes that are familiar to the eye.
For example, C cup is a size 3 bra.
European measurements
When purchasing underwear produced in European countries, it is necessary to determine the size of the bodice using a different method. In Italy and France, the sizes and volumes are the same, but the girth under the bust is not rounded, but the difference between the parameters is found and the result is divided by 6. The resulting figure will correspond to the size.
For example, what size will a bra with an A cup be: (90 - 78)/6=2. You will need to look for a second size bra.
When buying underwear, you can try to experiment with sizes. If the cup 90C does not fit, then you can safely try on the 85D. Perhaps it's not the girth, but the fullness of the chest or the shape of the cup. Getting used to translation is easy.
Types of bras
The variety of shapes, textures and types of bras lead women to a dead end. Coming to the store with underwear, the customer wants to understand what is at stake. And to explain which model is needed, you need to know the features of each. If the model fits the shape, then it will be easier to check whether it is comfortable to walk in it. A model that causes discomfort may fit in size, but not match the shape and features of the breast.
The most common forms are popular and are called the same by any manufacturer:
- Balconette. The model is available with a soft and hard cup. With a hard cup, it is suitable for owners of a small chest, with a soft cup, for ladies of more impressive parameters. A model with lace running along the halo of the nipples is called "Angelica". This option is best left for solemn or romantic moments - lace can rub delicate skin.
- On the bones. The model is suitable for both owners of modest sizes and full-breasted ladies. The bones should follow the shape of the base of the breast, the cup is filled completely. There should be no creases, voids, folds. The underwires are sewn inside the cup, do not protrude and do not cause discomfort.
- Push-up. The name comes from the English Push - push and UP - up. Literally - the pusher of the chest up. The name speaks for itself - such a function in underwear is necessary in order to give the chest more volume due to soft pillows sewn inside the cups. The smallest cup size of an AA bra with this support would beseem bigger. The cup in such models is almost always rigid, and the shape can be any.
- Soft. Often soft underwear is made lace. Well suited for ladies with large volumes who do not need additional shaping with a hard cup. A lace C-cup bra is perfect for those women who want to give softness to their breasts and hide some volume. Models are both casual and sporty. They make seamless, one-piece, and also with fasteners of various types of bras.
Importance of fitting
Having decided on how to choose the size of a bra cup, you need to take the time to try it on. At first glance, it seems that only outerwear needs to be carefully measured - it is seen by others, it performs a thermal protective function and is matched to the color of accessories or to the image. However, a properly chosen bra gives a woman's posture rigor, lifts her chest and forms a beautiful silhouette. In addition, only by fitting correctly, you can determine whether the form fits or not.
Check fit
Professional athletes acquire special underwear that evenly distributes the load and compensates for movement. Such functions are performed every day by a regular bra.
To check if the size of the bra cups spells with the actual size, you need to see if the breasts fall out. If the mammary glands are too squeezed, pinched in the middle, or if they fall out on top of the cup, then the size is selectedwrong.
The waistband to which the cups are sewn must be elastic, even if it is made of lace. To check if the back is not too tight, you need to put your thumb under the lock in the region of the spine. If the finger enters, the size is appropriate.
The final fit test is this: a fully buttoned bra fits snugly and comfortably. A woman needs to actively move in the chosen model. To do this, you need to raise your hands up, lower them down, turn around, make a few swings with your hands, tilt your body. If, after raising your arms up, there is no desire to straighten the linen, distort the straps or lay out the chest, giving it a comfortable position in the cup, then the model is definitely suitable.
The strip of fabric around the ribs should fit snugly but elastically against the skin. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the fabric at the junction of the cup and tape. If a hall has formed in this place, the cup is crumpled or the bone points not towards the armpit, but somewhere in the other direction, then the model has sat down incorrectly. The perfect fit is when all parts of the bra fit perfectly against the body.
Check straps
Straps perform one of the most important functions - they distribute the load on the shoulders and support the chest. Straps must be the correct width. The larger the bust, the wider the straps should be. If the breast skin is thin and very sensitive, especially when breastfeeding, then the straps should be especially wide and elastic.
Checkthe correct tension can be done as follows: at the highest point of the shoulder, one finger should easily fit under the strap. If done this way, the tension is perfect.
Checking seams
It is necessary to examine the cup and belt of the bra from the inside. Bones should not protrude, if any. The seams are subject to careful processing - any thread can cause inconvenience to delicate skin. The fittings must be of high quality - cheap iron hooks and loops can rust, causing skin irritation, and they also leave ugly stains on linen.
Tips
Lingerie must be selected for a specific occasion or situation, outfit or type of clothing. Every woman's wardrobe should have several bras, different in texture and material.
In addition, women, knowing the characteristics of their body, should select models of bodices such that full breasts also fit comfortably in underwear.
Wishing to receive underwear as a gift from a man, it is better to choose a specific size and model yourself. Men are not so versed in feminine subtleties, and the wrong model or shape will not only be uncomfortable, but can also create an awkward situation. If there was no receipt for the exchange, it will be difficult to explain to your loved one why the kit he gave is gathering dust on the shelf.
