Women everywhere share one common complaint: the quest for that elusive perfect-fit bra will never end.

Keep the faith! We’re here to help with three easy steps on how to properly measure bra size, plus helpful solutions to today’s most common fit problems.

MEASURING FOR THE PERFECT-FIT BRA

1. BAND SIZE (includes measurements such as 34, 36, and 38)
   • Wearing a non-padded bra, hold a soft, flexible tape measure across your back at bra-band level.
   • Bring the tape measure around to the front, just above your bust.
   • This number is your bra band size. If the number is odd, round down to the closest even number.
2. BUST MEASUREMENT (includes measurements such as B, C, and D)
   • Wearing a non-padded bra, hold a soft, flexible tape measure across your back at bra-band level.
   • Bring the tape measure around to the front, over the fullest part of your bust.
   • This number is your bust measurement. If it falls on a half inch, round up to the next whole inch.
3. CUP SIZE
   • Subtract the bra-band size from the bust measurement.
   • For example, with a bust measurement of 34” and a band size of 32”, your cup size would be 34”- 32”= 2” — which is a B.
   • Use chart below to find your cup size.

SOLUTIONS TO COMMON FIT PROBLEMS

Bra Rides Up in Back
Your band size is too large. Try hooking your bra on a tighter setting and loosening the straps. If this doesn’t work, buy a bra with a smaller band size.

Skin Irritation Beneath the Bustline
Increase the cup size.

Correct Size but Overflow Near Underarm
Try a different bra style. Triangle and other more revealing bras are not ideal for women who need greater support.

Sagging
Find a bra with more support. Some features to look for are panels built into the cup, underwire, a 3-section cup, and 3 or more hooks at the back.  Avoid single-layer, molded-cup bras.

Gapping or Puckering Cups
Hook the band on a tighter setting. If problem persists, go down a cup size.

Underwire Stands Away from the Body
Try a smaller band size and a larger cup size.

Underwire Rubs You the Wrong Way
Go up a cup size and make certain underwire sits comfortably on the ribcage.

Underwire is Poking the Armpit
This most frequently happens to petite women. Consider a demi-cup bra, which has less cup coverage and shorter underwires.

Central Bra Panel Does Not Rest on Sternum
Try a larger cup size.

Central Bra Panel Rubs or Won’t Stay Flat
Go up a cup size for a renewed sense of comfort.

Shoulder Straps Constantly Slip Off
A common complaint of women with smaller frames… If tightening the strap doesn’t work, try a smaller band size to bring the straps closer together. Or, try a bra style with more closely set straps, such as a racerback.  

Shoulder Straps Dig Into Your Shoulders
Your shoulder straps are compensating for an overall lack of support from your bra. If loosening the straps doesn’t fix the problem, try a larger cup size or smaller band measurement.

Several Bra Sizes Fit You
There are two primary reasons for this. One: you own bras by multiple designers — learn the fit differences. Two:  your size might substantially fluctuate during your cycle. If this is the case, measure your sizes at both times of the month and buy two sizes.