Ladies, drop your bras. Your bra doesn't fit. I bet you
thought that those were the only standard bra sizes. I bet that when you
picture double D's you think of HUGE cups. Since we were young it's been
engraved in our North American minds that average band sizes range from 32-38
and cup sizes range from AA-DDD. Before then, bras were considered a "one
size fits all" item. Realizing that not all women were the same size, S.H.
Camp and Company created four cup sizes, A, B, C, and D, which were not based
on cup volume but rather how they hung. Band sizes weren't even created until
the 1940s. They measured the band size by adding on approximately 4 inches due
to the lack of stretch in the materials used to construct the garment. Because
most lingerie shops today still use this method of sizing. Getting measured at
a shop usually means that the fitter will take your under bust measurement and
add on 4 inches to match their brands' sizing. A larger band size means a
smaller cup size, because the capacity of the cup is dependent on the width of
the band. Hence, 34C's are born.
In the UK, you can purchase band sizes 28 and up, and cup
sizes A through J. If you measure 30 inches around, your band size is 30
inches. Since your cup size is relative to your band size, the letter will of
course need to increase. Did you know that 80% of women are walking around with
breast tissue that has migrated underneath their armpits due to wearing the
wrong cup size? Thought that was back fat? Nope, it's breast tissue. The
capacity of a 30D cup will be smaller than the capacity of a 34D cup. Always
remember that cup size is relative to band size. We need to erase our
preconceived ideas of what a cup size looks like starting today.
To find your true proper size, you'll need a measuring tape
and a bra size calculator. It's time to get serious, ladies. Once you step into
a properly fitted bra you will never go back to the old fashioned North
American ways. You will start to see a world that has blinded you with glitzy
undergarments while actually ruining your gorgeous breasts.
