THE PLUS SIZE BRA FITTING GUIDE: HOW TO MEASURE & FIND THE RIGHT STYLE
If it’s been more than six months since your last bra fitting, it’s time to get fitted. Even if you’ve been fitted before, it’s important to get fitted regularly. After all, our bodies are always going through changes. Studies show that around 80% of women aren’t wearing the right size bra.
Luckily, it’s easy to find the right size and style of bra so you can feel supported, confident and fabulous in your own skin!
Finding the right bra not only helps your clothes fit better, it can help you avoid pain in the shoulders, back and neck. Learn how to work out your bra size with our expert tips.
How to Measure Bra Size
Step 1. Slip into your favourite bra (make sure it doesn’t have any padding) or measure up braless if it’s more comfortable.
Step 2. Measure beneath your bust, passing a measuring tape around you and firmly bringing both ends together at the front. Make a note of the measurement in cm.
Step 3. Next, measure around your bust at the widest point of your back and chest to take your across-bust measurement. For the most accurate figure, take the measurement immediately after exhaling.
Step 4. Use this international bra conversion table as a guide to determine your size. This chart is to be used as a guide only, as body and breast shapes are unique and can vary.
| UNDERBUST |
SIZE | C | D | DD | E | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83-87cm | Size 16 | 101-103 | 103-105 | 105-107 | 107-109 | 109-111 | 111-113 |
| 88-92cm | Size 18 | 106-108 | 108-110 | 110-112 | 112-114 | 114-116 | 116-118 |
| 93-97cm | Size 20 | 111-113 | 113-115 | 115-117 | 117-119 | 119-121 | 121-123 |
| 98-102cm | Size 22 | 116-118 | 118-120 | 120-122 | 122-124 | 124-126 | 126-128 |
| 103-107cm | Size 24 | 121-123 | 123-125 | 125-127 | 127-129 | 129-131 | 131-133 |
Find Your Sister Size. Find Your Fit.
Depending on your body and breast shape, you may find yourself needing more room in either the underband or the cup. After all, no two boobs are the same!
Enter: “sister sizing,” where neighbouring sizes in the cup or band can help you find a better fit. Cup sizes change relative to band sizes, so both the cup and band size need to be adjusted.
There are two ways to do this:
• If you’re fuller under the bust you could try going up one band size, and down one cup size. So, if you’re a 16DD, this means going up one
band size to an 18 and then going down one cup size to a D cup, making your perfect fit an 18D.
• If your bust is fuller, try going down one band size and up one cup size. For example, if you’re a size 18DD, you can go down in the band size to a 16, then up one cup size to an E, making your perfect fit a 16E.
This method lets you find your absolute perfect fit because we all know there is no better feeling than finding the perfect bra.
| 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | B | B | B | B |
| C | C | C | C | C |
| D | D | D | D | D |
| DD | DD | DD | DD | DD |
| E | E | E | E | E |
| F | F | F | F | F |
| G | G | G | G | G |
How Should a Bra Fit?
You know your bra fits properly when it feels supportive but not restrictive. Ideally, your bra band should not feel too tight around the ribcage and you should be able to slide two fingers comfortably through the band, but it shouldn’t feel so loose that it moves around with you.
It should sit level from front to back, with the centre front of the bra lying flat against your chest. The cups should comfortably sit around your breasts, without too much empty space or leaving marks.
Here are a few more things to check when you’re trying your bra on:
Cup Overflow:
If the cup digs into your breast tissue, then go up a cup size or try a bra with greater coverage.
Cup Sits on Breasts:
Try a tighter hook closure, or go down a band size or up a cup size.
Side Overflow:
If your breast tissue goes beyond the cups, you can first try loosening the shoulder straps—bra straps that are too tight can sometimes pull the cups out of position. If that doesn’t work, then go up a cup size.
Band Too High:
If the back band is too high, it usually means your shoulder straps are too tight. Begin by loosening the straps, and if the band still sits too high, you may need a different size.
Cup Gaping:
If there’s too much empty space between the cup and your breasts, then it means either your shoulder straps are too loose or the cups are too big. Tighten the bra straps, or if that doesn’t help, you may need a smaller band or cup size.
Loose Straps:
Bra straps can get looser over time as the elastic ages. Adjust the bra straps or, if they keep slipping off even after you’ve tightened them, you can try going down a size.
Find Your Most Comfortable Bra
Once you know where to start with your bra size, it’s time to think about the kind of bra you want to support your wardrobe, body and lifestyle!
You might prefer a bra with extra support, wider straps, fuller coverage or even cooling materials for hot sunny days. There is no “one bra fits all”.
T-Shirt Bras
Our best-selling t-shirt bras are perfect for your everyday wardrobe. Designed to be invisible under your clothes, our t-shirt bras enhance your natural silhouette thanks to their lightly-padded cups. They’re also made from soft-touch microfibre for that luxuriously smooth feeling against your skin.
Choose from our signature style or our side smoothing t-shirt bras with wide side panels to smooth out underarm lumps and bumps.
Wirefree Bras
Our plus size wirefree bras are designed for those who love feeling supported without sacrificing comfort. Offering natural lift, they’re designed with no sharp edges which means no digging in!
Choose from our natural cotton styles or our cooling lounge bras that mix moisture-wicking fabric with mesh panels to keep you fresh all day long.
Underwire Bras
Flaunt your fabulous with plus size underwire bras that shape and support your curves. Our underwire bras offer gentle contouring while maximising support and stability with wide shoulder straps and back straps. Take your pick from soft pastel colours, everyday black or nude shades or seasonal floral prints.
Plus Size Bras that Maximise Support
At Taking Shape, we know that a good bra is the secret to looking good and feeling even better. That’s why we’re always perfecting our designs to provide the perfect fit and comfort level without sacrificing style!
Our plus size bras are thoughtfully designed in sizes 16–24, with cup sizes that range from C cup to G cup. Shop our full range of plus size bras to find your ideal style. Comfort has never looked (or felt) this good!
