Today, I’m going to write a blog post on something that I did research on to help myself. Finding a bra that fits and one that doesn’t look like what I call, a grandma sling shot, is a rarity for me. It doesn’t matter what my measurements come out to, I can’t ever seem to find a bra in all styles that fit my size. Furthermore, the larger you go up, the less “sexy” they seem to get, which seems bizarre to me... I mean the larger the chest, the uglier the bra gets. DID YOU HEAR THAT MEN?
Any who, I heard the ladies at Victoria's Secret make reference to my “sister size”, so I decided to investigate exactly how these sisters work!
So how does this work?
- Well, first and foremost you must be measured. As going by a bra that fits you at one store is not true sizing.
- Once you find your true band and cup size, you can go on your search for your long lost sisters.
- Either go UP to the next BAND size & DOWN to the next CUP size. OR you can go DOWN to the NEXT BAND size & GO UP to the next CUP size.
- What??? Kind of sounded like twisted sisters to me, but once you see the below it will make better sense!!
Sister Bra Size Samples:
34A=32B or Vice Versa
34B=32C or Vice Versa
36D=34DD or Vice Versa
After some further investigation, I also located some more additional ways to determine your sister sizes in a bra. But rather then explaining them by each bra size, I recreated an image below to illustrate. Needless to say, I am so excited that I now have more options, I guess the "secret" is out!
Ladies, don't forget to comment and if you have any more tips for finding the right bra, please share!
IMPORTANT: Regardless of your measurements, I strongly recommend that you try on the bras. I'm sure a sales associate would disagree with me on this, but I find that a size at one store does not always fit the same as another. You can't argue with your measurements, but they don't always match up with the size on the tag.
I have the same problem, they make the prettiest bras and pantie sets in smaller sizes. Now I can look again, thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBonnie
Bonnie,
DeleteI'm glad this was helpful! I agree with your comment on the matching sets. This is great to know there are options.
Barbie
Grandma sling shot, that is funny! I love this thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found that humorous! I always try to tie in some humor, it makes it more interesting!
DeleteBarbie
This is awesome, love your posts Barbie
ReplyDeleteSusan Smith
Susan,
DeleteThanks for the kind words. Hope this post was helpful!
Barbie
Thanks for the great tips, but I have a question - what if the smaller "sister size" does not fit around me? Even some of my current "size" bras are too tight around my body - regardless of cup size? but if I go larger, then they are too loose?
ReplyDeleteI am not a bra expert, I did a lot of research on this one, but I agree there are some exceptions. One thing I found with sister bra's is where you hinge the back of the bra. I have to do it on the first one when I go down in a band size. Maybe you can try that? Padded bra's also seem to work best in the sister department too! Hope this helped some.
DeleteBarbie
Barbie
Clever article����. "Sister size" we should all know that , thanks. Tania
ReplyDeleteTania,
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope you find this tip useful.
Barbie
Barbie
ReplyDeleteI thought there was only one sister size, I'm glad to see their are more options! I don't think even some of the sales associates know this, as I had a encounter with me saying one and them another. When the correct answer was we were both right.
Thanks for your tips, I love your blog.
Mary Miller
Mary,
DeleteThe same thing happened to me and a friend of mine. This is what prompted me to do the research. Also, keep in mind that one sister size in one style of bra doesn't always fit in another. Personally, I believe companies do this to make more $$ from us! None the less, I'm glad I was able to clarify this for you!
Have a great Monday,
Barbie
Thanks for posting this. I am going to bookmark it. It is great information!
ReplyDeleteMarie
I Am THE Makeup Junkie
http://iamthemakeupjunkie.blogspot.com
Thanks for doing that! This sizing has really been helpful to me!
DeleteI don't really have the same problem as I have quite a small chest, but I've tried going both ways and neither worked out for me - a bigger band size doesn't support me properly, and a smaller band size is uncomfortably tight! It's definitely a good suggestion to try, though :)
ReplyDeleteJess xo
Regardless of your size, consistency is a nightmare. This is why I thought this would be helpful,letting women know that there are options!
DeleteOh my goodness, I have the same problem. I've never, ever found a bra that fits well. Ever.
ReplyDeleteMore options the better! So hopefully this was helpful!
DeleteWhat a great tip! I really struggle finding the right size. I should get measured.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of such! Thank you for such useful information. I will spread the word.
ReplyDeleteI did not know all of this. Great info. Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteGreat Chart! I always try on before I purchase. And lately I haven't been satisfied with the 'professional fittings' and just trying them on myself seems faster and easier. And sadly it's true each brand varies, and what fits in one size doesn't mean it will fit you in that same size from a different brand. 'The Girls' are always difficult to shop for! LOL :-)
ReplyDeleteTracy @ Ascending Butterfly
Woah, I had no idea about any of this. I got measured years ago, but then I lost a lot of weight and my cup size went down - so this is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteI knew about this sizing issue, but I've NEVER seen a 30 band bra. I'd love to wear a 30C, but they just aren't in stores!
ReplyDeleteI always have issues depending on the stores i go to and different brands.Thank you for sharing this it is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! Maybe that is why I can never get the right fit!
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome and informational chart! Thank you for sharing it! Really helpful info to remember.
ReplyDeleteI need to get new bras. After having a baby nothing fits!
ReplyDeleteMy size changed drastically after having my son, and then when I finished nursing, I had to bra shop AGAIN. This chart is uber-helpful. Thanks so much! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome sister size info. My teen was having some major sizing problems and I finally just took her in to Victoria's Secret where she was measured accurately. She's now a happy girl. :)
ReplyDeleteI need to get measured...thanks for the tips. Going to get new bras this weekend :)
ReplyDeleteI hate shopping for bras. Going in person is so important to get a good fit!
ReplyDeleteThis is all new to me. Thank you for sharing such an informative post.
ReplyDeleteOK I was confused at first, but now I get it! Sister size is a great idea, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard the term "sister size". I hate buying bras though. The bigger the chest, the harder it is to find bras too.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a hard thing! I always have to be re-measured. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat?!?! I learn something new everyday! I'm baffled and amazed by this concept!
ReplyDeleteMy boobies fluctuate and so it is hard to figure out my bra size sometimes. I have a few go to ones that fit no matter what
ReplyDeleteI agree about trying on the bras. I have never been told no to trying on a bra at any department store. I have worked in a fitting room and didn't think twice about anyone wanting to try a bra on either. It definitely saves time from having to return an ill fitting bra later!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool, I've never heard of that concept before. I'm going to have to do some measurements now.
ReplyDeleteWow, nice chart! as a nursing mom, I have such an issue figuring out which ones to buy and I hate the fact that all of the pretty ones don't come in my cup size.
ReplyDeleteTotally needed this post today. I just received a bra in the mail that I ordered and HATE IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome to know! I definitely agree that you have to go get sized. Don't be embarrassed either, they have seen it ALL!
ReplyDeleteI never knew you could calculate that way! That's awesome cause it always seems like the size I want is out of stock! Love this!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they were interchangeable like that! So good to know!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! I have the same problem when not nursing and in nursing bras!
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips and I never knew about sister sizes! I will keep these in mind, especially when shopping the sale racks!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have the opposite problem! My chest is so small sometimes they only start the cute bras at a B cup!
ReplyDeleteI agree with trying it on. The same size can fit me radically different from bra to bra.
ReplyDeleteIn college I worked at Victoria's Secret and actually learned how to get sized correctly. We often think that once we are sized we are good forever but our sizes can change a lot!
ReplyDelete~Amanda
Great ingo. I really need to be re-sized since baby number two.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the measurement thing. I am a 32D, 34C or 36B LOL.
ReplyDeleteI hate bra shopping.....looking in the mirror half naked is not fun lol. I had no idea about sister sizes. Great info to know!
ReplyDeleteI never like bra shopping but this tip may make it a bit easier! Thanks for the ideas.
ReplyDeleteI never wear a bra, basically sorts bras, my boobs are tiny LOL, I can shop in the teen section.
ReplyDeleteOh man! Now that I'm done breastfeeding I really should get re-fitted!
ReplyDelete