Christina's Fashion Crash Course for QM2 - Part 1

Undergarments

This is area that is overlooked and is actually a very important of helping you to look your best. Did you know an estimated 70% of women do not know their proper bra measurements. Without knowing these measurements, it can be very difficult to buy fashionable and well fitting clothes. Many women's clothing items use bra or cup size measurements to distinguish differences in fit, so these measurements can be extremely important. This section will arm you with the knowledge you need for these crucial measurements.

Traditional measurement method:


1. 2. 3.

		Determining your Bra/Band size (ribcage circumference measurement)
		Measure around the chest directly under the breast at a constant height with the cloth measuring tape. Add 5 inches to that measurement. This dimension is your bra/band size (If the bra size works out to an ODD number go up one inch to the next EVEN number.) This should equal the circumference around the chest, directly above the breasts/under the arms.
		Now measure around the chest at the height of the fullest part of the breast. The measuring tape should be held horizontal, flat on your back, and your arms should be down. Make a note of that measurement (only used for comparison) and compare it to the Bra Size from step 1.
		Determining your Cup size (projection of breasts from chest wall)
		To determine the proper Cup Size, find the difference between step 2 and step 1 (step 2 - step 1.) Use the chart below to determine your Cup Size.

Chart to DetermineBra Cup Size Example: Difference Cup Size 1 inch ~= 2.5 centimeters

Step 1: Underbust measurement is 37". Add 5 inches. Bra Size is 42. Step 2: Full bust measurement is 45". Step 3: 45 - 42 = 3" difference. Cup size is C. Result: Buy a 42C bra.
	Half inch One inch Two inches Three inches Four inches Five inches Six inches Seven inches	AA cup A cup B cup C cup D cup DD or E cup F cup G cup

The usual bra measuring system may not
work:

Some people have written to me suggesting that the previous measurement
scheme does not work at ALL for them. Why? The previous measurement guide
is an approximation. Each person is unique, and all busts differ in volume,
shape and spacing, just as each person's unique body size, height, and
weight can affect a bra's fit; a tape measure and simple formula may not
always tell the whole story. Plus, even if the measurements ARE
accurate, there are no real "standards" for bra sizing, so differences
between manufacturers is common.



An alternate bra measuring scheme:


Determining your Bra/Band Size:
(ribcage circumference measurement)

1. Measure around the chest directly under the breast.
   
2. Measure around the chest, directly above the breasts/under the arms.
   
3. If the difference between the two measurements is two inches or less,
   use the Step 1 measurement. If the difference is over two inches, you
   may want to try one bra/band size larger for comfort. This will be your
   bra/band size.
   
4. If the under-breast measurement is an odd number, add one to reach the
   next even numbered bra band size.
   
5. Now measure around the chest at the height of the fullest part of the
   breast. The measuring tape should be held horizontal, and your arms
   should be down. Make a note of that measurement (only used for
   comparison.)
   

Determining your Cup Size:
(projection of breasts from chest wall)

• To determine the proper Cup Size, find the difference between step 5
  and your bra band size. Use the chart above to determine your Cup Size.
  

Notes:

• The previous measurement instructions are most applicable if you
  are taking bra measurement with an existing set of breasts.
  
• If you have only one breast due possibly to surgery, or have an
  uneven breast cup sizes, you should probably equalize the cups
  (with some form of padding) to the existing or largest breast when
  measuring to maintain measurement symmetry.
  
• If you do not have breasts due to whatever the reason, you will
  take the bra band measurements listed above, but you can pretty
  much be whatever cup size you wish, depending on what your plans
  are. Remember that choosing a cup size proportional to your body
  frame will look the most "natural."
  
• Suggestions on choosing a cup size
  Bra band sizes 32-28:
  
  
  
  • "Slender" build: A cup
    
  • "Average" build: B cup
    
  • "Heavier" build: C cup
    
  
  
  Bra band sizes 40-42:
  
  
  
  
  • "Average" build: B cup
    
  • "Heavier" build: C-D cup
    
  
  
  Bra band sizes 44-46:
  
  
  
  
  • "Average" build: C cup
    
  • "Heavier" build: D-DD cup
    
  
  


• If you are in between sizes or you are having difficulty finding
  a good fit, when you go up a cup size, you should go down a band
  size. If you go down a cup size, you should go up a band size (ex:
  if you have a 36C and it is not fitting quite properly, you would
  probably want to try a 38B or a 34D next.)
  
• When sizes are DD and above, great care must be taken to be
  properly fitted. Some bra manufacturers make their Bra Size
  slightly large. (e.g. a bra marked 38 will probably fit a 40
  woman.)
  
• For sizes above D, cup sizing is not well defined. It can keep
  increasing by an inch for each successive letter, or it can repeat
  letters for new cup sizes above D. So, a DD cup is the same as an
  E cup. A DDD=EE=F cup, a DDDD=EEE=FF=G cup and so on.
  
• Long line and 3/4 bras should only be considered if their length
  is LESS than the distance from the under-bust to the natural waist line.
  
• If either of the bra sizes given here is very different than what
  you are currently wearing, go with your current size.
  
• When ordering a mail order garment where a proper fit is important,
  make sure that the return policy of the company is well understood.
  
• If you are taking these measurements without wearing a breast form on
  for only a single prosthesis, determining the bra cup size can be more
  difficult. Some experimentation may be necessary.
  
• If you are taking these measurements for two prostheses, you can simply
  take the bra size measurement (Step 1) and then choose the cup size that
  is right for you.
  
• These are guidelines only. Proper sizing may vary for different body
  sizes, heights, and weights.
  
• When sizes are DD and above, great care must be taken to be properly
  fitted. Some bra manufacturers make their Bra Size slightly large.
  (e.g. a bra marked 38 will probably fit a 40 woman.)
  
• Someone sent me mail asking about how to properly measure for a bra when
  the breasts have sagged significantly due to gravity. The truth is, I'm not sure because
  you probably then need to be wearing a bra to get a proper measurement. Catch-22.
  I would suggest that seeing a bra fitter in this case would probably be best.
  

christina - i have been wearing sports bras (size 40)for the last million years because they are so comfortable. of course hey are not the pretties or most flattering. so i went to a bra fitter who then put me in a 44DD. that seemed like the most constricting thing i ever wore in my life so i ended up spending over $300 buy 4 bras. my husband asked me yesterday where are those beautiful bras he bought me. i said i sold them on ebay for $20 each. i'm like i'm 52 i don't care anymore. i care about my comfort. i'm a horrible person.

Christina...you are a weath of interesting information! (I mean that in a good way)
Maybe I'm the only man on earth that likes Oprah Winfrey's show ...but I've seen this bra measurement thing. Many women are wearing the wrong size according to the info on the show. Interesting. (mind out of the gutter Ron!)

pete - all kidding aside - most woman are wearing the wrong size bra. it's a fact.

Christina, make sure you have a Gentleman's course too. We have to help Ron dress correctly so they don't put him to work

Nick Needs To Know wrote:

Christina, make sure you have a Gentleman's course too. We have to help Ron dress correctly so they don't put him to work

A gentleman's course in bras? Scary to think what that would involve.....

bluejay2fly wrote:

Nick Needs To Know wrote:

Christina, make sure you have a Gentleman's course too. We have to help Ron dress correctly so they don't put him to work

A gentleman's course in bras? Scary to think what that would involve.....

Would that be the bro or the manssiere?
http://www.seinology.com/epguide/104.shtml

the brossiere!!!!

Nick Needs To Know wrote:

Christina, make sure you have a Gentleman's course too. We have to help Ron dress correctly so they don't put him to work

why can't we all just go naked!?! I mean it worked for Adam and Eve..well maybe it didn't work so well but think of all the money we would save on clothes!! Wonder what size bra I wear?

Thanks for the info! Can't wait for more!

Appreciate all the hlep,Christina..........keep it coming!