Taking accurate measurements, consulting a bra size quiz and identifying your breast shape are all important steps on the road to wearing a well-fitting bra. Wearing the right bra size can help with confidence, posture and day-to-day comfort. However, few experiences are as frustrating as going through the process of finding your perfect size only to find that it’s a non-standard size that isn’t sold in many lingerie stores. Here are ways to find your perfect fit and wear it, even when you’re a non-standard size.
Seek Out Specialty Lingerie Stores
Despite what mainstream stores would have you believe, millions of women don’t fit into a cup size between 32A and 40D. The reason many stores only stock this small range of sizes is cost-effectiveness. To find unusual but very real sizes such as 28C or 40H, you will probably have to seek out a lingerie store that specializes in offering a wide range of sizes.
The good news is that many of these lingerie stores were founded by women frustrated with the mainstream bra sizing system, so you’ll be in good hands. These stores are also frequently available online for convenience and offer helpful information on bra fit and sizing.
Research Sister Sizes
One mistake many women make when compromising on bra size is to try different band sizes but not different cup sizes. Cup sizes change along with band size, so when you move from a 30C to a 32C, you’re wearing a much larger bra in the cup as well as the band.
Sister sizing systems help you find the closest possible match to your correct size by factoring in how band and cup sizes change relative to each other. To size up slightly from a 30C, the bra you’ll want to try on for size is a 32B!
This is because the “B cup” on the larger band size of 32 is actually closer to a C cup on the smaller band size of 30. Since sister sizes are even more confusing than bra sizing in general, you’ll want to consult a bra size chart to find your closest matches.
Try Bralettes and Sports Bras
Many women with non-standard bra sizes have made the decision to stop worrying about band and cup sizes altogether, opting for flexible bras that span size categories. Bralettes and sports bras can be as supportive as underwired, traditionally sized bras if you choose a reliable brand and opt for a full-coverage option.
The best t shirt bra for you may be a full-coverage bralette in a supportive yet stretchy fabric. Another advantage of bralettes over traditional bras is that they tend to be more breathable and easier to wash and maintain. A bralette’s light shaping maintains a natural look that fits well with many modern clothing silhouettes, too.
If you haven’t tried bralettes out of worry they won’t be supportive enough or are solely for teenagers, now’s the time to break free from rigid sizing systems. Look outside the typical department stores and lingerie stores to find a custom fit without compromise.
