How to measure your bra size

Why is it important to measure your bra size?

Making sure you know your correct bra size can not only enhance the contour of your upper body but also improve your overall posture and comfort, avoiding aches and pains. Did you know that 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra causing problems not only with the appearance of the bust but long term neck and back pains. Here at Carr and Westley we won't stand for it! We've put together some top tips for making sure you have the right bra size for a comfortable fit through our leading lingerie suppliers including Triumph, Sloggi, Bestform and Miss Mary. 

How can you tell you're wearing the wrong bra size?

Are you getting discomfort from your everyday bra? Then the chances are your bra doesn't fit properly and you're not getting the best form of support. You might be experiencing some discomfort including:

• Underwire digging in
• Back and shoulder pain
• Tightness around the rib cage 
• Red indentations where the straps are 
• Straps sliding off or digging in 
• Gaping cups 

First, find your band size 

To measure your band size stand upright without a bra on, running the tape measure round the back and under the bust. Make sure the tape measure feels snug and lays flat around the body. Measure this size in inches- don't worry if you land on an odd number! Try on bra sizes above and below this number to find the best fit.

Next, find your cup size 

To determine your cup size place a measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust ensuring it lays flat and level. Measure this in inches rounding to the nearest whole number. Now subtract that number from your band size to find your perfect cup size. 

So, if your bust measurement is 41” and your band measurement is 34”, you’ll do the calculation 41-34 and be left with 7”. You can then use the table below to discover your cup size. In this example, your bra size would be 34F.