Search by Measurements... ?
I've come to the conclusion that searching bras by size is a bit futile since sizes can vary so much, so I've started searching by measurements. The problem is that I'm just sort of winging it and guessing what my body measurements mean for trying to pick a bra based on measurements. I'm going to explain how I've been using the information, and I'd really appreciate someone telling me what I'm doing right or wrong.
So, my comfortable under bust measurement is 35.5" and my tight is 33.5". I took that to mean that obviously I need a bra that stretches to at least 36, but have been searching for ones that have stretched bands up to 40. I'm not sure about unstretched though... Does that make any difference? I'd think that you'd want to have them unstretched below your comfortable under bust because the stretch is what provides support. Does that even make sense? Haha.
Next is my breast perimeter. Horizontal is 13", vertical is 12.5", laying is 12". This is where I'm really having some trouble. Does that mean that I should be looking for a bra with a cup depth of around 12-13"?
I had some trouble with my EM Cappuccino's underwire digging into my armpits and making it unwearable, so I think that means I need to look for bras that have shorter underwire and/or wing height? Is that right?
I'm still not sure about shape, but I have a feeling I'll be finding out more in the coming weeks as I have a couple of new bras that are in my range on their way to me. I'm sure that will be a big help when I get some of that figured out, but in the meantime, I need to figure out what I should be trying in the first place.
Thanks for all your help on all the adventures I've posted. You guys are awesome!
Filed under Bra sizing and fit
8 comments
My recommendation is to start from any bra and increase/decrease each piece based on what you see/feel.
Get the best measurements from each of your bras and search for that combination.
Yes! Searching by bra size is futile. That's the very reason Bratabase came to be.
I'm in the same boat as you, yetanotherthing. I click on "More" and select "Search By Measurements." Then I type in my ribcage measurement. I leave the stretched/relaxed or whatever it's called blank. Then I've tried one other measurement at a time combined with just the ribcage.
For me, I've tried wing height because I find some of them too tall and the height of it is important to me. I've also tried cup depth. I don't know what I need because I'm still trying to find out my current size. So, I measured my current bras that are a bit tight, added a little to it and used that for a ballpark (again, along with just the ribcage measurement).
So, I'd suggest for you, to use your ribcage and one other measurement that is important to you. Then look at the bras that are suggested. Then try the ribcage and one other (different than the last) measurement and see what that pulls up.
Good luck. I know it's frustrating. I just sat here and measured a bunch of bras that I mail ordered and am returning tomorrow. Hopefully the information that I'll input into bratabase will help others.
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