Make Bra Sizing

Photo by patricia serna on Unsplash

Each manufacturer and pattern maker has their own bra sizing system. So, it is impossible to determine one single, always correct size. Our bodies are changing too; age, weight variation, and hormones cause changes. You may need to re-check your size now and then.

We are using European bra sizes, meaning letters run A, B, C, DD(E), F, G, H, I, J… It is very close to the US bra sizing. As we have a metric system, the band sizes are in centimetres. Below we will help you cope with inches as well.

International Bra Sizing Conversion Chart

Let’s find Your size!

Take Your Measurements

taking measurements
  1. Underbust measurement, a tape measure paraller to the floor. Hold the tape snug and firm.
  2. Full Bust measurement, the tape paraller to the floor. Hold the tape softly around the bust.

Size Based on Your Measurements

BAND

UB below means underbust measurement.

1.  UB cm 64-68 69-73 74-78 79-83 84-88
Band size 65 70 75 80 85
1.  UB cm 89-93 94-98 99-103 104-108 109-113
Band size 90 95 100 105 110
1. UB in 25-26.6 27-28.6 29-30.6 31-32.6 33-34.6
Band size 26 28 30 32 34
1. UB in 36-36.6 37-38.6 39-40.6 41-42.6 43-44.6
Band size 36 38 40 42 44

CUP

Do some maths: subtract your underbust measurement (1.) from the full bust measurement (2.). The result tells you the letter of your cup size.

Difference in centimetres
11 = AA 13 = A 15 = B 17 = C 19 = D 21 = DD
23 = F 25 = G 27 = H 29 = I 31 = J  
Difference in inches
4.3 = AA 5.1 = A 5.9 = B 6.7 = C 7.5 = D 8.3= DD
9.0 = F 9.8= G 10.6 = H 11.4 = I 12.2 = J  

By calculating, you get the right size for the average woman of the size chart. However, within your measurements, your breast volume and upper torso width and depth may vary a lot. The cup size can change even +/- two sizes while measurements remain unchanged.

back-breasts-vertailu
Blue: narrow back in proportion to larger breasts
Green: average
Red: wide back in proportion to smaller breasts

The cup size can change even two sizes while measurements remain unchanged.

Pay attention to your bust/back relationship. What is it like? You may also want to compare the size you ended up with the size of the ready-made bra that fits you.

Bra Size Charts

Sister Sizes

Find your ready-to-wear bra size from the sister size chart. All sizes in the same row are sister sizes, meaning the cup volume is the same for all. Your ready-to-wear bra size may be on the different row than your self-measured bra size. Then you might consider picking up the cup size nearer the sister size of your ready-to-wear bra cup size.

65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105
D C B A AA        
DD D C B A AA      
F DD D C B A AA    
G F DD D C B A AA  
H G F DD D C B A AA
I H G F DD D C B A
J I H G F DD D C B
  J I H G F DD D C
    J I H G F DD D
      J I H G F J

All sizes in the same row are sister sizes, meaning the cup volume is the same.

Other Underwear Measurements

For underpants you will need two measurements: the waist and hip measurement. The hip measurement is the most important and the pattern of the panties should be selected on the basis of it. Hip measurement is taken around the fullest part of the hip. Hold the tape snug, but not too tight.

XS S M L XL 2XL
Waist 62 70 78 86 96 109
Hip 86 94 102 110 121 133
XS S M L XL 2XL
Waist 24.4″ 27.5″ 30.7″ 33.8″ 37.8″ 42.9″
Hip 33.8″ 37.0″ 40.1″ 43.3″ 47.6″ 52.3″