A Buying Guide For Womens Bras And Bra Sets
Womens bras and sets come in all shapes and styles. Understanding how bras fit and how they are designed can help you to select the most appropriate design for you. Both body type and aesthetic taste figure into the undergarment selection process.
How are womens bras sized?Typical U.S. womens bras range in size from 30A to 38DD. However, they are made in band measurements from 28 through 56 and cup measurements AA through O. Certain styles are typically easier to find in some measurements than others. Companies who make these garments tend to focus on a particular demographic, meaning their garments tend to mostly fit either small-busted, medium-busted, or large-busted women.
How do you determine your correct size?Size is determined through several steps. Be sure to keep the tape measure level and even during this procedure.
- To determine the band size, wear a non-padded bra with an underwire and measure directly under the bust. Keep the tape measure snug and even at the same height around your rib cage and exhale before taking the measurement. Round up to the nearest whole number.
- If the measurement was even, add 4 inches to that number. If the measurement was an odd number, add 5 inches. This is to ensure the final number is even. For example, if your measurement was 32, you would add 4 inches for a final band size of 36.
- Next, measure the distance around your bust at the fullest point. Wrap the tape measure snug but not tight and round up to the nearest whole number.
- Finally, subtract your band size from your bust measurement. The difference determines your cup size. For example, if your band size was 36 and your bust was 38, the difference is 2 inches, so your bra size would be 36B. Follow this guide to find the difference and your cup size:
- 0 inches = AA cup.
- 1 inch = A
- 2 inches = B
- 3 inches = C
- 4 inches = D
- 5 inches = DD
- 6 inches = DDD, F
- 7 inches = G
Bend forward at the waist before you hook the bra to ensure that breasts are completely in the cups. Do a band check by sliding one finger under the band. It should be snug. Tighten the band before you shorten the shoulders. If there is extra room between breasts and cups or if breasts are bulging over cups, your fit is incorrect.
What styles are available?Bras come in all sorts of silhouettes with more or less padding and differently shaped cups. A balconette design has half-cups that sit horizontally while a traditional bra has cups that are cut diagonally. Some push-up designs have lots of padding while others may be lightly padded or completely unlined. Bands might be skinny on some designs and very thick on others. Strap width varies as well. There are many designs to flatter all body types and aesthetic tastes. Some of the common styles available on eBay include balconettes, bralette, demis, push-up bras, full coverage bras, strapless, multi-way bras, and T-shirt bras. You can find brands such as Bali, Cacique, Goddess, Maidenform, and Playtex.
What materials are these pieces made from?Womens bras are made from all sorts of materials, including synthetic blends, elastic, cotton, satin, lace, and more. Many womens designs utilize multiple materials at once for both practical and design benefits. Adding stretch to straps and band helps the garment to accommodate more body shapes.