Did you know that approximately 70% of women in the UK are wearing the wrong size bra and that a badly fitting bra can not only result in unsightly lumps and bumps but it can also cause back pain and discomfort if not addressed. If you are looking to buy some sumptuous new lingerie or even just an everyday bra, it is worth making sure you are wearing the correct size? It only takes a few minutes to check your measurements with the Intimate-Secrets.co.uk easy bra fitting guide and the results you get will be better shape, better fit and above all greater comfort.

The Intimate-Secrets Bra Size Guide

In our experience of bra fitting we generally find women are wearing a band size that is too big and a cup size that is too small. This may feel comfortable around the ribs but can lead to rubbing of the bra band on the skin,poor support of the breasts due to the band fitting incorrectly and other fitting issues.The good news is that measuring yourself is quite easily do so if you are unsure how to measure yourself properly for a bra, follow our simple three-step guide to get an accurate, reliable measurement. It doesn't matter if you are buying a bra, bodysuit or a basque, follow the guide for great results.

Step 1: Measure Your Back Size

Take a soft tape measure and measure around your back and under your bust. Make sure that the tape sits parallel to the floor all the way around and feels secure. This will give you an accurate measurement of your back or band size. Find your number, in either inches or centimetres and write it down. Be sure to round everything up to the nearest whole number.

Step 2: Measure Your Cup Size

To measure your cup size stand upright with your arms at your side and measure the fullest part of your bust. Make sure the measuring tape is parallel with the ground and not lose or too tight. Measure around your back as before and find your number, again round it up.

Step 3: Calculate Your Cup Size

If there are 4 inches difference between the band and the cup measurements then you are a D cup. For example, 32 band and 36 cup you are a 32D.
If there are 6 inches then you are a E cup. 9 inches then a G cup, so on and so forth.

How Should A Correctly Sized Bra Fit & the Signs of a Badly Fitting Bra ?

Bra Band

The band of the bra and wearing a bra with the correct Band Size (or back size) is vitally important as the band of your bra should do all the work in supporting your boobs, the straps should only be there to offer extra security. On the loosest fitting, you should just be able to fit two fingers underneath the back. If your bra is comfortable on the tightest fitting hooks you should consider wearing a smaller back size.

Apex

The apex is the point at which the bottom of the strap joins the cup at the front of the bra. When choosing a bra, always make sure that this point is wide enough to support your bust. If you have a D cup, you can get away with a narrower apex than if you have DD+. If you need a larger cup size E, F, G, H or more, then you will need to make sure that the apex is wide enough to give you good support and lift.

Bra Straps

Your bra should be both supportive and comfortable. As mentioned previously the band of the bra gives the support so you should not rely on your bra straps for support. Straps should fit comfortably but should not dig into your shoulders. Too-tight straps can cause the cups to dig into your bust, while loose straps will slip off your shoulders as you move.

Bra Wings

Wings are the bit of the bra that goes under your arms. The wings of the bra should fit snugly, but not too tight. If you bulge out above the wings, then you need a bigger cup size.

Bra Underwires

If you are buying an underwired bra, bear in mind that the wires should not dig into you at any point. If this happens, you may need a bigger cup size rather than a bigger back size.