How to buy the right bra size online
15th Feb 2018
Funny story...
Yesterday I received an email from Q-Linn in The Netherlands. We talk a lot via email and whatsApp about the Q-Linn range as part of our ongoing product improvement.
Yesterday’s discussion was all about “how to explain the fit of the bras for online shoppers”. It is super difficult to find the right bra size when you shop online. Especially in Australia where there is no such thing as a standard fashion size. A size 10 in one brand can be a size 12 for another brand. Super frustrating and a little annoying when you try to buy a bra online.
Q-Linn is a European lingerie brand which makes the sizing slightly easier. The bra sizing is measured in centimetres, for example: 75B or 85D. The numbers in the size corresponds with the centimetres around your ribcage - where the underband would sit.
The cup size is based on the difference between the underband (in centimetres) and the measurement around the breasts (in centimetres). Every inch difference will mean an increase in cup size.
Example: when your ribcage measurement is approx. 70cm and your breast measurement is 86cm you will be a size 70B / 10B. But when your breast measurement is 88cm your bra size will be 70C/10C because the breast tissue is 2cm (approx. 1”) further away from the ribcage in comparison to the first measurement.
I tried to help you (the online shopper) by writing lots of web pages and blog articles about the sizing and how to measure yourself.
But even with all this information there is one extra thing to take into consideration.. the shape of the bra.
Which is where the funny story starts..
How to explain the different bra sizes to a man
I tried to explain to my colleague Peter what the difference is between the Amsterdam bra and the Athens bra. I tried explaining it but he had this blank look so I decided to do a show and tell… Over the top of my t-shirt I tried on the different bra styles - right there and then in the middle of the shop! Good thing nobody walked in.. haha that would have been quite an introduction to the brand…
As mentioned in this blog post about the different bra styles I’ve been a 75D size since as long as I can remember and when I try on the Amsterdam it is a perfect fit. The cup sits nicely against my skin and there is no bulge over the top or on the sizes.
However - when I try on the Athens bra in a 75D it feels way too big! The fabric on the top of the cup was gaping and I could gather up at least 1cm in fabric to make the cup sit nicely against my skin. It wasn’t until I went down to a 75B cup that the top of the cup sat nicely against my skin, but by that time the wire was way too small for me. (I really am a D cup.. no question about that)
They are the same size… How is this possible?
Well - the short answer is.. we all have a different body shape, and that includes our breasts. We are all different in the way our breasts are separated in the middle of our chest, how full our breasts are and even the position and shape differs from person to person.
The Athens bra is a perfect fit for women who have rounder breasts that have more volume on the upper half of the breast. Apparently we all start life with full upper breast tissue but this changes for most women over time. (losing and gaining weight, having babies, breast feeding or just the fact that your breasts have discovered gravity…) Post pubescent girls and breasts with implants are generally full.
So if you're going to buy a bra online, make sure you measure yourself before you go shopping and compare it to the sizing chart on the website. Also look at the shape of the bra that you're purchasing: Will this suit your body type? Be honest so you won't be disappointed.
Happy shopping!