Improved Technique for Determining Bra Size

Many women express their goals for breast surgery in terms of bra size; yet the traditional method of bra sizing is confusing and inaccurate, with up to 80 percent of women said to be wearing the wrong size bra. In response to this problem, a new system of bra measurement was developed. It is a modified version of a previously reported method of bra sizing that determines cup size by direct breast measurement while now allowing for the fact that cup size varies with band size (e.g., the C cup of a size 36 bra is larger than the C cup of a size 34 bra).

With this system, brassiere band size is still determined by the industry standard of "underbust chest circumference plus 5," but cup size is determined by the relationship of breast width to underbust circumference. Breast width is measured with a tape from the breast mound's origin on the lateral chest wall to its termination in the parasternal area. Small or firm breasts can be measured with a woman upright or supine, and large or ptotic breasts are measured with the subject supine.

The image, Fig. 1. Woman with 500-cc silicone implants. Bust circumference is 36 inches, underbust circumference is 29 inches, breast width is 9.5 inches, bra size by traditional measuring system is 34B,and bra size by new measuring system is 34D. In the top photo, the 34B bra is too small, gapping across the lower sternum and providing inadequate breast coverage. In the bottom photo, the 34D bra fits well.

Breast width and chest wall measurements were studied in relationship to bra fit in more than 1,000 women undergoing breast surgery over a period of 5 years, until a consistent relationship between the two was established. The correlation of breast width and underbust circumference to bra size is shown in the table below. The relationships are most easily understood by examining the "prime" sizes, which are denoted by the asterisks in the table.. For any given underbust circumference, every 1 inch increase or decrease in breast width changes the cup by one size. For example, a woman with a 33-inch underbust and a breast width of 8.5 inches would fit a 38B bra, but if her breast width were 9.5 inches, she would fit a 38C bra.

Conversely, for any given breast width, the cup goes up or down by one size with every alternate step in band size. For example, a woman with a 9-inch breast width and a 3I-inch underbust circumference would wear a 36C bra, but if her underbust circumference were 35 inches, she would wear a 40B bra.

The information in the table was used clinically to help meet patients' breast surgery goals. For example, if a woman with an underbust circumference of 29 inches (34 band size) wished to be a C cup after augmentation or reduction, an attempt was made to enlarge or reduce her breasts to a width of 8.5 inches. Figure 1 on the right demonstrates the difference between the traditional and new methods of bra measurement in a representative patient.

Breast measurements are helpful in breast augmentation and reduction and in quantifying the difference in size in women with asymmetrical breasts, with each I-inch increment corresponding to a cup size. Experience has shown that almost every woman will fit the size bra determined to be right for her by this new system, even if she chooses to wear a bra of a different size for personal reasons.

Chart For Determining Your Breast/Bra SizeBreast
WidthUnder-Bust Circumference* - The asterick denotes "prime" brassiere sizes - *

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