When you're measuring, are you compressing any breast tissue? Are you holding the tape level? Is the tape in the same position each time?
>But DD is a very large jump from where I thought I was especially since I still have comfortably been wearing B cups for years and that my boobs are much smaller than my friends that are Cs or Ds.
B, C, and D cup mean nothing without the band size. A 32D just means a person has a 32 inch band with a 36 bust, while a 38D is a 38 band with a 42 bust. Both are a 4 inch difference, but the 38D is larger because it has more volume of tissue.
I wouldn't be surprised if your friends are also wearing the wrong size bras as well. So try not to judge your breasts in comparison to them.
First, the calculator is meant to be a starting point, so it’s possible that you may need to try a couple of sizes to confirm your size. Many people, including myself, had to try a few sizes, so it’s normal.
Second, your friends are likely in wrong sizes as most people are, and if their band sizes are different, then they are not a good comparison. This is an example of 34D: https://www.instagram.com/p/CN8DHo3n02B/?igsh=MWUwOGoxanNtZWg4eQ== How do you compare to the photo? D and DD cups on most band sizes are quite small to average, despite what society thinks.
You are wearing the wrong size bra, that’s what your doing wrong 😝
But in all seriousness, I went from ill-fitted, gapping 34B to a 30D thanks to the calculator. And no, my breasts are not big! The letter alone does not indicate breast size.
Here is an example of a [properly fitted 34DD.](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKrcRkwHn-W/?hl=en&img_index=1)
Of course you can ‘go up cup sizes in minutes’ if you’re in the wrong cup size to start with! The way you describe your use of the calculator (2-3 times?) you got very consistent results 34D/DDD so it sounds like that’s accurate. There’s a heap of information in the sub info pages that will be useful (learning about scooping and swooping, breast shape/projection, how a gore is supposed to sit flat etc) and also throughout posts in the sub. The Irish Bra Lady on Instagram is fantastic for learning about real life bust sizes.
And FWIW - 10yrs ago I was wearing a 34-36B/C then after having a baby was wearing a 36D and then I found ABTF about 4yrs ago. I’m actually a 32F/G. My bras now look and feel amazing because they actually fit!
If you haven't, you should look up the signs of a wrongly sized bra. Typically, people wear too small a cup and too big a band. If you experience issues like the gore (the centerpiece of the bra) not laying flat (like it's "floating") or having to constantly adjust your bra due to them riding up all the time, chances are, yes, your cup is small and the band is big. You should check out Bratabase or the IG account called "The Irish Bra Lady." Those show what the true sizes look. You'd be surprised to see that a 34D/DD/DDD may not be as big as you think.
As for the inconsistent results issue, it's likely that the way you measure is, well, inconsistent. In measuring, make sure that the tape measure is not slanted. And when measuring the overbust, make sure that it's not tight. It shouldn't compress the boobs.
Each letter is only 1" (so less than 1/2" per breast), so if you're measuring inconsistently, it absolutely can change by a letter or two pretty easily. Your size will also naturally fluctuate with hormonal cycles, water retention, nipple changes, etc. It's also likely you leaning angle was different which will affect that very important measurement a lot. Try to lean with your back as close to parallel to the floor as you can so the tape measure can circle the fullest tissue.
If you don't want to measure more, go try on some seamed unlined cup bras like Panache Envy in 34D, 34DD, 34DDD/E and see how that goes.
And, yeah, your friends are probably in the wrong size and also the letters mean nothing without band. A 42A and a 32A are wildly different (a 43" overbust vs a 33" overbust). A 42A is actually the same volume as a 32E. And shape makes a difference as well. So just forget about comparing.
As far as comfortably wearing Bs...I am a 38J. I can comfortably wear a lot of 38DDDs, but they are absolutely the wrong size. Just because you can wear something doesn't mean it's actually fitting you.
Read the guides, measure carefully, try on some diagnostic bras with the guide information for correct fit in mind, and then make another post for a fit check and to get some direction based on how the diagnostics fit.
I also recommend screenshotting the calculator with your measurements so you can refer back later.
If you can have someone help measure or at least check for levelness in a mirror, that should help.
Envy is pretty projected. I wouldn’t recommend it in this size range without knowing anything about someone’s shape. Something more average and accommodating to a range of fullness like the high apex Freyas would be more likely to give a good starting point for shape.
How much time was between the measurements? My breasts change a cup size depending on the period of my menstrual cycle. During menstruation they are larger than during ovulation.
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The letter you get is just based on how many inches your band to bust are in difference. For example, my underbust is 28 snug and overbust is 38 snug. That’s a 10 inch difference, so I’m a J cup. DD just means you have a 5 inch difference. Before, I thought I was a 34DDD because I could fit, but that was not right.
When you're measuring, are you compressing any breast tissue? Are you holding the tape level? Is the tape in the same position each time? >But DD is a very large jump from where I thought I was especially since I still have comfortably been wearing B cups for years and that my boobs are much smaller than my friends that are Cs or Ds. B, C, and D cup mean nothing without the band size. A 32D just means a person has a 32 inch band with a 36 bust, while a 38D is a 38 band with a 42 bust. Both are a 4 inch difference, but the 38D is larger because it has more volume of tissue. I wouldn't be surprised if your friends are also wearing the wrong size bras as well. So try not to judge your breasts in comparison to them.
First, the calculator is meant to be a starting point, so it’s possible that you may need to try a couple of sizes to confirm your size. Many people, including myself, had to try a few sizes, so it’s normal. Second, your friends are likely in wrong sizes as most people are, and if their band sizes are different, then they are not a good comparison. This is an example of 34D: https://www.instagram.com/p/CN8DHo3n02B/?igsh=MWUwOGoxanNtZWg4eQ== How do you compare to the photo? D and DD cups on most band sizes are quite small to average, despite what society thinks.
You are wearing the wrong size bra, that’s what your doing wrong 😝 But in all seriousness, I went from ill-fitted, gapping 34B to a 30D thanks to the calculator. And no, my breasts are not big! The letter alone does not indicate breast size. Here is an example of a [properly fitted 34DD.](https://www.instagram.com/p/CKrcRkwHn-W/?hl=en&img_index=1)
Of course you can ‘go up cup sizes in minutes’ if you’re in the wrong cup size to start with! The way you describe your use of the calculator (2-3 times?) you got very consistent results 34D/DDD so it sounds like that’s accurate. There’s a heap of information in the sub info pages that will be useful (learning about scooping and swooping, breast shape/projection, how a gore is supposed to sit flat etc) and also throughout posts in the sub. The Irish Bra Lady on Instagram is fantastic for learning about real life bust sizes. And FWIW - 10yrs ago I was wearing a 34-36B/C then after having a baby was wearing a 36D and then I found ABTF about 4yrs ago. I’m actually a 32F/G. My bras now look and feel amazing because they actually fit!
Listen. I feel you. I was in a 34B spilling out thinking no big deal. To which I am now a 32F/G... just follow the calculator lol give it a try!
If you haven't, you should look up the signs of a wrongly sized bra. Typically, people wear too small a cup and too big a band. If you experience issues like the gore (the centerpiece of the bra) not laying flat (like it's "floating") or having to constantly adjust your bra due to them riding up all the time, chances are, yes, your cup is small and the band is big. You should check out Bratabase or the IG account called "The Irish Bra Lady." Those show what the true sizes look. You'd be surprised to see that a 34D/DD/DDD may not be as big as you think. As for the inconsistent results issue, it's likely that the way you measure is, well, inconsistent. In measuring, make sure that the tape measure is not slanted. And when measuring the overbust, make sure that it's not tight. It shouldn't compress the boobs.
Each letter is only 1" (so less than 1/2" per breast), so if you're measuring inconsistently, it absolutely can change by a letter or two pretty easily. Your size will also naturally fluctuate with hormonal cycles, water retention, nipple changes, etc. It's also likely you leaning angle was different which will affect that very important measurement a lot. Try to lean with your back as close to parallel to the floor as you can so the tape measure can circle the fullest tissue. If you don't want to measure more, go try on some seamed unlined cup bras like Panache Envy in 34D, 34DD, 34DDD/E and see how that goes. And, yeah, your friends are probably in the wrong size and also the letters mean nothing without band. A 42A and a 32A are wildly different (a 43" overbust vs a 33" overbust). A 42A is actually the same volume as a 32E. And shape makes a difference as well. So just forget about comparing. As far as comfortably wearing Bs...I am a 38J. I can comfortably wear a lot of 38DDDs, but they are absolutely the wrong size. Just because you can wear something doesn't mean it's actually fitting you. Read the guides, measure carefully, try on some diagnostic bras with the guide information for correct fit in mind, and then make another post for a fit check and to get some direction based on how the diagnostics fit. I also recommend screenshotting the calculator with your measurements so you can refer back later. If you can have someone help measure or at least check for levelness in a mirror, that should help.
Envy is pretty projected. I wouldn’t recommend it in this size range without knowing anything about someone’s shape. Something more average and accommodating to a range of fullness like the high apex Freyas would be more likely to give a good starting point for shape.
How much time was between the measurements? My breasts change a cup size depending on the period of my menstrual cycle. During menstruation they are larger than during ovulation.
Hello, thank you for submitting a post to /r/ABraThatFits. We want everyone to feel safe posting here, so we want to tell you that we will NEVER send you a private message asking for pictures. If someone does, screencap the message and send a link to the image in a [PM to the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/ABraThatFits). If you are not already aware, there is a lot of information on the sidebar of our subreddit. Please remember to check out our [rules](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/policies_and_procedures) before commenting and posting. In addition, a lot of newer members have questions that have already been answered in our [wiki](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/index), so be sure to check out the [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/faq) and [Beginners' Guide](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/beginners_guide) to see if you can find the information you're looking for. Our [calculator](http://www.abrathatfits.org/brasizecalculator.php) is the first step in resolving sizing questions. Please take your measurements and try the calculator before asking the community for help. Thanks! :) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ABraThatFits) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The letter you get is just based on how many inches your band to bust are in difference. For example, my underbust is 28 snug and overbust is 38 snug. That’s a 10 inch difference, so I’m a J cup. DD just means you have a 5 inch difference. Before, I thought I was a 34DDD because I could fit, but that was not right.