Since I was 12, bra fitting has always been an issue for me. The cups gapped, the wires pinched, and the band always rose up. The lady at my closest Victoria’s Secret measured me and told me that my size is a 32B. I tried on the bra and again, all the same issues with the cups, wire, and band. It wasn’t the right size.

Victoria’s Secret and many other popular bra stores sell bras that range in size between 32A to 40DDD. As much as I love the multicolor lace push-up bras that Victoria’s Secret sells, it doesn’t fit. I wear a 28D. Never in my life would I have ever thought I would be wearing a D cup. But it’s true! Many women are not wearing the correct bra size. This is how to measure yourself for a proper-fitting bra.

1. Take a tape measure and measure your under-bust (right under your breast) comfortably tight. (Without your clothes or bra on.)
2. Measure your under-bust as tight as possible.
3. Measure the fullest part of your breast while standing.
4. Measure your bust while leaning over 90 degrees.
5. Measure your bust while lying down.

Enter your measurements in My Bra Size Calculator. This website will do the math for you and outcome your correct bra size. I went from wearing 32B to 28D. When I measured myself for the first time, I was in disbelief. There was no way I could be a D cup. But it’s true! In addition to the different sizes, breasts are all different shapes. ThirdLove is a favorite bra company of mine that acknowledges the different shape and size breast that women have. This breast shape guide can help you determine what shape your breasts are. Determining the right shape will help you determine what style bra will fit you best.

But wait! There’s more! Breast can also be shallow or projected. Shallow breasts means that the root of your breast is widespread and covers more surface area. Projected breasts are breasts that are round and full at the top and bottom. If you think that you may have shallow breast, my first article explains further what this means.

Don’t forget to measure yourself every season as your body changes. I wish you the best of luck with your bra fitting adventures.