Getting Fitted at Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret is crap at bra sizing. The chain is good at many things (cute lingerie for the masses! awesome sales! fashion shows!) but telling you which size to wear is not their strong suit. Once you know your size, feel free to go nuts wearing their bras! But just don’t ask them to measure you.
It’s not that Victoria’s Secret is the only place that I don’t trust (believe me there are plenty of places that don’t know their way around a measuring tape), but it’s the place that most people go to anyway. Even some of my closest friends laugh it off when I urge them not to get fitted at VS. So, to prove that I’m not making this up, I went to Victoria’s Secret to get fitted. Keep in mind while reading this: I’m a 30H (US).
Store #1
I wore a 36D bra to this VS, which was in a shopping mall. It was horribly uncomfortable, but I didn’t want them to catch a glimpse of my real bra’s size tag and catch me. As I walked in, I passed a poster claiming that VS is the “Best at Bras.” I asked a sales girl to measure me, so in the middle of the Pink display she asked me to raise my arms. She measured me over my camisole and my cardigan. She measured above my chest and around the fullest part of my bust, but not around my ribcage. She announced that I “could be a 34DD, but it might be too snug.” I told her that I was wearing a 36D, and she said that looked about right. Later, when I headed to the fitting rooms to try on a chemise, I saw that the fitting rooms had professional-looking cards in them that that, presumably, your fitter would fill out for you with your bra size and best styles. I wonder why I wasn’t brought back to the fitting rooms for my sizing? Not that it would have made a difference though, it seems.
Store #2
At the first store they never asked me to take my shirt off, so I risked it and wore my regular size bra when I went to the second store. I asked a sales girl to measure me, and she took me back to the fitting rooms. We stood near the fitting rooms, but not in one. She measured me over my seersucker shirt – above my chest, around the fullest part, and around my ribcage. She told me that I should wear “a 34 or 36 D or DD.” She asked what size I usually wear now – I fibbed a little and told her that I really wasn’t sure, and my drawers were full of all different sizes and that that’s why I was there. She told me that you can’t always go by measurements because they’re not always exactly right (true), and that I should just go with whatever size feels right to me. I wasn’t offered an explanation of what “right” is supposed to feel like, or told what my measurements actually were.
More fittings to come
After visiting these two stores, I’ve not yet been told my correct size, or even told that VS doesn’t have any bras that will fit me. I didn’t even really get a straight answer out of the fitters at either store. I’m going to keep sneaking into Victoria’s Secrets and getting sized – I’ll report back after I visit a few more stores!
Have any of you had similar experiences?
P.S. While I didn’t originally plan to visit Frederick’s of Hollywood, I passed it on the way to Store #1 and decided to stop in. When I asked to be fitted, the sales girl re-read the bra fitting instructions by the cash register. She measured me and told me I was a 32 band. She asked if the bra I was wearing was super padded (“no”) and if the band was snug (“no”). Then she told me that whatever size I was wearing (she didn’t ask what it was) was probably correct.
July 7, 2010 by Kelly
Filed under Bra, Bra fitting, Bra sizing, Victoria's Secret
I love this post! I find that small independent boutiques are the best at fittings, and Nordstrom does a great job too (for free!). Also, you can fit yourself by using our do-it-yourself fit guide! http://www.smartandsexy.com/help/find-your-perfect-fit#bras
where or how did you find out you were a 30h because i have gone to victoria secret and i am small chested a b cup and by doing their measuring they told me a d cup and i looked down at my chest and she said maybe a c don’t know how a b becomes a d but please tell me where or how you found out you where an h cup. thanks
I am 30DD usually, and was told at VS I was a 34C. In what fitting regards, VS should quit, learn, or change to BS.
I got measured at a VS store several times. Every time, I was told that I should wear a 32A. Back before I knew my actual size (28B), I remember trying on bras at their stores and asking the sales associates why there was gapping in the cups or why they felt uncomfortable, and even if they measured me, they never once told me or speculated that I could be wearing the wrong size. On the contrary, they would either tell me that the way it fit was how it was supposed to fit, that you can’t tell that it doesn’t fit when I wear a shirt over it, or that since there is no smaller size, I just had to deal with it!
Wow, this is really disappointing. This suggests that the high level of women wearing the incorrect bra size (here in Australia its often quoted as being high as 80% of women) is simply because they are not getting fitted correctly? It is obvious that some of these big chains are not training their staff! While bra fitting is not science it certainly takes knowledge and sensitivity, and its embarrasing that some of the brands with the biggest exposure in lingerie are dropping the ball.
My business is online, where you obviously cannot be in the change room with our customers, thus we provide a highly detailed fitting guide to help. Further we provide long term training to our staff, not just a piece of paper to read, so help is only a call or an email away.
I would be curious to see the experience you have in independent boutiques, where service and quality is the main priority, as opposed to image and ‘throw away’ high volume.
Vanessa – Well, I was lucky in that until just about a year ago, there was a fantastic little lingerie shop about a half hour from me. They had a big size range (I think they went up to a K cup?) and were knowledgeable about fittings. If you can’t find a similarly awesome bra shop around you (it can be difficult depending on where you are, if you’re close to a big city, etc.), you might try on one of your current bras and compare it to the sizing info and pictures at: http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-advice,901,30.html and http://www.figleaves.com/uk/fitting_room.asp?cat=234 As far as chains go, Nordstrom is also pretty good.
I’m not suprised. I found my true size at 29 y-o, I’m a 30E. I don’t feel like an E because we’re more or less taught that the average size is a B cup or maybe C, and that cups above that are huge, which is not true at all.
I found out because I used to wear 34C and the cups fit nice but the band was way too large and everything kept falling apart. I had no idea that there was such thing as 30E bras. I did some serious research when I started thinking about producing latex bras.
I tried shopping in a big French franchise (I live in Paris) and there you go: I was a 34 B or C. I insisted: I’m a 30E but _some_ 32D fit me (which they carry and I would have purchased if the sales lady would have quit saying nonsense about my fitting) but no, I was wrong because I had red marks from my personal bra (that I took off for the fitting). Yeah, it’s an elastic band, sweetheart. *frustrated*
I have been measured as:
34C (most commonly)
34B
36B
36C (no way, no how)
and “we have no bra size for you” (true, and spoken by an Aerie associate who offered 34C as her best solution but noted the band wasn’t quite right)
and finally 32D at Nordstrom’s which seems to fit the best so far, but can give me that dreaded bump under a shirt in the back. If anyone made a 33D I would be golden.
@Sa S Social Club, I’m surprised you think Nordstrom is good at fitting. Because they are not. They add 4″ to your ribcage measurement. A big No-No. According to Nordstrom I’m a 30DD. According to Victoria’s Secret I’m a 34A. My real size….28DDDD. The only thing good about Nordstrom is that they do carry those hard to find sizes, but very few in a size 30 and none at all in a 28 (that’s in 2 of their stores located where I live in MA).
I’m so glad someone finally wrote an article about how bad VS is! I can’t understand why so many women get fitted there!
Yeah, VS is just one of many stores that doesn’t carry a range of sizes, and tries to “sister size” in order to sell you a size of cup they carry. All this does is lead to the perception that “B” is normal, “C” is large, and anything bigger is “slutty.” They take advantage of this misconception, and also the mistaken belief that cup size is unrelated to band size. The result is that women have back pain, and negative stereotypes about larger breasts persist.
The last time I was in VS I came in wearing a 34G, and they still tried to tell me I was a D. Stick with the underwear, avoid the bras–that’s my advice with VS. Or boycott them altogether; we really need to get stores to stop peddling the same very limited range of bras!
vanessa, you’re better off measuring yourself or having a friend measure you than taking your chances with most mainstream shops. I have had a good experience with Nordstrom, but I’ve also had a bad one. I recommend looking at a fitting guide such as this one by Bravisimo: http://www.bravissimo.com/perfectfit/getting-the-perfect-fit/default.aspx – whatever you do, don’t follow guides which tell you to add inches to your underbust measurement.
I work at VS. I fit people for bras, and it’s not easy. i work my ass off to make sure women get the right fit. but you are forgetting that lots of people don’t want the help i offer, or the time it takes. a measurement is just a starting point. we tell people when we don’t have their size. i make it a point to tell them where they can get their size and recommend they get measured there as well. i know that not everyone who works at vs is great at fitting bras. it’s hard. that’s why we have bra specialists. if you are having a hard time, ask for the specialist. they have more intense training than regular associates. they will tell you if we don’t have your size. also, at no point do we ever ever! act that anything over a C is slutty. that is completely untrue. we sell DDs, and as someone who wears a G cup, there is never any talk about size meaning anything other than what cup you need. i have no problem with people advocating for larger size range, i do that all the time in my own store. the negative stereotypes about big boobs are not coming from VS. that is not part of the stuff we learn. if you hear someone say something like that, call them out on it, but don’t act like it’s a conspiracy. i don’t think that VS is the end-all-be-all of bras. but i do think that there are people in the company that work really hard to get people in the right bras. if you need more help, ask for it. if you don’t even mention that you have problems, or know that the measurement is wrong, we aren’t mind readers. sometimes people don’t measure correctly, we are using a linear tape to measure an irregular shaped object. it’s not going to be perfect for everyone. also, i’m not sure why you would go to vs when you know as a G cup you aren’t going to fit. it sucks, but it’s the truth, which is what you seem to want. if you want them to carry more sizes, call the company, the associates can’t do anything about it. i have personally helped many women find bras at our store that they love. not everyone is going to love VS bras. that’s fine. but please don’t act like the 30 second measurement that you got from the girl in PINK who isn’t a bra specialist means everything we do sucks.
-and to the author, it seems a bit unfair that you haven’t actually asked anyone for more help, like saying that you have trouble finding a bra that fits you. if you really want to see how good they are, then ask for the bra specialist. if they don’t help you and tell you we can’t fit you, then i will gladly retract my earlier statements.
C – I went to VS knowing I wouldn’t fit to prove the point that they wouldn’t actually tell me my real size. *I* know my size, but many women don’t and are trusting the people at VS. If I didn’t know my real size and I had a drawer full of 36Ds, then I wouldn’t be any wiser after visiting either of those stores, you know? I’d still be wearing ill-fitting bras when I shouldn’t be. But next time I go, I will make sure to ask for a bra specialist – keep an eye out, after I visit another store or two I’ll write another post. Oh, and I never meant to say that VS bras or products aren’t awesome (I tried to make that clear in my first paragraph but if I didn’t, I apologize). If you do actually fit into their bras and like them, then I say go nuts buying everything there. A lot of their bras are really cute and I do still buy other things there, like chemises and panties.
C, you may well be good at sizing, but I’m afraid you aren’t like any sizer I or any of my friends have ever met at VS.
The reason you go to a shop that you know doesn’t have your size is to see if they’ll be honest and tell you. Unfortunately this has rarely happened; I can think of maybe half a dozen times I’ve been honestly told they didn’t sell my size, as opposed to trying to be sold the incorrect size. And I already know what size I am, and tell them, I’m not relying on 30 second measurements. VS is certainly not the only place that will tell you the incorrect size; it’s the norm in all non-specialist lingere shops.
I like(d) VS underwear and used to buy it (until they stopped carrying the model I liked). It’s not as if the store is any worse than any of the others, it’s just that, overall, bra shops are pretty bad at correctly sizing women with larger breasts.
Hey Sara,
Playtex did do something called “My size” which did half band sizes. 33, 35 etc…Give it a go if you can
It’s not just the fact that some sales associates at VS can’t measure…but it’s the system of measuring that they use. Even if you go to the website, it will show you the same way of measuring that they use in the stores, which is…to pull the tape that is wrapped around your ribcage under your breasts now up over your boobs. So it’s a major diagonal measurement. You are not going to get even close to an exact band size with that method, I don’t care if you’re a specialist or not! Your ribcage measurement is just what it is, so there is no reason to be taking it somewhere else and do it on the bias. – http://www2.victoriassecret.com/braguide/howToMeasure.cfm?rfnbr=5373
Also, I have repeatedly emailed VS customer service about their lack of sizes and how awful their measuring system is. I have noticed they are starting to carry bands (website only) in the 30 size range, but unfortunately they only go up to a D cup. 32 bands go up to a DDD cup, but that is only in 1 style – http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=GU-246765&cgname=OSKEYBRPZZZ&rfnbr=5317 you can find the DDD in the drop down size menu. And it ends at 40DDD.
@ C, I don’t think the point of this article was to say VS was complete crap, but rather to point out the obvious…that they don’t measure correctly, despite the fact so many women in America shop there, a lot of them are still walking out improperly sized because of the method VS uses. I find it odd that you being a G cup (and hopefully you are correctly fitted) would work there. Do you follow the measuring system VS has in place or do you do the correct method of measuring under the rubcage, adding 0-3″ to find the band size, depending on the person and their frame and comfort level, and then the usual method of finding the cup size after that?
Intimacy is the first place my wife went to that sized her properly.
http://myintimacy.com/
I have to agree with C. I think this article is totally unfair. I am a Bra Specialist at VS, and I deal with many clients on a daily basis — more than probably the average small boutique or even Nordstrom. And, you have to realize, most customers just want that 5 second measurement. I let them know that they should still try the bra on and let me check their fit, since measurement is never perfect, but some people don’t have the time and just believe that what I measured is what it is, and just pick up and buy a bra off the sales floor. Some customers, also, don’t feel comfortable with me looking at them in their bra, and would rather decide for themselves what fits the best.
There are clients I spend more time with, and answer their questions. When I have a client ask why they have a gap in their bra, I let them know it’s because the band they’re wearing is probably too loose. But I will tell you, customers HATE going down a band size. I don’t know how the smaller boutiques got you into a 30H, but most customers prefer to go up a band size for comfort. And, at the end of the day, it’s really about what the customer wants. So if I think she should be wearing a 32D or 34C at most, but she likes the 36B best, that’s what I’m going to sell her. I’m not the one wearing the bra. I do my best to educate, and let them know they should pull down the band to get rid of bulge, which works sometimes and not others.
I have had many customers, as well, that were unsatisfied with their fit. So I’ve let them know other places they can go to get smaller band sizes and bigger cup sizes. Unfortunately, as a VS associate, there’s only so much you can do, since the company doesn’t offer a lot of size ranges.
At the end of the day, though, in my personal opinion, it’s not about what size someone SHOULD be wearing according to professional fitters. It’s about what makes the customer happy. After all, there is no research that proves that bras should fit a certain way for health benefits. In fact, I’ve found that I’ve had more back problems when wearing a tighter band rather than a looser one. I’ve been professionally fitted at a boutique as a 30. I’ve tried wearing both a 30 and 32. And I have to say my breasts do look a lot better in those two sizes, but they tend to cause me a lot of back pain from all-day wear. So for everyday bras, I tend to go more for the 34.
Anyway, yes, I do agree that there are many associates that are uneducated in fitting. And, unfortunately, that’s what you often find in stores that pay their associates minimum wage. There are a lot of things that could be improved at VS, and I don’t disagree with that. I do know, though, that now they have added a few questions to their phone survey that ask about your bra fitting experience. And I encourage anyone that had a bad experience to call into the survey and let the company know why by leaving a message. I remember that we used to get messages a lot about the lack of 32DD sizes, and now we do carry that size. So, it does make a difference.
//These statements do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Limited Brands, LLC, Victoria’s Secret, or their employees.//
J, what method of measuring do you use? Is it the one made up by VS where you pull the tape up over your boobs to find your band size? Or do you take the raw measurement of the ribcage and add a certain amount? People don’t want to wear a small band size because they don’t think it’s possible. My mother for example: for years, I think since she was a teen and she’s now in her 50′s, has worn a 36A. I’ve fit her and told her she should be in a 32B or 34A (depending on her comfort level), and she comes back and says “how can I be that small? I’ve always worn 36″. People are stuck on a size and think that’s what they are. A bra is supposed to fit like a second skin, not a potato sack. Unfortunately a lot of women think it should fit like the latter. And for some reason you have stores like VS promoting that idea.
Contrary to your comment about health benefits, yes there are some. A properly fitting bra will eliminate pain. Here’s an article you might want to read when it comes to larger sizes and pain, women who think they need reductions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7342144.stm You mention you have pain if you wear a 30…it sounds like you have the shoulder straps tightened too much. What cup size and what brand/style of bra were you getting that with? It could also be you just aren’t used to that much support. A correctly fitted bra will give you better posture, which can seem uncomfortable at first if you’re not used to it.
I am a college student who LOVES Victoria’s Secret merchandise, but I cannot seem to find a good bra there. I have a substantial size difference between my left and right breasts, so I have had a very difficult time finding bras that fit me the past few years. I have been measured everywhere from a 34B to a 34D. Last time I went in for a fitting, I was in the dressing room for over 2 hours trying to find a bra that would fit. I worked with three different dressing room attendants, the store’s manager, and their “bra specialist”. We tried everything from B’s to D’s, we tried different styles, and we tried inserts on the smaller side; nothing worked. Although the ladies who worked with me for very nice, we had no solution.
Everyday I am uncomfortable because I am wearing bras that are too big on one side, or too tight on the other. My straps fall down everyday, and I often pop out from underneath. I am becoming so discouraged because I cannot seem to find anything that works.
Meagn – My first suggestion was going to be inserts, but I see that you’ve already tried that. Have you seen the Pick your Perfect Fit bras from Fruit of the Loom? http://www.the-lingerie-post.com/2010/05/pick-your-perfect-size-bras-for-the-perfect-fit/
I second that, Kelly.
Meagn, are you wearing the correct band size? Straps falling down would indicate the band is too large. You should start with getting a proper band size, then fitting the larger breast, and then try the inserts again with the smaller breast, and also tighten the shoulder strap just a tiny bit more on the side with the smaller breast.
You make some excellent points about bra sizing. Even the best bras won’t do much for you if they’re not the correct size! Personally, I’ve had pretty good luck sizing myself with a soft, tailor’s measuring tape, but I’ve read from several sources that these do-it-yourself methods lose reliability for sizes D cup and above. Annoying!
http://www.love-of-lingerie.com/ladies-sleepwear.html
There are two main issues here;
1) Many store assistants just dont know how to measure, especially when the sizing gets larger in the band or cup sizes that they are used to seeing.
2) The “mall shops” just dont cater for women that have large cup sizes (larger than a D). For so many years I have been in this category (as a 32gg now) and the assistants always want to up the band sizes to compensate, or send me to Lane Bryant.
For this reason I created Pink Fox Lingerie, where we only specialize in 28D to 40K. I have a fitting page also you can read which complements some of the other comments here. http://pinkfoxlingerie.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=18&zenid=2jn17nh5vp0t37j5i010iluqt0
Lastly our bodies change over time and the bra size we wore last year or some years before is not always what we are now. I have always been in the upper cup sizes but I have changed. Which is another reason for good fitting measurements once a year just to make sure you are wearing the correct size.
While I will admit, there are several girls at VS that don’t know how to measure properly- but don’t discredit all of us. I am an employee, and I know at my store- we have several very competent bra fitters. Many of the comments from above about people’s sizes being wrong- are only partially true. many of you are wearing your sister size- which is essentially the same size, with slightly different proportions. ex. i am a 34c. my sister sizes are a 36b or a 32d. since i measure exactly into a 34 c, my sister sizes don’t work very well for me… but if my bust was a little bit small/larger, or band measurement a little bit smaller/larger i could fit into my sister size, and it could possibly be more comfortable. keep in mind that all bra measurements are a “standard” so there will obviously be times when a woman falls between sizes, or doesnt measure exactly into what her most comfortable bra size may be. I know that when asked if a bra fits properly, i explain to her what is good and bad about a bra and other tips. I understand that not every sales associate may be as comfortable doing this, or (shudder) may not even totally understand sizing- but don’t discredit all VS stores. Also- just a random side note- the “best at bras” is a book that explains about the bras in the store and sizing and proper fit… its not a sign.
you should be fitted every 6 months as weight gain or loss can drastically affect a bra size. also- to properly measure- measure around the top and have the customer relax arms. pull tape tight, but not too tight that it hurts. remember number (say its 35). ask what kind of bra she has on, (padded push ups tend to add about a cup size while sports bras can reduce up to a cup size) measure around the fullest part, keeping the tape level and not measuring tightly. (say its a 37 and she just has an underwire bra on) subtract the 2nd from the 1st. (2 inches in this case) aa-0, a-1 in, b-2 in. etc. the 35 is the band size- round up- so the bra size is a 36B. however, since the person measures at a 35- they may be able to fit into a 34 band size- but to compensate for the shortening of the band (and a b on a 34 is smaller than a b on a 36) you go up a cup size- so a sister size would be 34c. simple. the underneath (ribcage measurement) is most important in heavier set women, women with protruding sternums (i dont remember the actual name for it), and to help aid when a person is measuring in between sizes. if a person is measuring 40 on top and 34 around the ribcage-i would probably put her in a 36 band size- of course adjusting the cup size accordingly. drastic differnences from the top to bottom measurements need to be “averaged out” otherwise you Will have an ill fitting bra. there is much more to a bra fitting and sizing than many ppl realize- and I do agree that maybe VS should make their employees practice sizing more, but like i said before.. dont discredit all of us. and pink fox- kudos to you for catering to bustier women. its a shame mall stores cant- but they just cant because of profit profit profit! i know vs carries 36dd and 40d and thats basically as large as they go… ive helped/measured many women who are just bigger than that and i just cant put them in a bra that will fit them 
oh and megan (i hope i spelled that right)
i worked with a lady last week that had a cup size difference between each side, and one side sat a lot lower- so needless to say- she has to try on several bras to find one that she likes. she ended up liking the body by victoria pushup. always fit the larger side and find ways to compensate for the smaller one (im sure you know all this)… also- try the body by victoria wireless… theyre amazingly comfy. dont get discouraged and good luck!
mandik – I just want to be clear for anyone else reading these comments that the “sister size” thing is a myth. The cups on a 34C and a 36B are similar in size (although the shape/proportions of the cups will be slightly different) but the bras are not the same size at all. There is a band difference there. You’re right that if you’re in a 36B and the cups fit fine but the band’s a bit loose, then a 34C should be the next thing you try on. But they’re not the same size!
P.S. Thanks about the Body by Victoria Wireless, I’ll remember that (I get that question a lot too!)
You should never measure above the breasts, Mandik. Where did you read that from? Most women will have between a slight varying measurement and a major measurement between their underbust and overbust. Myself for example…note that I am not fat at all, do not have a protruding sternum, nor is it concave, but the natural shape of my body on the sides tapers out as it goes up. My overbust (without a bra on, and I have saggy boobs) measures 33″, with a bra in my correctly fitted size that is non padded I now measure 35″. With a ribcage of only 26″ that’s quite a difference! I certainly wouldn’t be able to use that ill method. And it seems most stores measure you with your bra on, which is a no-no because this can add to the number since nowadays most women wear molded t-shirt bras, especially for the band, all the seams of fabric and underwire can add up to an inch. It may be suitable for finding your correct cup size if you’re in a seamed, unlined lace bra, but you can get this number simply by leaning forward without a bra. Or if you know what the different cup sizes depth measure at, you can compare this to your own breast tissue depth (Myself as an example again…I have 9″ for a breast depth – this is taken by leaning over and measuring from one side of the breast under the arm to the other side in the center front of your chest – this coincides with the 8.75-9.25″ range for the depth in the cups in my size and also in my many other sister sizes.)
Also factoring in breast tissue can result in a much larger number for an overbust measurement. I think the only women who would be able to measure above their breasts are ones with the Ruler shape who are completely flat. But then again, they’d probably measure very similar on their under and overbust. The bra band is worn under your boobs, so why you said, “also- to properly measure- measure around the top and have the customer relax arms” is just completely baffling!
To Kelly…have you ever measured the cups on sister sizes? You’ll find they are indeed quite similar. The only difference there may be is if it is a very large cup, say in the 28 band range compared to a much larger sister size in the 38 band range, the cups on the 28 might be higher cut in the center front and on the sides to compensate for all that breast tissue on such a small frame. But if you’re just comparing 32D and 34C (or within a few sizes)…the measurements are the same. I’ve gone into stores before with my tape measure on hand (and also the bra I own being worn while examining the same style in another sister size)…the only difference I have ever found was the space between the cups in front and the back band are wider/longer with a bigger band size. Here’s another example…in size 28F (4 D’s), the cup depth/perimeter of a Freya Deco and Lydia bra measure 8.8″, compared to it’s larger sister size of 32DD which also measures 8.8″ And I’ve found this to be true with many other bras and sizes. The only time it’s going to differ more than that is if you are comparing a 34C Plunge bra to a 32D Full Coverage bra…or any bra that is a different style of cup. Or like I mentioned above, a very drastic size difference.
Not to be a complete snob here…but I’m a seamstress of 15 years who has made her own bras before, took apart bras stitch by stitch that fit me in the cups but the bands were just too big and made patterns out of them. I know how to use that measuring tape better than someone who just gets a few months of training in a store. The fact of the matter is…modern bra sizing is nothing like bra sizing that was done just a few years ago. Modern materials have more stretch in them so you need not add much, if anything at all, when determining your band size.
I have to tell you that bra measuring is not an exact science. I worked for VS years ago, when they first started introducing measuring for bra size. And even though we provided that service, I can give you a better idea of your size just by looking at you. I would say I am about 85% accurate, which is certainly better than a measuring tape. Have said that, it is not about the bra size, it is about the bra. Every maker of bras is different, your not going to get the same fit with a different company, in the same size. It is kinda like jeans, you have to try on a whole bunch to find the one that fits great, looks great under clothes & just by itself. If you find the bra that fits good, doesn’t leave gaps or give you a muffin top, buy 20 of them and they will last you forever. Good luck on the bra endevor.
Heather – Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I was agreeing with mandik that the cups are the same size (although like you and I both said, sometimes the proportions will change according to the band size it’s attached to). But just because the cups are the same size doesn’t mean the bra is the same size. The point I was trying to make is that 36B and 34C are not the same bra size, although the cups may be the same size.
I am responding late, so perhaps no one will see this. I do measure above the breast, which often does give me an accurate measurement, believe it or not. For some people it does not, and I use my eye to judge. If it seems off, I’ll measure underneath. Of course, that is only the FIRST PART of measuring.
The second part is that I will have my clients try on the bras so I can see how they look, and get my clients’ opinions on how they feel.
And I always offer smaller band sizes, letting my customers know they are more supportive, I have them try them on and tell them why the fit is better (more support from the band and less from the straps, their breasts are lifted more and there’s less of a gap in the cup, and the center gore sits closer or against their chests). But they usually complain, “All my fat is spilling out! Ew!” Or “This is way too uncomfortable!” My method of measuring is a mixture between what looks good on my clients (I always always always make sure the cup is a good fit), and then I play around with the band to see what works for them.
Thank you for linking to that study, and I have read ones like it before. But I’ve also read many studies that have found that actually not wearing a bra at all is better than wearing one, including when exercising. Of course, first we’d have to get over the idea of saggy boobs and nippleage!
And trust me, I tried going 2 weeks straight wearing my 32 band size bra, and my back was in sooo much pain that I switched back to the 34. And, if it matters, I am a 34DD/32F/30G. So that is a lot of breast tissue to support! And no, I was not wearing my straps too tight. In fact, I often wear my straps pretty loose since I have pretty broad shoulders, so I don’t tend to have the problem of my straps falling down.
The same thing happened to my friend as well. She is pregnant, so I took her to get professionally measured at a boutique store (often featured on Oprah), and they fitted her at a 32G. And she called me 2 weeks later complaining that while the bra is a great fit, it causes her so much pain, with red marks in her skin. There is no reason why a woman should torture herself just because the “authorities” say that that’s what size she should be wearing.
What happens when you take your socks off at the end of the day? There are red marks from the elastics, or at least indentations. It is because there is elastic in them. The same thing will happen when you wear a bra. If you take your bra off and you have no marks whatsoever, then what is it supporting? You can wear whatever size you want, but an incorrect size on a larger busted woman is just as damaging as not wearing one at all. I’m a cup size smaller than you and I know I have a lot of neck pain if I don’t wear one. (I have a lot of 34D’s that I’ve taken in to a 28 – btw, my best fitting one is a VS Body By Vic. Full Coverage…I still like their bras, but only when they fit me, haha.)
Grandted, as I mentioned above somewhere, not all women can follow the same method of measuring. But to take the measuring tape from under your breasts and then pull it up over your boobs (the VS method in stores and on the website) is going to add a good 5″. That will not result in the correct size! It could be you and your friend were getting fitted at places that just use your raw ribcage measurement as your band size. For a lot of women, this is just too small. I for one would not be able to wear a 26 size band, but a 28 fits good. Not so much in Panache though as they tend to run a little small. I can wear a 30 from them.
I’m curious to know what you measure around your ribcage, under your breasts. Also what brand/style was the 32 that you had tried wearing for awhile?
I do agree with you, J, about “authorities” and all that. But I actually notice the opposite (here in the US). Most stores around me make it a point to grind into your head that 32 and below is a childrens size, and they wrote the law on what you should be wearing. They probably take one look at me and say, “34B, and no smaller/bigger”. Because American is still stuck on 34B being the average and most worn size among people my age. And if you’re not that size then you’re probably in the wrong one.
i was wearing a 32-34 B and my boobs had gotten larger and i knew that so when i went to victoria secret she measured me and told me i was a 32 D and i was like i cant be i know im at least a C but def not a D so she went and got me both sizes and i tried both on and she proved me wrong the 32 D was wayy more comfortable and my back has felt so much better. and not everyone is going to get it right i went into jacob lingerie and i had a scarf on and the sales lady asked me if id like a 32 A….i moved my scarf and she appoligized
i actually haven’t been in a vs for many years. i think it’s been at least 5…well for bras anyway. i buy panties there a lot because they’re cheap and cute.
the last time i got a fitting, she measured me, and told me my size, it was wrong. what’s more (at the time, vs didn’t carry 32′s) she suggested that a bra that was up a band size.
i’m a 32dd or e…when i’m down in weight, i should wear a 30, but never, a 34. i got the feeling that they tell the associates that its more important to sell bras (even if they don’t fit) than it is to find the correct size.
recently i just looked at their site, i’m glad they’ve expanded the size range.
I always thought I was a 36B but today when I got measured at VS they told me I was a 33C so I try the 34 or the 32 c. What is a sister size. I never heard of this? I tried the bra on and it fit so I guess I am a 34C. I was just surprised because I didn’t think I was that large. BTW, I just recently lost 20lbs so I really wasn’t sure what size I should be when I went to get measured.