Breast forms & Bra Fitting Guide
Breast Form & Bra Fitting Guide
How do I find out what my bra size is?
Figuring out your correct bra band measurement is a very important step in getting breast forms that will look the most natural on your body. The right size bra and breast forms will likely help you feel more feminine, and will help make it easier to ‘pass.’
Bra fitting is more of an art than a science. Estimates put that over 90% of all women are wearing the wrong size bra, so if you’re in the wrong size bra for your body, don’t despair! You’re not alone.
Your bra band is not the same as your physical chest measurement. In fact, it is often the same size as your mens’ suit jacket size.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you do not naturally have breast development, traditional guidelines on choosing the best bra size won’t always apply. For example, the ‘armpit’ measurement is almost always wrong when you do not have naturally developed breast tissue.
We have tailored all of our fitting and size charts to work better for people who have little to no bust tissue so that they can fit your skeletal structure more naturally.
How do I find my bra band size?
In order to find your bra size, you will need a soft (fabric) tape measure. In order to find your bra size and the best style of breast form for your body, you will need two measurements: below your nipples and through your nipples. This determines how much tissue you have already developed, so that you can create the most realistic bust line possible.
It is best to take these measurements without a bra or breast forms attached, so that you can get the most true and accurate measurements possible. These steps will help you find out your US or UK bra size, which is the sizing we use across our web site.
Using the soft tape measure, you’re going to take two measurements. The first measurement is going to be taken going around your chest, approximately two inches below your nipple. This is where your bra band should naturally sit.
Wrap the tape measure around your body. Try and keep the tape as parallel as possible with the ground (so that it’s even all the way around). Looking in a mirror can help with this step.
Pull the tape snug, so that it’s against your skin at all points, but not tight. If skin is poking out from either side of the tape, you have pulled the tape too tight on your body.
If you are taking measurements for breast forms, use the same steps to take a measurement through the middle of your nipples around your chest as well. You will need this measurement later to help determine the best fit for your body.
I have my two measurements. Now what?
The first step is to determine what your bra band is. Use this handy chart to find the best bra band size for your body.
| I measure two inches below my nipple… | My best bra band size would be… |
| 62 to 66 cm / 24½ to 26 inches | 30 bra band |
| 67 to 71 cm / 26½ to 28 inches | 32 bra band |
| 72 to 76 cm / 28½ to 30 inches | 34 bra band |
| 77 to 81 cm / 30½ to 32 inches | 36 bra band |
| 82 to 86 cm / 32½ to 34 inches | 38 bra band |
| 87 to 91 cm / 34½ to 36 inches | 40 bra band |
| 92 to 97 cm / 36½ to 38 inches | 42 bra band |
| 98 to 107 cm / 38½ to 42 inches | 44 bra band |
| 108 to 112 cm / 42½ to 44 inches | 46 bra band |
| 113 to 117 cm / 44½ to 46 inches | 48 bra band |
| 118 to 122 cm / 46½ to 48 inches | 50 bra band |
| 123 to 127 cm / 48½ to 50 inches | 52 bra band |
| 128 to 132 cm / 50½ to 52 inches | 54 bra band |
How do I know what breast forms will work for me?
Determining what breast forms are best for you is all about your body’s structure and what you want to do with your breast forms!
Using the measurements you took to determine your bra band size, we are going to determine what breast forms will work best for your body. Using your two body measurements (not your bra band size), use the following chart and the desired features you are looking for to find the best style of breast form for you.
The best type of breast forms for me would be… |
The differences between my nipple and below the nipple measurement is… |
|
| Less than 1 inch | Around 1 inch | |
| Attachable to go braless OR to wear in a bra | ||
| Self-adhering to wear in a bra | ||
| To ONLY wear in a bra | ||
| To sleep in | ||
| For the most realistic appearance | ||
What about breast form size and sizing charts?
Every breast form fits differently. This is true even for breast forms that are made by the same company. You should always double-check the fitting chart to make sure the breast form size will fill your desired bra size.
How do I know what cup size I should be?
Actual breast size is always in proportion to your body. That’s why you can look at a woman who is 5’1″ and 100 lbs with C cup breasts, and her breasts will look the same size as a woman who is 5’11” and 180 lbs with C cup breasts. However, if you look at the breast itself, the taller woman will have a larger breast overall, because her body is larger.
Generally speaking, an A cup or a B cup breast size is considered as a subdued, subtle, or demure look. A C cup or a D cup is generally in proportion to the body, and a DD cup or larger is getting busty and is sure to get you noticed!
You can be any cup size you want to be. When you choose your cup size based on your bra band size (what your body says you are), you’re sure to find a size that looks natural on you. Remember, breast size is in proportion to your body, so if you’re wearing a bra band that’s smaller than your body, it won’t look in proportion!
Why can’t I wear the same bra size I’ve always worn?
Although there’s nothing wrong with wearing a bra size that’s different than what your body says you are, you’re likely to find that your breast forms will sit in an unnatural way on your body. You may also be more likely to damage your breast forms if they are being worn in a bra that’s too small.
Signs that your bra band is too small for your body
- It leaves red marks, lines, and other signs of irritation around your rib cage
- It creates funny lumps under your clothing, rather than laying smooth against your body
- The shoulder straps are sliding off of your shoulders
- The underwire or bottom seam of the bra seems to start on the front of your chest, rather than stopping underneath your arm
- The bra band is riding down your back, sitting close to your elbows, and the front of the bra rides up higher (this makes your breast forms look fake or ‘stuck on top’)
- Your breast forms seem to be positioned right in the middle of your chest, rather than covering the width of your chest
- You have to do your bra up on the first hook, making the bra fit the largest, or have to use an extender for the bra to fit or fit comfortably
Signs that your bra band is too big for your body
- The bra straps will either dig in to your shoulders (especially when wearing forms), leaving bumps or grooves
- The bra band is riding up your back, rather than sitting evenly around your rib cage
- The front of the bra (between the two cups) isn’t laying against your body
- You have to do your bra up on the last hook, making the bra fit the smallest, for the bra to fit or fit comfortably
It’s much better to have a properly sized bra for your frame when wearing breast forms, because everything will look and feel much more natural and the weight of the forms won’t be uncomfortable. It also makes shopping for clothing and lingerie much easier!
When buying a new bra, it’s best to always do the bra up on the center set of hooks. Bras have multiple hooks on them because the elastic does stretch out over time, making the bra fit looser. It is also because many women find that their weight fluctuates during their menstrual cycle, and may need a looser or tighter bra at different times in the month.
What types of bras work best with breast forms?
For the most security, we recommend going with a pocketed bra. Pocketed bras are like regular bras, except they have built-in pockets to keep your breast forms securely in place. Pocketed bras are ideal if you’re planning any vigorous activity, such as dancing, or if you just want to be comfortable and secure!
Breast forms also look very good in full coverage bras (sometimes called “full cut” bras). Full coverage bras cover the edges of the breast forms, so they look seamless on your body.
Demi cup, half cup and peek-a-boo bras generally do not work well with breast forms, as they often do not provide enough security to keep your forms securely in place.
Molded cup bras (sometimes called “t-shirt” bras) will work with breast forms, as long as they do not have any “push-up” padding inside the bra cup.
Padded and push-up bras do not work with breast forms. These bras are designed to move breast tissue around on the body, whereas breast forms are designed to stay in the shape of the breast. What often happens is that the bra will cause the breast form to shift out of place on your body (possibly falling out), or the bra will sit out from your body, causing your body to look lumpy and unnatural.
I already have breast forms, but I don’t know what size they make me. How do I find out?
Determining what bra size your breast forms make you takes similar steps as to finding out your correct bra and breast form size. Rather than taking a measurement through your nipple, take a measurement through the fullest part of your breasts when you are wearing your breast forms in a soft cup bra.
Using the measurement that you just took through the fullest part of your nipples, subtract your body’s bra band size (not your under-bust measurement). Then, use the following chart to find out what cup size you are.
| I have the following difference between my bustline and my bra band measurement… | My cup size is… | |
| Less than 1 inch | AAA or AA cup | Very petite |
| 1 inch | A cup | Shy and demure |
| 2 inches | B cup | Shy and demure, great for slender frames |
| 3 inches | C cup | In proportion to the body |
| 4 inches | D cup | In proportion to the body, but with a little more curve |
| 5 inches | DD cup | Busty and looking to be noticed |
| 4 inches | DDD or E cup (depending on manufacturer) | Very busty |
How do I choose which breast form size to order?
Go to our breast forms and click on the breast form that interests you. Scroll down to where the fitting chart is located. Intersect your bra band size with the cup size you would like to attain. This will give you the breast form size to order!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Every breast form fits differently. Always consult the fitting chart before ordering your breast forms to ensure that you are receiving the correct size.
Not sure what will work best for you? Let us know!
If you’re not completely sure on what breast forms or bra size is best for you, let us know! We’re here to help. Our certified breast form fitters can help answer your questions by phone or by e-mail.
Toll-Free: +44(0)1472 355977
Monday – Friday 12pm to 5pm GMT
After Hours: 001 604 241 4440
