Tales From BRABAR Studio: Finding a Teen’s Correct Bra Size Starts with the Band

Teen bra and bralette shopping can be a mind-numbing experience if you do not know where to start.  Moms and teens often are at a loss on how to find the right bras for them.  The first step is demystifying bra size measurements which are not standardized the the intimates industry.  

But finding the correct size is easier than most might think.

At BRABAR Studio, it was a chance to educate moms and daughters on how to find the right fit by measuring or remeasuring when necessary.

A teenager was brought in by their mother to look for bras and bralettes for the summer.  Originally, she told me she was a 36C bra size, but I offered to measure her.  She measured a 32-inch rib cage measurement. Therefore, she had a 32-bra band size.  Her overbust measurement was a 38-inch bust size.  How to find the correct band and how to measure bust sizes is as follows:  you subtract your bra band size from your bust size.  The difference between her two measurements was a 6-inch difference.  Each inch is a cup size, so less than 1 inch is an AA-cup, 1 inch is an A-cup, 2-inch is a B-cup, 3-inch is a C-cup, 4-inch is a D-Cup, 5-inch is a DD-cup/E-cup, and 6-inch is a DDD-cup/F-cup.  Since a 6-inch difference is a DDD-cup/F-Cup, the teen girl was a 32DDD/F bra size. 

Shocked at the size, they did not believe me at first about the size since the band seemed so small to them.  So I told them to try on both the 32-34 and 36-38 and explained how the band of the bra should hug the ribcage snugly to provide support.  The wire is not the support of the bra, but the correct band size is where the support should be.  

(In no particular order)

• The classic Everyday Bra is a versatile, all-day supportive bra with a back closure featuring a smooth design and removable cups for comfort and style. This bra comes in three everyday colors: Black, Mushroom, and Natural Gray. Natural Gray and Mushroom are good neutrals to use under white and light-colored tops. Black is a great all-around bra. The everyday bra has adjustable straps.
• The BRABAR Soft Strapless Bra is ultra-versatile and comfortable. Our Soft Strapless Bra top offers endless styling options. This strapless bra top is ideal for off-shoulder, one-shoulder, and halter styles, providing both support and style. The strapless bra is a bra for tube tops as well. It’s a practical choice for everyday use in spring or summer but for all year.  The strapless bra comes in two colors:  Black and Mushroom, both great basic colors for under any outfit.
• The Everyday Longline Cami Bra is a sophisticated longline cami bra, ideal for layering, featuring a keyhole back closure and removable cups.  The Everyday Longline Cami Bra has a smooth design and adjustable thin straps.  It comes in two basic colors:  Black and Mushroom.
• The best-selling Soft Day Bra with back closure combines the everyday ease of a bralette with a surprisingly supportive bra. The Soft Day Bra comes in three everyday colors: Black, White, and Ballet Pink. The Black Soft Day Bra is a great all-around, everyday bra. The Ballet Pink is a fun, yet neutral color to go under those white shirts and it won’t show. After all, white under white shows. The White Bra is good for when you need specifically a white bra.  It can also be used under dark shirts.
• The super comfortable Soft V Crop Bralette is super soft and great for everyday bralette.  It is easy to pull over the head or easy to step into for your convenience.  The Soft V Crop also has thicker straps for additional comfort.  It can double as a sports bra or a classy bra top to with your favorite jacket.  Made with a special blend of materials, it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, while retaining the stretchiness and shape. Size down for firmer support.
• The Soft V Laceback Bralette is a reversible and comfortable bralette that adds a pretty touch to your daily wardrobe V-neck lace back bra top. The Soft V Lace Bralette is perfect for everyday lace with a supersoft touch, providing both support and style. The beautiful lace is nice enough even to show with open-back or backless tops.  It now comes in nine great colors:  Black, Ash, Asphalt, Chive, Faded Denim, Pale Mauve, Victoria Blue, Fuschia Rose, and Chocolate Brown!
• The Soft Cami is a fan-favorite, comfortable, versatile, and supportive bra top. The Soft Cami Bra is a seamless, unlined double-layer wire-free bra top. Cami bras are a great starter teen bralette. It is super soft and comes in great colors as an option as a bralette for teens. The soft cami bra has adjustable straps.  The Soft Cami now comes in more color options.  In addition to classic black and classic white, the Soft Cami comes in Mushroom, Della Robbia Blue, Fuschia Rose, and Orchid Pink. 
• The Strappy Halter Bralette is a strappy halter bra that blends a seamless design with all-day comfort. The Strappy Halter Bralette can double as a medium-impact sports teen bralette. The five strings is a take on the racerback bra.  It can also be used as a halter bra top, with a leather or jean jacket over top, or on its own.  This multipurpose option is a great addition to a wardrobe.
• The Lace Halter Bralette is a beautiful lace halter bralette that combines feminine details with everyday comfort and support. The Lace Halter Bralette is ideal for a teen girl's daily activities or as a medium-impact sports bra. It can also be used as a halter bra top, with a leather or jean jacket over top, or on its own.  This multipurpose option is a great addition to a wardrobe.
• The Open-Back Backless Halter Bralette is a great option for backless and open-back outfits. It provides style and support.  It can also be used as a halter bra top, with a leather or jean jacket over top, or on its own.  This multipurpose option is a great addition to a wardrobe.
• The Cotton Stretch U-Back Bralette is an elegant U-back design offering a modern silhouette with medium-impact support for daily activities and the gym. This cotton bralette is super breathable and comfortable.
• The Cotton Stretch Racerback is a seamless, supportive racerback bra designed for comfort and medium-impact activities as a medium-impact sports bra.  This cotton bralette is super breathable and comfortable.
• The Soft Crop Multiway Convertible Bra Top is ultra-versatile and comfortable, our soft multiway convertible bra offers endless styling options. Wear it as a backless halter bra, create a criss-cross style, or use the fully adjustable cami straps to achieve your perfect fit. It's the ideal bra or top for any outfit. The Soft Crop Multiway Convertible Bra Top is a great multipurpose bralette for teens option where you can change the straps to become a thin halter bralette, a criss-cross back teen bralette, or a one-shoulder bralette. With some adjustment, it would also make for a casual strapless bra. 

The teenager ultimately chose the Soft Strapless Bra and the Soft V Laceback Bralette.  The Soft Strapless works for many summertime outfits.  The Soft V Laceback Bralette is comfortable and versatile–it can be a top all on its own in the summer or go with any open-back outfit.  Both were bought in the 32-34 BRABAR size as they fit much better than the 36–38.

How to find the correct bra band size and how to measure bust sizes:

• Here's how to determine your bra size:

  1. Measure Underbust: Wrap a soft measuring tape around your body, right below your breasts. The number you read on the tape is your band size. Round to the nearest even whole number.

  2. Measure Over Bust: Using the same measuring tape, wrap it around your body over the fullest part of your breasts. The number you read on the tape is your bust size; round to the nearest whole number.

  3. Calculate Cup Size: Subtract your band size from your bust size. This number represents your cup size or the volume of your breast tissue. Your cup size in inches is represented by an alphabet (sizes AAA to DDD/F). For example, 1 inch = A cup, 2 inches = B cup, 3 inches = C cup, and so on.

  Your bra size is determined by combining your band size with your cup size alphabet. Subtract your band size from your bust size to ascertain your cup size in inches. This combination yields your ultimate bra size, encompassing both band size and cup size.