It’s impossible not to feel totally girly in a beautiful bra… but did you know there’s a good chance you’re wearing the WRONG size bra?
Don’t feel bad – 80% of bra wearers are too! This includes crossdressers and transgender women, as well as cisgender (genetic) women.
Wearing the correct bra size is critical. Bras that don’t fit right are uncomfortable and look bad under your clothes.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to find your correct MTF bra size so you can choose the perfect bra for your female transformation.
How to Determine Your Correct Bra Size – Without Breast Forms
Determining your correct bra size begins with a choice: Will you be wearing breast forms with the bra?
In this section, I’ll explain how to find the correct bra size for your ACTUAL breasts (without breast forms). In the section below, I’ll show you how to find the correct bra size if you wear breast forms.
Step 1: Measure your band size
- Wear a non-padded bra that fits well.
- Wrap a soft measuring tape snugly around your ribcage, directly under your bust.
- Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor and not too tight.
- Round the measurement to the nearest even number.
- This is your BAND SIZE.
Step 2: Measure your bust size
- Keeping the tape measure snug, wrap it around the fullest part of your bust.
- Make sure the tape is parallel to the floor and not squishing your breast tissue.
- This measurement is your BUST SIZE.
Step 3: Calculate your cup size
- Subtract your band size (from Step 1) from your bust size (from Step 2).
- Check the chart below to determine your cup size. (Each inch of difference corresponds to one cup size.)
| If The Difference Is: | Your Cup Size Is: |
| 0″-1/2″ (1.3 cm) | AA |
| 1/2″- 1″ (2.6 cm) | A |
| 2″ (5.1 cm) | B |
| 3″ (7.6 cm) | C |
| 4″ (10.2 cm) | D |
| 5″ (12.7 cm) | DD or E |
| 6″ (15.2 cm) | DDD or F |
| 7″ (17.8 cm) | G |
| 8″ (20.3 cm) | H |
| 9” (22.9 cm) | I |
| 10″ (25.4 cm) | J |
For example, if your band size is 40” and your bust size is 44”, the difference is 4”. That would make you a D cup.
Your bra size is a combination of your band size and your cup size. (Bra size = band size + cup size) In this case, your bra size would be a 40D.
IMPORTANT: This size should be considered a starting point, since sizing varies from bra to bra. If possible, try on the actual bra before you buy.
How to Determine Your Correct Bra Size – With Breast Forms
If you wear breast forms, the process for finding your bra size is a bit different. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Measure your band size
(Note: These instructions are the same as above, but I’ll repeat them here.)
- Wear a non-padded bra that fits well.
- Wrap a soft measuring tape snugly around your ribcage, directly under your bust.
- Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor and not too tight.
- Round the measurement to the nearest even number.
- This is your BAND SIZE.
Step 2: Determine your ideal cup size
The next step is to determine the cup size you want to achieve. This should be a size that’s proportionate to your body: Not too big and not too small.
Generally speaking, the larger your body frame is, the larger your cup size should be.
Here are some guidelines:
- Choose an B or C cup if you have a small frame.
- Choose a C or D cup if you have a medium frame.
- Choose a D cup or larger if you have a large frame.
Once you know your correct band size and desired cup size, you can purchase the proper bra and breast forms.
For example, if your band size is 40 and you desire to be a D cup, you’d simply purchase a 40D bra and D cup breast forms.
Easy right? 🙂
What About Other Bra Fitting Methods?
There are a couple other bra fitting methods out there. However, the instructions I shared in this blog post are considered the most accurate method.
Some guides will tell you to add 4–5 inches to your band measurement. That’s outdated advice from when bras were made differently.
Modern bras are sized much closer to your actual ribcage measurement – adding inches will give you a band that’s too loose.
You may also see the “armpit method,” which involves measuring above the bust, under the armpits. (It’s the method Victoria’s Secret uses.)
While the armpit method can work, it often leads to a larger band size and a poor fit. For that reason, I recommend the ribcage method described above.
Finding A Bra That Fits
Knowing your correct bra size is one thing. Actually FINDING that bra is another.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find bras outside the standard size range. Here are some sites that carry a large range of bra sizes:
- Barenecessities.com – Bare Necessities offers a huge selection of bras, including plus size bras with smaller cup sizes. (Perfect for crossdressers and trans women who don’t wear breast forms.)
- HerRoom.com – Her Room is another large lingerie site that stocks hard to find sizes. They offer band sizes up to 58, so there’s a bra for almost everybody.
Another option is to purchase a bra extender. A bra extender is an elasticized piece of fabric that hooks onto the back of your bra. It can add 1-3 inches to the bra band, so it’s a great solution for bras that are too tight.
So there you are, girlfriend! Everything you need to know about finding your correct bra size.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave me your comments below. And if you have any beautiful bra pics, don’t forget to include them!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. Looking for a natural way to fill out your bra? Check out The Flat to Femme Program to discover an effective and proven approach to male to female breast enhancement.
The easiest way to be measured properly is to just go to a Victoria Secrets. They will not embarrass you and are very helpful. They are there to sell there merchandise. I do it all the time, and always enfemme.
I buy a 38 band size but went from B cup to C cup. The last bras I bought are 38C. My B cup bras I was getting a little boob spillage or over flow so I bought C cup and they fit perfectly. I have developed my own breasts. I did a lot of things to develop them and I am not sure what worked and what didn’t work but I do know I have boobs and they are C cup and my bra size is a 38C
i also wearing which is 32 b
Thanks for the information Lucille.
Am I the only one confused by measuring the band size above my breasts? The bra band sits below my breasts, and the measurements, at least in my case – above and below, are quite different.
If I measure below, I’m a 38. If I measure above, I’m a 40. Since my 38” bras fit well, I think switching to a 40 band would be too loose.
Thoughts?
No, I agree with you. I have developed real breasts and have been measured at both Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret and both measured below my breasts for band size and then around fullest part for cup size. I wear a Vanity Fair 38C bras and they fit really well.
Kristin
Ok I just re measured and my band size is 1 inch less than my breasts so that means I must be a 43 A. I thought I was at least a C cup. Darn it all. I want to be bigger. It will not be easy to find a 43 A. Oh well.
I wear women’s underwear all day every day and not only does it feel heavenly but it also feel’s natural.
Great info, but how do you determine if your small, medium or large frame, is there a measurement for this?
Why is hard to find others to help not not cut you down