It’s impossible not to feel totally girly in a beautiful bra…
But did you know there’s a good chance you are 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.
There are several ways to measure your bra size. The method below is simplest way to measure your bra size. This method is used by Victoria’s Secret and most modern bra manufacturers:
Step 1: Measure your band size
Place a tape measure under your arms and measure your chest circumference just above the breasts. The tape measure should be about the level where your bra straps meet the bra.
This measurement is your BAND SIZE. (Note: If the measurement is an odd number, round down to the nearest even number.)
Step 2: Measure your bust size
Stand up tall and measure across the fullest part of your bust. The tape measure should be parallel to the floor and shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
This is your BUST SIZE. (Note: If the measurement is between inches, round up to the nearest inch.)
Step 3: Calculate your cup size
Subtract your band size (from Step 1) from your bust size (from Step 2) and check the chart below to determine your 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, as 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.)
Place a tape measure under your arms and measure your chest circumference just above the breasts. The tape measure should be about the level where your bra straps meet the bra.
This measurement is your BAND SIZE. (Note: If the measurement is an odd number, round down to the nearest even number.)
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.
Easy right? 🙂
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 girls 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.
- BiggerBras.com – BiggerBras.com specializes in plus size bras and carries a large range of cup sizes.
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.
This was passed on to me by an employee at a lingerie shop where I was getting fitted (and ordering) a few bras. I am a very large person. She stated that the cup size will not properly measure this way when you hit the 48+ band size. You will need to go down one to two cup sizes as measures–so if you come up with a “D” cup, purchase a “C” cup, and it will fit better.
For the following 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.
What measurement determines body frame size for small, medium or large?
My bra’s band size is 38
Hello my step daughter is in transition mtf . She has a flat chest and for my wedding she will be wearing an infinity dress . However she in embarrassed. Do you have a bra that can add some depth in her breast area ?
Thank You
Teresa
I’m not sure of the style, so I’m risking putting my foot in my mouth. 🙂 If the dress is backless, the only option, as far as I know, is a NuBra, or something similar (adhesive bra). My experience is that a NuBra can’t be worn every day, or it’ll start to irritate the skin (after 5 days or so). However, if your stepdaughter’s skin is like mine, one time shouldn’t be a problem.
If your stepdaughter’s dress isn’t backless, I would suggest the Smart & Sexy add 2 cup sizes bra. I’ve been wearing one for quite a while, and I love being a lady who doesn’t have to wear anything “up top” except her padded bra! It’s inexpensive ($15-20). Of course, Victoria’s Secret sells an add 2 cup sizes bra for a tad more money. 🙂
Well, there’s my two cents worth; I hope it was helpful. 🙂
That is not how you measure for a bra. You measure the band by placing the tape measure around your rib cage under your bust not above your breasts.
I will contradict you and state that no if you are a dresser or MtF the Victoria’s secret measurement is by far for accurate! I tried the “traditional” method and going by those measurements I came out to a 40DD/E there is absolutely no possible way my breasts are that big! I tried the Victoria’s secret way and got a way waaay more realistic measurement of 38B still bigger than I thought but the bras fit better!
As an edit you should watch the Victoria’s secret measurement is taken to clear up any confusion on how its done.
I wish I could actually have a C or D, naturally but I haven’t come across anything like that,
May be just be me but I love to feel them bounce, but I have several outfits.
One of the BEST places, I find, when shopping for bras is “HERROOM”.
I cannot understand the whys and wherefores for measuring above the breasts to get the band size.!! Since the “band” goes under the breast, at least that is where I wear my bra. The band is supposed to support the weight of the breast with the help from the straps. The straps should NEVER dig into your shoulders and the band should NEVER have skin overflowing on the back side. If one cannot put two fingers under the band, in back, it’s too damn small, same with the cups if they are overflowing go up a cup and possibly a band size too.
Hi
When order a bra all shops say measure bandsize under the breasts is this not the right way instead of over the breasts like shown here?
Yeah, in fact…
OK