I’m sure the lady Dopers here know the drill for when a new bra is needed. “Measure around your rib cage right below your bust and add <blahblah> inches. This is your band size.” (continue on to measure the actual bust area).
The thing is, depending on the bra manufacturer, the number of inches you add varies. Cacique bras at Lane Bryant tell you to add only 2 inches, others tell you to add 3 inches, others 5 inches, and some say “if your ribcage is under 33”, add 3", if it’s over 33", add 5"."
Why?? Why don’t bra manufacturers just use the rib cage measurement as the actual band size? I have a 32" rib cage, bam! I should look for a 32ABCDetc bra. It’d be a lot easier. Instead I can be anywhere from a 34 to a 38, apparently.
[sub]And don’t even get me started on the bra-sizing calculator that said with a 32" ribcage and a 39" bust (that’s 7" difference, folks!), that I should wear a 38A. Ahahhahaha![/sub]