# Measuring for bras - my numbers are negative! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 7, 2005, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429 "2005-07-07T06:38:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![inkleberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f17d59/32.png) [@inkleberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inkleberry)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/21 "2005-07-08T18:44:31Z")
> [@Marlitharn](#): > > So, judging by the fact that other people have problems with this too, I’m not a mutant. Good. Not being a mutant is good. > > Why don’t they teach us this stuff in school? They could fit it in at the same time they pull us aside to show The Menstruation Movie. > > I’m going over to my best friend’s tonight, she has a tape measure. If I have to enlist the help of a Mad Mathematical Genius I will. This. Needs. Explaining. Try the method I linked to- sooooo much easier. ---
**Author:** ![DogMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/22 "2005-07-08T18:52:43Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > And I would like to second that the people are Victoria’s Secret are idiots. One came running up to me, “Ma’am, would you like a free sizing?” I think, “Why the hell not?” > > Well, according to Miss Measurer, I am a 46 E > … > But seriously- how do you get the sizing THAT wrong? _snort_ I got measured in Lane Bryant once. She said I was a 44 D. I haven’t been a D-cup since I was 13. I asked her if she was absolutely sure. Yes, she said, she was. DogDad got a good laugh out of that. And then Measury Chick wouldn’t let me get a 46DDD to try on, noooo, - or at least, not without taking in a 44D as well. Let’s just say THAT little experiment didn’t work out well at all. And for those of you missing your tape measure: Take a piece of string and wrap it around you where the tape measure would go. Then just measure the length of string on a yardstick or two. Not like I’ve done THAT before or anything. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/23 "2005-07-08T19:18:27Z")
Perhaps this is a stupid question, but why measure at all? Try some on until one fits. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/24 "2005-07-08T19:25:34Z")
Because there are a lot of sizes. # 32-44 in one inch increments (10 units) x AA - DDD (8 increments) 80 permutations if I have my numbers correct. Add into that, a A is not an A is not an A. No sir, 32A and a 40A have different size cups – there is a porportionality at play. So the variations on size are even greater in reality. Moreover, boobies change over time. So you don’t just have once size “for life.” It’s a pain guessing which out of the 100+ combos will be the right one in comfort and support. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/25 "2005-07-08T19:35:29Z")
:: Runs for measuring tape :: I’ll be right back!!! ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/26 "2005-07-08T19:49:15Z")
Okay, using the formula in **Marlitharn’s** link, my bra size is: 38A. According to **FaerieBeth’s** link, my bra size is: 37AA According to **inkleberry’s** link, my bra size is 36C. The bra I was actually wearing: 36B, which is quite comfortable. I pronounce **inkleberry’s** link to be the most accurate… for my body type and proportioning. And **BobLibDem** , why learn your pants size? Why not just stand around half nekkid under flourescent lights all day, trying on pants? Eventually, you’ll find some that fit. ---
**Author:** ![DogMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/27 "2005-07-08T20:13:00Z")
[QUOTE=Dogzilla And **BobLibDem** , why learn your pants size? Why not just stand around half nekkid under flourescent lights all day, trying on pants? Eventually, you’ll find some that fit.[/QUOTE] Besides, I’ve _seen_ women wearing bras that they _swear_ fit them when they tried them on just last week. And yet, they couldn’t explain why they thought the “QuadriBoob” look meant “bra fits”. \ ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/28 "2005-07-08T21:04:48Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Perhaps this is a stupid question, but why measure at all? Try some on until one fits. Never having had to bra a bra (yet, or even a bro) I don’t know if this applies to them, but most states have laws against trying on underwear, bathing suits and stuff like that there. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/29 "2005-07-08T21:05:51Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > Never having had to bra a bra (yet, or even a bro) I don’t know if this applies to them, but most states have laws against trying on underwear, bathing suits and stuff like that there. Could we make that “buy a bra.” Just writing the words makes my fingers not work. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/30 "2005-07-08T21:10:47Z")
I’m glad that one came close,\*\* Dogzilla!\*\* For the record, my site was reassurance that you don’t _have_ to add 5". Their method for measuring the cups doesn’t come any closer to the size I actually wear than any other method. I am giving serious thought on becoming a convert to **BobLibDem** ’s method. I’ll just grab 3 or 4 in my range and try them on until one fits. They come in so many different styles and fabrics that one size across the board never works. In my lingerie draw, right now, I have three bras that all fit great, but none of them are the same size! 😕 ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/31 "2005-07-08T22:15:55Z")
Formula in Marlitharn’s link: 46 C…ha! Indeed! 😛 FaerieBeth’s link: 42…Y? I think I screwed this one up pretty badly. The doubling part confused my feeble little mind. According to inkleberry’s link, my bra size is 42 D. I also declare **Ink** to have the best link…giggle. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elfbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b782af/32.png) [@elfbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfbabe)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/32 "2005-07-08T22:44:21Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > I don’t know if this applies to them, but most states have laws against trying on underwear, bathing suits and stuff like that there. :eek: If it did, no one would EVER find a bra that fit! And FYI, you just can’t try on underwear or bathing suits without having OTHER underwear underneath them. Steps 1-3 of _inkleberry_’s site said I was a 38B. Closer, but still no. Step 4 did come up with a reasonable cup size, though! ---
**Author:** ![EleventyOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@EleventyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EleventyOne)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429/33 "2005-07-08T23:39:26Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > Ladies - you have to wear a non-padded bra of some description when doing the measurement, 'cus otherwise the girls sort of…hang, if you know what I mean (unless you have itty bitty ones) - get them jacked up there in whatever bra you have, and then measure - you’ll get much more accurate results. > > Try it. You’ll like it! 🙂 Yah, well; for me, this means I’m going to have to go to the store and try on a bra before I can measure myself in the dressing room so I can find a bra that fits. All the ones I’ve been wearing lately have either a light padding or rigidity for shape and keeping nipplage tamed. Going through my drawer, I have a couple that I haven’t worn since I was a teen, and the cups runneth over. WAY over. Into the trash they go. I found a couple of worn out ones from when I weighed 10 pounds more, that don’t even “shift the load” anymore and have no more effect than going braless. Into the trash they go. And I suspect the sports bra is useless for this. Fuggit. I’ll just try **inkleberry** ’s method. * * * OK. I’m currently wearing 36Cs and they’re not TOO bad though I was already aware the band size is too big. I’ve come out with a measure of 32B using the around-the-chest cup measurement, and a 32D using the Right Bra measurement. The Right Bra measure makes more sense (and I’m not just saying that 'cause I want to think I have bigger boobs.) I fill the cups fairly well, so given that a smaller band size will have smaller cups, upping the cup size should make up the difference. Harrumph. Off to the bra store I go to try this out, I guess. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-for-bras-my-numbers-are-negative/311429.md?page=1)