Are you wearing the right bra size? Find out with our six tips!
Many women have trouble finding the perfect bra. A bra that fits well does wonders for your posture, your look, and your confidence, and saves you from uncomfortable fit issues. We figured it was high time to do something about it. Lingerie with an impeccable fit is not only more comfortable (especially for larger cup sizes), it also boosts your confidence. If you're wondering what your ideal bra size is, find out with these six steps below!
1. The back band
While this may come as a surprise, the back band is responsible for the majority of a bra's support – up to 80% in fact. For women with a larger cup size, it’s even more important to find a sturdy band that sits parallel to the floor. If it rides up, you may need to size down. If it digs in, you may need to size up.
Tip: Fasten your bra on the middle hook and see if you can fit three fingers under the clasp. If you can and if the band stays parallel to the floor, you've found the right band size! An easy way to check whether the band fits snugly is to lift your arms above your head. If your bra stays put, your band is tight enough. If it rides up, your band is too loose.
2. The underwire
The underwire should lie flat against your chest, without digging in. If it bounces back when you press on it, the cups are probably too small. The underwire should also encircle the breasts completely. Any poking or pinching is definitely a no-go.
3. The centre gore
The strip of fabric that connects the cups is called the centre gore. For a perfect fit, the centre gore should lie flat against the chest. If it doesn’t and if the underwire lifts away from the body, either size up or try a different bra style that better suits the shape of your breasts.
4. The cups
The fit of the cups determines the comfort and look of your bra. To find out if you're wearing the right cup size, check to see whether your entire breasts are inside the cups. If there’s any spillage on the top or the sides, try a larger cup size with the same band size. If the cups are gaping or wrinkling, try a smaller cup size or a different bra style.
Make sure the fabric on the cups offers the right support. Fabric with a lot of stretch doesn’t offer enough support with frequent wear. All PrimaDonna bras have sturdy lining or integrated padding in the cups to lift and centre the breasts and to create a lovely, rounded shape.
5. The straps
Think tightening your bra straps will help lift your breasts? Think again! Straps that pinch or dig in are extremely uncomfortable and can even cause pain or poor posture in the long run. PrimaDonna’s bra straps are made from ultra-soft materials. Did you know that bra straps only account for about 10% of your support? The back band and the centre gore do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to support.
Tip: Adjust the straps until you can fit two fingers between the strap and your shoulder.
6. How does it feel?
The final and most important check: How does your bra feel? Even if you’ve found the perfect size, how a bra feels is the most important test. You may feel more comfortable in a bra with more coverage or in a more revealing style made from lighter materials. Trying on lingerie is kind of like trying on shoes: The right size is important, but so is the fit, the material, and the overall look!
Size difference
During fittings, we noticed that our PrimaDonna Twist styles have a slightly smaller fit than our PrimaDonna styles.
If you know your PrimaDonna size and you find a PrimaDonna Twist look you love, try going up a cup size.
If you usually buy PrimaDonna Twist and you find a PrimaDonna look you love, go down a cup size. In both cases, stick to your usual band size.
New to PrimaDonna and PrimaDonna Twist? For PrimaDonna twist we recommend choosing your usual bra size. For PrimaDonna we suggest going down a cup size and choosing the band size you usually wear.
Size charts
Band size
Measure your underbust for your band size.
| Size in inches | Size in cm | UK size | EU size | FR size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29-30 | 63-67 | 30 | 65 | 80 |
| 31-32 | 68-72 | 32 | 70 | 85 |
| 33-34 | 73-77 | 34 | 75 | 90 |
| 35-36 | 78-82 | 36 | 80 | 95 |
| 37-38 | 83-87 | 38 | 85 | 100 |
| 39-40 | 88-92 | 40 | 90 | 105 |
| 41-42 | 93-92 | 42 | 95 | 110 |
| 43-44 | 98-102 | 44 | 100 | 115 |
| 45-46 | 103-107 | 46 | 105 | 120 |
Conversion chart for briefs & swimwear
| | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | | UK | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | | EU | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 |