Do only CDs know?

[StephanieLake]

I was out shopping the other day with my wife. We were in the lingerie section and she saw a bra that was a 30C. She said, "that is not a C cup, it's way too small." I said, "That's because it's a 30 band. A C cup on a 30 is not the same as a C on a 38." She said, "What are you talking about?" So I proceeded to explain that that 30C cup size would be a would be the same cup size as a 32B or a 34A. That as you go up a band size, you go down a cup size. I pointed out that if her 38D was too tight and she went to a 40, she would need a C. She looked at me like I was crazy, so I told her to look up sister sizes.

What made the exchange even funnier is, from the start, bras have not been allowed. She has said she thinks I probably have one, but doesn't want to see me in one. I'm guessing after that conversation, she's sure I have one.

Later, I told this story to my best friend, a GG, and her response was, "I didn't know that either."

So, my question is, do only bra makers and CDs know, or care, about sister sizes? Based on my limited research, 100% of GGs have never heard of them. lol.

[kimdl93]

I think anyone who has shopped for bras online would have learned how cup sizes work. I also suppose that most GGs have shopped in person.

[docrobbysherry]

This is one of the dumbest things about women's wear! Yes, shoe and dress sizes vary somewhat with each manufacturer.

But, cup sizes should be measured A thru HH the same no matter what the wearer's band size is!

[Sandi Beech]

I agree that the measuring system is dumb, but it probably works for the bulk of the population, definitely not me. I should wear a 40 band but the cups are too wide for me. I found I get a better fit to use a 38 with a band extender because the cups in a 38 fit me perfectly.

Sandi

[Cheryl T]

My wife was unaware.
After coming out to her she wanted to buy some new bras and we went shopping. She had trouble finding proper fit and after asking a few questions I made a size suggestion. She tried it and liked it and asked how I knew so much. I told her we ladies do more research and explained the variations, how cup size changes with band size and so on and she was stunned.

[NjJamie]

Sandi, same here, it's a much better fit with the extender, too bad it took me about 40 years to figure that out!

[DianeT]

Obviously somebody got some spare time on her hands before resting on the seventh day and put CDers on Earth for women to be able to buy smart in the lingerie department.

[NancySue]

Yes, somewhat frustrating. I have 4 different brands of bras, all underwires and the same size band and cup. They all nicely fit, but there are minor differences in them. It?s fun wearing a different one. I can?t tell the difference. The front clip underwires fit nicely.

[rachellegsep]

The standard for dress making (dont ask me how I know this lol) is the cup size is based on the band size, with each cup size varying by 1 inch (2.5 cm larger than band size ) . So with a 38A the band is 38 and the cup 39, a B would be 40, C 41 etc.

[sometimes_miss]

What exasperates me, is that so many things marked with the same size, are completely different sizes and shapes from each other. I finally found a 46B bra which fits perfectly, and thank heaven that it's stayed the same for the past oh, about 17 years. It's a 'keyhole' design, back clips. I'm barrel chested, so if anyone else 'big' also is, perhaps try it. Current manufacturer brand they're sold under is from Plusform, Classic Shapewear, and previously through Lane Bryant and Roaman's. They come in white, black, light blue, light lavender, red, deep dark cherry red, dark blue, and a caucasion flesh tone. In a 2 pack, from about $25 to $35.
OH, and yes, I know about 'sister sizes'.

[Traci H]

At some point I learned about sister sizing, perhaps on this forum. I don?t know if my wife knows or not. She would very much NOT like to discuss it with me, I know. God forbid I know more about woman?s clothes than her. That would really tick her off. That?s female territory in her mind.

Sometimes Miss, I have looked at those 2 packs of Plusform bras many times. Every place that carries them however requires a delivery to your home. Amazon has them, but they are not prime and thus cannot go to an Amazon locker. Dang!

I do see women very disappointed with the sizing on bras in the 44a size I usually wear. Very often they express that the A cups are huge. Not sure if they actually are, or it?s just a function of the large band and they really need a 44aa or aaa. I have bought smaller band sizes using an extended to get a smaller cup. That can be an issue with throwing the strap geometry off however.

[Rochal Tukque]

You are more correct than you know Stephanie. Hold on BRAS 101. The first thing I see on a woman is her bra. The fit does it enhance her or what ever. 70% of what I see are whatever?s the other 30% must have just lucked out. It?s not their fault, most women have never had a professional bra fitting. That includes a method I?ll describe plus a volumetric ratio. That ratio is why a 30 C cup is smaller than a 38 C cup bra but they are still a C cup. That is governed by the difference between the under bust measurement and the bust measurement. A C cup will be 3 inches.
The proper way to measure for GG girl. Measure under the bust, measure above the bust add and divide by 2. Then bend from the hip to a 45 degree angle and measure the full bust. The volumetric ratio is the size across each breast and distance between the two. On a chart will give you the bra frame size. It is science.

Now for the CD problem. Women?s chest are oval men?s are round because they have more lung capacity. The larger the band size the more the cups end up improperly under the arm with the bra cup side cutting into your arm. Many CD?s end going to abnormally large breast forms to get the cups to fit properly. Born intersexed I have breasts average C cup in my younger years. My bra frame size was 36 C but my band size 42-44 so I ended up sewing in extensions on a 36 C bra where there cup attached to the band. That gave a proper fit on the straps in the back. Which bra clip extensions do not, they leave the straps falling off the shoulders.

Bras made for the Chinese market actually fit the CD better because the Chinese GG girls tend to have larger chests and smaller volumetric ratios, ie smaller frames with bigger bands. I have a few of them and the fit is absolute heaven.

Hope that helps Hugs Rochal
Thanks Stephanie

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Stephanie , I had the same thing happen with myWife a few years ago, >Orchid**OO**

[Randy]

I?ve told my wife several times that I probably know more about bras than she does. I attribute that to the fact that we (I) have done more research because we are so much harder to fit.

While I know more, she still has a better fit because she can obviously fill the cups where I can only look on in envy.

[Traci H]

Rocha, I get what you say about en having larger chests, and the need to add in material in the band. And why extenders move the straps out.

But since mens breasts tend to be fuller apart, wouldn?t it make sense to add material between the cups?

Either way, I?m trying to think if my sewing skills are up to this and looking at bras that are better suited to modifications. My wife is a skilled seamstress but it would gross her out if I asked for this help.

Being able to buy a smaller band and expand it would give smaller cup I seek with a 44 chest

[Joanne Curl]

The best thing I’ve done regarding bras is to have a bra fitting. Unfortunately I waited until I was in my late 60’s to do it! For the first time in my whole life, my bra fits perfectly.

[Rochal Tukque]

Hi Traci, on your question. Sometimes you will find the clasp type front closure bras have more distance between the cups than the back hook bra. The bands are also more forgiving as to size because they have no adjustments. I did find a mesh bra currently on Amazon # B0FM8QDXWB that goes to 44 c. It has wide straps and the cups are smaller with a bigger band. I?m wearing it in a 40 B cup for my old saggy Bs now. Normally I wear a larger band size but as I said this bra is stretchy and forgiving. It has a decent separation between the cups and doesn?t cut in under the arms.
Hugs Rochal

[JulieC]

I've read several times over the years that the majority (and maybe 70%) of GG women are wearing the wrong size bra. Walking around in public during the summer, this is really easy to see and verify by looking at the backs of GG women.

When I met my wife, she thought she was an A cup for the band size she wore. Frankly, that was absurd, given the size of my wife's chest. I knew it was wrong. She also hated underwire bras, and always wore wireless bras. I never said anything about that, but I did suggest to her that we go for a bra fitting for her. So, we went. She walked out very happy, wearing one of the new bras, had bought three of them and spent a bit over $200...and all of them were underwire bras! She looked fantastic. Now she wears a C or D cup bra, usually a D cup.