How to Find Your Other Size: Bra Size Chart vs. Sister Sizes
Everyone has faced this challenge when bra shopping. True, measurements can assist one in locating one’s size on an ordinary bra size chart, so where does one look if this particular size is not available, or even if it is, it just doesn’t feel so good? Sister sizes to the rescue as to know your sister’s size is quite an asset in acquiring more perfectly fitting bras for oneself. How does a bra size chart compare to sister sizes? This helps convert your size into another size you might be interested in.
How to Interpret a Bra Size Chart
A bra size chart is mostly in a grid format and is used to assist women in determining which size bra is ideal for them based on the two most important measurements:
Waist size – this is usually the number part of their bra size, for instance, 34, 36 or 38. This indicates the circumference of your body just underneath the breast area.
Cup size – this one is the letter part of the bra size, A, B C D, etc. This is the difference between the measurement of the bust size and the measurement of the band size.
How to fit oneself in any bra size.
In order to understand what size band you should buy, use a tape measure to go around your rib cage right under your breast.
To measure the size of the bust, tape should be placed around the largest part of the breast.
To find your cup size, it is necessary to find the difference between these two measurements. Simply said if the breast band measures 34 inches and the bust measures 36 inches then you will require a B cup size.
Bra size is determined by the combination of band size and cup size, while bra chart, which is based on bust and underbust circumference measurements, is simply asking to get the bust and underbust measurements and offer bra size such as 34B, 36C and so on.
What Is The Meaning Of Sister Sizes?
Sister size is another bra size that has a similar cup size but different band size. They permit the alteration of the band size while keeping the allowance of the cup size. You can use a sister size instead of your normal one when running short of stock for your normal size or when the sizing seems to be a little off.
Sister sizes are premised on the cake theory that the volume of the cup size criteria will also change when the band size is varied either up or down. A 34C, 36B, and 32D all have the same cup size even though they have different letters and numbers allocated to them. The biggest difference is the size of the band. Sister sizes may help you achieve a better look if the band to your usual size of bra feels rather tigh or too loose.
How To Measure For Sister Sizes?
Follow these two easy steps to sister size:
If you have worn the band for long and find it is too tight, make the cup one size smaller and the band one size bigger.
For example, supposing you wore a 36B and you find that is a little too snug, then try the 34C. The band will be greater than the cup but the cup will still remain the same size.
This one is simple. In case the band is too big, take a smaller cup size in the band and one size larger in the cup.
For example, if you are wearing a 34C, but the band is too loose, try a 32D. The band will be smaller but the cup will remain the same size.
Sister Size Chart Example
Here’s a quick look at how sister sizes work for different sizes:
| Usual Size | Sister Size (Smaller Band) | Sister Size (Larger Band) |
| 32B | 30C | 34A |
| 34C | 32D | 36B |
| 36D | 34DD | 38C |
| 38B | 36C | 40A |
| 40C | 38D | 42B |
You can see that the general cup volume stays the same when you change the band size and cup size at the same time.
What’s the Need for Sister Sizes?
There are quite a few benefits of using sister sizes.
Comfort: Very often, the bra does not fit properly around the band but fits nicely in the cups. In such a case, a sister size may suit you well. Also, stores may not always carry your exact size so this way you will be able to try on more choices instead of wearing the same few things. If you know what size sister you are, that is.
Better Fit Across Brands: Sometimes, changing brands means changing the size of the bra you are currently wearing even if the cup size remains the same. So, trying out her sister size may be a good idea then.
When should you try on a sister size?
If there is excess pressure on your skin in the band area or the band feels too tight, a common way of comfort is going up high in band size and down low in cup size to alter the measurement of the bra such as 34C to a 36B.
If the band part of the bra you are wearing keeps riding up or feels very discomfited or loose, try going down a band size and up a cup size such as 34C to 32D.
Bra fitting differs in how other brands’ cups fit. Differently fitted bra cups may be expected since the styles and sizes of brassiere vary with different people, different brands and different stores. This norm can be adjusted with sister sizes.
Achieving that Perfect Fit
When it comes to bras, every second woman should always be prepared for surprises. Size charts could be different even within the same brand. Understanding the materials and the shapes could expand this context even more here. Here are some suggestions and tips that will help you get the fit which is right for you.
Before you pay/include it into the cart: Before you buy any bra, make sure that you try it on, more especially when you are not so sure if the bra’s pretty garment will fit you perfectly. It’s vitally important to learn how to return merchandise back all the time when you buy online.
One of the fitting tests known as the ‘two-finger’ or ‘two-fit’ test should give allowance for wearing two fingers under the back band. If you can, this is too tight a band. If you can’t, this band is too open.
This is what I would advise you to be all those grown women considering you have seen all the items, make sure the cups you buy fit your breasts completely with no spillage or gaps. There is a possibility that one of the reasons why there is no cup to tender more room is that the cup could mean tight fitting.
