The FMI guide to bra sizing and fit
Let's begin with your band size
All bra brands will fit slightly differently. Even different styles within the same brand may require a slightly different size. Confusing and frustrating, right?
It helps to know your dress/top size as a starting point. What shirt or top size do you normally wear?
This is a good indicator of the band size you should be wearing. For example, if you wear a size 14 top or dress size, your BAND size should be no larger than a 14 (or even a 12).
It should be low and firm - parallel to the floor and with only space for two fingers to slip under it.
Make sure your new bras are fastened on the LOOSEST hook, allowing room to move once you wear them in a little.
Then we look at cup size
Cup sizing can be a little trickier to get right. We tend to think a D or DD+ cup is very large, when in fact the average size we see in our store is an F cup!
Your breasts should sit entirely within the cups, with the centre of the bra (gore) sitting flat against your breast bone.
The underwire should also sit flat against your ribs with no breast tissue trapped in it. The wires should not dig in at any point, or sit up in your armpit.
Just remember that if you need to DOWNSIZE your band, be sure to UPSIZE your cup - eg. 14F, down to 12FF. This works the same in reverse - eg. 10G, up to 12FF.
What about uneven breast sizes?
It is very common for women to have one breast larger than the other - sometimes it can be full cup size difference, making bra shopping even more frustrating. How do we accommodate uneven breast size?
It is very important to fit your bra to the larger breast size to ensure it is fully encased in the wire and cup.
The best bras to minimise the size difference are full cup or balcony styles which have firm fabric (or inner lining) on the lower half of the cup and soft, stretchy fabric or lace across the top. A good example is the Panache Allure bra pictured here.
If your uneven breast size is due to surgery (cancer or otherwise), there are specialised prosthesis available at Florence May to restore the symmetry of your breasts. Contact us to find out more.
It's not you, it's the bra
The style of bra you wear can make all the difference to the overall fit. By choosing a bra that suits your breast shape and type, you will find the fit more comfortable and flattering.
For example, a t-shirt style, firm padded bra is not the best choice for you if you have lost volume at the top of your breasts as it does not give your breasts the best lift and support. It often creates gaping at the top of the cup which is rarely fixed by going up a cup size.
A better option is light spacer bra such as a the Corin Sophia. It's soft inner spacer foam gives a closer fit to your breasts while still provide coverage under thin or tight fitting clothing.
Consider also a cut and sewn (or seamed) bra such as the Fantasie Fusion pictured here, without padding but with light lining to enhance your breast shape and provide excellent lift and support.
