We all have an obligation to our lovely lady lumps. Although that means taking care of yourself physically, it also means dressing in a way that will give you the best support and comfort possible. We spend all day running around, and there is nothing worse than doing that with a too tight bra and a wedgie. Luckily for us, the goddesses of lady-ware have given us easy-to-follow instructions about finding the right undergarments to make our assets look perfect.
Starting upstairs: Bras that Beautify
To size yourself for a bra, the first thing you’re going to need is a non-padded, comfortable bra and a tape measure. This process is in two steps and is easier with a helper.
The first thing you’re going to do is wrap the tape measure directly under your bust. This is right where the bottom of your bra would be. Make sure it is parallel to the ground and snug, not too tight. Exhale all the air in your lungs and take the measurement. You want this to be the smallest number possible while still being true to size. If you come to a fraction, round up to the nearest whole number. Record this number. This number will determine your band size.
Measurement: 27″ 28″ 29″ 30″ 31″ 32″ 33″ 34″ 35″ 36″ 37″
Size: 30 32 32 32 34 34 34 36 36 36 38
The next part of this process is to find out your cup size. This works up to a size D. Anything above that requires a professional fitting and determining your universal size. Some stores will carry busty sizes as DD or as big as an E; it all depends on the brand.
To measure your cup size, take the tape measure and wrap it around the fullest part of your bust. Make sure the tape measure is parallel to the ground and record the number. If you come to a fraction, round to the closet whole number. This number will help you determine your cup size.
This is where some math happens! Get excited.
Take the number you recorded for your band size and subtract it from the number you recorded for your cup size. The difference in between these numbers is your cup size.
Difference: 1/2″ 1″ 2″ 3″ 4″
Cup Size: AA A B C D
For example, when I measured my band, I got 32”. My cup measurement was 34”.
34 – 32 = 2
2 = B
So my bra size is a 34B. Super easy, and you didn’t need a Victoria’s Secret sales associate touching your lady bits to find out.
Downstairs: Limit the panty-line
The easiest path to a miserable day is wearing underwear that does not fit properly. If your panties are riding up, pinching or are too loose and bunching, you’re not going to have a fun day.
The first step is to take the measurement of your natural waist. This is the point where your sides indent. If you’re having trouble finding it, just bend to the side. The spot where your skin folds is your natural waist line.
The second measurement is your hips. Measure them where they are the widest, and keep the tape measure parallel to the ground. It should be about six to nine inches below your waist depending on your height. Using these measurements, follow the chart below:
Waist Measurement: 25″-26″ 27″-28″ 29″-30″ 31″-32″ 33″-34″ 35″-36″
Hip Measurement: 35″-36″ 37″-38″ 39″-40″ 41″-42″ 43″-44″ 45″-48″
Panty Size: 5(S) 6(M) 7(L) 8(XL) 9(XXL) 10(XXXL)
Keep in mind you also have to make sure that your underwear fits everywhere else. That means that it fits comfortably in the crotch, leg, and booty. There should not be excess material bunching or not enough material pinching. The legs should not be tight enough to leave grooves on your thighs and afford you a full range of mobility. The back of your underwear has to cup your butt, with symmetrical coverage on both sides and limited bunching.
If your underwear is bunching up or creeping, it may be time to throw them away, so make sure your underwear is up to scratch.
Photo credits:
Underwear: http://www.knotthegroom.com
Bra: http://bellabellaboutique.blogspot.com/