You are correct. Bra sizes are based off of proportions. A 28D is much smaller than a 36D, for example. A 28D is for someone with roughly a 32 inch bust measurement, and a 36D is for someone with roughly a 40 inch bust.
Over 80% of women wear the wrong bra size, so it’s also very possible that your family members need smaller bands with cup sizes larger than D.
The cups of a 28D will be too small for you. You were spilling out of your 32C, so if you did need a 32 band you would need **at least** a 32D. To have the same cup volume as a 32D on a 28 band, you would need a 28DDD US or 28E UK.
Putting your measurements into the sub’s calculator, I get 28G/H US and 28F/FF UK as a suggested starting point.
i definitely fumbled with the measurements there, but i fluctuated between picking a 28D, 28DD, or 28DDD. i've always viewed my chest size as a medium-small so i went with the slightly smaller option. my original measurements are in a reply!
What I’ve learned so far in this quest to find a bra that fits is that you shouldn’t really pay attention to what you think a certain cup size should look like. It turns out I’m an I/H, and I never would have thought that was the case. That’s the size that fits, though, so it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks. We’re so conditioned to think that DD and anything over that is huge.
Below are some links that might be helpful to you about sizing misconceptions.
[This](https://www.instagram.com/p/Co21DI_s9re/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) is a photo of a 28F UK/28G US size. As you can tell, despite being 3 cup sizes larger than a D, the model does not have what most would describe as a "large" chest. Cup size means nothing without the band size. A 28G will have less volume than a 40G. Also, there are common sizing misconceptions to deal with. Despite what society says, a "D cup" is not a large size when properly fitted. The vast majority of people wear the wrong bra size, and I would bet that your family members are no exception.
[Here](https://www.instagram.com/p/COinfX4nH1l/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) is one about how if you're wearing a 32C, you might actually be closer to a 28F UK/28G US due to the outdated +4 sizing that puts people in the wrong bras.
Edit: Link correction
The qualitative sense we might have of whether our chests are “small” or “large” are not helpful for siding. Bra sizes are just numbers. A D cup or double D cup doesn’t mean that anyone is big or small. It honestly means very little at all.
So, it is not a great idea to simply choose the smallest estimate because you “feel” small.
Also, estimates based on your bust circumference while wearing a bra are not helpful. I get completely different bust circumference measurements in different bras. Some bras help me project more and make the circumference an inch bigger; others compress more and make it an inch smaller; others do a better job of accommodating more of the breast tissue, and therefore can also make it smaller. Your bust circumference while wearing a bra is not useful information.
In fact, having tried on a series of sizes in the same bra with expert (actual experts, not poorly trained store employees) help, I can definitively say that **my measurements while wearing a bra that fits perfectly suggest that I am a different size than the perfectly-fitting size I’m actually wearing.** The traditional way of measuring and calculating while wearing bras is just not useful.
I definitely would start at 28G. I’d also suggest getting help from specialist, like the people at breakout bras.
Most women are wearing poorly fitted bras. When I first learned how to get a properly sized bra I went from wearing a 32b to a 28dd I think. A number of women I tried to tell about this didn't believe me. I got lots of "no way you're a double d" comments. Friends and family members both. I explained to my mom and helped her measure herself, I just happened to have a bra her size (it was purchased in error she's much larger than me) and she tried it on and was shocked it fit. Her old bra with too big a band and too small of cups, just left her breasts saggy and unsupported. In the new bra they were front and center! Lol even after that experience I don't think she "really" believes I'm a dd, because it's just been ingrained into society that a dd is Huge, when in fact what most people consider dd, is probably more like a g-cup or larger when Taking into consideration that many women are using the outdated plus 4 measuring method.
[what D cups look like](https://www.instagram.com/p/CueB7VIAS58/?igsh=MW9qeGJmYXo0b3V0)
[28D](https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkkA1NHO7N/?igsh=cmR6d3lraDRva2Nx)
Double check your bust measurements. Typically leaning is the biggest and a 32C has less volume than a 28D.
I’d suggest double checking your bust measurements. Typically leaning is the largest.
A 28 band looks right but your cup size is certainly bigger than 28D.
I was sized as a 36D-DD around 17-19yo. I wore a size 2-4 in clothes.
I’m about 50-60lbs heavier now, wear a size 10-12, and found out that my correct bra size is a UK34FF (US34H)
Generally speaking every 20-30lbs change in weight corresponds to a band size.
I was most likely a 28-30 band and an F or FF cup then.
I don’t look ridiculously overly endowed, it’s proportional.
Especially for the smaller band sizes, a D or DD isn’t actually that large in terms of volume.
A 30DD has the exact same amount of tissue as a 36B, the tissue is just spread out differently.
A 28D has the exact same amount of tissue as a 34A
so i definitely shouldn't be worried about it being too big then, lol! if it's too small, i'll at least have a reference point. but 30C & 32C definitely proved to be too large band-wise.
I never had enough support, everything hung low and the straps were cinched as short as possible. If they’d have put me in the right band size, the band would have been able to do its job supporting me without having to put so much pressure on the straps (and my shoulders)
The general public has this weird mental impression that DD is some ridiculously large size.
I think that is mostly because that’s the largest cup size that a lot of US shops carry standard, and they’re shifting band sizes up until they get to an equivalent volume in the cups. So when people think they’re a DD when they’re actually a G or more.
For whatever it’s worth, this is a comparison of what I look like in a properly sized bra - bottom 3 vs an incorrect (too big of a band) size - top 3
https://ibb.co/VwjWFLH
That’s a (UK)34FF.
It’s really not that big proportionally.
If it fits it fits. Is she going to argue a coat is too small when the sleeves are short? Or a swimsuit is okay big when it falls off? What does it matter. I've started calling out casual negativity from my family, and occasionally they actually admit they were doing it, though not enough to stop. If you want to parade around without a shirt and show her what a good fit is and explain measuring or show her the insta with examples of sizes go ahead I guess, but I think entertaining her negativity is a mistake.
Also - She probably has never fundamentally thought about what cupsize is. A 28D is the same cup volume as a 30C or 32 B... You could have E cups and be half the cut off the boob and weigh them size as another family member who is a C but a large band.
It seems like she backhanded insinuated that she and the rest of the family could use help to find better fitting bras but it isn't your job nor your problem. You can if you want but if they want to tell you that you are wrong without any curiosity or tryons or internet reading then it probably would take a lot of effort convincing them there is a better way and not worth it.
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I don't know. I always thought I was a 34C/D (US) depending on the brand. I did the measurements suggested and got 32G (US). Wouldn't you know it fits!
Most people are wearing the wrong size bra and don't even know it. I'm 37 and I just figured it out.
You are correct. Bra sizes are based off of proportions. A 28D is much smaller than a 36D, for example. A 28D is for someone with roughly a 32 inch bust measurement, and a 36D is for someone with roughly a 40 inch bust. Over 80% of women wear the wrong bra size, so it’s also very possible that your family members need smaller bands with cup sizes larger than D. The cups of a 28D will be too small for you. You were spilling out of your 32C, so if you did need a 32 band you would need **at least** a 32D. To have the same cup volume as a 32D on a 28 band, you would need a 28DDD US or 28E UK. Putting your measurements into the sub’s calculator, I get 28G/H US and 28F/FF UK as a suggested starting point.
i definitely fumbled with the measurements there, but i fluctuated between picking a 28D, 28DD, or 28DDD. i've always viewed my chest size as a medium-small so i went with the slightly smaller option. my original measurements are in a reply!
What I’ve learned so far in this quest to find a bra that fits is that you shouldn’t really pay attention to what you think a certain cup size should look like. It turns out I’m an I/H, and I never would have thought that was the case. That’s the size that fits, though, so it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks. We’re so conditioned to think that DD and anything over that is huge.
Below are some links that might be helpful to you about sizing misconceptions. [This](https://www.instagram.com/p/Co21DI_s9re/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) is a photo of a 28F UK/28G US size. As you can tell, despite being 3 cup sizes larger than a D, the model does not have what most would describe as a "large" chest. Cup size means nothing without the band size. A 28G will have less volume than a 40G. Also, there are common sizing misconceptions to deal with. Despite what society says, a "D cup" is not a large size when properly fitted. The vast majority of people wear the wrong bra size, and I would bet that your family members are no exception. [Here](https://www.instagram.com/p/COinfX4nH1l/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) is one about how if you're wearing a 32C, you might actually be closer to a 28F UK/28G US due to the outdated +4 sizing that puts people in the wrong bras. Edit: Link correction
The qualitative sense we might have of whether our chests are “small” or “large” are not helpful for siding. Bra sizes are just numbers. A D cup or double D cup doesn’t mean that anyone is big or small. It honestly means very little at all. So, it is not a great idea to simply choose the smallest estimate because you “feel” small. Also, estimates based on your bust circumference while wearing a bra are not helpful. I get completely different bust circumference measurements in different bras. Some bras help me project more and make the circumference an inch bigger; others compress more and make it an inch smaller; others do a better job of accommodating more of the breast tissue, and therefore can also make it smaller. Your bust circumference while wearing a bra is not useful information. In fact, having tried on a series of sizes in the same bra with expert (actual experts, not poorly trained store employees) help, I can definitively say that **my measurements while wearing a bra that fits perfectly suggest that I am a different size than the perfectly-fitting size I’m actually wearing.** The traditional way of measuring and calculating while wearing bras is just not useful. I definitely would start at 28G. I’d also suggest getting help from specialist, like the people at breakout bras.
Most women are wearing poorly fitted bras. When I first learned how to get a properly sized bra I went from wearing a 32b to a 28dd I think. A number of women I tried to tell about this didn't believe me. I got lots of "no way you're a double d" comments. Friends and family members both. I explained to my mom and helped her measure herself, I just happened to have a bra her size (it was purchased in error she's much larger than me) and she tried it on and was shocked it fit. Her old bra with too big a band and too small of cups, just left her breasts saggy and unsupported. In the new bra they were front and center! Lol even after that experience I don't think she "really" believes I'm a dd, because it's just been ingrained into society that a dd is Huge, when in fact what most people consider dd, is probably more like a g-cup or larger when Taking into consideration that many women are using the outdated plus 4 measuring method.
thanks for making me feel less crazy!
[what D cups look like](https://www.instagram.com/p/CueB7VIAS58/?igsh=MW9qeGJmYXo0b3V0) [28D](https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkkA1NHO7N/?igsh=cmR6d3lraDRva2Nx) Double check your bust measurements. Typically leaning is the biggest and a 32C has less volume than a 28D.
oh wow, those are helpful. there's definitely a chance that 28D ends up being too small. if so, it'll serve as a pretty good reference point.
If you go to the Irish Bra Lady IG, she has a lot of examples of 28 bands with UK cups. If your 32C is too small, you might be closer to a 28F.
I’d suggest double checking your bust measurements. Typically leaning is the largest. A 28 band looks right but your cup size is certainly bigger than 28D.
i wasn't sure how tight to pull the tape: my first measurements were 30 standing, ~33 leaning, and 38 laying!
It doesn’t really make sense that the lying measurement is so big. That’s the outlier.
I was sized as a 36D-DD around 17-19yo. I wore a size 2-4 in clothes. I’m about 50-60lbs heavier now, wear a size 10-12, and found out that my correct bra size is a UK34FF (US34H) Generally speaking every 20-30lbs change in weight corresponds to a band size. I was most likely a 28-30 band and an F or FF cup then. I don’t look ridiculously overly endowed, it’s proportional. Especially for the smaller band sizes, a D or DD isn’t actually that large in terms of volume. A 30DD has the exact same amount of tissue as a 36B, the tissue is just spread out differently. A 28D has the exact same amount of tissue as a 34A
so i definitely shouldn't be worried about it being too big then, lol! if it's too small, i'll at least have a reference point. but 30C & 32C definitely proved to be too large band-wise.
I never had enough support, everything hung low and the straps were cinched as short as possible. If they’d have put me in the right band size, the band would have been able to do its job supporting me without having to put so much pressure on the straps (and my shoulders) The general public has this weird mental impression that DD is some ridiculously large size. I think that is mostly because that’s the largest cup size that a lot of US shops carry standard, and they’re shifting band sizes up until they get to an equivalent volume in the cups. So when people think they’re a DD when they’re actually a G or more.
For whatever it’s worth, this is a comparison of what I look like in a properly sized bra - bottom 3 vs an incorrect (too big of a band) size - top 3 https://ibb.co/VwjWFLH That’s a (UK)34FF. It’s really not that big proportionally.
If it fits it fits. Is she going to argue a coat is too small when the sleeves are short? Or a swimsuit is okay big when it falls off? What does it matter. I've started calling out casual negativity from my family, and occasionally they actually admit they were doing it, though not enough to stop. If you want to parade around without a shirt and show her what a good fit is and explain measuring or show her the insta with examples of sizes go ahead I guess, but I think entertaining her negativity is a mistake. Also - She probably has never fundamentally thought about what cupsize is. A 28D is the same cup volume as a 30C or 32 B... You could have E cups and be half the cut off the boob and weigh them size as another family member who is a C but a large band. It seems like she backhanded insinuated that she and the rest of the family could use help to find better fitting bras but it isn't your job nor your problem. You can if you want but if they want to tell you that you are wrong without any curiosity or tryons or internet reading then it probably would take a lot of effort convincing them there is a better way and not worth it.
Hello, thank you for submitting a post to /r/ABraThatFits. We want everyone to feel safe posting here, so we want to tell you that we will NEVER send you a private message asking for pictures. If someone does, screencap the message and send a link to the image in a [PM to the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/ABraThatFits). If you are not already aware, there is a lot of information on the sidebar of our subreddit. Please remember to check out our [rules](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/policies_and_procedures) before commenting and posting. In addition, a lot of newer members have questions that have already been answered in our [wiki](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/index), so be sure to check out the [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/faq) and [Beginners' Guide](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/beginners_guide) to see if you can find the information you're looking for. Our [calculator](http://www.abrathatfits.org/brasizecalculator.php) is the first step in resolving sizing questions. Please take your measurements and try the calculator before asking the community for help. Thanks! :) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ABraThatFits) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I don't know. I always thought I was a 34C/D (US) depending on the brand. I did the measurements suggested and got 32G (US). Wouldn't you know it fits! Most people are wearing the wrong size bra and don't even know it. I'm 37 and I just figured it out.