Every woman’s body is different, which means that every woman’s breasts are different. No two pairs of breasts are alike. Breasts come in a vast range of shapes and sizes. In fact, one pair of breasts can be classified as one of many different general shapes that include round, sagging, asymmetric, and more. Beyond size and shape, breasts also vary in density that affects how much they weigh regardless of how big they are. Nipple size, shape, and placement are variables that make up separate topics in and of themselves. Breasts are incredibly complex, unpredictable, and varying body part, it's no wonder they draw much attention from men and women alike.
Even one woman’s breast sizes don’t stay the same forever. In fact, every woman’s breasts change significantly throughout her life. Naturally, breasts undergo the most dramatic changes during puberty when they grow and develop into mature adult breasts. Throughout your adult years, however, your breasts continue to fluctuate in size as a result of many different factors. Variables that have the power to change the size of your breasts include pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain, weight loss, shifts in hormone levels, high amounts of exercise, birth control, smoking, and menopause. From the time your breasts stop developing at the end of puberty to the time you finish going through menopause, it is not at all abnormal for your breasts to have shifted dramatically in size, shape, and density throughout that time.
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Of all the factors that determine what a single pair of breasts look like, breast size is the variable that is talked about and cared about the most. For many women, their breast size is an integral part of their confidence and how attractive they feel. Beyond sex appeal, breast size is important because it dictates what bra size a woman wears. Wearing the correct bra size for your breast size helps your bust look better in tops, prevents serious back pain in women with larger breasts, and offers the support you need to avoid discomfort and sagging. With those benefits in mind, it’s clear to see how crucial it is to wear the correct bra size. That’s why it is concerning and alarming that an estimated eighty percent of modern women wear the wrong bra size, with seventy percent wearing a size that’s too small for their bust and ten percent wearing one that’s too big.
Although, not all of these sizes are sold in standard stores.Commercial bra cup sizes technically range from AA to M. Considering how many bra cup sizes there are; it makes sense that so many women end up wearing a bra in a cup size that’s a letter or two off from the ideal size for their breasts. However, just because it makes sense doesn’t mean that wearing the wrong bra cup size is any less harmful to your daily comfort, appearance, and even long-term health. Even though there are breasts out there that warrant the continued sales of all bra sizes, there are some bra sizes that are more common than others. In America, the current average bra cup size among all women in the nation is DD. Most major bra retailers sell bra cup sizes starting at AA or A up to DD or DDD. While this range of sizes does represent the most common bra cup sizes that
are more readily available because there is a higher demand for them, there are many women who don’t fit into these sizes. Specialty bra retailers fulfill the bra needs of most of these women with more expansive size ranges that include cup sizes from E to HH. Many women don’t even know these larger sizes are available to them because mainstream retailers don't commonly sell them. Ignorance and misinformation are two significant reasons why so many women still wear the wrong bra size. Knowing more about the most common bra cup sizes—AA to HH—can help you determine which one is indeed the right size for you.
How To Measure Bra Sizes
Use our bra size calculator to find your bra size
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A U.S. bra size is made up of two measurements: band and cup. U.S. bra sizes are measured in inches. Determine your band size by measuring around your ribcage, where the band of your bra should rest. Round this measurement up to the nearest even number—29 to 30, 31 to 32, and so on—to get your band size. Then measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. The difference between your band measurement and bust measurement dictates the letter of your bra cup size.
Determining your bra cup size based on manipulating the necessary numerical measurements as explained above is the right place to start the search for your perfect bra size. However, you can’t rely entirely on numbers. Breasts are complex, and many different factors affect your bra size, including the shape and density of your breasts as well as your body type, shape, and size. Use your measurements as a place to start your search, but be open to wearing other sizes if they provide a more accurate fit for your breasts regardless of whether they match up with your measurements. You should also keep sister sizes in mind if you are having trouble finding the right bra size. Sister bra sizes are sizes within one cup size and one band size of each other in either direction. For example, 36A, 34B, and 32C are sister sizes. Identifying sister sizes can be helpful if you feel like your breasts are in between sizes or outside the range of standard sizes available.
List of Bra Sizes
A cup Bra Size, AA Cup, and AAA Bra Cup Bras
While many people think that AA is the smallest bra size, AAA is the most modest cup size. AAA cup sizes are very uncommon, so it can be challenging to find bras that come in size AAA. However, the same specialty bra retailers that sell unusual larger sizes like E, F, G, and H are also apt to offer bras with AAA cups as well. If you currently wear an AA cup and feel like you might fit better into an AAA bra, it’s worth the search to find the obscure size.
The numerical difference between single, double, and triple-A cup sizes is very slight. An A cup bra is designed to fit women with one inch between their band measurement and bust measurement. If the difference between your band measurement and your bust measurement is between one-half and one inch, you should be wearing an AA cup. If the difference is less than a one-half inch or negligible, an AAA cup will likely provide you with the best fit. However, wearing an AAA or an AA instead of an A cup or vice versa can still make a big difference in how your bust looks. To provide you with a frame of reference for what A cups look like on other women, actress Zendaya reportedly wears an AA cup bra, and Taylor Swift fits into a standard A cup
It is essential for women with an A cup size to measure their bust carefully before choosing a bra. Because most women with petite breasts don’t require much support to feel comfortable in a bra, they are less likely than women with fuller busts to notice whether they’re wearing a bra size that’s slightly off. The lack of support that women with single, double, or triple-A cups require does give them a significant amount of freedom when choosing bra styles. They can safely and comfortably wear bralettes, unlined bras, and bras without underwire.
B Cup, & B Sports Bra Size
If the measurement of your bust is two inches higher than your rib band measurement, chances are you should be wearing a B cup bra. Popular R&B and pop singer Rihanna is reported to wear a B cup. There is no double or triple B cup; if the difference between your band and bust measurement is more than a one-half inch smaller or larger than two inches, try an A or C cup to determine which size fits you best.
Women with B cup breasts don’t struggle much when trying to find a quality sports bra. If you wear a B cup, your breasts likely don’t require much support to stay in place during a vigorous activity like running or jumping. There is no need for your sports bras to include extra support features like underwire or molded cups. Any sports bra that features a full elastic band and fits tightly enough around your breasts to hold them in place against your chest. You still need to be careful when choosing a sports bra. Even though you might not feel significant pain or discomfort with very little to no support, wearing a snug sports bra that keeps your breasts still while you workout is vital for the long-term health and appearance of your breasts.
Dominique Seamless Push-up Bra A-D CUP Bra
C Cup Bra & Sports Bra
Women with C cup breasts should have a band measurement that is three inches less than their bust measurements. Actress Jennifer Lawrence is thought to have C cup breasts. Like B cups, C cups do not have double or triple letter sizes. If your measurement difference is somewhere between two and three inches or three and four inches, consider exploring bigger and smaller cup sizes to find your perfect fit.
C cups are a transitional size when it comes to a bra and sports bra styles. If you wear a C cup, the amount of support you need in everyday bras and sports bras can vary widely. Some women with C cups experience extreme discomfort if they don’t wear very supportive bras, while other women with the same cup size are comfortable with little to no support.
D Cup, DD Cup Bra, breast and Sports Bra
Measuring a difference of four inches between your band and bust size places you in the range of a D cup size. D cups also come in double and triple sizes, which is lucky since a DD cup is the average bra size among women in the U.S. Model and actress Kate Upton reportedly wears a D or DD cup size.
If you are a D, DD, or DDD cup size, it is imperative for you to prioritize support when buying bras orsports bras. Try to find everyday bras with added support features like wide, padded straps and sectioned cups with panels. The sports bras you buy should include underwire, lining, and shaped cups to keep your breasts secure while you workout.
E Cup Bra, breast & Sports Bra size
E is the first cup size outside of the standard A to DD range of sizes that most bra retailers carry. However, this size An E cup is defined by a difference of five inches between your band measurement and your bust measurement. If you wear an E cup, you are likely in the company of socialite and television personality Kim Kardashian.
E cup bras usually do not come in double letter sizes, but the E cup size can be very confusing. Some bra retailers equate DD and E cup sizes, while others differentiate between the two. When shopping for bras, automatically try on both DD and E sizes to determine which size fits you best. If you’re buying online, consult the online retailer’s sizing chart to check how they define DD and E cup sizes. When shopping for E cup bras and sports bras, support is critical to avoid significant discomfort during wear.
F Cup, FF Cup Bra & Sports Bra
The F cup size is another size that is out of the standard range of bra sizes but is still readily accessible from specialty retailers. The F cup size is usually defined by a bust and band measurement difference of six inches. F cups do have a double letter size. FF cups are between F and G cups in size, so you should explore this transitional size if the difference between your band and bust measurements falls somewhere between six and seven inches. Actress Sofia Vergara is thought to wear an F cup size.
Shopping for F cup bras can be complicated because some bra retailers do not differentiate between DDD and F cup sizes. If you’re buying a bra from an unfamiliar brand, be sure to check their sizing charts before buying so you don’t end up with a bra in a skewed size. Be sure to put support first when purchasing an F or FF bra or sports bra. There are plenty of sexy bra options in these sizes that also offer enough comfort and security to keep you comfortable all day long.
G Cup Bra & Sports Bra
A difference of seven inches between your bust and band measurement defines a G cup size. If you wear a G cup size, you will almost certainly need to buy your bras from a specialty bra retailer. While this can take some extra effort, it is more than worth it if it helps you find bras that fit you. Double letter GG cup size also exists to fit women whose bust measures between seven and eight inches more than their. Dutch model Lara Stone’s cup size is estimated to fall within this transitional range that defines a GG cup.
The importance of support in bras and sports bras cannot be emphasized enough for women who wear a G cup size or higher. In addition to making you constantly feel uncomfortable and weighed down, wearing a G cup bra that does not provide enough support can cause significant sagging as well as dangerous and debilitating chronic back pain. Fortunately, you will be hard-pressed to find an unsupportive G cup bra. Most quality brands who sell bras in this size automatically build maximum support into the bras to fulfill the needs of their full-busted customers.
H Cup, HH Cup Bra Size & Sports Bra
H and HH cup sizes are the largest common bra sizes, but many women fit best into larger sizes. These largerbra cup sizes do exist and are just slightly more difficult to find than more common smaller cup sizes. The H cup size is defined by a difference of eight inches between your rib band measurement and your measurement of your bust. An HH cup size means a difference that falls slightly higher than eight inches but below nine inches.Mad Menactress Christina Hendricks reportedly wears an HH cup size.
When shopping for bra sizes as large as HH, don’t get discouraged. Keep exploring different brands and styles until you find a well-fitting bra that is sexy and provides you with all the support you need to eliminate the dangers of chronic pain and other discomforts.
