Thread: Cup size for my British student living in the USA?

Hello all. My student troupe is graduating to bedlah! Yay! We're getting basic sets from Isis Exchange. We're concerned about cup sizes, especially for my English friend. In the UK she wears a 32 E/F. According to all the online calculators and conversion calculators, I keep on getting different results in US sizes that range from a 36A to a 36DD to a 38C. Huh? She has a rib cage size of 32 inches and a bust of 37 inches. What cup size would she wear in a bedlah? From looking at her I would say a B or C, but it is really hard to tell. Any thoughts on what cup size to order for her? I heard Isis Exchange cups run small.

I have a 31" ribcage and a 37" chest and I normally wear a 32F bra. So I would say that a B/C would be way too small for me. I'm usually a cup size 5 in Egyptian costumes.

Although to be perfectly sure, I would have to look at one of my Le Mystery bras, I believe that the conversion on bra sizes is straight across the board. So Jocelyn is correct, a 5 or DD (which is an E) would be correct.

{{{HUGS}}}

Yes, sounds like the problem is the calculators are trying to use the old method (predating use of elastic in bras) of adding 4 to 5 inches to the underbust measurement to reach the band size (so 32 underbust = 36 band, which is far too large). If you use a calculator based on the actual underbust measurement and the difference between over- and underbust measurements to get the cup, you should have more success?

I know Bravissimo has been getting a lot of attention lately for using this method. Bravissimo | Big Bras, Lingerie and Swimwear for D-KK cup women

Thanks. I'm still kind of floored by the number 5 cup thing. Are you sure? I am 40D US and I can wear a 5 (it's a little too cleavagey for me, but I have done it. I mostly wear a 6 or 7. I'll try emailing Isis Exchange.

I'm a UK size 34G and normally a DDD or bigger will fit me. B or C would be minuscule! I would say if she has that small a back that a generous DD would probably be OK.

Yup. I'm a 5 for sure. A B/C costume would look like I was wearing eyepatches. Besides, it's always easier to pad a little then to try and make the bra bigger.

ETA: I did used to wear a 4, and I could do it, but it was too much cleavage for my taste. If you know someone that has a size 5 bra, maybe she could try it on?

Again, I am with Jocelyn on this. I am a US 34 F and I wear either a 4 or 5 cup. As she has a smaller band size, she can probably go with the 4.

{{{HUGS}}}

OK, so I just read the cup sizing instructions on Isis Exchange and it makes no sense to me.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR CUP SIZE

1- BAND SIZE

Wear a non-padded bra and use a soft tape measure. Hold the tape measure around your back at band level. Then bring it to the front, just around your bust. The resulting number is your band size.

2- BUST MEASUREMENT

Measure completely around the fullest part of your bust (at nipple level). This is your bust measurement. If this measurement falls over the ½ inch, round up.

3- CUP SIZE

Subtract the band size (step1) from the measurement (step2). This number equates to the letter of your cup size.

BUST MEASUREMENT – BAND SIZE = CUP SIZE

Example: If your bust measurement is 36” and your band size is 34”, then you wear a B cup.

DIFFERENCE SIZE

0 to 1 inches A cup
2 inches B cup
3 inches C cup
4 inches D cup
5 inches DD cup
6 inches DDD cup

Please note anything over 6 inches can be made but please contact our support department for more details on how to place your order.

Making the calculations for both myself and my student, we apparently wear the same cup size, but that is not possible! Does Isis Exchange scale the cups to the band size like they do in the states? I sent them an e-mail for clarification, so we'll see.

You might want to buy a spare costume. (I don't know if you are buying all the same colour or not) and then you can always mix and match tops and bottoms if necessary. You can then sell the one which is left.

{{{HUGS}}}

What I think both of you should do is take a little trip to an upscale department store lingerie department and have on the fitting clerks fit both of you. Then try on some bras in the styles closet to the Isis Exchange bras. It might be the best way to get the most accurate idea of size.

Souzan

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

OK, so I just read the cup sizing instructions on Isis Exchange and it makes no sense to me.

Making the calculations for both myself and my student, we apparently wear the same cup size, but that is not possible! Does Isis Exchange scale the cups to the band size like they do in the states? I sent them an e-mail for clarification, so we'll see.

I wonder if the difference in US/UK measurements is creating a problem. If your student normally wears a UK 32E the band-to-cup difference is 6", if she wears a 32F, the difference is 7". In US sizes that translates to DDD/F and DDDD/G respectively, which appears to be the same system Isis Exchange uses for bra sizing.

You can view a conversion chart HERE.