Thread: bra size vs bellydance bra size?

Okay, I've seen people mention this a few times on the swap meet thread...the post will say that such and such is a 34C "bellydance size"...what does this mean? Is that smaller or larger than real life? And why aren't we using the same measurements we do for other bras? Help! I wonder how much I'm missing out on thinking things aren't my size
Nikki

Hi Nikki:

I'm not sure if the answer I will give you is addressing your question, but Egyptian sized bras go by numbers. For instance 1 through 20. A 34 C is somewhere in that range or in between that range and it's hard to get an exact measurement.

That's why when I inquire about a costume, I ask for INSIDE cup measurements top to bottom and side to side to know if the bra will fit me or not.

I hope I was able to help you and that I was on the same page with your question.

Azeeza

For lingerie bras, the number part of the size is not your actual underbust measurement. For example, I wear a 36D but my underbust is only 31".

For costume bras, the number given is often the length of the band, so it tells what the max underbust measurement can be.

I am a bit of a bra snob with my lingerie bras, since learning my correct size made such a huge difference in my personal comfort and appearance. Lingerie bra cup sizes are not standard between makers and they also are proportional to rib cage size. In my limited observation, the cup dimensions of a 40D sized bra are usually the same as either a 42C or a 34F. By this logic, if you used the cups of a 40d to create a costume bra, you could advertise that it might fit a c,d,dd,or f cup.

(Also see what was already said about Egyptian bra sizes for another good answer depending on the costume's origin). Because of this, I also ask for the measurements of a bra cup when looking online.

Bra size: 14DD. Belly dance bra size: I'm sorry, we don't go that big.

I've always been under the impression that a lot of folks smoke crack before listing a "bellydance bra" size.

i list the actual dimensions, the bra strap length and the actual cuppage in inches. This is how I evaluate how a bra will fit, does it have enough length in the bra strap and is there enough of a cup to cover and contain the girls.

B, C, D etc seem rather arbitrary, or more as if people assume it fits their normal bra size, so that's what the cup must me.

Hmmm, so it sounds as if there is no such thing as "bellydance bra" sizing. I was thinking it was sort of like sizing for ballet shoes, where you choose a size slightly smaller than your regular shoe size. Allrighty then, thanks!
Nikki

Originally Posted by samsied

Lingerie bra cup sizes are not standard between makers and they also are proportional to rib cage size. In my limited observation, the cup dimensions of a 40D sized bra are usually the same as either a 42C or a 34F.

exactly. in western bra sizing, a C wire on a 32 band bra is much smaller than a C wire on a 40 band. the wire for a 34C would be about the same size as a 32D, 30E, 36B or 38A. figure for every band size you go up or down the cup changes one size. more or less. :)

in egyptian bra sizing, a 2 is always a 2, no matter what size band it's on. and costume bras usually have a ton of play in the straps - you can overlap the straps and move the hooks to fit a pretty big range of rib cage measurements.

in my experience, egyptian sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 are pretty close to A, B, C, D, DD and E, on a 34 to 36 or 38 band size. so, a cup size 3 will fit you if you're a 34 or 36C, a 34 or 36B if you pad it, a 32D, a 34 or 36D if you don't mind cleavage, or a 38 B or C.

in my experience, a costume seller labeling a bra a C/D means you can assume that it will fit a 34 or 36 C or D. use your judgement and math skills ;) to decide if you can fit your 32DDs in it, or ask for the end-to-end underbust/rib measurement of the bra to see if it's long enough to go around to put your 40Bs in.

it seems that most people selling costumes, if they give a rib measurement, it's the actual end to end measurement of the costume - NOT a bra band size. so, a costume being sold as a 30" C cup does not mean a 30C.