This one's for the people here with boobs: I came across this bra size calculator (http://www.brasizecalculator.tk/) a while back and I've found it to be really really useful for accurately calculating what bra size I am, which is good because I was buying ill-fitting bras which were obviously uncomfortable.
I was looking at the LH guides (which are excellent) and remembered how good this one was for me (and heaps on people on reddit by the looks of it), so I thought I'd share in case anyone here finds it helpful too :) It also explains quite well the nuances of bra sizing which was really educational for me.
Thanks for sharing. I'm going to try this later. I think the shape make a huge difference, because I'm often the same size as the lovehoney models, but the items usually look completely different on me.
Yeah I do think shape can make a difference, there are some that certainly don't do so well on me. But in my own personal experience sizing has been the big thing...I spent too long wearing bras that had too large a 'cup size' to accommodate my ribs. Got new bras in the new sizes and I felt I looked better!
Thank you sooo much. Can't wait to check this out. Seriously working bra size outs one of the mysteries in life as it never works. I'm feeling very optimistic about this calculator you've found hun 😃😙💗xx
Caliente, totally relate, finding lingere that accomadates thems very testing 💗xx
Whatever you do, don't follow the outdated +4 inches on the band sizing. The majority of women wear a too big band size and too small cup size. I used to work in lingerie and bras so I have quite a bit of knowledge in this area and this calculator looks spot on to me. 😊
Arrr, now it makes sense LRKB 👍 90% of the time that's exactly what happens, my moons are either crushed or they end up poping out all the time and it's sooo annoying.
You're the lass for lingere advice then hunni 😙💗xx
Ok, so I tried this measurement and it says I need a 30E. I usually wear a 32DD, which is a "sister size". I do already have one bra that's a 30E, but I tried a different brand last week in a 30E, and I couldn't get it around my ribs at all!! I'm not really sure what I should order from now on.
The measurement tells me I'm a 30B, but I can't get that around my ribs either, so 32A works better for me.
Does the 32DD fit? If the ribs are still too small or the cups are still too large, maybe 34D?
I've also noticed that some brands have really variable sizing, also different bra types have different "looks", such as a balcony bra vs a tshirt bra. I ordered a bunch of bras from John Lewis and M&S to try on the sister sizes, then returned the ones that didn't fit or were uncomfortable, which for me were all underwired bras and 30B sizes. The most comfortable bra I have in from Chantelle. FIgleaves is also excellent for trying on various styles and sizes, then returning/exchanging to find your best fit! :)
32DD usually fits ok. I think I was second guessing my size mainly because I look at the pictures of the flirty bra (http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=34602) and it says the model is a 32DD wearing a size S/M, whereas I've tried a M/L and found the back far too big, and the cups slightly too small. There's no way I would be able to fit into a S/M even though I'm the same bra size. Makes me think I'm not really a 32DD!
Haha you can come back sub! :P Sub is right! Not all manufacturers are the same, although generally are similar...
You're likely a 32DD then! The problem with bra sizes that do S/M and M/L type things (not even S, M, L), is that they are designed to fit a large range of bra sizes and shapes. They're not all gonna fit, and is the main reason I've not bought any bras from LH - I don't think my boobs will fill them up properly. Also well. It is a model in a photoshoot that will be touched up :/ Never use S M L sizes to determine your bra size.
I took a look at LH's bra guide (http://www.lovehoney.co.uk/sexy-lingerie/buyers-guide/how-to-choose-the-right-bra-size/), and that suggests that someone of a bra size 32DD would be a UK dress size 12, so presumably that's how they design their bras to fit - the assumption is if you have a D cup, you must be generally on the larger side as well, which we all know is not true or accurate. If you're not a size 12, then the S/M M/L is even less likely to look like the model?
Sum Sub - I would never shoot you down for talking about boobies. Your advice is what I usually do. Since I mostly shop online, I spend a lot of time sending things back.
captainmeow - According to the Lovehoney guide, I'm a 30E and a size 10/12. I think I'll stick to what I know and keep ordering 32DDs and send them back if they're not right.
Since 30E and 32DD are sister sizes, they will tend to suggest the 'middle' one - the other sister size being 28F. I reckon you're right for sticking to 32DD for your bras
Since 30E and 32DD are sister sizes, they will tend to suggest the 'middle' one - the other sister size being 28F. I reckon you're right for sticking to 32DD for your bras
I am uneducated with bra sizes (wish they taught this in school tbh as in my late twenties i still have no idea)
So if I am 38DD (as you are 32DD) is there a sister size for me too? so for you its 30E for me would it be 36E ?
sorry to hijack but there is no where else to post my Q... I have tried E size on in shops before and it fitted but i have a gazilion bras already so i didnt buy it...
pls help me out girls 
I know how you feel squirtypanda! I spent loads of time trawling the internet when I was trying to figure this out.
I think it'd be a 40D or a 36E, if I'm not mistaken :) Here's a link to sister bra sizes: http://www.brasize.com/bra-sister-size.html The ones in the same horizontal colour band are the sister sizes too.
So if you move down 1 rib size (e.g. from 38 to 36), you should move up one cup size (in this case DD to E), and vice versa.