When you do online shopping or want to order a unique dress at a tailor shop, you will inevitably need to take your body measurements. If you think you know your size from the measurements you took last month, do not proceed with an order. As our body changes over time, its size can change as well. So to avoid any trouble, read the following information that will tell you how to measure bust (for bra size), waist, and hips for a perfect dress fit.
Summary
To measure the bust and find the right bra size, waist, and hips for the perfectly fitting dress, you’ll need a measuring tape. To find out the bra size, you’ll need to measure both your under-breast area width and around the breast. To measure the waist, you’ll want the tape measure against the bare skin.
In this article, we’ll also cover the following:
- A bra size chart
- Different products to consider
How to measure bust, waist, & hips
When figuring out what size you need, the only thing you should have is a measuring tape. A little help from a friend will also make this task easier. If you don’t have one available, you can do everything on your own.
The other important thing is to wear only your undergarments or close-fitting clothes while doing measurements. Jeans or sweaters are not proper clothes. They will only provide an incorrect image of your shape, and you will order a misfit at the end.
Also, ensure that a measuring tape is close to your body but not too tight. You should not keep it too loose as well. The best way to determine if the tape is placed correctly is by putting one finger between your skin and the tape. If it fits, then everything is done as it should. Here’s how to measure the bust for the bra size, waist, and hips.
What should you measure?
Before proceeding with the task, you should know what to measure and how. If you want to order a dress, the basic information you need is the size of your bust, waist, and hips. Moreover, you should also know the length of your legs and arms. If you performed everything correctly, there would be no trouble finding the perfect dress, and no returns would be needed.
In some cases, your body measurements can be unique and not fit into the size categories on the clothes store site. Due to this, you should prioritize one part and get the other part corrected by the tailor later. For example, the waist can be medium, and the bust can be small. When it happens, choose the dress with a medium-size waist. The bust can be fitted later.
What does bust mean in clothing?
The word “bust” is mostly used in the fashion industry. It describes the upper part of a woman’s clothes where the breasts are situated. It is one of the crucial measurements you should take for the dress or any other clothes to fit correctly. If they are inaccurate, the dress in that area can be too loose or tight. Each of these scenarios is unfortunate.
When it comes to a wrongly sized dress in the bust area, the least you can expect is to look inelegant in it. If you choose a poorly fitted bra, you can expect discomfort and a damaging impact on the overall health of your breasts. However, online orders are much more difficult to make than going to the store, where you have the option to try the bra on before buying.
Markings and labels on lingerie are also something that can cause you a headache. But nothing is difficult when you have an easy and understandable explanation. The same is true with bra sizes. As soon as you figure out the easiest way, your life will become easier.
How do bra sizes work?
The most common markings manufacturers use for different bra sizes are letters like A, B, C, and D. Those letters typically point out the size of a bra cup. To find out which one you need, you should make two types of measurements. The first one is the circumference of your breasts which means their widest part. The other one is the width of the under breast area where are situated the bra band. To find out which letter you need, follow the next steps.
how to measure the bust
First, you will need to determine the under-breast area’s width. After doing that, you can proceed with measuring the breast circumference. This step is more complicated than the first one. If you feel comfortable asking for help, you should do that to avoid getting inaccurate numbers.
A little help from your friend will let your arms loose during the process, which is quite helpful. If getting help is not an option, you can try to keep your elbows close to your body while still holding the tape. It is the best way to get precise numbers.
Make sure not to hold your breath while doing the measurements. Put the tape around your back so that it also touches your nipples. Avoid holding the tape too tight to your body. Check as well if it is not twisted at the back. That also can distort the accuracy.
When you are done with those two measurements, you can easily do the counting and find out what letter of bra cup you need. You should subtract the number that signifies the measurements from the under-breast area from those of the bust circumference. The amount you will receive points out the sequence number of a cup letter.
For example, 37 inches of underbust area minus 34 inches of bust circumference gives the number 3. In the row of letters from A to DD, number 3 is the third letter, C. As a result, when the total number of a bra is 37C, the number 37 is the width of a band. The letter C is the cup size.
bra size chart for the perfect cup
This chart will help you find a bra that will fit you nicely. Note that some labels have their own charts for their products, which can differ from this. When buying a bra, you should always double-check the sizes so there will be no surprises on your way.
| Cup size | AA | A | B | C | D | DD, E | DDD, F | G | H | I | J |
| The difference number | 1/2” | 1” | 2” | 3” | 4” | 5” | 6” | 7” | 8” | 9” | 10” |
How to measure your waist
Waist measurements are also important in finding the right dress. You should put a tape measure against your bare skin to get the correct ones. If you have a shirt on, pull it up so that your stomach will be without any clothes. Do the same if the high-waist jeans are blocking the way.
The next step is to find where exactly the waist is. It is the narrowest area of your torso, situated above the belly button. You can bend down to the side and see where the crease is. This crease will point out where the waist is.
Then you should put the measuring tape around your back and make ends meet in the front. You should not hold your breath but breathe as usual. Look at the numbers when you exhale. Check to see if the tape does not tighten the body or is not twisted in any part. To ensure everything has been done correctly, do those measurements two times.
how to measure the hips
If you are looking for a nicely fitted dress, you should also find out the size of your hips. For this one, you should have only your underwear on. Preferably stand in front of a mirror because it will help you detect the exact part that should be measured.
Stand with your legs together and your toes pointing in front of you. Look at your lower part of the body and locate the widest area. Those are hips. Put the measuring tape around them and read it. Make sure that there is no chance for you to fit more than one finger in between the tape and your skin. If everything is performed correctly, you will get the correct measurements in the end.
