We all know someone who is absolutely determined not to buy the next size up. For instance, they’re convinced they’re a size 12 so they “ruddy well won’t buy a 14, even if the gates of hell were to freeze over!” This isn’t you, of course, but if this is you, tell me… How exactly did you arrive at this momentous conclusion about what size you are? When did you last measure yourself properly, and whose guidelines did you use? You’re totally convinced that you’re absolutely this exact same size in every single shop in the universe? There’s a term for this particular form of mental instability. It’s called vanity sizing.

Wearing a great fitting bra will help your clothes look and feel great. Unfortunately, more than 70% of women are wearing the wrong size and style of bra. Use this easy bra measuring guide to discover the correct bra and cup size for you.

Bra size (band measurement) – Without any clothes on your top half, including a bra, measure yourself in inches around the ribcage below your bust, making sure the tape measure is tight and doesn’t slide down at the back. This gives you your band measurement.

The general rule of thumb for all measuring is: less than half an inch, round DOWN, more than half an inch, round UP. So if your initial measurement is 32.25 inches, call it 32. Now calculate your bra size. If the band measurement is 33 or less, add 5 to that number. Over 33 inches add 3. Round odd numbers up to even.