Finding the Correct Bra Size

The following guidelines will help you to choose the proper bra size and style. If you still have questions please contact your local Authorized Sales Consultant or contact us at 1-877-218-0112. We will be happy to help you!

Click on the bra style you are interested in purchasing.

Bravado Original

Bravado Supreme

Lifestyle Microfibre Bra

How to Size Bravado Original

During pregnancy, most women will increase one full size or more in both the cup and the rib band (i.e. from a 36C - 38D).

Between 48 and 72 hours after birth, your breasts will increase at least one full cup size or more (i.e. from a D to a full DD or more), while your rib cage will gradually start shrinking back to your pre-pregnancy size (i.e. from a 38 to a 36).

Bravado Bras come in 4 rib band sizes and 3 cup styles, each with specific support features. Because your breasts will change size throughout your pregnancy, and even during the day when you are nursing, all of the sizes overlap.

CHOOSE YOUR RIB BAND SIZE FIRST.

Our 4 rib band sizes overlap. The following tips will guide you to the right size. If you are at the larger end of a band size, consider moving up for comfort.

If you are pregnant, ask yourself:

• What size rib band did I wear before I got pregnant? Did it fit well?
  
• How many months pregnant am I? If you are using the bra for pregnancy, your ribs will expand as the pregnancy progresses. For nursing, your ribs will likely quickly reduce in size after giving birth.
  
• How high am I carrying (i.e. Is the baby tucked right up under your ribs, expanding your rib cage)?
  
• How much weight has my body put on during pregnancy?
  
• Is my current bra on the tightest or loosest hook? You may need more room in the rib-band - your body may have "graduated" into the next band size.

If you are breastfeeding, ask yourself:

• Compared to the end of my pregnancy, has my rib cage reduced in size? You may need a tighter band.

SELECT YOUR CUP SIZE NEXT.

If pregnant, ask yourself:

• What size bra did I wear before I got pregnant? Did it fit well?
• Would that bra fit me now (in my pregnancy)?
• If not, do I need more room in the cup?

If breastfeeding, ask yourself:

• What size bra did I wear at the end of pregnancy? Did it fit well or was I making do?
  
• Would that bra fit me comfortably now, all day - and still leave room for a breast pad?
  
• Do I need more room in the cup?

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How to Size the Bravado Supreme Bra

Determining your size

Being fuller-breasted pre-pregnancy already required a lot of searching to find a bra that feels good and looks good. With the added fullness that lactation brings on, it’s a must to choose the right-fitting bra with superb support and comfort and that helps you breastfeed with confidence as well as maintaining good breast health.

During pregnancy, most women will increase one full size or more in both the cup and rib band (i.e. from 38D 40E (DD)). Between 48 and 72 hours after birth, your breasts will increase at least one full cup size or more (i.e. from an E to an F or more), while your rib cage will gradually start shrinking back to your pre-pregnancy size.

To help you find the proper size of The Supreme Nursing Bra, use our simple 2-step measurement guide.

Step 1: Find your band size. Measure your chest wearing your regular, unpadded bra. Place the measuring tape around your chest and under your arms. Hold the tape measure snugly, but not too tightly, and level to the floor. Stand up straight and breathe normally. This measurement is your band size. Since band sizes come only in even numbers, round up an odd measurement. For example, if the band measurement is 39 inches, then round up to 40 inches.

Step 2: Find your cup size. Still wearing your bra, bring the tape measure around the fullest part of your breasts, right over the nipples. Make sure the tape measure is level around your body and dont pull it too tight. Subtract this measurement from the band size number. The difference, in inches, between the band size number and the bust measurement will determine your cup size, as shown in our chart below. So if the band measurement is 40 and bust measurement is 45, the difference is 5 inches, which means your cup size is E and your bra size is 40E.

Supreme cup sizes
The difference in inches between your band size and your bust measurement will determine your cup size.

5 inches	E cup (DD)
6 inches	F cup
7 inches	G cup
8 inches	H cup

Available Sizes:

	34	36	38	40	42	44	46
E (DD)	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
F (DDD)	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
G	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
H	•	•	•	•	•	•	•

Tips for a great-fitting bra

• Position is everything. Be sure you have positioned the cups correctly to contain your breasts and that the band is level in the front and back before judging the fit of the bra. Also check the shoulder straps. The straps should have just enough tension to hold the bra on the shoulders; they should not be providing support. If there are any red marks on your shoulders, then your straps are too tight. Be sure not to tighten the shoulder straps to compensate for an incorrect band size or ill-fitting cups. For example, if you are wearing a 42E, try a 42F.
  
• Middle of the Row. The bra should fit comfortably when fastened on the middle row of hooks.
  
• Are your breasts bulging out? A well-fitted bra covers the entire breast. The cups should be deep enough to completely support the breast and breast pads, so that no breast tissue slips or bulges out. If your breast is bulging out, try a bigger cup size in the same band size. For example, if you’re wearing a 36F, try a 36G.
  
• Can you pinch out material from the cup? Then the cup size is too big. Go down one cup size. For example, if you are wearing a 40G, try a 40F. Some slight puckering along the seam is normal and upon wearing will ease out as the bra cups naturally shape themselves to your breasts.
  
• How is the bottom band? It should fit snugly while not putting any pressure on lower breast tissue. To test the band size, run your finger underneath the band. Your finger should glide smoothly. If you find that your finger moves too easily, try a smaller band size. For example, if you are wearing a 38G, try a 36G. If your finger is caught by the band, try a larger band size. For example, if you are wearing a 36E, try a 38E.

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How to Size The Lifestyle Microfiber Nursing Bra

1)  Take your third trimester measurement.
2)  Keep the same band size.
3)  Increase one cup size. 
4)  Keep in mind that the moulded cups have less stretch.

For example, if you're a 36C in your third trimester, when you're ready to nurse, your size will be 36D.

Determining your size in the Lifestyle Microfiber Nursing Bra 

There are a few ways you can determine the best size to buy in the Lifestyle Microfiber Nursing Bra. Use any of these methods, or a few in combination.

1) Start with your pre-pregnancy size

Every woman’s pregnancy and breastfeeding experience is unique, but the typical size changes a woman will experience from her pre-pregnancy size are: 

• During pregnancy: Plus 1 or 2 rib band sizes, plus 1 or 2 cup sizes from pre-pregnancy size
• A few days after birth (when your milk comes in): Plus 1 or 2 rib band sizes, plus 2 or 3 cup sizes from pre-pregnancy size. Or, from your third trimester size, keep that rib band size, and go up 1 or 2 more cup sizes.
• A few months after birth: Rib band size is back to pre-pregnancy size, cup size plus 1 from your pre-pregnancy size. This is likely the size you will stay until you finish nursing.

The chart below has some examples. Find your pre-pregnancy size, and go across to the stage you are buying this bra for to determine which size to order:

Table 1

So, if you were a 34B pre-pregnancy, and are buying this bra for nursing, you should order a 38 D or E(DD).

2) Measure yourself

If you’re unsure of your pre-pregnancy size, measuring yourself is the best place to start. Take 3 measurements to determine your current size, while you are wearing a bra that supports you well, and standing and breathing normally. Make sure the measuring tape is level in front and back. (This is very important! We suggest measuring yourself in a mirror to make sure, or if you can; have someone else measure you. )

The 3 measurements are:

1) Chest – Just under your arms, and above your breasts
2) Rib Cage – Below your breasts
3) Bust – Across the fullest part of your breasts (usually over your nipples)

Then:

a) Add 3 inches to your rib cage measurement.
b) Take the larger of your chest measurement and rib cage measurement plus 3. If you get an odd number, round up. This is your rib band size.
c) Subtract that rib band size from your bust measurement. Use this table to find that difference to determine your cup size:

Table 2

Now that you know your current size, if you are buying the Lifestyle Microfiber Nursing Bra, we recommend going up one additional band size – our customers tell us this bra fits slightly smaller in the band then they’re used to. So if you measured yourself to be a 36C, buy a 38C.

As well, if you’re currently pregnant and wanting this bra to nurse in, find the size you measured yourself to be in Table 1 above in the “during pregnancy” column, and go across to find the bra size you should buy for nursing in the “few days after birth” column. So, if you measured yourself to be a 38C and you’re late in your third trimester, you should buy a 38D or E(DD).

3) Consider your dress size

We’ve found that a good starting point to determine your rib band size (just to make sure your measuring is roughly correct), is to look at your pre-pregnancy dress size:


Lifestyle Microfibre Nursing Bra Available Sizes:

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