Bra History and Bra Sizes

Browsing around in a department store trying to find a bra that fits well can be very frustrating because sizing can vary from one style to another. Well here's a little tip to help you get an approximate bra size.

To figure out your band size, with your bra on, place a measuring tape around your diaphram, under your bust. If the number is even add 5 inches, if it's odd add 6 inches. If the measurement is over 33 inches just add 3 inches.

Now we're only half done, let's figure out the cup size. Still wearing your bra, place the measuring tape around the fullest part of your breast to get your bust measurement. We need to subtract this bust measurement from the band measurement to get your cup size.
If the difference is:

• up to 0 inches, then the cup size is AA

• up to 1 inch, then the cup size is A

• up to 2 inches, then the cup size is B

• up to 3 inches, then the cup size is C

• up to 4 inches, then the cup size is D

• up to 5 inches, then the cup size is DD

• up to 6 inches, then the cup size is F

Fun Facts

The first bras can actually be dated back to the Cretan times, thousands of years ago.

Modern bra fashion began with the first bra to be patented in 1914 by Mary Phelps-Jacobs, an American. Because her sales were not up to par, she sold the rights to Warners for $1,500.00. Warners, then sold over 15 million dollars worth of bras during the next 30 years.

• In 1935, Warners introduced cup sizing A,B,C and D.

• In the 1940s, due to material shortages, bras were made from inexpensive fibers.

• In the 1950s, undergarments became more fashionable and developments in textiles completely revolutionized the industry.

• In the 1960's, emerged new high tech fibers such as lycra and rayon.

• In the late 1980's, Madonna ignited fashion trends by flaunting lingerie as part of her stage persona, which in turn, created a new lingerie-as-outerwear industry.

• In the 1980's and 1990's women became interested in breast augmentation.

Today, more brands, newer styles, and more natural and man-made fibers are introduced to the market place.

Bras are now more diversified than ever before with the introduction of other cup sizes like E,F,G,H, I and J.