Intimate Garment Resources & Tools

We’ve built this toolkit to help you make smarter intimate garment choices. From sizing guides to fabric comparisons, download free resources or use our interactive tools. Everything here is designed to support the guides you’ll read on Nightie Wear.

(THIS PAGE IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT)

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THE COMPLETE BRA SIZING & FIT GUIDE

Nightie Wear | nightiewear.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Why Getting Sized Matters
2. How to Measure Yourself
3. Understanding Band Size
4. Understanding Cup Size
5. International Size Conversions
6. Common Sizing Issues & Fixes
7. Printable Measurement Chart
8. Quick Reference Charts

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1. WHY GETTING SIZED MATTERS

Most women wear the wrong bra size. Studies suggest up to 80% of women are
in incorrect sizing. An ill-fitting bra causes:

• Back pain from band stress
• Shoulder strain from unsupported straps
• Discomfort from spillage or gapping
• Reduced support and confidence
• Shortened garment lifespan

Getting sized correctly improves comfort, appearance, and longevity of your
bras. Your size also changes over time—measure every 6–12 months or after
significant life events (pregnancy, weight change, hormonal shifts).

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2. HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF (STEP-BY-STEP)
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STEP 1: WEAR NO BRA (OR A NON-PADDED BRA)
Padding adds bulk that distorts measurements. Remove your bra or wear a
non-padded style. Wear a thin shirt for reference.

STEP 2: STAND STRAIGHT & RELAX
Stand naturally with shoulders relaxed. Don’t hunch or arch backward.
Take the measurement at normal, comfortable posture—this is how your bra
will sit.

STEP 3: MEASURE YOUR UNDERBUST
Using a soft measuring tape (not a ruler), measure directly under your bust,
parallel to the ground. The tape should:

• Sit snugly around your ribcage
• NOT be pulled tight (you should fit one finger under it comfortably)
• Run parallel to the ground (not slanted up or down)

Write down this number. This is your band measurement.

STEP 4: ROUND TO NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER
Bra sizes only come in whole numbers (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, etc.). If your
measurement is:

• 33″ → round DOWN to 32″
• 33.5″ → round DOWN to 33″
• 34″ → stay at 34″
• 34.5″ → round UP to 35″

This rounded number is your band size.

STEP 5: MEASURE YOUR FULL BUST
Measure around the fullest part of your bust (typically at nipple level).
The tape should:

• Sit snugly but not tight
• Run parallel to the ground
• Go around the back at the same level as the front

Write down this number.

STEP 6: CALCULATE YOUR CUP SIZE
Subtract your band size from your bust measurement:

Bust measurement – Band size = Cup size difference

Cup size difference translates to:

• 1″ = AA cup
• 1.25″ = A cup
• 2″ = B cup
• 2.25″ = C cup
• 3″ = D cup
• 3.25″ = DD cup
• 4″ = E or DDD cup
• 4.25″ = F cup
• 5″ = G cup

EXAMPLE:
Your underbust = 33.5″ → rounds to 34″
Your full bust = 36″
36″ – 34″ = 2″ difference = B cup
YOUR SIZE = 34B

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3. UNDERSTANDING BAND SIZE
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The band size is the circumference of your ribcage. Band sizes start at 28″
and go up to 50+ in extended sizing. Standard progression:

28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50

THE BAND SHOULD:
✓ Sit level around your ribcage (parallel to ground)
✓ Stay in place without riding up in the back
✓ Feel snug but not suffocating (you should fit one finger under it)
✓ Support your breast tissue from underneath
✓ Not show through clothing as bulges or red marks

BAND TOO LOOSE (rides up in back):
→ Go down a band size (34 to 32)
→ Moving down a band size = cup goes up one size (34B becomes 32C)

BAND TOO TIGHT (leaving red marks, hard to breathe):
→ Go up a band size (34 to 36)
→ Moving up a band size = cup goes down one size (34B becomes 36A)

SISTER SIZING:
When you go up or down a band size, the cup size changes to maintain the same
volume. This is called “sister sizing.”

Example sister sizes for 34C:

• 32D (one band up, one cup up)
• 36B (one band down, one cup down)
• 30DD (two bands up, two cups up)

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4. UNDERSTANDING CUP SIZE
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Cup size measures breast volume relative to band size. It’s not an absolute
measurement—a 32C and a 38C are very different volumes because the band is
different.

CUP SIZE DOES NOT EQUAL BREAST SIZE.
A woman in a 34B and a woman in a 32D have similar breast volume but
different band sizes.

THE CUPS SHOULD:
✓ Fully contain your breast tissue
✓ Have zero spillage over the top (no “quad boob”)
✓ Have zero gapping at the cup edges
✓ Have zero spillage under the armpit
✓ Provide comfortable compression without flattening

CUPS TOO SMALL (spillage, spillage, spillage):
→ Go up one cup size
→ Signs: Breast tissue spilling over top of cup, under arms, or sides
→ Discomfort, incorrect shape

CUPS TOO LARGE (gap at top, cup collapses):
→ Go down one cup size OR down a band size with cup up (sister size)
→ Signs: Fabric not filled, gap at top when leaning forward, cups collapsing

CUP SIZE PROGRESSION (per band size):
AA, A, B, C, D, DD (or E), DDD (or F), G, H, I, J, K, L, M

Some brands use D/DD interchangeably and E/DDD/F interchangeably. Check
your brand.

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5. INTERNATIONAL SIZE CONVERSIONS
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US bra sizes don’t match international sizes. Use this chart:

US | UK | EU | France | Italy | Japan | China
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
32AA | 32AA | 65AA | 80A | 1A | 60AA | XS
32A | 32A | 65A | 80B | 1B | 65A | XS
32B | 32B | 65B | 80C | 1C | 65B | S
32C | 32C | 65C | 80D | 1D | 65C | S
32D | 32D | 65D | 80E | 1E | 65D | S
32DD | 32DD | 65DD | 80F | 1F | 65DD | M
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
34AA | 34AA | 70AA | 85A | 2A | 70AA | XS
34A | 34A | 70A | 85B | 2B | 70A | S
34B | 34B | 70B | 85C | 2C | 70B | S
34C | 34C | 70C | 85D | 2D | 70C | M
34D | 34D | 70D | 85E | 2E | 70D | M
34DD | 34DD | 70DD | 85F | 2F | 70DD | L
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
36AA | 36AA | 75AA | 90A | 3A | 75AA | S
36A | 36A | 75A | 90B | 3B | 75A | S
36B | 36B | 75B | 90C | 3C | 75B | M
36C | 36C | 75C | 90D | 3D | 75C | M
36D | 36D | 75D | 90E | 3E | 75D | L
36DD | 36DD | 75DD | 90F | 3F | 75DD | L

[Continue pattern through 50+ sizes]

Note: Not all sizes are available in all regions. Extended sizing (sizes
28–50 and beyond) may only be available in US/UK markets.

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6. COMMON SIZING ISSUES & FIXES
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ISSUE: Band rides up in the back
LIKELY CAUSE: Band too loose
SOLUTIONS:

1. Go down one band size (34 → 32)
2. Try a brand known for tighter bands
3. Check if you’re wearing the band at your natural waist (not sitting
   on your hip bones)

ISSUE: Quad boob (breast spillage over top of cup)
LIKELY CAUSE: Cup too small
SOLUTIONS:

1. Go up one cup size (34B → 34C)
2. Try a full-cup style instead of half-cup or balconette
3. Check if the cup is too shallow (try a different brand’s cut)

ISSUE: Straps slip off shoulders
LIKELY CAUSE: Band too loose OR shoulders are narrow
SOLUTIONS:

1. Try a size down in band (this tightens the whole bra)
2. Look for brands with narrower strap placement
3. Use a strap converter (clips the straps closer together in back)

ISSUE: Red marks, pain, can’t breathe
LIKELY CAUSE: Band too tight
SOLUTIONS:

1. Go up one band size (34 → 36)
2. Sister size up: (34B → 36A) if you also want the same volume
3. Try a brand known for looser bands

ISSUE: Gapping at top of cups
LIKELY CAUSE: Cups too large
SOLUTIONS:

1. Go down one cup size (34C → 34B)
2. Try a balconette or half-cup (these sit higher and feel snugger)
3. Try sister sizing down: (34C → 36B) for a smaller cup

ISSUE: Wire pokes or pinches
LIKELY CAUSE: Wire placement doesn’t match your anatomy
SOLUTIONS:

1. Try a different brand (wires vary greatly)
2. Try a wireless or minimizer bra
3. Make sure band size is correct (wrong band = wrong wire position)

ISSUE: Bra doesn’t fit multiple sizes you’ve measured
LIKELY CAUSE: Your size genuinely changed
SOLUTIONS:

1. Recheck measurements
2. Measure 2–3 times (get average)
3. Note changes: recent weight change? Hormonal? Medication?
4. Your size may be between two sizes—try both

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7. PRINTABLE MEASUREMENT CHART
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[Measurement chart template ready to print]

DATE: _____________

UNDERBUST (band): _____________ inches
FULL BUST: _____________ inches

CUP SIZE CALCULATION:
Full bust – Underbust = _____________ inches difference

YOUR SIZE: _____ _____ (band) (cup)

VERIFY:
☐ Band sits level in back
☐ Cups fully contain tissue
☐ No spillage anywhere
☐ Comfortable to wear 8+ hours
☐ Straps don’t slip

SISTER SIZES TO TRY IF THIS DOESN’T FIT:
_____ _____ (one band/cup up)
_____ _____ (one band/cup down)