The Right Fit

The following information should help you achieve the right fit.

Bra Measurements

Many people do not know how bras are measured so we thought it would be best to give you a little tutorial. For normal, every day, wearing them to work and buying them in the stores bras.

Measure your underbust/ribcage measurement. Add 3-inches*. This is your band size. If it is an odd number then go up or down to an even number depending on comfort level. Now measure your bust at the widest point. Make sure you stand up straight and don’t bend to see the number on the tape.  Either have someone else read it or mark it with your finger and read it once you are done with the tape around your body.  Also take a little, not full, inhale to make sure you have some breathing room.  Take this number and subtract your band size. 

If the difference is  1” – A Cup
                                       2” – B Cup
                                       3” – C Cup
                                       4” – D Cup
                                       5” – DD/E Cup
                                       6″ – F Cup
                                       7″ – G Cup
                                       8″ – H Cup – yes they really do go up that high

For example: 
Your underbust measurement is 33” and your bust measurement is 39”.33” + 3 = 36” Band Measurement
39”-36” = 3” C-Cup So you would wear a 36C. Please keep in mind that since this measurement is proportional, if you decide to go up or down a band size for comfort reasons your cup size would change.   So the same person who is wearing a 36C could choose a 34D or 38B for comfort reasons. Any of those 3 sizes have the same size cup.

*Note: Some bra measurement sites say to add 4 or 5 inches. I can only imagine that must be for VERY petite people because if I added 5-inches to my underbust measurement to get my band measurement the band would be too loose and the weight of my bust would have them hanging around my ankles.So are you confused yet? I know it is a lot of numbers and sometimes hard to understand if you are not a 3D thinker. If it is not making sense. Go to the store. Get one of those foam molded cup bras in your size. Now get one a band size smaller but a cup bigger and another that is a band size bigger and a cup smaller. Now just compare the cups. They are about the same size. If you try this and they aren’t, please let me know. I have never come across that and I want to know what brand it is. Each manufacturer of course is a little different. You might find a 36C in one brand fits best and a 38B in another brand.

How My Nearly New Costumes are Measured:

Bra Band – This is the length of the bra band from end to end. For example if it says Up to 38” then there would be little or no overlap for a hook on a person with an underbust measurement of 38”.

Bra Cup – Since bra cup size is proportional to band size the cup measurement listed is an estimate based on approximately a 36” band measurement. Plus sizes are estimated on a 38-40” band measurement. The padding already inside the bra, cup depth and side coverage are also incorporated into determining the cup size.  This really is only a guestimate

High Hip – Measured at the top of the skirt or belt when relaxed and at maximum stretch

Low Hip – Measured approximately 4” down from the top of the skirt or belt at the widest part of the hip when relaxed and at maximum stretch.  This is only measured if it is a contoured skirt.  If it is a circle skirt, panel skirt or straight skirt it wouldn’t really matter

Length – From top to the longest part of the skirt. Some skirts have varied hemlines
I cannot guess how everyone would like their costumes to fit.  So all I can do is give you the garment measurements, educate you on how to chose your size and hope that you make the right decision.  I know you have it in you!

Top –

When selecting the right size take into consideration your comfort level, how much coverage you like on the sides of the chest, how much cleavage you like to show, how much padding you are willing to add. Please remember the following:

That on a costume labeled “up to 39 A/B” that it will more than likely fit someone best if they are a 38A, 36B, 34C, or 32D   If you are busty or would like more coverage that you can always use the headband or an arm gauntlet to sew on and give you more coverage. 

Don’t forget that there has to be overlap on the straps so they can hook.

You can often shorten, cross or halter shoulder straps to give the cups a better fit. Bras are not an exact science and some size and shape  variations are normal.

Also keep in mind how far apart the cups are in relation to one another. The closer they are then the more likely it is to fit someone with a petite ribcage or give someone of average ribcage more cleavage. 

Often times plus size costumes are made with the same proportions but scaled up from the average costumes and this means the cups are too far apart for the size bust filling them.

Bottom –

When selecting the right size bottom I suggest you first measure your upper and lower hip. 

If a costume only has one hip measurement range listed then it is the high hip measurement. The more beading a costume has at the hips the less stretchy it will be. Costumes that have a large hip range are very stretchy. If the skirt has a lot of beading and is very heavy it will need to be tighter on you to keep the skirt from slipping down as you dance.  So if you have 34″ hips and the skirt goes from 32″-38″ and is heavy then it will likely fall to the floor as you shimmy.  Tighten it with elastic or select a skirt that your hip measurement is closer to the high end of the range.

When choosing the right size for you try to aim for somewhere in the middle to high end of the range.   If your measurements are at the top of the range or just outside the range it might fit just fine or be too tight for your level of comfort and could cause a little “muffin top”.  Some people like that and other people just don’t care as long as the skirt stays put with no alterations. 

The more you stretch the skirt horizontally the shorter it will get vertically depending on the fabric. So if you are getting a skirt and fit into it at the top end of the range it may be a little shorter on you. This is usually only an issue for really tall ladies with nice round hip measurements.

If you feel a slit is a little too high and revealing for your level of comfort then you can always sew the slit together at the top or you can add in a matching piece of sheer fabric. 

 

For more fitting and alteration ideas please see the alterations ideas page (coming soon).