Size Guide

Its very easy to say "I know what size bust I am" , so to avoid disappointment, please measure yourself properly before you order!

To determine your Curvy Collection size, measure yourself wearing the bra that you think is best suited to the garment you're wearing, remembering that minimisers and balconette bras for instance give the bust a different shape and therefore different bust point measurement.

The sizing for the Curvy Collection collection is based on the measurement of the bust point, which is the fullest part of the bust. This is not to be confused with your bra size (which is based on rib cage measurement and cup sizing) – see below.

How to measure yourself properly for a bra
Its best to get yourself professionally measured. Rigby & Peller stock a really good selection of well designed and really good quality bras (www.rigbyandpeller.com). They have been in business for years (they supply the Queen with her bras!).  They have stores just off Regent Street in London and at Bluewater, Kent.  Specialist lingerie shops are generally better at measuring than department stores. Remember, like clothes, the sizing of bras does differ, especially in the cup size, so don't be surprised if you are different cup sizes in different brands. 

If you do decide to do it at home (its best to get help from someone else as its hard to read the tape measure properly when its below the bust). This is the best way we have found to do it: put on your best fitting bra and measure around your rib cage (i.e where the back band of the bra will sit) hold the tape measure close to your body, not loosely.   Then measure at the fullest point of the bust. As an example, if the rib cage measurement is 38 inches and the bust measurement is 44, that means you are a 38F (44 minus 38 = 6 - see table below).

If your boobs are spilling over the cup of the bra (mainly at the front but check the sides as well) then the cup size too small. If you can fit your hand into the cup size easily, then the cup is too big. A good test for this is, if its a wired bra, the middle wires sit flat against your sternum. With an unwired bra, the breasts should still be completely separated by the cups.

If the bra feels comfy around the rib cage, that means you only need to increase/decrease the cup size but not the back band fit. Bra cups usually go in 1 inch increments. As with clothing, different lingerie brands do differ in sizing but this is a good rule of thumb. A good way to test if the back band is the correct fit is to stand in front of a mirror and raise your arms, if the bra doesn’t move, then it fits; if it raises when you raise your arms it is too loose; if you cannot comfortably run your finger underneath the band, then its too tight.

Get bras with wider straps, they are so much more comfortable, give better support and are kinder to your shoulders!

The recommended way of putting on a bra is to lean forward, lowering your boobs into the cups and then doing it up at the back, but its not an easy thing to do!   However you put your bra on, once its on, make sure you arrange your boobs by putting your hand inside your bra cup and gently move them towards your under arms. 

Its good to check the silhouette that a bra gives you by putting on a simple top or vest and see the shape that the bra creates.

Caring for bras
Try to wash your bras by hand using a mild detergent (such as Woolite). If you're too busy for handwashing, then put them inside a flanalette pillow case (or two thin ones) to protect the wires and hooks and eyes.  Also make sure that the bra is done up to prevent the hooks getting damaged.