How do bra sizes work? I understand the ABCD etc bits, but what do the numbers mean?

Also, what's the deal with double cups? I.e. D and DD? And those number 36 DD, what does that mean?





Us blokes use and understand these sizes and this is what is regularly talked about down the pub, from smallest to largest:





2 peas on an ironing board


Less than a handfull


A handfull


Average but not enough for a *** ****


More than a handful with enough space to get your gob round


Big


Mahoosive


Wangers


As big as your headHow do bra sizes work? I understand the ABCD etc bits, but what do the numbers mean?
The number is your band size, this is the measurement around your back NOT including the actual breasts. Usually you measure underneath the breasts and either use this number or sometimes add up to 2-4 inches for added comfort. Adding any more than 4 inches to the underbust measurement almost certainly will result in a band that is too loose and unsupportive.





The letter or cup size relates to the actual breast volume. HOWEVER cup size is always proportionate to band size. This means if you have someone that is a 32D they will have a smaller ribcage AND smaller breasts than someone who is a 36D, yet both will have about the same ratio of breast volume in relation to their frame.





I hope this helped explain it a little, it's obviously pretty confusing!How do bra sizes work? I understand the ABCD etc bits, but what do the numbers mean?
The double letters are just a bigger size of a cup, except when it comes to AA (which is smaller than an A cup - or as you put it ';two peas on an ironing board). So a DD would be larger than a D, but not a full cup size bigger.





As for the numbers, it is the band size. It is the measurement just under the breasts in inches. Most women actually don't wear the right band size. They wear a smaller cup size and use a larger band size to adjust, so really most women are a larger cup size than they think they are.
ok the number is the measurment under the bust around the ribcage


the abcdefg thing is the cup size..so say 36(under bust measurement)


then you measure across the breast area..depending on the difffereence between the two measurements makes the cup size eg A 1 INCH DIFFFERENECE ETC ETC
34 is basically for a thin framed girl


36 is basically for a medium framed girl


38 is basically for a large framed girl


you can be a 34dd


you can be a 38a
(A} Almost Boobs...


{B} Barely there...


{C} Can't Complain!..


{D} Dang!...


{DD} Double dang!...


{E} Enormous!...


{F} Fake...%26lt; /SPAN%26gt;


{G} Get a Reduction...


{H} Help me, I've fallen


and I can't get up!...
Here's a really good and accurate description of finding bra size: http://style-ology.com/?p=232
the numbers are for the band sizze.
the numbers are the size around just under your bust.