Fitting Guide

There are just two measurements you need to take to find your bra size, they are - BAND SIZE and CUP SIZE. To get the most accurate measurement ask someone (friend, partner, husband!) to measure you using a tape measure. This may sound strange but keep talking while you are being measured as most people automatically breathe in when they are being measured and this can greatly affect the accuracy of the measurement!!

Band Size : Place the tape measure just under your bust and run this around your body making sure it is straight and flat across your back. When you have pulled the tape measure comfortably tight take the measurement and enter the information below (your arms should be down by your sides when you are being measured).

Cup Size: Place the tape measure across the fullest part of your breasts at the front and then run this around your body. This time however do not pull the tape measure tight. Hold the tape measure loosely around your breasts and when it is loose enough that it starts to slip take the measurement.

Using the measurements you have just taken you can locate your size on the following table or you can use our handy calculator (please note that this method of measuring is not an exact science and bra sizes do differ depending on the manufacturer and style!). Please also note that both Anita and AnnaCecila are European makes and therefore go from a D cup to an E cup rather than DD.:

Fitting notes:

You have the right body band size if the bra fits snugly and comfortably around the ribcage, sitting straight around your body, so the bust is properly supported. Assuming that you are not wearing a sports style bra, at around 8 months pregnant you should be wearing your bra fastened on the first or second hook. More than 3 weeks postnatal you should be on the 2nd or 3rd hook.

The body band size is wrong if you find you are getting red marks across the shoulders or the bra tends to ride up at the back. If loosening the straps does not rectify this try dropping down a band size or opting for a larger cup size.

You have the right cup size when your breasts fit fully inside the cups of the bra. If the centre of your bra is raised away from your chest at the front between the cups, the cup size is too small. The bra should sit flat against the chest and the wires (should you opt for a wire) should lie flat against your body and fully enclose the breasts. The side seam should be behind the breast, under the arm.

The cup size is wrong if your bust is overflowing at the top or sides of the bra. If the cups wrinkle at the tip or dig in your bra is too small and you should try a larger cup size. If the cups are wrinkling all over your cup size is too big and you should try a smaller cup size. The breasts should be enclosed in the cups with a smooth silhouette.

Maternity Bras

You should consider changing into a more supportive bra by around the fourth month of pregnancy (if you haven't felt it necessary earlier) and this should be fitted to fasten at the tightest hook initially to allow you to loosen it as you grow. You can also buy back bra extenders to lengthen the time you can wear your bra assuming that your cup size remains the same.

A maternity bra should have comfortable wide straps and a high cotton content. It is generally recommended to avoid underwired bras unless they are specifically designed for maternity purposes. You will find Anita offers such a garment on this website.

Nursing Bras

You should purchase your nursing bras from around 36th week of pregnancy (32nd week if you are expecting twins (just in case!) and it should fit you on the loosest hook as your band size will obviously shrink with the birth of your baby. Many women find that they need to go down one band size but up one or two cup sizes to accomodate their body changes ie ribs move back down with the birth of the baby but the breasts increase in size with the milk.

Comparison of Sizes per Country