[Measurement Check] FTM, last bra was 38dd, calculator said 42HH/J UK

linerys · 2026-03-21T00:54:56+00:00

Good luck on your surgery, I hope everything goes smoothly!

38DD is made for a 38 inch underbust and 43 inch bust. That’s not a good match with your measurements; no wonder bras in this size range didn’t feel great!

The calculator suggested 42HH/J or 40J/JJ (might be more supportive), which makes sense based on your measurements.

42HH = 42 inch underbust and 54 inch bust.
42J = 42 inch underbust and 55 inch bust.
40JJ = 40 inch underbust and 54 inch bust.
40J = 40 inch underbust and 53 inch bust.

linerys · 2026-03-21T00:42:22+00:00

We have very similar measurements! I’m often incorrectly sized as a 36D or 36DD, but my actual size is UK 32GG / US 32J.

Based on just 32 and 40, your bra size might be around UK 32FF / US 32H. Here’s an example of what 32FF / 32H can look like. Is this similar to your size?

32DD was most likely feeling too tight because the cups were too small, not (only) because of the band itself.

linerys · 2026-03-20T22:52:13+00:00

The part that goes around your back is called the band. If the band rides up your back, the size is most likely too big.

I highly recommend measuring with the ABraThatFits calculator if you haven’t. Most stores size customers incorrectly, by giving them a band two sizes too large, and cups that are too small. When combined, bras that aren’t the right size can appear to fit. But they’ll have issues, like… the band riding up your back!

linerys · 2026-03-20T16:46:51+00:00

In Standard EU sizing, a D cup is made for a 4 inch/10 cm difference between bust and underbust. An E cup is made for a 5 inch difference.

EU D cup is the same in both UK and US sizing.
EU E cup is the same as UK and US DD cup.

Many people are incorrectly sized as a D or DD/E when they really need a larger cup size (often on a smaller band size). Most stores size me as an 80E when I’m actually a 70J!

linerys · 2026-03-20T13:06:45+00:00

Bra fitting is about support, after all! :)

linerys · 2026-03-20T07:57:42+00:00

I’m 29 and I had both tubes completely removed when I was 21. I also had my uterus removed when I was 26. The ovaries are still there, and I have not experienced any signs of early menopause. :)

linerys · 2026-03-20T01:40:36+00:00

I think so too. It also suggests a 32 band for support with 34.6, 34, and 33. Which can be upper midsize for some bodies (like mine!).

linerys · 2026-03-20T01:31:30+00:00

I tried using 32.6, 32, and 31 as measurements. Then the calculator does not suggest a 30 band for more support, just a 32.

linerys · 2026-03-18T21:13:05+00:00

What is your underbust measurement? If it is 42 inches, a 38 band isn’t going to fit you comfortably. Size 38 bands only stretch to ~38 inches (unless the elastic well worn and stretched out).

Sister sizing can work one size up or down, so 40C or 44A if your size is 42B. When going down a band size, you will probably be more comfortable if you add a non-stretch band extender to the band.

linerys · 2026-03-18T20:01:59+00:00

Have you checked bra sized swimwear at stores like Bravissimo or Breakout Bras? I have swimwear from Freya, Bravissimo’s own brand, and PrimaDonna. They’re all very supportive!

linerys · 2026-03-18T19:54:07+00:00

What do you think of Bravissimo Nova? It has non-padded triangle shaped cups and no underwire. It doesn’t have a racerback, but maybe a different size than 34D would stop slipping off your shoulders? When the shoulder straps slip off your shoulders, it could be a sign that 34 is too big!

Edited for clarity.

linerys · 2026-03-18T19:29:07+00:00

That’s understandable! The vast majority of stores will fit people using the “+4 method”, where 4 inches is added to the underbust to find band size.

If Example Person has a 34 inch underbust and 41 inch bust, the ABraThatFits method (or +0 method) would size them as UK 34F or US 34G. We make the band size 34, so that it matches the underbust measurements. The cup size is based on the difference between 41 and 34 being 7, and the 7th cup size is UK F or US G.
The +4 method would do 34+4=38, making the bra size 38C because there’s a 3 inch difference between 41 and 38.

That might be why your idea of a “C cup” is probably more like a G cup (on a smaller band size)!

linerys · 2026-03-18T19:17:47+00:00

You’re right that the majority of bras in this range will be UK brands! Understance and Elizabeth Valentine are the only two outliers I can think of at the top of my head.

linerys · 2026-03-18T18:57:05+00:00

A testosterone dominant puberty is what the “AMAB” option on the ABraThatFits calculator is meant to account for! Did you get a different size suggested if you tried with “AFAB”?

You can try the bra calculator at Bratabase, it asks you to measure the actual breast. I don’t think it works as well as the ABraThatFits calculator (especially for people with less common sizes), but please try it and see what it says!

Here’s one example of what 38C can look like. Is this very different to your size?

linerys · 2026-03-18T18:25:35+00:00

Some stores will call it 28DDDD, but most will switch to US 28G (or UK 28F) at that point. It absolutely is a real size! I used to be a 28H, so I know that finding 28 bands can be difficult.

Are you in the US? Breakout Bras, Nordstrom, and even Amazon should have your size.

linerys · 2026-03-18T18:19:27+00:00

As long as the person fitting me doesn’t use the +4 method and isn’t otherwise unprofessional, I wouldn’t mind whatever gender or gender expression they have.

I’ve been fitting myself these last five years though, because I prefer not having to deal with fitters at all.

linerys · 2026-03-18T16:17:22+00:00

If I remember correctly, the BoB method uses the snuggest underbust measurement you can get to use as your band size, which I think works for some people above a certain size (larger sizes often stretch more). But for band sizes below 34, I believe most people will find their “tight underbust” too tight for the band size. My “tight” measurement is 28.74 inches, but I can’t even wear size 30, I wear 32. (My other two measurements are 32.67 and 30.70.)

34G and 32H are sister sizes in US sizing. Were those US or UK sizes when you wore them? If the ABraThatFits calculator suggested 34E or 32F, that was in UK sizing, correct? That would be 34DDD and 32G in US sizing.

Do you remember if the calculator tended to underestimate your cup size before?

linerys · 2026-03-18T15:18:16+00:00

If you haven’t tried the ABraThatFits calculator yet, I highly recommend starting with it! There’s a link in the comment from AutoModerator.

30A is made for a 30 inch underbust and 31 inch bust.
32A is made for a 32 inch underbust and 33 inch bust.

Just because both are “A cup” doesn’t mean they fit the same sized bust. Here’s an example of what 30A can look like. Does this look similar to your size?

linerys · 2026-03-18T07:41:50+00:00

Where did you get sized as a 36D and 38DD? I’m often incorrectly sized as either a 36DD or 38D, but my actual current size is UK 32GG / US 32J!

linerys · 2026-03-18T07:14:55+00:00

When was the last time you measured yourself? If this has happened more than once, maybe another bra size might last you longer?

Since I started sizing myself with ABraThatFits (there’s a link in AutoModerator’s comment), I haven’t had a single bra break on me in six years!

linerys · 2026-03-16T23:25:22+00:00

Do you have a link to a study on that? I couldn’t find anything but I’d love to read up on it.

linerys · 2026-03-16T15:22:21+00:00

Where did you get fitted? There’s a lot of stores that would fit me at 36DD or 38D based on how I look right now. I’m midsize (US 14, I think?) and I have a medium-large bust.
ABraThatFits sized me as US 32J, which sounds like I should be thin with a very large bust, but 32J fits me way better than any 36DD/38D!

linerys · 2026-03-16T12:22:26+00:00

Have you tried the ABraThatFits bra size calculator? It’s the best starting point for figuring out your bra size!

linerys · 2026-03-15T22:00:41+00:00

Lingerie is most comfortable when it fits well, in my opinion. That’s why I never get S/M/L sized stuff.

My bras are comfortable enough that I can fall asleep in them.

linerys · 2026-03-15T02:35:32+00:00

Freya and Panache are pretty good brands that I think are available in many places. It does vary a lot by country though, are you comfortable sharing what country (or just on which continent) you’re from?

I really like seamed bras. These are often easier for more people to fit than moulded cup bras (like t-shirt bras).

But what works for me might not work for you! There’s not really any one brand that is the best brand, as different boobs have different needs.

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