Bra Size Guide — How to Measure Your Size at Home
Most women in Pakistan have never been professionally fitted, and the majority are wearing the wrong band size. It takes about two minutes and a measuring tape to fix that. This guide covers how to measure, how to read the result, and how to tell whether a bra actually fits once it arrives.
What you need
A soft measuring tape and a non-padded bra, or no bra at all. Measure against your skin or a thin, unpadded bra — measuring over a padded bra will add inches and give you the wrong cup.
Step 1: measure your band
Wrap the tape around your ribcage, directly under your bust, where the band of the bra sits. Pull it firm and level — it should be snug enough that it does not slip, and the tape should be parallel to the floor all the way round. Breathe out and read the number in inches.
This is your underbust measurement, and it is the single most important number. If it lands on an odd number, round to the nearest even number.
Step 2: measure your bust
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust, usually across the nipple line. Keep the tape level and do not pull it tight — it should rest on the skin without compressing. Read the number in inches.
Step 3: work out your cup
Subtract your underbust measurement from your bust measurement. The difference gives you the cup:
| Bust minus underbust | Cup size |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | A |
| 2 inches | B |
| 3 inches | C |
| 4 inches | D |
| 5 inches | DD / E |
| 6 inches | DDD / F |
Worked example. Underbust 36 inches, bust 39 inches. The difference is 3 inches, so the cup is C, and the size is 36C.
Elishwear sizes
Most Elishwear bras are stocked in band sizes 36 to 44. Some styles — bodystockings, net dresses and several occasion pieces — are one-size with a generous stretch. Every product page lists the sizes actually available for that style, so check there before ordering, and message us on WhatsApp at 0300-8108953 if you are unsure.
Sister sizes: what to do if you are between sizes
Cup volume is relative to the band, so 36C and 38B hold roughly the same volume. If your usual size is out of stock or feels slightly off, these sister sizes are your fallback: go down a band and up a cup for a firmer fit, or up a band and down a cup for a looser one.
If you fall between two sizes, most people are more comfortable in the smaller band with the larger cup. A band that is slightly firm will soften with wear; a band that is loose never gets better.
How to tell whether a bra fits
Once it arrives, check these five things before removing the tags.
- The band does the work. Around 80 per cent of the support comes from the band, not the straps. It should sit level around your body and stay put when you raise your arms.
- Two fingers under the band. You should be able to slide two fingers underneath and no more. On a new bra, use the loosest hook — as the elastic relaxes over the months you tighten inward.
- The back does not ride up. If the band creeps up towards your shoulder blades, it is too loose. Go down a band size and up a cup.
- No spillage, no gaping. Bulging over the top or under the arm means the cup is too small. Loose fabric or wrinkling in the cup means it is too big.
- Straps are secondary. If you are constantly tightening the straps to get support, the band is the actual problem.
Common fit problems and what they mean
| What you notice | Usual cause | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Band rides up at the back | Band too loose | Down a band, up a cup |
| Straps dig into shoulders | Band too loose, straps compensating | Down a band, up a cup |
| Straps slip off | Straps too long, or band too big | Shorten straps; check band |
| Spilling over the top of the cup | Cup too small | Up a cup, same band |
| Cup wrinkles or gapes | Cup too big | Down a cup, same band |
| Underwire pokes or digs in | Wrong cup, or wired style not suiting you | Recheck cup, or switch to a wireless bra |
When to re-measure
Your size is not fixed. Re-measure after any significant weight change, after pregnancy and breastfeeding, and roughly once a year regardless. Bras themselves also wear out: most last six to twelve months of regular wear before the band loses its elasticity and stops supporting properly.
Sizing for other pieces
Bra and panty sets are sized on the bra, but panty sizing runs differently between styles — check the individual product page. Shapewear should be ordered in your true size; sizing down does not increase the shaping, it just makes the garment roll and show a ridge through your clothes. Nightwear and bodystockings are mostly one-size with a wide stretch range.
Still not sure?
Send us your measurements on WhatsApp at 0300-8108953 or email info@elishwear.com and we will tell you which size to order. If it still does not fit, unworn items with tags and hygiene stickers attached can be exchanged within 30 days — see our exchange policy.
Keep reading
- How to measure your bra size at home: step-by-step guide
- Types of bras explained
- Wired vs non-wired bras
- Best everyday bras for all-day comfort
- Shop all bras
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