Confession: I’ve had a professional bra fitting 4 times in my life and I’ve gotten a different size every time, without any significant weight loss or gain. The truth of the matter is this: bras are complex, highly engineered garments, and there’s no single standard to bra sizing. However, a professional bra-fitting will, at the very least, help you zero in on the sizes that might work for you in a particular brand. So how does a professional bra-fitting work, and what should you know going in? This is how a professional bra-fitting works 1. You walk-in or make an appointment at a local lingerie boutique or department store. Typically, someone on the floor will offer to assist you with your purchase. 2. The fitter will offer to measure you, either over or under your top, and assist in selecting a few bras for you. 3. As you try on bras and give your feedback, the fitter will find you other bras to try on. 4. Rinse and repeat bras and try-ons. 5. Pick the best, and purchase! Alright, that’s how it works — generally. Your mileage will vary, and some fitters will be more or less attentive than others. What should you know, going in? Tips to get the most of your professional bra-fitting 1. Do some homework so that you can start with a baseline measurement. Not all fit specialists are trained to the same extent, and not all brands have the same sizing standards. It helps to take your own measurements using an online calculator (http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bra-size-calculator/) so that, in the case that you need to dispute your size with your fitter, you have a baseline to go off of.

The A Bra That Fits community is also a terrific resource for bra fitting knowledge. While they also have a bra size calculator, I like to use the Sophisticated Pair calculator because it’s a simple two measurements to arrive at a baseline. Try both and see what you get!