The Almari Fit Guide: How to Accurately Measure Your Band & Cup Size at Home

Why Most Sizing Charts Fail

Traditional department store measurement systems often add 4 inches to your underbust measurement—a practice dating back to 1950s manufacturing when fabrics lacked spandex. In 2026, elastic recovery is vastly superior, meaning that old '+4 method' results in a band that rides up your back and straps that dig into your shoulders.

The band is responsible for 85% of your support. If the band is too loose, the shoulder straps bear all the weight.

“Your band should be snug and parallel to the floor, never riding up between your shoulder blades.”

Step 1: Your Snug Underbust Band Measurement

Stand straight with relaxed shoulders. Wrap a soft measuring tape snugly around your ribcage directly beneath your bust where your bra band sits. Exhale naturally and keep the tape parallel to the floor.

Round up to the nearest whole even number (e.g., 31.5 inches becomes 32, 33 inches becomes 34). This number is your exact band size.

Step 2: Your Fullest Bust Measurement

Wearing your thinnest unpadded bra (or no bra), measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust, typically across the nipples. Ensure the tape is straight across your back.

Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. Each 1-inch difference corresponds to a cup size: 1 inch = A, 2 inches = B, 3 inches = C, 4 inches = D, 5 inches = DD/E.

Sister Sizing Explained

If a 34C band feels slightly tight on you, your sister size is 36B: one band size larger with one cup letter smaller maintains identical cup volume. Try our interactive Fit Studio calculator on the Almari website for automated sister size suggestions!