How to take your bra measurements accurately at home
By Cron Renown atelier,
Taking your own measurements feels straightforward until you are standing in front of a mirror with a tape measure and realising you are not sure whether to breathe in or out. This guide covers the seven measurements we use at Cron Renown, why each one matters and the mistakes that come up most often.
What to have ready before getting started
A soft tape measure is essential. A rigid ruler or a piece of string measured against a ruler will introduce errors. You also need to be in bare skin or a very thin, non-padded bra. Measuring over a padded bra adds to the bust measurement in a way that cannot be reliably subtracted later.
- A soft fabric tape measure
- A mirror or a second person to check the tape is level
- A pen and paper to record each number immediately
- Good lighting so you can see whether the tape is sitting flat
The seven measurements and what they tell us
The band measurement is taken at two points: at a normal resting breath and at a full exhale. The difference between these two numbers tells us how much ease to build into the band. A band with no ease would be comfortable at rest but tight after a meal or during physical activity.
The bust measurement is taken at the fullest point, with the tape parallel to the floor. The underbust is taken directly below the breast tissue. The difference between bust and underbust gives us the cup volume, but it is only one input. Cup shape is determined by additional measurements of the breast projection and the width of the breast base.
The strap length is measured from the top of the shoulder to the point where the strap would attach at the front. This varies significantly between people and is one of the measurements most often skipped in standard sizing.
Checking your numbers before sending them
Before sending your measurements, look at the numbers together. The bust should be larger than the underbust. The resting band should be larger than the exhale band. If any number looks inconsistent with the others, re-measure that point before sending.
We review every set of measurements before cutting and will flag anything that looks unusual. It is faster to re-measure one point than to alter a finished piece.
The measurement guide we send by post includes photos for each step. Most clients find it takes about ten minutes once they have read through it once.