Patricia Grisafi
Finding a bra that fits can feel like a quest for the holy grail. Is there such a thing? Will it be magical? Will you not want to fling it off the moment you get home?
Now, there’s an online bra size calculator that uses a more modern approach to really make sure you’re wearing the proper bra.
Called A Bra That Fits, the calculator relies on six measurements instead of the traditional two to determine your bra size. It asks for a tight, snug, and loose underbust measurement as well as bust measurements while standing up, bending over, and laying down.
TikToker @CharisseV demonstrated how the calculator helped her find a bra that actually fit.
She was amazed—and talked about some of the basic physics behind how breasts fit (or don’t fit) into bras.
The calculator also takes into account that breasts move (tissues shifts with gravity but breast volume stays the same). After you’ve figured out your size, A Bra That Fits will also help you determine your breast shape, which can also help you find a better-fitting bra.
The calculator is also helpful for trans feminine and trans masculine people, since breast tissue develops and sits differently on different ribcage shapes.
The calculator’s creator, Freda, explained that assigned male at birth folks seem to prefer a looser band because of ribcage and breast shape differences.
Most people end up wearing bras that don’t fit, either because they’re using outdated measurement methods or because they think they’re wearing the right size.
But the online bra calculator is here to help—and so many people are already using it that it crashed for two days.
Since going viral, the moderators have created a TikTok account and a starting guide to figuring out sizing. There is also an online gallery of user-submitted images that show the myriad ways breasts can look across all sizes and shapes. So there’s no reason to wear that crappy old bra that pokes you in the side and shimmies up the back until it’s at your neck.
Featured Image: TikTok
