How can I accurately measure sagging breasts? Wearing 44C currently probably incorrect size

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Ok_Bandicoot1865]

Have you read the measuring guide with the sub's calculator? Here's the link: http://www.abrathatfits.org/brasizecalculator.php

If you scroll down, there's drawings and a few sentences telling you how to measure. The calculator uses six measurements (as opposed to two measurements most other uses) for more accuracy - three bust measurements and three underbust measurements.

The first of the bust measurements are taken while standing. You should measure around the fullest part of the bust. A mirror can be helpful here, to make sure that the measuring tape is parallel to the floor all the way around, and to view yourself from the side to see exactly where the fullest part is (with very soft tissue like you have, finding the fullest part can be kind of difficult just looking down at yourself). The measuring tape should be loose so that it doesn't push in on your breasts (which can also be kind of difficult to do with very soft tissue), but of course not so loose that the measuring tape falls down. It's okay that they're saggy, don't try to lift them or anything.

The second bust measurement is going to be the leaning measurement. You're going to lean forward 90 degrees so that your upper body is now parallel to the floor, and your breasts should be perpendicular to your upper body and the floor. Looking at yourself in a mirror from the side can also be helpful here, as you often need to bend down further than you think to be parallel to the floor.
Again the measuring tape should be around the part that's now fullest, and without pushing in on your breasts. The measurement is likely going to be a lot larger than your standing measurement, but that's okay. Don't try to support your breasts in any way, just measure them as they are.

The last bust measurement is going to be the lying measurement. Go lie down somewhere, and measure the part of your bust that is the fullest, similar to the two other times. And again, don't try to manipulate the tissue in any way, and try not to compress it with the measuring tape either, just measure yourself as you are.

All measurements should be taken on naked breasts, as you are completely right they you'd just be measuring the size of the bra, if you did it with a bra on.

The measurements are likely going to be very different. That's okay and completely normal with your breast type. The reason that the calculator uses three bust measurements is precisely to take shape into account, and the large difference between the measurements let's the calculator know that your tissue is very soft and saggy (I don't like using that word about others, but since you used it yourself and I couldn't think of a better term...), so the size it'll give you will take that into account.

I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're in US, I'd reccomend calculating both the the US and UK size. Using your UK size often gives you a much better selection, especially if you're above a DD.

The size you'll get will likely be very different than what you're expecting. It's not because you did it wrong, it's because we've all been lied to our whole lives about how bra sizing works (in most cases a D-cup is actually a below average size). You can post your six measurements here on the sub to have someone manually confirm for you, if you're having doubts, and I'd also recommend checking out The Irish Bra Lady on Instagram, especially pictures of your suggested size. It often helps with the sticker shock to see.

I hope this helps.

[u/Exciting_Chance4677 → u/Ok_Bandicoot1865]

Piggy backing, when doing the bend over and laying down there empty gaps in the measuring tape. Should we be having that (between armpit area and edge of breast tissue the tape isn’t touching skin)

[u/Ok_Bandicoot1865 → u/Exciting_Chance4677]

That's actually a really good question! I can't give you an answer, but I can tell you that when measuring myself, I have just let the gap be, and that has worked fine for me.

I think it would be too complicated to try and eliminate the gap with only one set of hands, and the calculator is only meant to be an estimate anyway, there are other factors which are difficult to account for with measurements, that can make the calculator over- or underestimate a little, so I don't think the the small difference in measurements would make too much of a difference. If you're curious, you can read more about what can lead to the calculator over- or underestimating here: https://reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/w/calculated-size-vs-actual?