The Ultimate Guide for Finding Your Bra Size

In 2008, a company that manufactures bras conducted a study to see if women are wearing the correct size bra. As it turns out, we aren’t. Triumph – the company that completed the study – found that 80% of women wear a bra in the wrong size.

You’ve probably heard that statistic before. However, the part that may be new is that 70% of these women were wearing bras that are too small, while the remaining 10% wore bras that are too big.

Finding the right sized bra isn’t necessarily easy. Each store has styles that fit differently, depending on the material, cut, and internal sizing guides. Throw in some bra with padding, some with push up, and some that are thinly lined, and you’ve got a variety of bras to choose from that are all labeled as the same size but don’t fit the same.

Am I Wearing the Right Size?

Now that you know so many women are wearing the wrong bra size, you’re probably wondering if yours is right. There are some signs that indicate you are wearing the wrong size. In order to make sure you always have the right size, get a bra sizing every year. Over time your bust will change – hello, gravity – so you need to stay up to date with getting the right size.

Too Small	Too Big
The band rides up your back, instead of sitting straight across.	You have the bra done up on the tightest hooks and you can fit more than two fingers between the band and your back.
The band or straps dig in or pinch your skin.	You feel the bra slide around under your clothes.
You overflow the cups.	There is a gap between your breast and the top of the cup.

Tips for Larger Cup Sizes

Larger busts need more support for the simple reason that there is more there to work with. Fortunately, there are some tips for getting extra support from your bra.

Choose a bra with a higher center gore.

The higher this bit is, the more support you’ll have in the front. This is because more of the fabric of the cups is attached to it, so it is harder for the cups to flop forward.

Look for wider straps.

As any ladies with large busts know, the girls can get heavy during the day. This leads to straps that dig into your shoulders, resulting in bruises, red marks, and sometimes cuts.  

Wider straps help deal with this. Instead of having all of the weight of your bust being held up by a quarter-inch of elastic, it is held up by a wider strap. Because there is more fabric, the weight is distributed more evenly.

Get wider wings.

This also helps with weight distribution. Instead of having a flimsy foundation, wider wings take some of the pressure off the straps. It will also help prevent the band from digging in under your arms.

Pick higher cut cups.

Cups that are cut lower – often called “demi” cut – are not as supportive as full cups. Since the fabric doesn’t go up as high on your bust, there is less material to hold everything in place.

Find Your Size

Despite the fact that each store sizes their bras differently, having an accurate measurement to start with will save you tons of time and trouble. You can get measured at any lingerie store, or you can do it yourself before you go.

Measuring yourself at home will give you the most accurate measurement, because you can measure without having a shirt or extra padding from your current bra getting in the way. All you need is a measuring tape.

Step 1- Put on a bra without any padding.

Having extra padding or fabric will change the measurement. You’ll end up with a higher number because of the added material. If you’re at home, skip putting on a shirt.

Step 2 – Measure.

Use a tape measure to find your inches in the following areas, and record the numbers as you go:

The Band

Wrap the tape around yourself under your bust. Make sure the tape is even all the way around, and not higher in the back than it is in the front.

The Bust

Above Your Bust – Wrap the tape just above your bust. This is where the straps and the cups meet. Once the tape is in the right place, put both your arms down at your sides to get the most accurate measurement.

On Your Bust – Wrap the tape around your bust at the fullest part. Put your arms down, hold the tape lightly with your fingers, and take a deep breath. The tape should be snug but not tight. This is the number part of your bra size.

If you come up with an odd number on either measurement, round down to the nearest even number.

Step 3 – Calculate your size.

Bust size minus band size = bra size. This gives you the letter part of your bra size.

Each inch in difference is a cup size. Check the following chart for quick reference. Please note these are Canadian/American sizes. Some stores will use repetitive letters (e.g. DDDD) whereas others will use the next letter in the alphabet (e.g. DDDD = G).

DIFFERENCE (in inches)	CUP SIZE
Less than 1	AA
1	A
2	B
3	C
4	D
5	DD/E
6	DDD/F
7	DDDD/G
8	H
9	I
10	J
11	K
12	L
13	M
14	N

Step 4 – Put the parts together.

Your bust measurement is the number part of the bra size, and the calculated difference in inches is the letter part.

For example, if you measured your bust as 40 inches, and the difference you calculated is 4 inches, your bra size is 40D.

Before You Buy

Before you buy a cute new bra in the size you calculated, make sure you try it on. As we mentioned, each store fits a bit differently, so you may find that the size you figured out isn’t what the store says. Each manufacturer has a margin of error, which can be as much as an inch. For most items, this doesn’t make much difference, but for a bra it can change your cup or band size.

Follow these tips for trying on potential bras to avoid bringing home the wrong one.

1 - Use your calculated size as a starting point, and try on a few different styles in that size. A padded bra will fit differently than a lightly lined one.

2 - Do the jump test. In the fitting room, jump up and down. If anything comes flying out, you’ve got the wrong size. Of course, bits will move, but bouncing is acceptable. Bend forward, and make sure you don’t tip out of the cups.

3 – Pick one from the back of the drawer. The ones at the front, or on top of the table, have likely been tried on by someone else. If it was the wrong size, it has probably been stretched out. This will impact how it fits you.

4 – Try it on the loosest hook. Unfortunately, the elastic doesn’t last forever and over time your bra will stretch out. The bra will be at its most snug when you first buy it. Having it fit comfortably on the loosest hook means you can tighten it as it stretches out instead of buying a new bra. 

We Love You, Ashley Graham

If you haven't seen the video posted by Goalcast featuring model Ashley Graham, you need to. In this video, Ashley talks about how she learned to love her body the way it is, and not the way the modelling industry says it should be.

We absolutely loved this video, and wanted to share it. Check out our Facebook page to view it, or click here.

We've said it before and we'll say it again - women should feel beautiful no matter what the size on the tag says. This certainly isn't an easy process. There are days when you wake up feeling like a goddess, and others where you're pretty sure you look like a walking disaster.

You have much more to offer the world than what you look like. Show off that confidence in your attitude and your outfits.

Makeup Tips for a Sunburned Face

It’s the time of year where sunburns are everywhere. Even if you apply sunscreen religiously, where a hat, and sit in the shade, you may end up with a sunburn. Keep up these good habits, as they drastically decrease the likelihood that you will get a burn.

If you’ve ever had a sunburn you know how to treat them – cool water, aloe vera, and no sun. But when it comes to a sunburned face, these treatments aren’t always practical for the workday.

Assuming your sunburn isn’t severe (there’s no blistering, peeling, swelling, or fever) you can consider applying makeup. Of course, your health needs to come first. If you find that your sunburned skin reacts badly to anything, see your doctor. Makeup isn’t worth permanent skin damage.

Applying makeup to sunburned skin requires extra care in comparison to your usual beauty routine. Here is everything you need to know about makeup for a sunburned face, from application to removal. The key to each step is to be as gentle as possible.

Start Clean

Before you put anything on your skin, cleanse it. Use cool – not cold – water to rinse your face. Apply a gentle cleanser, and massage your skin with your fingertips. Keeping your sunburn clean will help it heal more quickly.

Avoid exfoliating, since this will irritate the skin. If you find that your sunburn is flaking, use a super soft wash cloth. Rub very gently in small circles to loosen any skin that is ready to come off. Apply too much pressure will lift skin that isn’t ready to go.

Skip the Chemicals

If your usual post-wash routine includes toner and moisturizer, be careful what you put on sunburned skin. Since the skin is so much more sensitive than usual, the things you use on the regular might irritate it. For example, anything with retinol in it will likely make your face feel like it is on fire. 

Try using a toner with witch hazel in it. This is a natural astringent so it won’t be as harsh on your skin. Apply a small amount with a cotton ball, and be sure to dab instead of rubbing.

Instead of your usual moisturizer, try one with aloe vera in it. You may be able to get a sample size for free from a cosmetics counter – this should be enough to get you through the worst of your burn. If not, try a thin layer of aloe vera gel.

Even better, use a moisturizing sunscreen with aloe in it.

Use a Disposable Sponge

Keeping your damaged skin clean is priority #1. Use a disposable makeup sponge to apply your foundation. Your fingertips have oil on them, which you don’t want to transfer to your skin.

The ‘disposable’ part is important. Even when you wash your beauty blenders, they don’t always come out completely clean (click here to read about cleaning your beauty blenders).

Any bacteria left on your application tools can easily cause an infection in burned skin. This is the last thing you want to do to your face - it will hurt, and take a while to clear up. 

Go Easy

When putting on your makeup, err on the side of lighter coverage rather than darker. It’s super tempting to layer on everything in your arsenal, but the more you put on the worse off your skin will be.

Keep your skin simple – foundation followed by a light dusting of powder is best, and don’t even think the word ‘contour’. The blending required for contouring is pretty much guaranteed to make your skin worse.

To apply your foundation, gently pat it into place. The goal is to cover up the redness, not rub the foundation into the pores. Use the softest brush you have to apply the powder. Tap off any excess, and use small circles to apply it to your face. 

Stay Away from Red/Bright Pink

This includes lips, blush, and eyeshadow. These tones will draw attention to the fact that your face has taken on a cherry hue. Any warm tones (think red, pink, orange, copper) will accentuate the sunburn instead of covering it up.

Instead, try a blue or green. Cool tones will counteract the warmth of the red. This is the same reasoning behind green concealer. Again, take it easy on the colour.

For your lips, stick to a nude shade. Adding a bold lip to the mix won’t help. If nude isn't your thing, try a pastel purple. Since it is a cool tone it will mix well with the other colours, and it won't be so bold as to overdo your face.

Keep this in mind for your clothing, as well. For the duration of your burn, try sticking to neutrals and cool colours.

Try a Natural Remover

We’re big fans of Erase Your Face cloths. These super gentle cloths are reusable, wash like a dream, and don’t require any makeup remover to take everything off your face. They are incredibly soft so they won't irritate sensitive skin, and they do a great job of taking off cosmetics. 

If you don’t have these at hand, try a remover with a natural base ingredient, like coconut oil.

Use a Soft Wash Cloth

If you’re opting for makeup remover and a wash, use the softest cloth you can. Avoid rubbing too hard, and take your time.

Like before, use cool water. Rinse thoroughly, and pat dry.

                

The Curvy Girl's Guide to Dress Pants

Dress pants are one of those items that quickly make any outfit more professional. Many offices are transitioning from traditional business wear to business casual. While this means you don’t always need to wear a jacket, dress pants will likely still be a staple in your work wardrobe.

When it comes to dress pants, the fit is everything. When dress pants fit incorrectly, the whole outfit looks unprofessional whether they are too tight or too loose. Well-fitting pants can bring an outfit together, and give you a polished appearance.

As a curvy girl, I can attest that finding dress pants that fit properly is not always easy. A lot of items are designed to be a smaller size, and to make the larger sizes the manufacturer simply increases the amount of fabric that is used. Sometimes this works, but more often than not it results in pants that fit poorly in most areas.

Here is your guide for making dress pants fit properly.

Pick a Stretchy Fabric

Fabric that has some stretch to it will be your best friend for dress pants. This is because stretchy fabric has more give, and will allow you some extra room in the more fitted spots. When you’re looking for fabric with stretch, choose something blended with cotton, like lycra, spandex, or polyester.

These fabrics are not the options at the highest end of the price scale, but you will be able to get a lot of wear out of them. When these kinds of fabrics are blended with cotton they become more lightweight, which means you can wear them all day without melting.

They are also more durable. Synthetic fabrics tend to hold up in the washer when compared to natural fabrics like silk. If you’re investing in a piece for work, you want it to last.

Fit the Widest Part of Your Body

Whether the widest part is your hips, thighs, or tush, you need to make sure that your pants fit that part first. You can take fabric off (see below), but it is much harder to add more. Fitting the widest part first means your pants will be comfortable. You won’t have to worry about trying to add something to make them fit.

You should be able to feel the fabric against your skin without feeling squished. A few good signs that your dress pants are too small include:

You can’t do them up.
They are pulled tight across your body.
The waistband digs in.
You feel pinching.

Any of these things are a solid indication that you should try a different size. If you aren’t sure, do the sit test – sit down or squat for a couple minutes. If they are uncomfortable doing that, you won’t make it through a day at work.

Don’t worry about how the pants fit from the knee down. We’ll take care of that a little further on.

Aim for Mid-Rise

Low-rise pants tend to be the most popular, but that doesn’t mean they are the best fit. Mid-rise pants sit just below your belly button. There should be no more than one inch between your belly button and the top hem of the pants.

Mid-rise pants are more flattering on curvy girls than low-rise cuts for a few reasons, but primarily because they don’t slip down as easily.  When you have amazing curves to work with, your pants have to be able to keep up. Since low-rise pants sit further down, the narrowest part of the waistband is likely to hit where your hips are widest. This is both uncomfortable and unflattering.

Conversely, mid-rise pants land a bit higher up, giving your curves the room they need to avoid being squished. You’ll also find your shirts fit better over mid-rise pants – the hem of the shirt won’t be competing with the hem of the pants.

Avoid Flared Bottoms

Flared bottoms are the antithesis to a sleek, contoured look. They offer way too much fabric and not enough structure. In comparison, straight cut, boot cut, stovepipe, and even palazzo style pants create straight lines.

When your hips and thighs are curvy, flared bottoms tend to emphasize the widest parts of you. This happens because the flare at the bottom of the legs mirrors your curves at the top. Straight lines, on the other hand, emphasize the curve of your natural waist (the hourglass part) going into your hips.

Stovepipe – or skinny cut - pants are a good choice to go with any shoe. This cut tends to be trendier, and is perfect if you want a more modern professional style. Remember that your dress pants should not be skin tight on your legs. Rather, a stovepipe cut should be fitted without being snug.

Both boot and straight cut pants are classic cuts that you can wear in any office. They match well with blazers, and are great for balancing wider shoulders and bigger busts. There is a bit more fabric at the bottom of these cuts, which prevents bigger busts from looking top heavy. 

Palazzo pants give off a high-fashion vibe. Because they have wider legs and a lot of fabric, the next tip will be essential for palazzo pants.These a good option if you tend to wear shirts that have slimmer cuts, since it creates visual balance with the wide leg pants. Tops that have extra fabric or have a looser structure don't pair well with palazzo pants. When put together, they look baggy.

Get Them Tailored

Remember when we said not to worry about the pants from the knee down? This is where we take care of that issue, among others. Tailoring is a fantastic option for making things fit exactly the way you want them to.

Once you have pants that fit the widest part of your body and are the cut you want, its time to take care of the bottoms. Tailoring pants to remove fabric from the knee down is super simple and doesn’t impact the fit on top.

Pants that fit the widest part on top might be too big elsewhere – for example, they fit your hips but are too big on your thighs. Tailoring will fix this. An experienced tailor will be able to adjust your pants so that they fit perfectly all over.

When it comes to palazzo pants, the goal is to have straight lines going from the top of the pant to the bottom hem. The widest part of your body will be used as the guideline for how wide that is.

Don’t forget to get the length tailored. Consider whether you will wear them with heels, as this will impact how long they will be.

Hang to Dry

The dryer is not a happy place for dress pants. You run the risk of shrinking them, either around or in the length. Throwing your pants in the dryer could also ruin the fabric.

Either hang your pants up, or lay them flat. If you hang them up, use a hanger that has clips designed for pants. Folding them over a shirt hanger will result in awkward creases. 

Orchid & Oak's First Video Highlights Products

We wanted to show off our most popular products, so we made a video! Check it out to see some of our best-selling items.

De-Stress Getting Dressed

Getting dressed is one of those things that sounds super simple, but isn’t always as easy as it should be. Almost all of the women (and most of the men) I know have had a morning where getting dressed turned into a catastrophe. Sometimes it's for a special event, but most of the time it is a regular morning.

After trying on outfit after outfit, you reach the point where getting dressed seems to be much more trouble than its worth. Everything you own is on the floor, or in a reject pile.

A lot of the time this stress comes from disliking what you see in the mirror. Logically, we know that our jeans aren't out to get us, but that doesn’t stop us from throwing them on the ground and calling them names. This happens regardless of your body shape – at Orchid & Oak we believe in loving your shape no matter what the size on the tag is.

When it comes to meltdown mornings, there are some practical steps you can take to de-stress getting dressed.

Decide What Kind of Outfit You Want

You’ll save yourself a lot of stress if you know what kind of style you’re aiming for from the beginning. Are you going for professional, business casual, or weekend at the beach? 

Choosing a category will put boundaries on the types of items you look at in your closet.

Consider getting dressed to go to work in an office. You can skip the casual tanks, shorts, and yoga wear. Once you eliminate a bunch of options it’s easier to see what your choices are.

Pro tip: Organize your closet according to category. Have one section for weekend wear, one for business, one for exercise gear, and so on until everything in your closet has a category. Within those categories, put all of one item together. For example, all of the pants next to each other, all of the tank tops, all of the long sleeve shirts, etc. With this system, finding what you want will be a breeze.

Start with the Limited Choices

Most people have fewer choices for some items than for others. For example, you probably have more shirts than you do bras, or more pairs of pants than pairs of shoes.

Start with the thing you have the least of. Say that’s shoes. Pick the shoes you want to wear, and build your outfit around them. It’s a lot easier to make lots of choices fit with on pair of shoes than it is to have an outfit and choose from a limited selection of footwear.

Pinpoint the Problem Area

Generally, once you get frustrated, the whole outfit is to blame. Everything is wrong, and it must be punished by being thrown across the room.

Take a moment to look at the outfit piece by piece. This will help you identify which part has gone off the rails. Sometimes a small tweak is all you need. Start at the top and work your way down, and ask yourself some specific questions:

Is the collar on the shirt ok?
Does this bra go with this shirt?
How do the sleeves feel?
Do I feel like there is too much/too little room around the bust/waist?
Is the waistband on the pants too tight?

Once you know what it is about the outfit that is irritating you, you can fix it. Sometimes, we look at ourselves and think that the whole thing is wrong. Quite often, this feeling of “ugh” can be translated into the above questions.

Drink Something Cool

Anyone who has tried on nine million outfits in half an hour knows it leads to overheating. This makes you sweaty, which makes getting changed more difficult. Stop for a cool drink. Water is your best option, since it will hydrate you, however, whatever you have on hand that’s cold will help cool you off.

Avoid Negative Self-Talk

When things are going wrong in the dressing room it is incredibly easy to slip into saying negative things about yourself. The conversation you have with yourself switches from ‘stupid jeans’ to ‘I’m too fat for these’. This is negative self-talk.

What you say to yourself matters. When you tell yourself negative things about yourself, they make you feel worse. Say them enough times and you’ll believe them. This is how you go from thinking ‘this doesn’t fit right today’ to ‘I’m so ugly in this’.

When you catch yourself saying these things, take a minute and tell yourself to stop. Look away from the mirror, and say something nice to yourself. Tell yourself you have beautiful eyes, or super silky hair, or legs for days.

Remember Your Value

As an attachment to preventing negative self-talk on rough mornings, remember your value. What you look like is not your most important quality. Chances are good you are also smart, funny, generous, loving, or witty. The value of these qualities vastly outweighs what you look like.

Saying nice things to yourself will help you stay positive when you feel bad about how you look. Remember that your value doesn't stop with your clothes.