Ribcage difference
I hadn't been on here in a couple of years and noticed recently the addition of the "loose ribcage measurement". I understand breathing, eating, drinking all affecting the fit of a snug band as well as how much squish or lack of squish there may be around your sides, and I'm a firm believer in wearing a band that does not cut off your circulation (i.e. all smooth lines, no indentation on the side)... But how much is too much? My typical, relaxed and not breathing in or out measurement is about 26". Yet on either end of that I go from 24.5" all the way up to 30". My go-to bras are Decos with a dart in the gore which takes out a full inch from the band, on top of that I typically wear them on the middle eyes. Are there exceptions to this loose ribcage measurement? Like it's only necessary for those who want an extra snug fit, or extra loose?
Filed under Bra sizing and fit
9 comments
To me anyways, the band should strictly be dependent on your own preferences. Funnily enough, I have the exact same measurements as you but I prefer my bands to be true to my resting measurement at 26 inches. I know that slimmer measurements should normally have some inches added for comfort, but I simply love the snug fit of a 26 band and I feel that it gives me the best support. I don't have perfect posture but a snug band definitely helps in my experience. Band measurement is not solely dependent on numbers as ribcage shape definitely comes into play as well; goes to show that bra fitting is highly personal and how complex it could be.
I'm not sure I understand your question... The loose measurement is not a rule or guideline, it is just a number (the main purpose of which, I think, is typically to help assess squish and frame size, so if someone's loose measurement is only 1.5" larger than their tight measurement you know they have very little flesh there whereas if there is a 6" difference you know they are more compressible in that area and can probably size down in band if needed e.g. in the case of heavy breasts). So I'm not clear on what you mean by "are there exceptions to this measurement"? It's just a measurement you take without exhaling or compressing the flesh around your ribs.
If you mean are there exceptions to a particular degree of band tightness or looseness, IMO the answer is there are no exceptions because there is no rule! Or rather the rule should not be based on numbers. It should be based on what band size is comfortable and supports your bust without riding up. For some people that band size will be identical to their snug measurement, for some people it will be similar to their loose measurement. for some people it will be even smaller than their break the tape tight measurement... Huge variety.
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