Okay, so, I’ve been on a bit of a mission lately to really understand bra sizes, specifically Australian ones. It’s a whole different ball game compared to what I was used to, so let me walk you through what I did.

First, I realized I needed to get my head around the basics. See, in Australia, they do things a bit differently. They use centimeters for measurements, which was a new one for me. The band size is a number, and the cup size is a letter, just like back home, but the numbers didn’t seem to match up with what I knew.
So, I started measuring. I grabbed a measuring tape and measured around my ribcage, just under my bust. That gave me my band size. Then, I measured around the fullest part of my bust. That’s the overbust measurement.
- Measuring was key. I used a soft measuring tape for this.
- First measurement: Underbust, right around my ribcage. This is the band size.
- Second measurement: Overbust, around the fullest part.
The difference between these two measurements is supposed to give you your cup size. But here’s where it got tricky. Australian sizes, I found out, can be a bit inconsistent with the cup letters, especially when you go above a DD.
I did some digging online, reading through forums and blogs. I found out that a 12DD in Australia is roughly the same cup size as a 14D, but the band sizes are different, obviously. It’s like a whole sizing puzzle. I even tried using some online tools that suggest your “starting size.” They’re helpful, but not always spot on.
Then, I decided to hit the shops.
I went to a few different stores and tried on a bunch of bras. I noticed that the sizes varied a lot between brands, which was super frustrating. Some size 12s fit perfectly in one store, but in another, I needed a 14, or maybe even a 10. It really depends on the brand and the style of the bra.

Then, I talked to a lady who worked in one of the lingerie stores. She was super helpful and gave me a proper fitting. She explained how different bra styles can affect the fit, and how to tell if a bra fits correctly. She also confirmed that Australian sizes can be a bit all over the place.
- Trying on bras is a must. Sizes vary so much between brands.
- Getting a professional fitting is gold. They know their stuff.
After all this, I’ve come to a few conclusions. First, don’t rely solely on the size label. Second, measurements are a good starting point, but they’re not the be-all and end-all. Third, trying on different bras and getting a professional fitting are the best ways to find your perfect fit.
I found out, the hard way, that each brand has its own sizing chart. So, a size 10 in one brand might be a size 12 in another. It’s wild! I spent a whole afternoon just trying on bras, and let me tell you, it was exhausting.
So, my adventure in the world of Australian bra sizes has been quite the learning experience. It’s been a mix of measuring, researching, and lots of trial and error. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert now, but I definitely feel a lot more confident about finding the right bra size for me, even if it takes a bit of work. And, there is a trick, knowing the difference in inches between the two measurements can help you figure out the volume to avoid overflow or gaping.