How to Measure Your Bra Size

Having a well-fitted bra is essential for daily comfort and confidence, especially for those who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you find the perfect mastectomy bra.

A. Measuring Band Size (See Table I)

Finding the right band size is crucial, as it provides the primary support for your bra. Follow these steps:

• Measure your under-bust circumference by wrapping a measuring tape snugly under the bust, ensuring it lays flat against the chest without digging into the skin.
• It’s recommended to take this measurement braless for the most accuracy.
• The band should fit firmly around your torso without easily pulling away from the body. Remember that the elastic in the band may stretch over time, so ensure a snug fit now.

Fitting Tip:

• Opt for a wireless bra with a snug band for adequate support and comfort.
• For those concerned about “back fat,” consider bras with wider bands to smooth your silhouette.

B. Measuring Cup Size (See Table II)

Finding your cup size requires measuring the fullest part of your bust. Follow these steps:

• Using a measuring tape, measure from the middle of your back, across the fullest part of the breast, to the breastbone.
• Keep the tape resting lightly against the breast to avoid discomfort.
• Double this measurement to find your full bust measurement.

Fitting Tip:

• If your breasts are uneven, fit the cup to the fuller side and use a partial breast form on the smaller side.
• Ensure the cup lays flush with your body, fully accommodating the breast (or breast form) without gapping or spilling.

To find your size: Subtract your band measurement (Table I) from your full bust measurement, then match the difference to a cup size in Table II. For example, a 34 band with a 92 cm full bust (an 8 cm difference, close to the 7.5 cm bracket) is roughly a 34C.

Choosing Your Mastectomy Bra

Choosing the right mastectomy bra requires balancing your body shape, medical needs, activity levels, and personal style preferences. Because it directly impacts your comfort and recovery, finding a garment tailored to your specific situation is essential.

1. Your Body Type

Mastectomy bras are available in a diverse range of shapes and sizes.

• Small to Medium Cups: If you require less heavy-duty support, moulded or padded cups are excellent options to create a smooth, natural silhouette.
• Full-Figured Shapes: If you have a larger frame, prioritize bras with seamed cups, wide underbands, and broad, padded shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly and maximize comfort.

2. Medical Requirements

Post-surgery healing introduces unique physical changes that dictate what type of bra you should wear:

• Managing Swelling: Oedema (swelling) is common after breast surgery and can be temporary or chronic. Specialized compression bras help drain excess fluid, minimize swelling, and reduce skin tenderness or scar irritation.
• Implant Stabilization: If you have undergone reconstruction, compression garments also help secure breast implants and restrict unwanted implant movement.

3. Level of Activity

While standard mastectomy bras offer great support for day-to-day wear, exercise requires extra security. Mastectomy sports bras are built with high-performance, supportive fabrics designed to keep breast forms firmly in place while you move.

4. Style & Confidence

Even though these garments serve a medical purpose, you do not have to compromise on your personal style. Modern collections offer a wide range of colours, patterns, and feminine designs. This variety ensures you can choose options that reflect your personality, complement your wardrobe, and enhance your confidence.

Would you like to find a mastectomy bra fitter near you? Click on the FITTERS page to find one near you.

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Mastectomy Bra Features & Benefits

To the untrained eye, a mastectomy bra looks just like any other bra you wore before your surgery — and that’s exactly the point. But beneath the familiar seams sit a number of thoughtful design features, each one built to give you comfort, support and confidence as you heal and move forward.

Mastectomy bras are bilaterally pocketed, meaning both cups have anatomically shaped pockets. This allows a breast prosthesis to sit securely on one or both sides, while your natural breast (if you have one) rests just as comfortably. These bras are ideal for women who have had augmentation, breast-conserving surgery, or a full mastectomy.

The Features of a Good Mastectomy Bra

When choosing your bra, support and comfort matter more than anything else. Here’s what a well-made mastectomy bra offers, so you can step into your day with confidence.

Soft linings. Your skin and scars deserve gentleness while they heal. Soft linings and edges mean no rubbing, no irritation — just comfort.

Anatomical pockets. Specially shaped pockets in each cup let your breast form slip in easily and stay securely in place, whether you’re going about your day or exercising. Made from soft cotton or gentle mesh, they’re moulded to support your natural breast comfortably too.

TIP: Bring your prosthesis with you when trying on new bras — a pocket that fits your specific form perfectly makes all the difference to how secure and natural it feels.

Wide, adjustable straps. Wide, padded straps support your breast without pressing on the surrounding skin — something that matters even more since surgery can affect your lymphatic system. Adjustability lets you fine-tune the fit to what feels right for you.

Thick underband. This is your bra’s main source of support — the wider it is, the more securely your breast form is held, especially in larger cup sizes. Some bands are anatomically shaped to stop rolling, and a wide band also sits clear of scars rather than directly over them.

Broad wings and side panels. Like the straps, wider side panels help cover visible scarring and add structural support, all while staying gentle on your lymphatic system.

Supportive seams. Soft, moulded cups suit smaller busts beautifully, while seamed cups give fuller, larger breasts the extra strength they need — supporting the weight comfortably and shaping the cup for proper sternal separation.

High central gore. A higher central panel keeps your breast form firmly in place against your chest wall, reducing gaping when you bend forward and giving you extra peace of mind.

TIP: Do a simple “bend test” in the fitting room — lean forward as you would to pick something up. If the form stays put and nothing gapes, that’s a great sign of a well-fitted gore.

Options Worth Considering

Front-fastening styles. If range of motion is a problem and your shoulder mobility feels limited after surgery — whether due to the procedure itself or a slower recovery — a front-fastening bra with hook-and-loop or zip closures can make dressing far easier.

Camisole inserts. Some mastectomy bras include a built-in camisole layer, offering extra coverage over scar tissue for those who want it.

Camisole tops with built-in bra. These “modified bras” have a built-in shelf bra which comfortably holds the prostheses or your own natural breast. These strappy bras are the perfect solution for sweltering summer days or can be worn as a camisole under a blouse or as a vest in winter.

A note on underwire… Underwire isn’t necessary, and we don’t recommend it. A well-designed mastectomy bra offers all the support you need without it. Underwire can dig in or feel uncomfortable if bent, and — importantly — it can damage your prosthesis if it becomes exposed through the lining.