How To: Measure your bra size at home

Wearing the correct size bra is the fasts way to improve your look. The correct size bra will make you look longer, leaner and younger, plus, it will help your clothes to hang better. If you can't remember the last time you had a bra fitting then it's time to bust out the measuring tape.

Almost 80 percent of women wear the wrong sized bra, so follow these tips to make sure you pick the right size every time.

You Will Need

* A well-fitting bra
* Tape measure

Step 1: Wear a well-fitting bra

Put on a well-fitting bra. It should be unpadded and shouldn't be a sports bra or minimizer.

Step 2: Measure directly under your bust

Place the tape measure immediately under your bust, against the bottom of your bra. Hold it gently but firmly, and make sure that the tape measure is parallel to the ground.

Let out a big breath before measuring. You want the tape measure to be snug.

Step 3: Add five inches to find band size

Add five inches to the measurement to find your band size. Round up if you get a fraction or an odd number.

Step 4: Measure at the fullest part of your bust

Place the tape measure across the fullest part of your bust, parallel to the floor. Keep the tape measure loose, and note the measurement. Round to the nearest whole number.

Ask a friend to help with your measurements if you have trouble keeping the tape measure parallel to the ground.

Step 5: Subtract band size to find cup size

Subtract your band size from the second measurement. The difference is your cup size. A one-inch difference means you need an A cup. Two inches is a B cup, three inches is a C cup, and four inches is a D cup.

Step 6: Use band and cup sizes to determine bra size

Put the band and cup sizes together to determine your appropriate bra size. For example, a 36-inch band measurement and a C cup size means your bra size is 36C. Now it's time to go shopping.

Did you know? The modern system of bra sizing was invented in 1928.