We want to elaborate a bit more on the different naming conventions used for bra cup sizes in different parts of the world. As we’ve mentioned previously, this difference in naming systems are one of several reasons that bra sizing gets confusing in a hurry. All these systems agree for A through D cups, then diverge. (At least, all the systems you’re likely to encounter living in the U.S. There are exceptions, like Japan.)

U.S. sizing uses the familiar D,DD,DDD,G sequence, then proceeds through the alphabet. At least, that’s how most U.S. brands name their sizes. Some use “F” instead of “DDD”, and a few use “DDDD” instead of “G”. At least two well-know American chain stores- Lane Bryant/ Cacique and Torrid- add an extra size to their sequence: DD,DDD,F,G, where F and DDD are the same size in standard configurations. Confused yet? Yep, U.S. sizing is possibly the most frustrating, because it isn’t even internally consistent.

Possibly the most straightforward, European sizes take us straight through the alphabet with no duplications.

     U.K. sizing duplicates more letters and omits others: DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, K, etc. The extra “doubles” mean that U.K. sizes appear to climb more slowly than U.S. or European sizes, but a U.K. F, G, and so forth is actually a larger size than in any other system. 

     Grail labels and refers to our bra sizes according to what our various brands call them, rather than reducing all sizing on the floor to one generic system. We carry bras that use all three sizing systems, and several variations thereof. It’s part of why we’d actually prefer to pull bras for you to try, even if you already have a solid area of where your baseline sizing falls and what styles appeals to you. We’ll do the conversions for you and make sure you’re getting the size you think you are. 😉