Lingerie sizing and measurements

International sizing can be confusing e.g. American, a UK, a French and an Italian are all the same size? To help you find the right size just check on a category below:

Overbust

The charts below show how brands from different countries label their bras. There is significant variation between brands, especially above a D cup, so this is only general guidance.

The importance of fit

Any problems with fitting a bra can easily be solved by changing either the band size or the cup size, or both. Many women wear bras with the band too loose and the cup too small. In general, we suggest that if in doubt, you take a cup larger than you would normally. The most common problems with bra fitting, and how to resolve them:

• If the breasts are bulging over the bra – go up a cup size.

• If the bra rides up at the back – go down a band size.

• If the straps are digging into your shoulders (the straps are having to do all the work because although the cup might fit, the band is not tight enough) – go down a band size and up a cup size (this will give you a tighter fit around the body, with the same cup size as previously).

If the front of the bra does not sit flat against your chest – go down a band size and you may need to go up a cup size.

Briefs

Briefs sizing often follows dress sizing – 8, 10, 12, etc. Please check the categories below:

Nightwear

Swimwear

See below for our international dress sizing chart. Most of our swimwear is sized by dress size; where a manufacturer uses small, medium and large, or 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 we give the equivalent dress size on the product page.

Sizing does vary from brand to brand but as a very general rule of thumb, European swimwear tends to come up slightly smaller than UK swimwear, American styles slightly bigger