All about “da” fit
“The Fit”
At Love Ojimba, having a bra with the right combination of fit, comfort and beauty is paramount for us. We make bespoke bras and underwear, and as you can imagine, the right sizing is key in the development of the finished product. We have a form with detailed measurement instructions which you can fill online here. In the past, we have had instances of people giving us the wrong sizing and as a result that led to the wrong bra size. We implore you, while the process might take a little time, it is all to give you the best product which you’ll love. You can also book fitting appointments with us, if you would like us to assist you personally. For physical appointments, client has to pay for trip costs, including travel and accommodation. Free virtual appointments can also be booked here.
You can book virtual appointments for general fittings, maternity or nursing bras, mastectomy bras, bridal solutions etc. Just send us a mail and a member of our team will reach out to you to schedule a time. For virtual appointments, we make use of encrypted video meeting solutions like Facetime, Zoom, Google meet or WhatsApp video calls. The meeting will last between 15-30 minutes and would be within our working hours 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday. If you would like a weekend schedule instead, please note in your email. For the fitting, you do not have to be fully undressed. We would not ask that of you except there absolutely is a reason to. You can wear a singlet/camisole or tights to show the shape of your body and we’ll work with that without you being fully undressed.
The bra guide below is developed to help you find the right bra to enhance your body shape and curve, for our in-collection bras or bras in our outlet store. We have many styles, from wired to no-wired, padded, balcony cups, etc. We recommend getting a bra fitting every 6 months to account for body changes due to weight or hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy. Measuring for your bra should be done wearing your best non-wired, non-foam bra cup. Hold your tape measure parallel to the floor and not twisted.
Measure around the fullest part of your bust just tight enough to keep it from sliding, do not over tighten. Write down the measurement to the nearest whole number.
Take your measuring tape around the ribcage over the bust mound/high bust, under the armpit. Hold your arms straight out like you’re an airplane. Pull the tape snug against your skin, but not too tight. Round up to the nearest even number to determine band size.
Now subtract your calculated band size (e.g. 40) from the bust measurement you’ve just done. The difference in inches determines your cup size. E.g. 47 inches (bust) – 40 inches (band) = 7 inches. That’s a 40F.
At Love Ojimba, we use the (full bust-high bust) calculation to get our band and cup size, we’ve found this more effective for our brand. However, we double check this using the (full bust-under bust) measurement common to many ready to wear brands. And we recommend the combination especially for those buying other brand products from our outlet online store. First off, measure the full bust with the instructions above, then measure the ribcage directly under the bust, snug, but not too tight.
Whatever number you got, as your measurement, we’re going to add another number to that. So, if you got an even number as your measurement, you’re going to +4, or if you got an odd number, +5. E.g. if your original measurement was 30, it would be 30 + 4 = 34 (band size).
Now subtract your calculated band size (e.g. 34) from the bust measurement you’ve just done. The difference in inches determines your cup size. E.g. 37 inches (bust) – 34 inches (band) = 3 inches. That’s a 34C.
When first purchasing a new bra, it is important to fit the band on the loosest hook and eye setting. It is inevitable that over time bra’s loosen, from numerous washes and wears – but by fitting on this setting, you allow room to adjust and ultimately, extend the life of your beloved bra.
The band of the bra should fit firmly, as this is where 80% of breast support should come from. The straps should only allow for 20% of breast support, if you are finding that your straps are leaving slightly red marks and are sore on your shoulders – this could be an indication that the back size you are wearing is too big. The other tell tale sign of this problem is if your band is riding up your back. This should not happen; the band should fit horizontally across your body at all times. You should be able to run two fingers under the brand comfortably – anymore than this, and it is too big.
For the cup, your underwire should fit flush to your breastbone. One of the best tests to see if your cup is big enough is to press the underwire beneath your armpit – if you press and feel it is firm, your cup is big enough. If you press and feel fleshly breast tissue, it is likely you will need a bigger cup. Your breast should be enclosed in the cup completely, with no bulges or baggy, loose fabric either.
If you have questions, or problems, our lingerie experts are available to guide you through any issue you may have. Please email hello@loveojimba.com.
Most importantly, you should feel comfortable in your bra everyday. A well fitting bra can make you feel beautiful and confident.
The band of the bra should fit firmly, as this is where 80% of breast support should come from. The straps should only allow for 20% of breast support
Sister Sizing
One of the most wonderful bra hacks ever created is the use of “Sister Sizes”. Every bra size has several “Bra Sister Sizes”- these are sizes where the cup volume stays the same even though the band size and cup letter change. It’s a common misconception that the larger the cup size, the larger the bra, no matter what the band size (i.e. a 40G is larger than a 46D, a 34C is larger than a 38A, etc.). However, this is not the case. During the bra manufacturing process the same exact bra cup may be paired with different band lengths to create multiple bra sizes. For example, the same exact cup is used to make 46D, 44DD, 42E, 40F, AND 38FF bras! Knowing your bra’s sister sizes can help you find your best fit when buying bras that run smaller or larger than normal. Look to the chart below to easily find your bra sister size.
