You can measure your bra size at home in under five minutes with just a soft tape measure. Wrap it around your ribcage for your band size, then around the fullest part of your bust for your cup size. The difference between the two numbers gives you your cup. Once you have that, converting it to the S, M, or L sizing used on most babydolls, chemises, and lingerie sets is simple, and this guide covers both steps.
Just two things: a soft, flexible measuring tape (the kind tailors use, not a metal one) and a mirror. If you do not have a measuring tape, a piece of string or ribbon works just as well. Wrap it around yourself, mark where it meets, then measure that length against a ruler. Measure over a non-padded bra or no bra at all for the most accurate result, since padding and underwire can throw the numbers off by an inch or more.
Stand straight in front of a mirror and wrap the tape snugly around your ribcage, directly under your bust. The tape should sit flat and parallel to the ground, snug but not tight enough to dig in. Take the measurement in inches. If you land on an odd number, round up to the nearest even number. A reading of 29 or 30 inches rounds to 30, and 31 inches rounds to 32. That rounded number is your band size.
Keeping the tape level, wrap it around the fullest part of your bust, usually right across the nipple line. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides and the tape neither tight nor loose. Note this measurement in inches as well. To find your cup size, subtract your band measurement from this bust measurement. Each inch of difference corresponds to a cup letter: a 1 inch difference is A, 2 inches is B, 3 inches is C, 4 inches is D, and so on. For example, a 36 inch bust with a 32 inch band gives a 4 inch difference, which is a D cup, written as 32D.
Most babydolls, chemises, and lingerie sets are not sized by band and cup the way structured bras are. Instead, they use S, M, and L, cut with enough ease to fit a small range of measurements comfortably. Once you know your band and cup size, this table gives you a reliable starting point for nightwear sizing. Because babydolls are designed to flow rather than fit tightly, you can generally trust this conversion even if your exact band or cup falls between two rows.
| Band Size | Typical Cup Range | Indian Dress Size | Nightwear Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 to 32 | A to B | 32 to 34 | S |
| 32 to 34 | B to C | 34 to 36 | M |
| 36 to 38 | C to D | 36 to 38 | L |
If your measurements fall right on the border between two rows, size up rather than down. A slightly looser babydoll still looks and feels beautiful, while one that is too snug across the bust will not sit right no matter how good the fabric is.
A forgiving, flowy fit that works beautifully across the S to L range.
Your body changes more often than most people think. Weight fluctuations, hormonal cycles, pregnancy, and even changes in posture can shift your band and cup size by a size or more. Remeasuring every six to twelve months is a reasonable habit, and it is always worth remeasuring before buying anything new if it has been a while since you last checked.
No. While having a second person hold the tape can make it slightly easier to keep it level, most women can get an accurate measurement alone in front of a mirror. Take your time, keep the tape parallel to the floor, and measure twice to confirm.
Round up rather than down. This applies both to your band size in inches and to your nightwear size in S, M, or L. A looser fit is always more comfortable and more flattering than one that pulls or digs in.
Yes, the same band and bust measurement method works regardless of size. The only difference is that band measurements above 38 to 40 inches may fall outside the standard S to L range offered on some nightwear styles, so always check the specific size chart on the product page.
Structured bras rely on precise band and cup measurements because they are built around underwire and fixed cups. Babydolls, chemises, and lingerie sets are cut more loosely and rely on stretch and flow rather than a tight structure, which is why one nightwear size comfortably covers a range of bra sizes.
Measure directly over your skin or over a thin, non-padded bra. Measuring over regular clothing, especially anything with texture or thickness, will give you an inflated reading and the wrong size.
Babydolls, chemises, and sets in S, M, and L from Rahas Studio.
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