Is This Plus Size Lingerie?

Here’s a question we hear a lot: is full bust lingerie the same as plus size lingerie?

No, YOU made a Venn diagram using MS Paint! I am a professional.

As you can see from my very fancy and scientific diagram above, some full bust lingerie is plus size, and some plus size lingerie is full bust. But there’s a whole lot more to each category! So how do we tell them apart? Here’s the simplest way to split them:

Plus size lingerie is about band sizes. Full bust lingerie is about cup sizes.

Bra Sizing

First, let’s review how bra sizes work. A bra size consists of a number and a letter. The number is the band size, and it refers to the wearer’s underbust measurement in inches. Sometimes your bra’s band size and your underbust measurement aren’t the same, due to things like sizing inconsistencies and what feels most comfortable on your body, but it’s usually fairly close.

The letter is the cup size. It describes the difference in inches between two measurements: the underbust and the bust. If there’s no difference between the two, it’s an A cup. A one inch difference is a B, two inches is a C, etc.

So, say we’re working with a 36G. The 36 band size means the underbust measurement is approximately 36”, while the G cup means that the bust measures 8 inches larger than the underbust. (There are different bra “alphabets” out there; I’m using the UK bra alphabet today. For a more in-depth explanation of bra sizes, click here and here.)

Plus Size vs. Full Bust

In the lingerie world, plus is generally defined as a band size of 38 or larger – regardless of cup size. So there are plus size A cups, D cups, J cups…any cup size can be on a plus size bra! Which means plus size lingerie can be for fuller busts or smaller busts.

Full bust doesn’t really have one standard definition. (I know, groan.) Most often, the term refers to cup sizes of D or larger. Any band size can have a full bust cup, so full bust lingerie can be plus size or straight size.

Here are a few examples of what I’m talking about:

A 40C is plus size.

A 32F is full bust.

A 40F is plus size and full bust.

Because there are so many different body types and shapes within the same size category – and because the fashion industry is a little inconsistent with sizing – you might wear straight size clothing and plus size lingerie, or vice versa. And be prepared for your size to change depending on the bra or brand! The important thing is finding the fit that makes you feel comfortable.

Broad stocks band sizes 28-44 and cup sizes D and up. This makes us a full bust store that carries both straight size and plus size lingerie. Not sure where you fit in? We do fittings for free, and if we don’t have what you need, we’ll help you find it!