SIZE & SHAPE
Breast come in all shapes and sizes depending on the amount of fatty tissue contained within.  One's breast size and shape are generally described based on the classifications of the Bra & lingerie industry. Use our standardized technique to determine your correct bra and cup size.

Prior to World War I, women breasts were stuffed into corsets and other single-fabric contraptions.  The precursor of the two cup bra was designed by a woman named Caresse Crosby.  She sold the patent for her concept -two handkerchiefs sewn together with attached ribbon straps- in 1913, and the beginning of the 11.3 billion lingerie business was born.  Caresse's flimsy bras slowly evolved to more constrictive undergarments.  Bra manufacturer's (run by men) began to sew the bras to girdles, thus tightly binding the woman wearer.  These slowly evolved into pointy bras in the 1950s.  (Is it any wonder why the woman's liberation movement began with folk burning their bras?)

Today's bras are more functional and comfortable.  They provide support while "helping" a woman's figure to conform to current societal norms.  Brassiere manufacturers have come up with nomenclature to allow standardization of their products.  The chest size is actually determined by measuring the diameter of the rib cage below the breasts and adding 5.  The cup Size is a measure of the volume of the breast, and is denoted by the first letters of the alphabet. Click here to calculate your correct breast and bra size.

The photographs below show examples of varying breast and cup sizes. (Please note, sizes labeled below are estimated and may not be correct.)

Breasts are usually asymmetrical, meaning that one woman's breast may be a different size or shape than her other breast.  Interestingly, a woman's left breast is usually a little larger then her right breast, though this is only a generalization.  The woman shown has a left breast that is larger than her right breast, in fact, many of the photos above show breast asymmetry.

Inverted nipples are also quite common and are not a problem unless they cause difficulty during nursing.  A nipple that previously was not inverted but then became inverted is a warning sign of breast cancer and needs to be brought to the attention of a doctor.

Nipple hair is also quite common for some woman, and is usually not abnormal.  In these women, a number of straight strands of dark hair grow from the outer border of the areola.  Occasionally, the amount of nipple hair is excessive (and usually associated with an increase in total body hair).  When there is excessive hair on a woman, it is called hirsuitism (see photo).  Hirsuitism is usually due to hormonal influences, though in rare circumstances it can be caused by a hormone-producing tumor.  Excessive hair growth should therefor be discussed with your family physician. 

Breast and bra classification is as follows (from smallest to largest):  A, B, C, D, and DD (also known as Double D or sometimes called E).  Though less common, the larger cup sizes of  F, G, H (and larger) also exist.  These biggest bra sizes are often needed by very large-breasted women, or women whose size increases with pregnancy and nursing.  A training bra for developing girls (usually Tanner stage 2, 3, or 4) is also available and is smaller than the A cup.  This is sometimes called AA (double A).