Analysis on the Difference between the Practical Brassiere Size and Real Breast Volume

Abstract

Background: Brassiere cup size is defined as the difference in chest circumference between the inframammary fold and the fullest part of the breast. However, a large number of women are not aware of the correct definition and are prone to wearing incorrectly-sized brassieres. In this report, the authors compared the cup size of worn brassieres and the actual measurement.

Methods: This study was a retrospective review of patients who had undergone breast reconstruction operation between May 2020 and June 2021. All patients who visited the plastic surgery clinic for breast reconstruction were inquired about their cup size, and their breast circumferences were measured. The patient demographic information, ptosis grade, mastectomy specimen weight, measured breast circumference, and known cup size were analyzed.

Results: Overall, 163 women were included. Notably, 92 of 163 patients (56.4%) were wearing a correctly-sized brassiere. Patients were more likely to wear a correctly-sized brassiere as the cup size became smaller. Moreover, patients with A-cup breasts tended to wear larger brassieres, whereas patients with B and C-cup breasts tended to wear smaller brassieres than their actual breast cup size.

Conclusions: Approximately one in two women do not know their correct brassiere cup size. Women tend to wear a brassiere of the wrong size as their cup size becomes larger. Therefore, it is important for surgeons to be aware of their patient's brassiere wearing habit and their perception when a surgery, such as augmentation or reconstruction, is planned.