Questions answered

No single person. Breast bands were worn in Roman times, linen bras with cups survive from 15th-century Austria, and many “bust supporters” were patented in the 19th century. Mary Phelps Jacob’s 1914 US patent is the best known, and Herminie Cadolle’s house claims an 1889 design — but, as the historian Valerie Steele says, no one person invented the brassiere. See our history.

Sources: The Underpinnings Museum — Lift & Separate: Technology and the Bra, chapter 1 (1900s); University of Innsbruck — Medieval lingerie discovered (2012); Google Patents — US 1,115,674, Mary P. Jacob, “Brassiere” (1914); Maison Cadolle — Our history (the company’s own account)

Measure snugly around your ribcage just under your bust and round to the nearest even inch — that is your band. Then measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Each inch of difference is one cup size (1 inch = A, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = D, 5 = DD/E). Treat it as a starting point and check the fit: see our measuring and fit guide.

Source: Triumph UK — Bra size calculator and fitting guide

Sizing isn’t standardised: brands cut differently, and the same size can fit differently from style to style. Triumph’s fitting guide notes that every body is different, and some fitters — such as Bravissimo’s — fit by eye rather than with a tape. Use your measured size as a guide, try bras on, and consider sister sizes.

Sources: Triumph UK — Bra size calculator and fitting guide; Bravissimo — Bra fitting guide

A size with the same cup volume on a different band. Going down a band size means going up a cup, and vice versa — for example, 34FF, 32G and 36F have the same cup volume. It is useful when the cups fit but the band feels too loose or too tight.

Source: Bravissimo — Sister sizes

Bodies change with weight, hormones, pregnancy, age and exercise. Bravissimo recommends a fitting every six months. Many shops offer free fittings in store or by video call.

Source: Bravissimo — Fitting and sizing advice

Usually that the band is too loose. Try a smaller band and go up a cup size to keep the same cup volume. The band should sit level all the way round and provide most of the support.

Sources: Bravissimo — Bra fitting guide; Triumph UK — Bra size calculator and fitting guide

Not exactly. UK sizes use inches for the band and continue cup letters with doubles — D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG and so on — while European sizes use centimetre-based bands, and cup letters don’t always line up between countries. Brands that sell internationally publish conversion charts: use the brand’s own chart rather than assuming a letter means the same thing everywhere.

Sources: Royce — Charlotte Nursing Full Cup Non-Padded Bra (checked 3 Oct 2026); Triumph UK — Bra size calculator and fitting guide

There is no good evidence that it does. A US population-based study of more than 1,500 postmenopausal women found no link between breast cancer risk and any aspect of bra wearing — including underwires, cup size or hours worn each day. If you notice a breast change or have pain that doesn’t improve, see a GP.

Sources: Chen L, Malone KE, Li CI (2014), “Bra wearing not associated with breast cancer risk”, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; NHS — Breast pain

It’s a matter of comfort. For breast pain, the NHS suggests a properly fitted bra during the day and a soft bra to sleep in. After breast surgery, your surgeon or breast care nurse may recommend wearing one at night for the first few weeks.

Sources: NHS — Breast pain; Breast Cancer Now — Bras after surgery for breast cancer

Firmer than an everyday bra, but still comfortable. Sports bras hold the breasts close to the chest and usually have a wider band, thicker straps and more coverage. Try the jump test before buying, and choose the support level for your activity — see sports bras by impact level.

Source: Bravissimo — Sports bras

Bravissimo suggests waiting until about 36–37 weeks of pregnancy, when you are more likely to get a good fit for after the birth, and wearing non-wired styles for at least the first four weeks after your baby arrives.

Sources: Bravissimo — Nursing bra guide; Bravissimo — Maternity bra guide

Follow your surgeon or breast care nurse’s advice. Breast Cancer Now suggests a soft, non-wired, supportive bra with full cups, wide straps and a wide band while you heal — front-fastening if your shoulder is stiff. See bras after breast surgery.

Source: Breast Cancer Now — Bras after surgery for breast cancer

No — according to Breast Cancer Now, you don’t have to pay VAT on post-surgery bras if you have had surgery for breast cancer. Online order forms usually have a box to tick; in a shop you may be asked to sign a VAT exemption form.

Source: Breast Cancer Now — Bras after surgery for breast cancer

By hand in cool water with a delicates detergent is gentlest. If the label allows machine washing, fasten the hooks, use a mesh bag and a cool delicates cycle. Never wring or tumble dry. See our care guide.

Source: Bravissimo — Care guide

No. At the Miss America protest in Atlantic City on 7 September 1968, demonstrators threw bras and other items into a “Freedom Trash Can”, but they weren’t allowed to light a fire. The “bra burner” label came later, from a newspaper report.

Source: HISTORY.com — Protesters disrupt the Miss America Pageant, 7 September 1968