Why 32D is the Most Misunderstood Bra Size

Thanks to media and pop culture, many people assume a "D cup" is huge. In reality, a correctly fitted 32D is a modest, proportional size. It measures a 32-inch band and a 36-inch full bust -- just four inches of difference, which is similar in volume to a 34C or 36B. The D letter simply means the bust is 4 inches larger than the ribcage, nothing more.

Society's exaggerated image of a D cup comes from pornography, Hollywood costuming, and push-up bras that add two cup sizes. When most people say "she is a D cup," they are imagining the look of a 34DD or a 36DD -- sizes with far more volume. A true 32D on an average frame looks natural, athletic, and balanced.

If you have been told you are "too small for a D cup," get a second opinion with a tape measure. Many 32D wearers were previously placed in 34B or 36A using the +4 method, and discovering their true size often comes as a revelation that transforms their comfort and confidence.