How to take your measurements + choose your size
Underwear+ Other Bottoms
Begin by taking your measurements according to the instructions below. If available, using a second mirror or asking a friend for assistance can help to ensure accuracy!
Hips. Pull the measuring tape around the widest part of your hips/butt. Generally, this will bring the tape measure right across your hip crease (ie where your leg creases when you lift your leg.) Make sure that the tape is running straight and level around your body. This is your hip measurement.
Waist. Pull the measuring tape around the center of your waist/torso, usually about 2-3” above your belly button. If your body is narrowest at the waist, measure around the narrowest part. Make sure that the tape runs straight and level around your body. This is your waist measurement.
Use your measurements to determine your underwear size according to the chart below. VAVA's underwear are proportioned for roughly a 10" difference between the waist and hip. If that doesn't match your proportions, no sweat! Your waist and hip sizes can be used to create a custom fit by blending two sizes. This is a complimentary service for VAVA Lingerie customers, and home sewists will find detailed instructions in their pattern book for creating a custom pattern tailored to their proportions.
Bras
Let me preface this by saying that finding the right bra size is legitimately annoying and universally hated. There isn't any universal sizing system so every brand has to determine their own size charts and fit, and there is inevitably variation from one brand to another. I've spent a lot of time checking the fit on my sizing charts against others, as well as against the measurements and preferred sizes of as many customers as possible. What I've found is that your measurements will lead you to the right size about 90% of the time. But since there really isn't any substitution for putting a garment on your body and feeling whether it's comfortable and supportive for you, I happily offer exchanges and will work with you after you receive your order to determine if you've got the best possible fit. Start here; your measurements will absolutely help to determine which size is best for you, but please don't hesitate shoot me an email if you have any questions along the way.
Ribcage. Pull the measuring tape around your ribcage (if you have breasts, just underneath them.) Make sure the tape is running straight and level around your body. This is your ribcage measurement.
Use your underbust measurement to determine your band size according to this chart:
Chest. Wearing no bra or a bra without any padding, measure around the fullest part of your chest. Often this will run the tape right across your nipples. Make sure that the tape is running straight and level around your body. This is your chest measurement.
Your cup size is determined by the difference between your chest and ribcage, so subtract your ribcage measurement from your chest measurement. For example, my ribcage measurement is 29" and my chest measurement is 33" which means there is a 4" difference between the two. This makes my cup size a D, and my bra size a 32D. Use this chart to determine your cup size:
