Measuring Lingerie Sizes Correctly – Bra, Dress Size & One Size

With lingerie, a purchase rarely fails because of taste – almost always because of size. The reason: lingerie does not follow standard dress sizing. Instead of 38 or 42 you get S/M, L/XL or one size – and what each of those means is decided by the manufacturer, not by a standard.

📏 The three measurements that matter

Use a soft tape measure, measure on bare skin or over thin underwear, and do not pull it tight. Two fingers should still fit underneath.

• Bust. At the fullest point of the chest, tape horizontal, arms hanging loosely.
• Underbust. Directly below the breasts, breathing out. This measurement determines bra size, not the bust.
• Waist and hips. Waist at the narrowest point, hips at the widest – both matter for bodies, corsets and suspender sets.

Measure in the evening. Your body is measurably different from the morning, and you will be wearing the piece in the evening anyway.

🔤 What S/M and L/XL really mean

Most sets in the range come in two collective sizes. As a guide – when in doubt always check the manufacturer's details on the product:

Size	Dress size (approx.)	Bust	Waist
S/M	34–38	approx. 80–90 cm	approx. 60–72 cm
L/XL	40–44	approx. 92–104 cm	approx. 74–88 cm
One size	34–42, elastic	stretch material	stretch material

The rule for borderline cases: if you fall between two sizes, your largest measurement decides. A corset that fits at the waist but pulls at the hips fits nowhere. Example: the corset set in S/M exists identically in L/XL – comparing both size charts before clicking pays off.

🧵 One size – when it works

"One size" is not a cheat, it is a material question. With highly elastic mesh or fine-knit fabric a piece really does cover a wide range – a one-size bodystocking stretches along its whole length.

• Works well for: mesh bodystockings, fine-knit catsuits, suspender tights.
• Works badly for: anything with fixed cups, underwires, rigid boning or lace appliqué – such as the lace bodystocking, where the pattern gives very little.
• Watch your height: bodystockings are limited in length, not just in circumference. Above roughly 1.80 m the crotch pulls noticeably downwards.

👗 What counts for which piece

• Bras and bustiers: underbust plus cup. Dress size alone is never enough here.
• Bodies and jumpsuits: also mind the torso length (shoulder to crotch) – the most common invisible mis-buy.
• Corsets: the waist is the leading measurement. Laced models are far more forgiving than zip models.
• Suspender sets: hip circumference decides, not the waist. The four-piece suspender set in XL shows how much room adjustable straps provide.
• Thongs and open-crotch pieces: the most tolerant of all. A set like the Kristeen thong in S/M fits across a wide range.

Menswear follows its own sizing system – that is covered in the guide to men's lingerie.

🧼 Care, so the size stays

1. Hand wash, cold. 30 degrees destroys elastane faster than any amount of wear.
2. No fabric softener. It coats the fibres and takes away their recovery.
3. Dry flat. Hung up, wet mesh stretches lengthwise – and then it no longer fits.
4. Never tumble dry. A single cycle can shrink a piece by half a size.

❓ Frequently asked questions

I wear a dress size 40 – which size do I take?

Usually L/XL. But rely on the manufacturer's centimetre figures rather than the dress size: two brands using the same label are often several centimetres apart.

What if bust and hips fall into different sizes?

Take the larger one. Too loose can be corrected with lacing or adjustable straps, too tight cannot.

Does lingerie generally run small?

Often yes, especially lace sets. If you are between two sizes and unsure, the larger one is almost always right.

Can I return lingerie?

Unworn and with the hygiene seal intact, yes. So try pieces on over your own underwear before removing the label.

How do I find my bra size without a fitting?

Measure the underbust and round up, then work out the difference to the bust: around 12 cm is an A, 14 cm a B, 16 cm a C, 18 cm a D.

✅ Conclusion

Three measurements, taken in the evening, and the larger size when in doubt – that removes most bad buys. One size works brilliantly with elastic mesh and badly with anything structured. Browse under lingerie for women, tops and bottoms.

🛍️ Discover matching products:

• All lingerie for women
• Bodies & catsuits
• Bodystocking one size
• Corset set S/M
• Four-piece suspender set
• Lingerie for men

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