Buying a bra online: how to get your size right

Buying a bra online doesn't have to be a disadvantage or any different from buying it in a physical store. If you know the necessary tricks that we tell you below, the perfect bra for you can arrive at home on the first try!

When we buy clothes online, we usually look at the size almost automatically. But with a bra, there's a small detail that can change everything: not all stores and brands display sizes using the same sizing system.

And precisely understanding the difference between European sizing (EU), French/Spanish sizing (FR/ES), American sizing (USA) or Italian sizing (IT) can prevent many errors when buying a bra online.

What is the most common mistake when buying a bra online?

One of the most common mistakes women make when buying a bra online is not paying attention to the sizing system used by the online lingerie store where they are shopping.

Has it ever happened to you that you bought exactly “your size” and when the bra arrived home it seemed much smaller or larger in band size than you expected?

The problem may not have been with your size, but rather that you were comparing two different bra sizing systems.

Choosing the perfect bra size when shopping online

If you're a girl who shops a lot online, if it hasn't happened to you with a bra, it might have happened with any other type of garment, like a t-shirt, a dress, or pants.

That's why at Singular, we want to warn you about this common mistake so that buying your perfect bra is a truly easy task and you can use it as soon as it arrives home.

You MUST always find out, before buying a minimizer bra, a push-up bra, a wireless bra or even a backless bra, what sizing system the lingerie store where you are buying uses.

It's possible that you're used to buying your bras in European sizing (EU), and the new online lingerie store where you're buying that beautiful new bra uses French/Spanish sizing (FR/ES).

And this is precisely what we want to address in today's post.

What bra sizing do we use at Singular?

At Singular, Unique Lingerie, we follow FRENCH/SPANISH sizing, or FR/ES.

Confusion often arises especially between EU sizing and FR/ES sizing, as both commonly appear on bras from international lingerie brands.

That's why it's crucial to pay attention not only to the number and letter, but also to the small abbreviations that appear next to the size.

The same garment can show several equivalences on its label: for example, European, French/Spanish, and American sizes.

Equivalence between EU and FR/ES bra sizes

If you're one of those women who are used to buying their bras in EU sizing and now want to buy a minimizer bra, a push-up bra, a sports bra or a maternity bra from Singular, here is an equivalence chart for you to quickly find your FR/ES size based on your EU sizing.

VERY IMPORTANT: In the usual conversion between European sizing (EU) and French/Spanish sizing (FR/ES), what changes is the number that identifies the band size. In brands that use the same cup nomenclature between both systems, the letter remains the same.

For example:

80D EU → 95D FR/ES

Easy, right?

Quick chart: EU and FR/ES equivalence

To make it even faster, this is the usual relationship between European and French/Spanish band sizes:

EU	FR/ES
65	80
70	85
75	90
80	95
85	100
90	105
95	110
100	115
105	120

Therefore, if you see an 80D EU and a 95D FR/ES, you are seeing the band size equivalence between both systems for that example.

How do I know what sizing my bra has?

And now many of you will be thinking: how do I know if the bra I have at home is European, American, French, or Spanish sizing?

Very simple. The bra label usually specifies it with abbreviations:

FR/ES: means French / Spanish sizing.
EU: means European sizing.
IT: means Italian sizing. It may appear as sizes like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...
USA: means American sizing. Band sizes usually appear as 32, 34, 36, 38...

These systems usually appear on the bra's own label and, depending on the brand, also on the box or packaging where the garment arrives.

USA to FR/ES bra size equivalence

Although the USA system appears less frequently in some of the European brands we work with, you can also find it on labels. Here's a small key to guide you with the band size:

32 = 85

34 = 90

36 = 95

38 = 100

40 = 105

42 = 110

44 = 115

46 = 120

For example, when the brand uses the same cup designation in both systems:

34C USA → 90C FR/ES

But here we want to make an important clarification: for larger cups, the nomenclature can vary depending on the system and the brand. Some brands use DD, DDD, FF or other sequences that do not directly match those used in Europe.

Therefore, especially if you have a large cup size, don't just convert the letter from memory: always check the label or the brand's specific size chart.

How to find out which sizing you've always used

Now, what if you bought a bra a while ago, cut off the tag, and threw away the box?

If you don't know what sizing you usually refer to when buying a bra, you can message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you.

You can also check out our previous post and quickly find your bra size in FR/ES sizing → I Want to Know My Perfect Bra Size

There, we explain step-by-step how to measure your underbust and bust to get your bra size.

Bra sizing and equivalent sizes are not the same thing

There is also another fairly common confusion that we want to clarify.

Converting an EU size to FR/ES is not the same as looking for an equivalent size or sister size bra.

When we convert, for example, an 80D EU to a 95D FR/ES, we are expressing an equivalent size between two numbering systems.

Sister sizes, on the other hand, modify the band and cup letter to find a similar approximate volume when our usual size is not available.

These are two concepts related to bra sizes, but completely different. Knowing how to distinguish them will help you a lot when buying lingerie online.

Tips for buying a bra online and getting it right the first time

In addition to checking the sizing system, there are a few details we recommend you always review before buying a bra online:

Check the sizing: FR/ES, EU, USA, or the system used by the brand.
Review the band and cup: both parts together form your bra size.
Read the model description: a minimizer, sports, push-up, or wireless bra can have very different constructions.
Consult the size chart: especially if you are buying a brand you have never used before.
Pay attention to the available cup sizes: not all models are manufactured in the same size range.
And if you have doubts, ask before buying: in lingerie, a small piece of advice can save you from choosing the wrong size.

Frequently asked questions about sizes when buying bras online

What is the difference between an EU size and an FR/ES size?

The main difference is in the band numbering. For example, a size 80 EU usually corresponds to a size 95 FR/ES. You should always check the brand's chart, especially for large cup nomenclature.

What FR/ES size is equivalent to an 80D EU?

The usual equivalent is 80D EU = 95D FR/ES.

What FR/ES size is equivalent to a 75C EU?

The usual equivalent would be 75C EU = 90C FR/ES.

What FR/ES size is equivalent to a 34C USA?

In systems and brands that maintain the C cup nomenclature in the same way, a 34C USA is usually equivalent to a 90C FR/ES. For larger cups, it is always advisable to consult the manufacturer's specific chart.

How do I know if my bra is EU or FR size?

Check the label. You will usually find several sizes accompanied by acronyms such as EU, FR, ES, US/USA, or IT. Locate the system you usually use before comparing it with another bra.

Can I buy a bra online without trying it on?

Yes. Knowing your size correctly, checking the sizing system used by the store, consulting the model's characteristics, and asking for advice when in doubt makes it much easier to get it right when buying a bra online.