Bra Sizes and their International Equivalencies
This is the topic of the week! Because many girls still make mistakes when buying a bra simply by looking at a sizing system different from the one the store uses.
Yes, thank goodness we have free first exchanges! And once you receive the bra and see that it differs greatly from your usual size, you contact us to see what happened.
Well, in many cases, when you call or write to us saying that the size we sent you is not correct, we always ask you the same thing first: Which sizing system did you refer to when you placed the order?
And precisely from our experience, we know that understanding bra sizes and their international equivalencies can save many doubts, changes, and errors when buying lingerie online.
What sizing system do we use at Singular?
At Singular, we try to make it as easy as possible for you. If you notice, when you select the bra size, we specify that we follow the FRENCH / SPANISH (FR/ES) sizing system just below.
However, many times we shop in a hurry or simply thinking that the website where we are placing the order will surely follow our sizing system. It's something that doesn't always cross our minds, and many times we buy without noticing these small details. Right?
That's why today we want to dedicate this week's topic to clarifying which sizing system we follow at Singular Corsetería and, of course, if it's not the one you usually refer to when buying a bra, we are going to teach you how to convert it to our size. Sound like a good idea?
And if you're still not sure what your size is, before converting it, you can consult our guide how to find my perfect bra size, where we explain how to get your band and cup size from your measurements.
Main bra sizing systems
But first of all, let's set the scene a bit and show you the most important sizing systems or the ones we pay most attention to when buying.
French / Spanish (FR/ES): Ours! Singular's! This is the one you will always have to look for on a label when you shop with us.
European (EU): most mistakes before buying a bra come precisely from looking at this sizing system thinking it is FR/ES. So yes, we can say that the EU sizing system is the main culprit of this post! ;)
American (USA): also commonly used by many international brands. Although it doesn't usually lead to as much confusion because it goes by sizes like 34, 36, 38, 40... and you immediately see that at Singular we don't have that type of number —we have 90, 95, 100, 105, 110...—, so you usually ask us for the equivalent before buying because something doesn't "add up" for you.
England or English bra sizing (UK): something similar happens with American sizing. It uses numbers like 30, 32, 34, 36... and its cup sequence can also be different, so it's important to use an equivalency chart.
Italian (IT): its sizing can appear as 1, 2, 3, 4... Additionally, it is a type of sizing that is used much less in Spain and in Spanish stores.
And now that we are clear about the types of sizing we can find on a label, let's get to it!
Equivalency from European EU to French/Spanish FR/ES sizing
I have designed some tables where, in a very visual and easy way, you will be able to convert your usual sizing to ours, to FR/ES.
We start with the conversion from European sizing → to French/Spanish. As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, it is the sizing with which the most errors are made, as both use numbers that can lead to confusion if we do not pay attention to the acronyms EU or FR/ES.
IMPORTANT! In the usual conversion between European sizing (EU) and French/Spanish sizing (FR/ES), what changes is the number corresponding to the band. In brands that maintain the same cup nomenclature between both systems, the letter remains the same.
That is, to convert the band of an EU size to FR/ES, we add 15 to the number.
For example: if you wear a 90H in European sizing, in French/Spanish sizing you will be a 105H, provided that the brand maintains the same cup nomenclature between both systems.
90H EU → 105H FR/ES
That's why it's very important not to just look at the number on the label: always also look at the acronyms next to it.
Quick equivalency table for EU and FR/ES
So that you can have some clear EU and FR/ES bra size equivalencies at a glance, we also provide this quick band size table:
| EU Size | FR/ES Size |
|---|---|
| 65 | 80 |
| 70 | 85 |
| 75 | 90 |
| 80 | 95 |
| 85 | 100 |
| 90 | 105 |
| 95 | 110 |
| 100 | 115 |
| 105 | 120 |
For example: a size 75 EU is equivalent to a 90 FR/ES, an 80 EU to a 95 FR/ES, an 85 EU to a 100 FR/ES and a 90 EU to a 105 FR/ES.
Equivalency from American USA to FR/ES sizing
Then we have American sizing (USA). Here the number clearly changes and, depending on the cup, the letter nomenclature can also change.
Let's not get too complicated with the explanation here. If you use a bra where the label says USA size, go directly to these tables and make the direct equivalencies, first with the band (number) and then with the cup (letter).
With this, you will convert the band:
And with this, the cup:
For higher cups, it is especially important to use the table and not just convert from memory, because international systems can use different letter sequences. Therefore, if you have a USA size, first look at the band and then separately check the cup equivalency.
Equivalency of UK bra size to FR/ES
Great Britain sizing (UK). As with American sizing, go directly to the table and convert, as it differs significantly from French/Spanish sizing, and there isn't a simple logic like with European sizing, where converting the band is very easy.
English bra sizing uses numbers like 30, 32, 34, 36, 38... but also, the UK cup sequence can include double letters. That's why it's especially important to consult the complete equivalency when using larger cup sizes.
With this, you will convert the band:
And with this, the cup:
Equivalency of Italian IT size to FR/ES
Italian sizing (IT). Here too, we recommend converting directly with both tables, for both the band and the cup.
It is easy to recognize an Italian size because the band can be indicated by numbers such as 1, 2, 3, 4.... If you have an Italian bra and want to know its equivalent in our FR/ES sizing, use these tables:
With this, you will convert the band:
And with this, the cup:
How to find out which sizing system appears on your bra label?
When you look at a bra label, it's common to find several different sizes next to each other. That doesn't mean the bra has multiple sizes: these are different international ways of expressing the same size.
To know which one to look at, always look for the acronyms:
- FR/ES → French / Spanish.
- EU → European.
- USA / US → American.
- UK → United Kingdom.
- IT → Italian.
When shopping at Singular, always locate the size that appears next to FR/ES. That is our reference.
International equivalencies and sister sizes are not the same
Here's an important distinction we like to explain because it can cause a lot of confusion.
Converting an international size is not the same as finding an equivalent size or sister size for a bra.
When we convert an EU, UK, USA, or IT size to FR/ES, we are expressing a size within another international sizing system.
In contrast, when we look for a sister size or equivalent bra size, we modify the band and cup to find another combination with a similar approximate cup volume when our usual size is not available.
These are two different concepts, and understanding both will help you immensely to better understand bra sizes and make far fewer mistakes when shopping online.
If you want to understand this second concept with examples like a 100C, 95D or 105B, we explain it step by step in our article on equivalent or sister bra sizes.
Quick examples of bra size equivalencies
To make it even easier to understand international bra size equivalencies, here are some examples between EU and FR/ES:
75C EU → 90C FR/ES
80D EU → 95D FR/ES
85F EU → 100F FR/ES, when the brand maintains the same cup designation.
90H EU → 105H FR/ES, when the cup nomenclature matches.
In USA and UK, especially for larger cups, always consult the complete tables because the letters do not necessarily follow the same sequence.
Frequently asked questions about international bra equivalencies
What bra size does Singular use?
At Corsetería Singular, we use the French/Spanish (FR/ES) sizing system as a reference. If you look at a label containing several international sizes, always check the one indicated next to FR or ES.
How do I convert an EU bra size to FR/ES?
For common band sizes, the conversion is done by adding 15 to the European number. For example, 80 EU = 95 FR/ES and 90 EU = 105 FR/ES.
Is a 90H EU size equivalent to a 105H FR/ES?
Yes, when the brand uses the same cup nomenclature in both systems, 90H EU corresponds to 105H FR/ES.
Is the cup size the same in EU and FR/ES?
In many European brands, the same letter is maintained when converting between EU and FR/ES, although it's always advisable to check the brand's chart, especially for larger cup sizes.
Are USA and UK cups the same?
Not always. Smaller cups may coincide, but beyond certain letters, differences appear between systems. That's why we always recommend using the complete conversion chart.
What does FR/ES mean on a bra size?
FR/ES refers to the French/Spanish sizing system. This is the system we use as a reference at Singular to display the sizes of our bras.
What does EU mean on a bra size?
EU identifies the European sizing system. Its band number is different from FR/ES, so you should make the equivalency before selecting a size in a store that uses the French/Spanish system.
Is an international equivalency the same as a sister size?
No. An international equivalency expresses the size in another system, like converting from EU to FR/ES. A sister size modifies the band and cup looking for a similar approximate cup volume.
What should I do if I don't know my bra size?
If you still don't know your size, you can consult our guide on how to find your perfect bra size, where we explain how to get your band and cup measurements.
Still have questions about equivalencies?
And with this, I hope I've helped you a lot if you ever hesitated when buying a bra or if you were thinking of buying but couldn't decide.
As you can see, everything has a solution, and this topic has a super simple solution: always check the sizing system before selecting the size.
Also, remember that you don't have to worry about anything because the first exchange is completely free and, before managing it, we will be delighted to help and advise you with the new size so that there are no more possible mistakes :)
And now that you know what FR/ES size you need, you can enter our collection of women's bras and find the perfect model for you, whatever your size and cup.
Having said that, happy day, Singular Girls!