The Hug Journal · Lace & Lift ·
Plus-size lingerie that actually fits (and feels good)
How to choose plus-size lingerie that holds and feels good: find your real bra size, pick supportive cups and size briefs by your hips, not your jeans.
Lingerie is supposed to make you feel good. When it digs, slides or gapes, it does the opposite. For curves, fit is the whole story, and a few checks make it easy.
Start with your real bra size
Measure again, even if you know your size. Measure snug around your ribcage right under your bust for the band, then around the fullest part of your bust. Each inch of difference is one cup: 4 is a D, 5 is a DD.
If your exact cup is not offered, use a sister size. As ThirdLove explains, going one band up and one cup down (or the reverse) keeps the same cup volume.
Support you can see
- Underwire or molded cups hold more than unlined lace alone.
- A wide band and adjustable straps: the band does most of the lifting.
- Full-coverage cups for a fuller bust, so nothing spills over the top or sides.
Our Lace Underwire Bra and Brief Set is one option made for this: full-coverage lace cups with an underwire in US 36DD to 46DD, with a matching high-rise brief. If you want lift and an easier closure, our Front Close Lace Lift Bra hooks in the front and comes in bands 34 to 50.
Size briefs by your hips
For panties, the number that matters is your hip measurement, taken around the fullest part. A high rise sits at the waist and stays put, and lace edges that lie flat will not dig in.
Our High Rise Lace Brief is cut for hips from 38 to 51 inches, with lace in front and full coverage in back.
Read the chart, not the tag
Journelle's first rule for bras applies to all lingerie: do not trust the size you have always bought. Check each brand's chart, and when you land between sizes, size up.
Mentioned here
Questions
Does lingerie run small in plus sizes?
Often, yes, especially pieces made with Asian sizing, where an XL can fit like a US medium. Always read the body measurements in the size chart instead of trusting the letter on the tag.
What size bra should I buy for lingerie?
Your everyday size, measured fresh. Measure snug under your bust for the band and around the fullest part for the bust; each inch of difference is one cup. Kindred Bravely walks through the method step by step.
What if my exact cup is not offered?
Try a sister size: one band up and one cup down, or one band down and one cup up, keeps the same cup volume. ThirdLove notes this works best one step at a time.
Keep reading
Sources: Kindred Bravely: how to measure your bra size · ThirdLove: bra sister sizes · Journelle: mistakes to avoid when finding a supportive wireless bra