I cup bras: a limited but genuine choice

Twenty-nine centimetres separate the bust and back on a bra cup I. At this point, it’s not just about choosing a style, but finding a model that is available: only a few brands go that high, and their ranges are counted in dozens of options, not in hundreds.

The technical criteria for a cup I

Three elements are consistently present on the models that work. A long underwire that rises high on the side of the bust to contain lateral volume. A cup made of three or four pieces, with seams that direct the support upwards. And a high back with three hooks minimum, often boned on the sides. A bra cup I without these three characteristics won't last a day.

Measure correctly before ordering a cup I

At this depth, the difference between two letters represents a significant difference in volume, and an approximate fitting leads immediately to discomfort. Take both measurements, the band size under the bust and the bust size at the fullest part, standing straight and without pulling the tape. And remember sister sizes: a 95I and a 100H offer the same cup, so it’s worth broadening the search to cup H as well as to cup J before giving up on a model.