How to Size a Sticky Bra: Go by Cup, Not Band
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Short answer: a sticky bra has no band, so you size by cup. Measure yourself, work out your cup letter, then check the brand's own chart, because brands don't all map letters the same way. If you land between two cups, the common advice is to go up, then check that the edges lie flat. And be honest about the limit: most sticky bras, ours included, stop at a D cup.
Step 1: Find your cup letter
You'll need a soft tape measure (or a piece of string and a ruler). Women's Health's guide, which quotes professional fitters, goes like this (Women's Health):
- Underbust: measure snugly around your ribcage, right under the breast fold, with the tape level. Round up to the next even number to get your band (33 in becomes 34).
- Bust: wearing your best-fitting unpadded bra, measure around the fullest part, usually level with the nipples, with the tape gliding over rather than squeezing. Round to the nearest whole number.
- Subtract: the difference between your bust and band gives your cup: 1 in = A, 2 in = B, 3 in = C, 4 in = D. (Bigger than 4 in means you're past our D cup.)
Example: a 34 band and a 37 in bust is a 3 in difference, so a 34C. Your cup letter is C.
If your breasts are different sizes, the same guide says to base your cup size on the larger one. And measuring is a starting point, not a verdict: fitters in that article point out that fit also depends on breast shape and how your breasts sit.
Step 2: Why the band number mostly stops mattering
A regular bra gets much of its support from the band around your ribs. A sticky bra doesn't wrap around you; each cup sticks straight to your skin (Bra-Calculator). So what you're really choosing is how much the cup needs to cover.
Here's where it gets muddy: cup letters mean different volumes on different bands. A 32D and a 34C are "sister sizes" with similar cup volume. That's why sticky-bra advice isn't unanimous:
- Sticky Boobs says that if you wear a size with a sister size, go with the larger cup letter (Sticky Boobs).
- A Good Housekeeping writer who wears a 30D says the C-cup sticky bra sizes (her 32C sister size) fit her better (Good Housekeeping).
So there's no universal rule. Use the brand's own chart first.
Step 3: Read our chart
Our Sticky Bra comes in cups A, B, C and D. Our sizing chart lists regular bra sizes (written as metric/US, like 75/34) under each cup:
| Our cup | Regular sizes listed |
|---|---|
| A | 70/32A, 75/34A, 80/36A, 70/32B |
| B | 80/36A, 85/38B, 75/34B, 80/36B, 70/32C |
| C | 80/36B, 85/38C, 75/34C, 80/36C, 70/32D |
| D | 80/36C, 85/38C, 70/32D, 75/34D, 80/36D |
The chart covers 32 to 36 bands from A to D, plus 38B and 38C. The largest size listed is 36D.
If your size appears under two cups
Five sizes show up twice: 36A (A or B), 36B (B or C), 36C (C or D), 38C (C or D) and 32D (C or D). If you're one of them, here's how we'd choose:
- Think about how your regular bras fit. If you tend to fill your cups fully or spill over the top, pick the larger of the two. If your cups usually gap or have empty space at the top, the smaller one is more likely to lie flat.
- Still torn? Lean larger. Bra-Calculator and Sticky Boobs both suggest sizing up when you're between cups, because a cup that's too small spills and lifts at the edges.
- Not sure at all? Ask us before you order. Email info@stickybras.com with your usual bra size and what you plan to wear.
If your size isn't on the chart (for example 38A or 38D), email us before ordering too. And if your measured cup is bigger than a D, our Sticky Bra isn't the right fit for you.
Step 4: Know what a good fit looks like
From Sticky Boobs' fit checks (Sticky Boobs):
- Too small: tissue spills over the edges, the cups don't lie flat, and you can see a line where the cup ends.
- Too big: edges wrinkle or gap away from your skin, and there's empty space at the top of the cup.
- Just right: edges lie flat with no gaps or wrinkles, and nothing spills.
Order once, not twice: our returns rule
Our return policy allows returns and size exchanges for 30 days from delivery, but only if the item is unopened, in its original box, with the clear cover still in place. Email info@stickybras.com with your order number first, and note that you pay return shipping for both returns and exchanges.
In plain terms: once you've opened the box and peeled the cover, you can't swap sizes. So the time to double-check your size is before you open it.
When a sticky bra isn't the answer
Good Housekeeping notes that most sticky bras are only offered in A to D or DD cups. We stop at D. If you're bigger than a D, or you need real lift, breast tape, a low-back strapless bra, or cups sewn into the dress are likelier to work. A fitter quoted by Women's Health calls adhesives and bra tapes worthy backless alternatives and says some products support up to an H cup; that's about the category, not ours. Our sticky bra vs nipple covers vs boob tape guide compares the options.
If you only need coverage, our Nipple Cover (US$12.99) has no size to choose; it comes in one shade, Natural.
The short version
- Measure underbust and bust, then subtract to get your cup letter.
- Check the brand's chart, not a generic one.
- Listed under two cups? Think about how your regular cups fit, lean larger if unsure, or email us.
- Bigger than a D, or need real lift? Pick tape or a structured option.
- Confirm your size before you open the box.
Ready? See the Sticky Bra (US$24.99) and the sizing chart. Wearing it with a backless dress? Read our backless dress guide.
Sources
- Women's Health, "How To Measure Your Bra Size at Home" (updated Jul 15, 2026): womenshealthmag.com
- Bra-Calculator, "Sticky Bras: Size, Staying Power & Safe Removal Guide" (Oct 2026): bra-calculator.com
- Sticky Boobs, "How to Pick the Right Size Sticky Bra" (Sep 24, 2024): stickyboobs.com
- Good Housekeeping, "The Best Sticky Bras" (Jun 18, 2026): goodhousekeeping.com
- StickyBras sizing chart and return policy.
This guide is published by StickyBras.
