Finding your bra size gives you an important starting point when shopping for an Anita bra.
However, the size printed on the label is only one part of finding the right fit.
Different bras can feel very different in the same size. Cup shape, band firmness, fabric stretch, wires and coverage all influence fit.
This is particularly important with Anita because the brand covers several specialist bra categories. These include everyday bras, wirefree styles, maternity and nursing bras, post-surgery bras and sports bras.
Understanding Anita bra sizing can therefore make choosing your starting size much easier.
Anita is a German brand, so you may also encounter European sizing when comparing products internationally. Australian retailers may present sizing differently, making correct size conversion important.
This Anita Fit Guide explains band and cup fit, breast shape, size conversion and sister sizing. We will also look at wirefree, maternity, nursing and post-surgery bra fit.
For Anita sports bras, we will introduce the key fitting principles before directing you to our dedicated Anita Active Fit Guide.
Importantly, there is no single rule saying every Anita bra runs large or small.
Start with your current correctly fitted size. Then consider the construction and purpose of the individual bra.
If you are unsure of your current size, begin with Determine Your Size. You can then use this guide to find the most suitable Anita starting size.
Anita makes bras for several different purposes.
This means the fitting experience can vary considerably between styles.
An everyday bra may use soft, flexible fabrics.
A wirefree bra creates support without traditional underwires.
A nursing bra needs to accommodate changing breasts and provide feeding access.
Post-surgery bras have another set of design considerations.
Anita Active sports bras are designed specifically to control breast movement during exercise.
These bras should not automatically be expected to feel identical in the same labelled size.
Your current correctly fitted bra size provides the best starting point.
If that size comes from another sizing system, convert it before choosing your Anita size.
Once you try the bra, assess the actual fit.
Our Six-Point Bra Fit Check can help you examine the band, cups, centre front, underwires, straps and overall comfort.
Many customers can begin with their usual correctly converted size when choosing an Anita bra.
However, describing an entire brand as “true to size” can be misleading.
The fit can change because of:
band firmness
elastic stretch
cup depth
cup height
cup seams
padding
wire shape
neckline
coverage
support level
specialist design features
A supportive wirefree bra may feel different from a moulded everyday bra.
A nursing bra may fit differently from either.
Likewise, an Anita sports bra may feel considerably more secure.
None of these differences automatically mean the bra is the wrong size.
Do not automatically size up or down simply because you are buying Anita.
Start with your correctly converted size.
Then identify any specific fit problem.
If the band is wrong, assess the band.
If the cups are wrong, assess the cups.
If both appear correct but the bra still feels uncomfortable, the shape or style may be the issue.
The underband provides the foundation of your bra.
A correctly fitted band helps distribute support around your torso.
The band should:
feel firm and secure
sit level around your torso
remain stable during movement
avoid riding upwards
allow comfortable breathing
provide support without painful pressure
If the bra has adjustable hooks, a new bra should generally feel secure on the loosest setting.
This leaves tighter settings available as the elastic gradually relaxes.
Look for:
the band riding upwards
movement around your torso
limited support
the bra shifting when you raise your arms
excessive reliance on shoulder straps
Our Band Problems guide can help you identify and solve common band issues.
A firm band is not automatically too tight.
Check your cups before increasing the band size.
Cups that are too small can make the entire bra feel tighter.
Try fastening the bra backwards with the cups hanging down.
If the band becomes more comfortable, investigate the cups before changing your band size.
Your breasts should sit comfortably inside the cups.
There should be sufficient space for your breast tissue without significant empty fabric.
Look for:
breasts fully contained
smooth cup edges
no significant spilling
no obvious empty space
comfortable support
wires surrounding breast tissue where present
Possible signs include:
spilling over the neckline
breast tissue escaping at the sides
tissue appearing underneath the cups
wires sitting on breast tissue
excessive pressure
the centre front being pushed away
Try a larger cup if these problems appear.
Look for:
significant wrinkling
empty cup space
loose upper cup edges
reduced support
cups extending too far around your torso
However, empty space does not always mean you need a smaller cup.
The cup shape may simply not suit your breasts.
Visit our Cup Problems guide for more detailed troubleshooting.
Bra size describes body measurements and approximate breast volume.
It does not fully describe breast shape.
Two women wearing the same Anita size can experience very different results.
Your breasts may be:
fuller on top
fuller underneath
shallow
projected
close set
wide set
soft
firm
These characteristics influence how different cup constructions fit.
Projected breasts extend further forward from the chest.
They need enough depth within the cup.
A cup that is too shallow can push breast tissue sideways or create pressure.
Shallower breasts may experience empty space in a deeper cup.
Visit Breast Projection for more help identifying this characteristic.
Where you carry breast tissue can affect how the neckline fits.
Fuller-on-top breasts may experience cutting along certain cup edges.
Fuller-on-bottom breasts may leave space in some upper cup sections.
Our Breast Fullness guide explains these differences.
The distance between your breasts can affect the centre front of an underwired bra.
Close-set breasts may need a different centre construction from wider-set breasts.
Explore Breast Spacing and our complete Breast Shape Hub to learn more.
Anita is a German brand, and European sizing may appear on Anita bras and international size charts.
This is important when comparing Anita with Australian or UK-sized brands.
Different countries use different band numbering systems.
Cup progressions can also vary.
The size you recognise on an Australian bra may therefore appear differently on an Anita label or European size chart.
This does not necessarily mean the bra itself is a different physical size.
It may simply be labelled according to another sizing system.
Before ordering, identify which sizing system the retailer is displaying.
Do not assume that every number or cup letter means the same thing internationally.
Our Bra Size Conversion guide can help you compare common sizing systems.
European bands typically use a different numbering system from Australian bands.
A common starting comparison is:
| European Band | Australian Band |
|---|---|
| 65 | 8 |
| 70 | 10 |
| 75 | 12 |
| 80 | 14 |
| 85 | 16 |
| 90 | 18 |
| 95 | 20 |
| 100 | 22 |
| 105 | 24 |
| 110 | 26 |
Treat this as a starting conversion rather than a substitute for checking the size information supplied with the individual bra.
Cup conversion needs additional care.
Cup letters do not always progress identically across European, Australian and UK sizing systems.
Do not simply match a cup letter from another sizing system without checking its equivalent.
This becomes particularly important in fuller cup sizes.
Sister sizing can help when your cup volume feels correct but your band does not.
When you decrease the band size, you generally increase the cup.
When you increase the band size, you generally decrease the cup.
This maintains approximately similar cup volume.
Imagine the cups of your Anita bra fit well, but the band feels too loose.
Simply choosing a smaller band with the same cup letter also reduces cup volume.
The appropriate sister size gives you a smaller band while maintaining more comparable cup capacity.
The reverse applies when you need a larger band.
Be particularly careful when sister sizing across different international sizing systems.
Convert your size first.
Our Bra Sister Size Chart explains the principle in more detail.
Wirefree bras are an important part of the Anita range.
These bras provide support without traditional underwires.
Instead, support comes from the underband, cup construction, seams and fabrics.
The underband should remain stable around your body.
Your breasts should be comfortably contained.
The cups should provide support without excessive compression.
The straps should stabilise the bra without carrying all the breast weight.
An underwired bra and wirefree bra use different structures.
You should not necessarily expect the centre front of a wirefree bra to sit exactly like an underwired style.
Instead, concentrate on containment, band stability, shaping and comfort.
Visit our Wirefree Bras guide for more information.
Our Underwired vs Wirefree Bra guide also explains the differences between these constructions.
An underwired bra uses wires to help define and support each breast.
Correct wire placement is essential.
The wires should surround your breast tissue.
They should not sit directly on it.
Check particularly beneath the arms, where breast tissue can sometimes escape outside the cup.
Depending on the bra’s construction and your breast shape, the centre front should sit comfortably and provide stable separation.
If it is pushed significantly away from your body, check your cup size.
Our Bra Underwire Problems guide can help if wires regularly dig, pinch or sit incorrectly.
Comfort is about more than choosing a loose bra.
A bra can feel soft while still providing secure support.
A larger band may initially feel relaxed.
However, it can reduce support and move around your torso.
This may eventually create more discomfort.
Instead, choose a band that feels secure without painful pressure.
A soft bra that matches your breast shape may feel more comfortable than a larger bra with an unsuitable cup shape.
Use the Breast Shape Hub alongside your size when comparing Anita styles.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can change both your band and cup size.
For this reason, your pre-pregnancy bra size should not automatically be used throughout pregnancy.
Breast volume may increase.
Your ribcage can also change.
Further changes can occur after birth and during breastfeeding.
There is no single size that everyone should expect to wear throughout this period.
Buying nursing bras too early can be difficult because your breasts may continue changing.
Recheck your fit as your body changes.
Your nursing bra should contain your breasts without excessive compression.
However, an oversized bra may provide inadequate support.
The band should remain secure and the cups should accommodate your current breast volume comfortably.
Visit our Maternity Bra guide for more information.
Our Maternity and Nursing Bra FAQs answer common questions about choosing, fitting and wearing nursing bras.
You can also read How Body Changes Affect Bra Size to understand why your size may change throughout different life stages.
Post-surgery bras have specialist fitting considerations.
Comfort, coverage and individual needs may differ considerably from everyday bra fitting.
The right bra depends on the type of surgery, stage of recovery and guidance you have received from your healthcare team.
Do not assume your usual pre-surgery bra will automatically be suitable.
A bra should not place inappropriate pressure on sensitive or healing areas.
Comfort and individual medical guidance should take priority.
If a bra includes pockets for a breast form or prosthesis, the fit needs to accommodate this securely and comfortably.
The band should remain stable without creating excessive pressure.
For broader information about choosing bras after surgery, visit our Post-Surgery Bra FAQs.
Anita is particularly well known for its Anita Active sports bra collection.
Sports bras need a different fitting assessment from everyday bras because their purpose includes controlling breast movement during exercise.
An Anita sports bra may therefore feel more secure than an everyday Anita bra.
This does not automatically mean it is too small.
Check the band and cups while standing.
Then move.
Jog on the spot.
Try some star jumps.
Twist from side to side.
Reach overhead.
Bend forward.
Take several deep breaths.
Your breasts should remain supported and contained while the band stays secure.
Visit How Should a Sports Bra Fit? and our Sports Bra Movement Test for detailed guidance.
Anita Active includes several different sports bra constructions.
Styles such as Momentum, Extreme Control, Extreme Control Plus, Air Control Delta Pad, DynamiXstar, Performance and Light & Firm should not automatically be expected to fit identically.
For detailed model-specific guidance, continue to our Anita Active Fit Guide.
You can also use our Sports Bra Support Guide to decide how much support you need for your chosen activity.
Anita and Triumph are both European-origin brands, but customers should not assume that every size label or style fits identically.
Construction is particularly important.
A Triumph minimiser may fit differently from an Anita wirefree comfort bra even after the sizes have been correctly matched.
If your Triumph bra fits correctly, identify its sizing system and convert it where necessary before choosing Anita.
Then assess the individual bra.
Visit our Triumph Fit Guide for detailed Triumph sizing advice.
Berlei uses familiar Australian sizing for the Australian market.
Anita products may also display European sizing.
If moving from Berlei to Anita, check how the Anita size is being presented before ordering.
Do not rely only on matching cup letters.
After conversion, use your Berlei size as a starting reference rather than a guarantee.
Our Berlei Fit Guide provides more detailed Berlei fitting information.
Panache uses UK sizing.
Anita can use European sizing.
This makes direct size-label comparisons unreliable.
UK and European cup progressions can differ, and the band numbers are also different.
Convert your complete size first.
Then consider the individual bra construction.
Visit our Panache Fit Guide if you regularly move between Panache and Anita.
Most bra problems can be traced to size, shape or construction.
Your band may be too loose.
Try a smaller band with the appropriate cup adjustment.
Check the cups first.
Cups that are too small can make the entire bra feel tighter.
Try a larger cup.
Make sure all your breast tissue is positioned correctly before deciding.
You may need a smaller cup.
However, the cup shape may simply be unsuitable for your breasts.
Check whether the wires sit on breast tissue.
Wire width, cup size and breast shape can all contribute.
Do not keep tightening your straps.
Check whether the band is providing sufficient support.
Our Bra Strap Problems guide can help you investigate this issue.
For multiple fitting problems, visit our complete Bra Fit Troubleshooter.
Put the bra on correctly before assessing its fit.
Position all breast tissue completely inside the cups.
Our How to Put On a Bra Correctly guide explains this process.
Then use the Six-Point Bra Fit Check.
Is it firm, level and secure?
Are your breasts completely and comfortably contained?
Does it sit appropriately for the bra’s construction?
If present, do they surround your breast tissue?
Are they secure without digging?
Does your bra remain correctly positioned as you move?
Remember that a new bra may feel firmer than an older bra with stretched elastic.
Our What a New Bra Should Feel Like guide explains the difference between supportive firmness and an incorrect fit.
Start with your current correctly fitted size.
Then identify the sizing system being used.
If your current bra uses Australian or UK sizing and your chosen Anita bra displays European sizing, convert the complete size carefully.
Do not simply match cup letters.
Next, consider the type of Anita bra.
An everyday bra, wirefree comfort bra, nursing bra, post-surgery bra and sports bra can all fit differently.
Check the band and cups independently.
Consider your breast shape.
Use sister sizing carefully when the cup volume works but the band does not.
Most importantly, do not assume every fitting problem requires another size.
Sometimes the bra’s shape or construction simply does not suit your body.
Understanding Anita bra sizing gives you a much better starting point when exploring Anita’s wide range of bras.
Begin with a correctly fitted size and make sure it has been converted into the sizing system used for your chosen Anita bra.
Then assess the individual style.
Check the band, cups, centre front, underwires and straps.
Consider breast fullness, projection and spacing.
Remember that wirefree, underwired, maternity, nursing, post-surgery and sports bras all have different fitting requirements.
If you are unsure of your current size, start with Determine Your Size.
Then use our Six-Point Bra Fit Check to assess your Anita bra.
For additional help, explore the Bra Size Conversion guide, Bra Sister Size Chart, Breast Shape Hub, Bra Fit Troubleshooter, Underwired vs Wirefree Bra, Maternity and Nursing Bra FAQs and Post-Surgery Bra FAQs.
If you are specifically shopping for an Anita sports bra, continue to our Anita Active Fit Guide for detailed sports-bra sizing and model-specific advice.
You can also compare sizing through our Triumph Fit Guide, Berlei Fit Guide and Panache Fit Guide.
Your bra size gives you somewhere to begin.
Your best Anita fit comes from combining that size with the right cup shape, construction and support for your body and your needs.
Amy x
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