[beverley.rose]

Beverley,
You are sliping straight into the trap, I warn against. The business of adding 4 inches is an attempt to calculate the size of a woman's rib cage, less brest tissue, at the point of the bra band. This is because women tend to have tapering rib cages and men do not. Your band size will equate very cosely to your underbust size, so start with a 40A On a 44A, the cups will be way too large and the straps will keep falling down.
Chrissie

Wow! I didn't understand that was the point of what you were saying, I was unaware of the 4" business. Thank you Chrissie for stopping me from going wrong there.

I'm aware the sizes are dodgy things. I was dressed up and shopping for ladies' jeans this morning. I settled on a size 16 pair of bootcut jeans. I had to take off my size 18 skirt to try them with my size 20 blouse. Err........

Beverley