Lingerie Sizing

Bra Sizing

A-D Cup?

You should select your usual bra size when shopping with What Katie Did. Our sizes are generally in line with brands including Agent Provocateur, Triumph and Gossard.

DD+ Cup?

Please note that we are not a modern full cup brand which specialises in DD+ cups which means that all of our bras are sized traditionally: your underbust measurement and band size should not be the same. Our band sizes are designed to fit an underbust measurement 3-4 inches smaller so, for example, a size 32 is designed to fit an underbust 28-29".

If you have purchased a bra (either from us, or elsewhere) and the size isn't quite right, it's easy to work out what's gone wrong and how to find the right size for you. Bra cups are 'cross graded' which means the same cup is used for several different sizes. If your band is too tight, but the cup fits perfectly, then you need to go up a band size and down a cup size (this will make the band 2" longer, but the cup the same as the first size).

For example:

28F has the same cup as a 30E, 32DD, 34D, 36C and 38B

28FF has the same cup as a 30F, 32E, 34DD, 36D and 38C

28G has the same cup as a 30FF, 32F, 34E, 36DD and 38D

Confused? Open our sister sizing spreadsheet below which shows all the sister sizes we currently cover.

Bullet Bras are made from none stretch fabric with minimal elastics, which along with being a full cup style does mean that the correct fit makes all the difference. Find out how to check for the fit, as well as other Bullet Bra tips, on our 'Fitting: Bullet Bras' page.

General Sizing

It's our aim to get you into perfectly fitting lingerie first time around. It would make life a lot easier wouldn't it?

Luckily most of our lingerie is made from stretchy powermesh which makes it easy to fit. If you are looking at an item which cinches your waist (like our Waist Cinchers or Waspies) you will need to grab a tape measure and check your waist measurement as it needs to fit perfectly to cinch your waist, but with everything else fit is pretty easy.

Our clothing is made from non stretch fabrics and the sizing is very much in line with other reproduction brands like Vivien of Holloway, House of Foxy, Trashy Diva and Pinup Girl Clothing.

If, after reading the notes below, you're still unsure, grab a tape measure and contact so we can quickly resolve any queries before you place your order. Don't worry if you don't have a tape measure, simply email Charlie your name and address and she'll pop one in the post for you (mailorder@whatkatiedid.com).

Size Chart

The measurements below are to be taken as a rough guide as, with the exception of corsets our lingerie stretches and while our clothing is none stretch there is ease built in for a comfortable fit (see Stretch and Ease below). If you are familiar with other reproduction clothing brands you should be the same size in our clothing ranges.

Dress Size Bust Waist Hip

Size UK 8 / US 4

Bust 31"/79cm

Waist 23"/59cm

Hips 33"/84cm

Size UK 10 / US 6

Bust 33"/84cm

Waist 25"/64cm

Hips 35"/89cm

Size UK 12 / US 8

Bust 35"/89cm

Waist 27"/69cm

Hips 37"/94cm

Size UK 14 / US 10

Bust 37"/94cm

Waist 29"/74cm

Hips 39"/99cm

Size UK 16 / US 12

Bust 39"/99cm

Waist 31"/79cm

Hips 41"/104cm

Size UK 18 / US 14

Bust 41"/104cm

Waist 33"/84cm

Hips 43"/109cm

Size UK 20 / US 16

Bust 43"/109cm
Waist 35"/89cm
Hips 45"/114cm

Size UK 22 / US 18

Bust 45"/114cm

Waist 37"/94cm

Hips 47"/119cm

Size UK 24 / US 20

Bust 47"/119cm

Waist 39"/99cm

Hips 49"/124cm

Size UK 26 . US 22

Bust 49"/124cm

Waist 41"/104cm

Hips 51"/129cm
Stretch and Ease

Most of our lingerie is made from stretch fabrics so the measurements here are a rough guideline. Our garments will fit a couple of inches either side of the measurements below, especially with larger sizes which do have a lot more stretch.

The measurements for our sizing are for the size they are designed to fit, not the actual garment measurments as ease and negative ease is built into the garments to ensure you can breath!

If you are used to wearing other reproduction vintage brands then our sizing should be inline with them. If you normally wear high street brands you might need to go up one size in our shapewear items which are designed to be worn very tightly.

Our clothing is designed to fit the same measurements as our lingerie, but as it is non stretch we can provide the finished garment measurement.

Waist Cincher & Waspie Sizing

Designed to comfortably cinch your waist. Ensure that the reinforced shaping bands sit on the narrowest point of your waist for maximum sculpting.

Always choose the size closest to your waist measurement. It is possible to go down a size in our waist cinchers and waspies especially if you're used to wearing vintage style shapewear.

Waist Cinchers are great under full skirted 1950s style dresses with nipped in waists.

Demi Corset Sizing

Corsets are usually made from non stretch fabric and sized by reduced waist size. Our Demi Waspie Corset and Demi Corset are made from a double layer of powermesh which means the garment stretches which means we've sized these garments by dress size, not waist size. You need to choose the dress size closest to your waist size, sizing down if you're in between sizes.

Corset Sizing

Corsets are sized by 'reduced waist size'. This means that the corset size (for example 30) is the size of the actual corset waist when fully closed (30 inches).

To work out your corset size you need to take you natural waist measurement plus underbust and hip into account. You can learn how to take your measurements by watching this video.

Once you have your measurments you need to compare them to the measurements of our corsets to find the best one to suit your figure. You can find the measurements for our corsets in the product description.

Corselette & Merry Widow Sizing

 

Our Corselette and Merry Widows are sized by bra size, but as they shape your whole torso you need to take your dress size into account too.

Band size 32 = dress size UK 10, US 6, 34 = dress size UK 12, US 8, 36 = dress size US 14, US 10 and 38 = US dress size 16, UK 12(of course, these are What Katie Did dress sizes which might be different to what you're used to, see our size chart for the measurements of our dress sizes)

If you wear, for example, a 32D bra but are a dress size UK 14, US 10 you will need to adjust your Corselette/Merry Widow size so it fits correctly on the body by selecting a 36B (if you go up a band size you need to go down a cup size).

Girdle Sizing

You need to take in to account both your waist and hip measurements when selecting a girdle. If you are wearing a girdle that finishes on your waist then it's best to choose the size closest to your waist measurement to avoid a muffin top. If you do have a large waist in comparision to your hips it might be better to go for a longline underbust girdle which will give you a smooth line from underbust to derriere.

Our underbust girdles contain spiral steel boning to ensure they don't roll down.

Girdles are designed to flatten your tummy and smooth your hips and derriere. Always step into your girdle. Ideal under tight fitting pencil skirts.

Suspender & Knicker Sizing

Our knickers contain powermesh and are stretchy so the waist measurement isn't quite as critical as it is on shapewear (with the exception of our CC09 French Knickers). If you're in between sizes go for the size which matches your hip measurement. In general if you are between sizes always go for the larger size in knickers.

All of our suspender belts contain powermesh so they will stretch to fit. They need to sit firmly on the waist so if you are between sizes always to for the the smaller size.

Stocking Sizing

Our Glamour Seamed Stockings made from nylon with elastane which means they do stretch making them easy to fit. Our standard range come in two sizes which cover dress sizes UK 10-18 (US 6-14), 5ft to 5ft 11.

Fully Fashioned and RHT stockings are made from none stretch nylon (although they do have a little mechanical stretch which means although the yarn is officially none stretch, there is some 'give'). This makes selecting the size far more critical than with modern hosiery which contains elastane or lycra for stretch.

They're stockings are made to fit the average dress sized 12 to 16 woman (8-12 US, 40-44 European). If you are smaller than this please try the size below, if larger please go up one size. Please do not be tempted to go up more than one size as these stockings are non stretch nylon and this will lead to wrinkly ankles!

Why are our FF stocking sizes so limited? Find out on our 'All About Stockings' page.