Walk into any lingerie store today and you'll notice something different from a few decades ago: the "average" section has moved up several cup sizes. In the 1990s, the typical American woman wore a 34B. By the 2010s, that average had climbed to 36C or even 34DD, depending on the survey.

But before you assume this is all about biological changes, the story is more complicated—and more interesting.

The Fitting Revolution

One of the biggest factors? Women were wearing the wrong size for decades. Lingerie retailers estimate that up to 80% of women historically wore ill-fitting bras. Twenty years ago, stores carried fewer than 20 size combinations. Women with larger busts had to squeeze into whatever was available, often settling for sizes two or more cups too small.

As professional bra fitting became more common and size ranges expanded dramatically, women finally discovered their actual measurements. The "increase" in average size partly reflects women switching from what fit on the rack to what actually fits their bodies.

Why Sizes Changed

Several factors contributed to the upward trend:

Obesity rates: Average body weight has increased, and breast tissue is partly composed of fat
Better nutrition: Improved childhood nutrition affects overall development
Breast augmentation: Cosmetic procedures add to the statistical average
Manufacturing changes: Bra sizing isn't standardized, and brands have adjusted their measurements over time

The Size Availability Problem

Here's the catch: even today, many stores stock a limited range. The mythical "average" woman might wear 36C, but individual variation is enormous. Band sizes range from 28 to 52+, and cup sizes extend well into the alphabet.

The real revolution isn't that breasts got bigger—it's that the industry finally acknowledged they came in more than a handful of sizes all along.

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