This critical measurement determines the band size for bras, corsets, and empire-waist garments. It is taken by wrapping a flexible measuring tape snugly around the ribcage, just below the inframammary fold, ensuring the tape remains parallel to the floor. Accurate underbust sizing provides the structural anchor for heavy garments, transferring weight away from the shoulders.
Heard on the job
Her underbust is 32 inches, so we'll need to grade the corset pattern down at the ribcage before cutting the coutil.