Quote Originally Posted by Desdemon
'measure yourself in inches around the ribcage below your bust, making sure the tape measure doesn't slide down at the back.'

These are some of the best explenations I've ever come across! Thanks!

However, as one who is naturally rather more than well endowed...
Can you define 'below your bust'? for some of us, especially as we get older, that involves a margine of error of +/- 4 inches!!!
I would take the measurement as directly under the breast as you can. Whether that means lifting the breasts and measuring or simply measuring under the depending breasts is up to you and your comfort level.

I would also eliminate the add five inches step. I tried this in practice not too long ago and found it might not work so well.