What does a Chinese bra tag like 75B mean?

Chinese tags use EU/Asian sizing where the band number is in centimetres. 75B means underbust 73–77cm, B cup — equivalent to UK/US 34B. 80C equals UK/US 36C. Use the decoder tool on this page to convert any tag.

Is Woolworths SA sizing the same as UK sizing?

Yes. South Africa uses UK sizing natively. Woolworths SA sizes are identical to UK sizes — a 34C from Woolworths SA is the same as a 34C from M&S or ASOS.

Bra Sizes in Africa | Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa & More

Q: Where is the best place to buy bras in Nairobi?

Woolworths Kenya has the best range in physical stores (32A to 40E, UK sizing). Carrefour carries Triumph. For larger cup sizes or hard-to-find sizes, ASOS ships to Kenya reliably.

Q: Where can I buy bras in Lagos?

Shoprite and specialist lingerie stalls in Balogun market are the main physical options. Online, Jumia Nigeria has the widest range — always check cm measurements. ASOS ships to Lagos with DHL in 3–7 days.

🇳🇬 Nigeria 🇬🇭 Ghana 🇸🇳 Senegal 🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇲 Cameroon

West Africa predominantly uses UK sizing for imported bras from established brands. However, the majority of affordable bras sold in markets across Lagos, Accra and Abidjan are Chinese imports, which use Asian sizing that runs 1–2 sizes smaller. Knowing the difference is essential.

💡 Lagos / Accra market tip: If you bought a bra from Alaba market, Balogun market or a Chinese-run shop and the tag says something like "75B" or "80C" — that is EU/Asian sizing, not UK. Use our decoder above or the Chinese import table below.

Your Body Measurement	UK Size (what to ask for)	EU/Asian Tag (on Chinese imports)	US Equivalent
Underbust 63–67cm / Bust 78–82cm	30A	65A	30A
Underbust 68–72cm / Bust 83–87cm	32A/B	70A/B	32A/B
Underbust 73–77cm / Bust 88–92cm	34B	75B	34B
Underbust 73–77cm / Bust 93–97cm	34C	75C	34C
Underbust 73–77cm / Bust 98–102cm	34D	75D	34D
Underbust 78–82cm / Bust 93–97cm	36B	80B	36B
Underbust 78–82cm / Bust 98–102cm	36C	80C	36C
Underbust 78–82cm / Bust 103–107cm	36D	80D	36D
Underbust 83–87cm / Bust 103–107cm	38C	85C	38C
Underbust 83–87cm / Bust 108–112cm	38D	85D	38D
Underbust 88–92cm / Bust 108–112cm	40C	90C	40C
Underbust 88–92cm / Bust 113–117cm	40D	90D	40D

🇰🇪 Kenya 🇹🇿 Tanzania 🇺🇬 Uganda 🇷🇼 Rwanda 🇪🇹 Ethiopia

East Africa uses UK sizing for established brands but is heavily influenced by Chinese imports through Gikomba and Owino markets. Brands sold at supermarkets like Naivas and Carrefour Kenya typically carry UK sizing. Street market and Chinese imports use Asian sizing.

💡 Nairobi tip: Bras from Gikomba, Toi market or Chinese shops on Moi Avenue almost certainly use Asian/EU sizing. A "Medium" from a Chinese supplier is roughly equivalent to a UK 34B — but always check the cm measurements on the label if available.

Your Body Measurement	UK Size (supermarkets)	Asian/Chinese Tag	S/M/L Label
Underbust 68–72cm / Bust 83–87cm	32A/B	70A/B	XS
Underbust 73–77cm / Bust 83–87cm	34A	75A	S
Underbust 73–77cm / Bust 88–92cm	34B	75B	S–M
Underbust 73–77cm / Bust 93–97cm	34C	75C	M
Underbust 78–82cm / Bust 93–97cm	36B	80B	M
Underbust 78–82cm / Bust 98–102cm	36C	80C	M–L
Underbust 78–82cm / Bust 103–107cm	36D	80D	L
Underbust 83–87cm / Bust 103–107cm	38C	85C	L
Underbust 83–87cm / Bust 108–112cm	38D	85D	XL
Underbust 88–92cm / Bust 108–112cm	40C	90C	XL–XXL

How to measure yourself at home (no tape measure?)

1

Use a string or ribbon Wrap it around your underbust, mark where it meets, then measure the string against a ruler.

2

Measure your bust Same method — wrap loosely around the fullest part of your chest.

3

Note both in cm Your underbust cm = your EU/Asian band number. Difference between the two = your cup.

4

Use the calculator Enter your measurements in our free tool to get your full size instantly.

🇿🇦 South Africa 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe 🇿🇲 Zambia 🇧🇼 Botswana

South Africa officially uses UK sizing. Major retailers — Woolworths, Edgars, Truworths, Mr Price, Jet — all stock bras in standard UK sizes. This makes South Africa the easiest African country to shop in for bras, as UK sizing is well-documented and consistent.

💡 South Africa tip: If you know your UK size, you know your South African size. Woolworths is known for the best fit and widest range locally. For online shopping from ASOS or M&S, your size will translate directly.

SA / UK Size	US Equivalent	EU Equivalent	Asian / Shein	Available at
32A	32A	70A	70A / XS	Woolworths, Mr Price
32B	32B	70B	70B / XS	Woolworths, Edgars
34A	34A	75A	75A / S	Most retailers
34B	34B	75B	75B / S–M	Most retailers
34C	34C	75C	75C / M	Most retailers
34D	34D	75D	75D / M–L	Woolworths, Edgars
34DD	34DD	75E	75DD / L	Woolworths, Truworths
36C	36C	80C	80C / L	Most retailers
36D	36D	80D	80D / L–XL	Woolworths, Edgars
38C	38C	85C	85C / XL	Woolworths, Truworths
38D	38D	85D	85D / XL	Woolworths
40C	40C	90C	90C / XXL	Woolworths (limited)

🇪🇬 Egypt 🇲🇦 Morocco 🇹🇳 Tunisia 🇩🇿 Algeria 🇱🇾 Libya

North Africa primarily uses EU / French sizing due to strong trade ties with Europe, particularly France. The band is expressed in centimetres (70, 75, 80, 85…) and the cup in letters (A, B, C, D, E…). French brands like Simone Pérèle and Aubade are popular, alongside Spanish brands using the same EU system.

💡 Cairo / Casablanca tip: EU sizing is the native sizing in North Africa. If you know your EU size, you can shop from any European online store directly. When buying from UK or US brands online, use the converter below to avoid surprises.

EU / North Africa Size	UK Equivalent	US Equivalent	Band (cm)	Cup diff (cm)
70A	32A	32A	68–72	~10
70B	32B	32B	68–72	~12
75A	34A	34A	73–77	~10
75B	34B	34B	73–77	~12
75C	34C	34C	73–77	~14
75D	34D	34D	73–77	~16
75E	34DD	34DD	73–77	~18
80B	36B	36B	78–82	~12
80C	36C	36C	78–82	~14
80D	36D	36D	78–82	~16
85C	38C	38C	83–87	~14
85D	38D	38D	83–87	~16
90C	40C	40C	88–92	~14
90D	40D	40D	88–92	~16

The majority of affordable bras sold across Africa — whether from Shein, AliExpress, Jumia, Jiji, or physical markets — come from China and use Asian sizing. Asian sizing runs 1 to 2 full sizes smaller than UK/US. This is the single biggest source of confusion for African shoppers.

⚠️ Important: A "Medium" from a Chinese supplier is NOT the same as a UK Medium. Chinese M typically fits a UK 34A/B. Chinese XL typically fits a UK 36C. Always check the cm measurements printed on the label — these are the most reliable guide.

Chinese / Shein Tag	UK Size (what it really is)	EU Size	US Size	S/M/L Label	Underbust (cm)
65A / 65B	30A / 30B	65A / 65B	30A / 30B	XS	63–67
70A	32A	70A	32A	XS–S	68–72
70B	32B	70B	32B	S	68–72
75A	34A	75A	34A	S	73–77
75B	34B	75B	34B	S–M	73–77
75C	34C	75C	34C	M	73–77
75D	34D	75D	34D	M	73–77
80B	36B	80B	36B	M	78–82
80C	36C	80C	36C	M–L	78–82
80D	36D	80D	36D	L	78–82
85B	38B	85B	38B	L	83–87
85C	38C	85C	38C	L–XL	83–87
85D	38D	85D	38D	XL	83–87
90C	40C	90C	40C	XL	88–92
90D	40D	90D	40D	XXL	88–92
95D	42D	95D	42D	XXL	93–97

Knowing your size is only half the problem — you also need to know where to actually find it. These are the most important retailers across Africa and what to expect from each one.

🇿🇦 Woolworths South Africa

💡 Best for: Woolworths SA is the single best place to buy bras physically in Sub-Saharan Africa. They stock UK sizing from 30A to 42F, use accurate fit labelling, and have well-trained fitting staff in larger stores. They are significantly better than most other African retailers for size range and construction quality.

Woolworths SA Size	US Equivalent	EU Equivalent	Stocked in most stores
32A / 32B	32A / 32B	70A / 70B	✓
34A / 34B	34A / 34B	75A / 75B	✓
34C / 34D	34C / 34D	75C / 75D	✓
34DD	34DD	75E	✓
34E / 34F	34DDD / 34G	75F / 75G	Selected stores
36B / 36C	36B / 36C	80B / 80C	✓
36D / 36DD	36D / 36DD	80D / 80E	✓
36E / 36F	36DDD / 36G	80F / 80G	Selected stores
38C / 38D	38C / 38D	85C / 85D	✓
38DD / 38E	38DD / 38DDD	85E / 85F	Selected stores
40C / 40D	40C / 40D	90C / 90D	Limited
42D / 42F	42D / 42G	95D / 95G	Online only

Woolworths SA also ships within South Africa via woolworths.co.za. Their online range is wider than in-store. No international shipping currently.

🇿🇦 Edgars / Jet (South Africa, Kenya, Zambia)

💡 Best for: Edgars and Jet (both part of the same group) are the most widely distributed mid-market retailers across Southern and East Africa. They stock a reasonable range of mainstream brands in UK sizing. Range is more limited than Woolworths — typically 32–40 band and A–DD cup — but accessible and affordable.

Edgars / Jet Size	US Equivalent	EU Equivalent	Typical price tier
32A / 32B	32A / 32B	70A / 70B	Budget–mid
34A / 34B	34A / 34B	75A / 75B	Budget–mid
34C / 34D	34C / 34D	75C / 75D	Mid
36B / 36C	36B / 36C	80B / 80C	Mid
36D / 36DD	36D / 36DD	80D / 80E	Mid
38C / 38D	38C / 38D	85C / 85D	Mid
40C	40C	90C	Limited

🇿🇦 Truworths (South Africa)

💡 Best for: Truworths focuses on fashion-forward lingerie at mid-range prices. Range is similar to Edgars — 32–40 band, A–DD cup — with more emphasis on style. UK sizing. Their bralette and sleep bra ranges are good value. Available in South Africa and Namibia.

🇰🇪 Naivas / Carrefour / Chandarana (Kenya)

💡 Nairobi tip: Kenyan supermarket chains stock a limited but reliable range of bras. Carrefour carries the widest selection including some Triumph (EU sizing). Naivas and Chandarana typically stock affordable mid-market brands in UK sizing from 32B to 38C. For anything above a D cup, supermarkets are not the right place — try a specialist shop or order online.

What you'll find	Sizing system	Typical range	Notes
Carrefour Kenya	EU + UK mixed	70A–85D (EU) / 32A–38D	Triumph and generic brands
Naivas	UK / Asian mixed	32A–38C	Affordable everyday styles
Chandarana	UK	32A–38C	Limited but reliable
Game Stores	UK	34B–40D	Budget brands
Woolworths Kenya	UK	32A–40E	Best range in Kenya physically

📦 Jumia (Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt & more)

⚠️ Jumia warning: Jumia is the most accessible online option across Africa, but sizing is highly inconsistent because sellers use multiple different sizing systems with no standardisation. A bra listed as "34C" on Jumia may be UK 34C, Asian 75C, or a generic label with no real correspondence. Always check the seller's detailed measurements (in cm) rather than relying on the size label alone.

Jumia listing says	What it probably is	What to do
34C / 36D etc.	Could be UK, US, or Asian sizing	Ask seller for underbust and bust cm range
75B / 80C etc.	Asian / EU sizing — reliable	Match to your EU size directly
S / M / L	Usually Asian sizing — runs small	Use table below, size up 1–2
XL / XXL	Usually Asian sizing	Check cm measurements in listing
Triumph / known brand	EU sizing — reliable	Match EU size directly

Best Jumia strategy: Search by brand name (Triumph, Hanes, etc.) rather than size. Filter to sellers with 4+ stars and 20+ reviews. Always read recent reviews mentioning sizing. Request a return window before purchasing anything above a 36D.

📦 Konga (Nigeria)

💡 Konga tip: Similar to Jumia — a marketplace with multiple sellers using inconsistent sizing. The same advice applies: prioritise sellers who list cm measurements, check reviews, and buy established brands when possible. Konga tends to have slightly fewer bra listings than Jumia Nigeria but the quality tier of sellers is similar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to buy bras in Nairobi?

For the best range and fit, Woolworths Kenya (at Westgate, The Hub, and other malls) is the top option — UK sizing, 32A to 40E, well-stocked. Carrefour carries Triumph in EU sizing and is a reliable second option. For anything above a D cup, our plus size guide lists specialist brands. Order from ASOS which ships to Kenya with reasonable delivery times. Avoid relying on Gikomba or Toi market for fitted bras — sizing is inconsistent and returns are not possible.

Where can I buy bras in Lagos?

For quality bras in Lagos, Shoprite (UK/EU sizing), Balogun market specialist lingerie stalls, and Chinese brand shops in Alaba market are the main physical options. Online, Jumia Nigeria has the widest range but see the Jumia guide above — always buy by cm measurements, not just size labels. ASOS ships to Lagos with DHL (3–7 days). For larger cup sizes above DD, ordering internationally from ASOS is the most reliable option.

I bought a bra in South Africa — will my size work in Kenya?

Yes, if you bought it from Woolworths SA or another established retailer in UK sizing. UK sizing is used in both countries and is the same system — a 34C from Woolworths SA is the same size as a 34C from Woolworths Kenya. The only complication is if the brand uses a different fit standard (e.g. Triumph in EU sizing). Our decoder tool can help translate any tag.

Does ASOS ship to Africa? Is it reliable?

Yes — ASOS ships to most African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, and more. Delivery is typically via DHL or local courier, taking 5–14 days depending on the destination. Returns are accepted. ASOS is generally the most reliable international online option for African shoppers because they stock UK sizing (what most of Africa uses natively), have a wide range including larger cup sizes, and have an established logistics network.

The bra I bought at Gikomba/Owino has Chinese writing on the tag. What size am I?

Chinese tags use EU/Asian sizing where the band number is in centimetres. So "75B" means underbust 73–77cm, B cup. This is usually the same as a UK/US 34B. "80C" = UK/US 36C. "85D" = UK/US 38D. The cups (A, B, C, D) are generally the same letters in Chinese, EU, and UK sizing up to D. Use our decoder tool above — select "China / Shein / AliExpress" as the origin and enter the tag size.

Why are bras so expensive in Africa compared to what I see online?

Mostly import duties, logistics costs, and small market size. Bras from the UK or EU carry significant import duties when entering most African countries. Retailers also carry the cost of warehousing and local distribution. The same Triumph bra that costs £18 in the UK may cost KSh 2,500–3,500 in Nairobi after all costs. Online purchasing from ASOS or Shein bypasses most of this markup, though you pay shipping and take on the risk of fit.

Bra Sizes in Africa

Decode Your Tag

Nigeria & West Africa

Kenya & East Africa

How to measure yourself at home (no tape measure?)

South Africa

North Africa

Chinese Imports & Shein

Retailer Guides