Clothes while losing weight

I am on the weight loss road. I've lost enough weight so that my clothes don't fit. I haven't wanted to spend much on new clothes because I have a ways to go and by year end I'll need new clothes again. I did buy two used pair of bike shorts on this forum--thanks! I bought two new pair as well. I am retired so all my clothes can be casual. I've bought most of my temporary clothes from Goodwill. It has been a blast shopping at various Goodwill shops for my new wardrobe.

Now, the point. . .

All of my underwear is too big. I replaced the panties with cheap Walmart panties. Bras are a problem. In the course of my weight loss I seem to have done a Dolly Parton. My bra size has shunk but my cup size has not. I need a 34DDD. I can't find any cheap or reasonably priced 34DDDs. I can find bras that cost $75 but I can't imagine spending that kind of money. Anyone have any shopping suggestions? I hate to spend a ton of money on bras that might not fit me in 6 months.

Now to decide what to do with a bunch of used 38DDs and DDDs. . . Another Goodwill trip I imagine! Each time I shrink out of a size I immediately ditch the clothes.

I feel your pain. Post-kid I was a 38DDD (I was a 40H-I while nursing, which was really a nightmare)...lost weight and ended up a 34DDD. My solution was breast reduction surgery, which was covered by my insurance, except for a $1k co-pay. Best thing I ever did for myself.

For some strange reason manufacturers in the UK are better about doing small band sizes and larger cup sizes, though they aren't always super cheap. I think Figleaves.com is one place where I've seen a good selection of bras in your size. I'm now a 34D and still struggle to find bras, so I can sympathize.

I'll try Figleaves.com. I am able to easily find 36DDDs at a reasonable price but not the 34s. And of course department stores and the big box stores don't seem to carry them. But they don't carry many double and triple Ds. Which means a lot of women are wearing bras with too small cups, judging from who I see shopping.

I looked at Figleaves. Wide range in sizes. Several sports bra options, but I dislike the "uni-boob" look. Most of the rest were underwire, which does not work for me and always ends up jabbing me somewhere. :(

I know you don't want to spend the money, but I really suggest going somewhere like Nordstrom and getting a bra fitting.

A good bra fitter works magic just like a good bike fitter.

Buy one good all-rounder bra in exactly your size as it is *right now.* Don't shy away from underwire, if the bra fits right the underwires won't poke anything. You could be surprised.

My $70 bra wasn't cheap, but when I add up all the cheap bras I bought which didn't fit, or hurt, or slid off my shoulders, or drove me crazy... well, it would've been cheaper for me to just go buy the one $70 bra instead.

I was going to say the same thing as Knott. But, since I am at the opposite end of the spectrum (32A), I can't speak to your specific size issue. But... it is worth every penny to buy those expensive bras and get a fitting. I buy my bras at a real lingerie store where they carry tons of brands, they have my size (half the bras start at 34B) in many brands, and the salespeople know me and can recommend styles. I tried buying the expensive ones on line, but that didn't work.

Maybe I'll just get two good bras and wash them a lot. I am confident of the size. I watched several sizing videos. However, different companies, different bra styles, and other variables effect the fit. It would be good to try something on. The site seems to have quite a few choices: http://www.herroom.com/search.aspx

Lots of reviews on the site too plus fit comments from the site. I can see why I don't like underwire--my torso is too short so the wires poke me at the armpits. I think I can find a few to try. Unfortunately, I am hundreds of miles from a big city right now so no fitting or chance to try anything at a store.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

I know you don't want to spend the money, but I really suggest going somewhere like Nordstrom and getting a bra fitting.

A good bra fitter works magic just like a good bike fitter.

Buy one good all-rounder bra in exactly your size as it is *right now.* Don't shy away from underwire, if the bra fits right the underwires won't poke anything. You could be surprised.

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Actually for me all underwires hurt no matter what. I finally found a lingerie store where the fitter understood why. I just say my ribcage is weird, but I think she described me as having a high rib cage. Anyway it's crooked -- sticks out more on the left than on the right. And all underwires hurt. They rest on top of the front of my ribs and dig in.

Also my experience at Nordstrom's left me in tears. They insisted I am a 34b because that's what the tape measure says, period end of discussion. In reality, anything less than a 38 band leaves painful red marks across my back after about an hour. But they refused to listen to me when I told them that.

I found the fitters at Victoria's Secret to be much more understanding of the fact that the tape measure is just a starting point. They were so nice, I really wanted to buy something from them. But they don't make anything that fits me, so I wound up at a specialty lingerie store (not a part of a chain) where the fitter completely understood what I needed and helped me find something that would work.

So my point is, it might take a few attempts to find the right fitter. I googled and found several shops in my area that I could try.

Just like bike fitters have the sexy adjustable faux-bike to help with fitting, the woman at Nordstrom who fit me had a "fit" bra she had me try on in the size the tape measure suggested.

It was not a pretty bra, it was see-through and designed so she could see where the bra and I were not friendly with each other... (and we weren't very friendly)

Based on that she chose a bunch of bras for me to try, and I probably tried on 10 or 15.

I was not the size I had thought I was and would never have tried the bra that I bought. I had measured myself at home and was pretty convinced I was a 38C, but I was really a 36DD. It was that see-through fit bra and someone who knew what to look for that helped lock down the size and style I needed.

Once you find a good bra fitter, hang on to them! They have a valuable skill and a valuable knowledge of brands and their quirks. Just like a bike fitter has a skill and knows about bike brands and their fit quirks.

I've been reading on the intertubes all about bras and fitting. Interesting stuff. I read that most bras are designed on the assumption that you are at least 5'4" so short people often have problems with straps being too long, with sides digging into the armpits, and underwire coming up too high in both the front and sides. Tall people have their issues as well.

Also, sizing becomes less accurate the larger your cup size (over a D) so the rules of thumb, like add a cup size for each inch, are not reliable. None of the sizing methods take into account volume. size and spacing accurately.

There isn't standardization between manufacturers (the rules of thumb of one cup up per inch, and under breast measurement plus 4 or 5 inches are not manufacturing standards) so you could wear different sizes depending on the manufacturer. Or depending on how much stretch is in the fabric.

Basically, you are left with trial and error or the rare fitter who really knows the marketplace.

Based on what I read and prior experience I think I will not bother to try underwire. I have tracked down a few softcup bras to try in my likely size.

One thing I learned at Victoria's Secret -- the front of the bra between the cups should lie flat against you. If there's a gap, the bra is not fitting correctly.

Unfortunately I don't know if there is a rule of thumb for what to try next in that situation, like if it's a size issue or just that particular brand/style is wrong for you.

I like the www.herroom.com site. I emailed them with details about my size and problems with fit as a short, small boned person with large breasts. They immediately got back to me with some suggested styles. They have a 30 day return policy so I think I will order a whole pile and try them all on and hope a couple fit.

:)

Holy cow!! They have 38AA!!!

Thanks for sharing this.

I just want the left strap to not fall off my shoulder....

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

I just want the left strap to not fall off my shoulder....

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Why only the left? Just curious... I have broad shoulders for my size so don't have this problem, thankfully!

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Originally Posted by ny biker

Also my experience at Nordstrom's left me in tears. They insisted I am a 34b because that's what the tape measure says, period end of discussion. In reality, anything less than a 38 band leaves painful red marks across my back after about an hour. But they refused to listen to me when I told them that.

I found the fitters at Victoria's Secret to be much more understanding of the fact that the tape measure is just a starting point. They were so nice, I really wanted to buy something from them.
(cut)
So my point is, it might take a few attempts to find the right fitter. I googled and found several shops in my area that I could try.

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Agreed that sometimes you need a little help with the fitting. I went through a similar situation and I'm slowly replacing clothes. However, I'm finding that I have no interest in replacing work clothes. I'm much more interested in purchasing workout clothes these days!

Anyway, I had the opposite situation at VS from this poster. I went in and told them that I believed my band size was the same because I'd been lifting heavy weights, but I had extra space in the cups.
They insisted my band size was smaller and handed me five bras that were like squeezing into a rubber band. It got ridiculous. They refused to listen to me.

So...you're probably right about shopping around to find a fitter

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

I just want the left strap to not fall off my shoulder....

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That's often postural.

The lower trapezius, rhomboids, and middle trapezius on one side aren't doing their job; and/or the ribcage is turned slightly and the sternum is dropped. No matter how you adjust the strap, the dang thing slides off because the shoulder is diving out from underneath it.

On me it's my right shoulder. Drives me nuts. (especially because I know why it happens but I don't *want* to have to correct my posture, dangit! Though the strap stays up if I do...)

Here's my pet peeve about finding bras: I am also still large-busted after weight loss, short (5'1") and short-waisted, and approx. 34D. Why do the manufacturers of the 34C/34D bras sew on skinny little spaghetti straps?

Hello! Just because the band size is smaller, doesn't mean that we don't need support, and as I am post 50 I need a LOT of extra support. I like the design features on the minimizer bras - with reinforcement on the side or bottom of the cup as well as wide, cushioned straps.Those features seemed easy to find in larger sizes , but seem to be phased out below size 36. This week I was happy to find a 36C that was proportioned about right at a discount store (Ross).

Check out Natori. (Title 9 sells them, too) (ooh, and check out the "Bounce" catalog from Title 9)

Natori makes even their 34 C with wide straps in the styles with wide straps. DKNY makes some with wide straps in the smaller band sizes, too.

I ordered five bras from Herroom, knowing that I will return at least 2 or three. I got one style suggested by the site in response to my email in two different sizes. I tried several dramatically different styles. I even tried an underwire that is specific for petite torsos but large chest.

This is going to cost me as I will have to pay return postage for what I can't wear. I hope I got at least two out of the batch that fit right.

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Originally Posted by goldfinch

I ordered five bras from Herroom, knowing that I will return at least 2 or three. I got one style suggested by the site in response to my email in two different sizes. I tried several dramatically different styles. I even tried an underwire that is specific for petite torsos but large chest.

This is going to cost me as I will have to pay return postage for what I can't wear. I hope I got at least two out of the batch that fit right.

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I never updated my bra finding adventure. I ended up very happy with Herroom, even though I went through two orders with them. The first order yielded one bra out of 5 that I liked more or less and that fit me and that I kept. It was a soft cup bra, no wires. Kind of hot though in very warm weather and kind of compressive. I talked to them on the phone and ended up ordering a different underwire, also for petite torso's and large chests. I got it in three different sizes. 34E, F and FF. Winner! The 34F (oh my) ended up fitting perfectly. The wire doesn't poke me anywhere at all. I do feel like my boobs are doing something of a torpedo impression, but it is nice to have them lifted up rather than smooshed down. It really feels good in the heat. At age 56 I found the first underwire bra that fits me. It ended up costing me a pretty penny because I had to send so many back, but it was worth it to finally find something that fits right.

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

I just want the left strap to not fall off my shoulder....

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

That's often postural.

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I've had my PT check my posture and I'm standing up straight. HA! It is an evil plot by my body. She suggested that it's because I'm right handed, so the left shoulder isn't as "developed," and to try to carry my purse on my left shoulder or in my left hand. Of the 4 bras I bought recently at Nordstrom's only 1 doesn't slide down my shoulder. Evil dang plot. :rolleyes:

My bra-buying secret: get fitted at Nordstrom and buy one well-fitting bra there. Write down/take pics with phone of the info for any other bras that I might want-- and find them on eBay for significantly less. This seems to work particularly well for Chantelle, Wacoal, and some of the other high-end names.

Hi
Since starting cycling this spring, I too have lost a dress size. I have not replaced tons of stuff, but I have noticed some of my bras are getting too loose.

If you have some time to spare and don't mind hunting through racks, TJ Maxx and Marshalls sometimes yield fantastic lingerie finds. I have become a bra snob and love some of the nicer brands like Wacoal, Chantelle, Natori, etc.
I find them sometimes at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I frequently see the odd sizes - like small band/big cup, or AA. I make it a rule to not pay more than $15 for a bra (except sports bra), and usually can find many of these brands for $12.99-$14.99.

As for sports bras, I too hate the compression bras. I have a few Lily of France bras that aren't too bad that come in band/cup sizes as opposed to small, medium, large.

I saw a Craft of Sweden cycling specific sports bra that looked promising online - supposed to wick and offer some wind protection over sensitive areas. Anyone tried that?