Clothes while losing weight

[goldfinch]

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.

[zoom-zoom]

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.

[goldfinch]

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.

[goldfinch]

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.

[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.

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.

[Crankin]

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.

[goldfinch]

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.

[ny biker]

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.

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.

[KnottedYet]

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.

[goldfinch]

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.

[ny biker]

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.

[goldfinch]

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.

[ny biker]

Holy cow!! They have 38AA!!!

Thanks for sharing this.

[bmccasland]

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

[emily_in_nc]

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

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