Does your bra really fit?

[skhill]

Bras are one thing I really don't like buying on-line, with how many I have to try on to find one that fits. But it's tough to find stores that stock much in my size-- 32A or B (Bs are often too big, As too small). And what's worse is that most everything that small is a padded, uplifting, underwired monstrosity. I see no reason to try to make my bust look bigger, I like being small...

It was so much easier when I was a 38DD....

Crankin, I'll have to try out those Calvin Kleins, thanks for mentioning them.

[Kathi]

I totally understand reluctance to order online. There's no one to help you figure out correct fit, it's frustrating when the bra doesn't fit and return shipment adds to the cost although not paying state taxes balances that out.

However, there is a better selection of bras to try than what you find in the local stores. At least, there is for me.

Since I had no correctly fitting bra to compare to I have bought lots of bras over the years that I should have returned but didn't because I had no idea I could get a better fit. I was using an online calculator as my guide. Even if I had gone to stores I would have looked for the wrong size or the clerk would try to put me in a 32c bra that "runs small".

There's lots of good online information (some good videos) on how a bra should fit. Most of it is coming out of the UK. HerRoom is also a good source.

I understand your frustration with the styles of bras. I'm limited to balcony and plunge bras. They are beautiful colors and prints, very few white or beige, which I need sometimes. I have little use for plunge bras as I rarely wear a low cut top. Maybe I'm missing the point about plunge bras.

The other thing I don't get is why "petite" bras start at a 32 band and are only A,B,C cups. I'm as petite as they come and I also need the features of petite bras but I happen to be full busted or "curvy" as the UK girls put it. It seems there is an entire market the bra industry is missing out on.

[GLC1968]

Bras are one thing I really don't like buying on-line, with how many I have to try on to find one that fits. But it's tough to find stores that stock much in my size-- 32A or B (Bs are often too big, As too small). And what's worse is that most everything that small is a padded, uplifting, underwired monstrosity. I see no reason to try to make my bust look bigger, I like being small...

It was so much easier when I was a 38DD....

Crankin, I'll have to try out those Calvin Kleins, thanks for mentioning them.

This is my problem as well. So far, I'm making due with a couple of old, stretched out bras for everyday wear because I'm dreading shopping for new ones (32A or 32almostB depending on which breast you measure!). It was so easy when I was heavier and a 36C fit because those were super easy to find and usually, with enough persistence, I could find a style that worked in that size.

Now? Besides still having a cup size difference between breasts, my biggest problem is now running bras. When you are moving rhythmically for 1.5 hours and your breasts and ribcage have shrunk out of your old sports bras...chafing happens in all kinds of bad places. Ugh.

[lph]

For anyone wearing an AA, A, or B cup. May I suggest.

Hey those are nice.

sign,
ms flatchest-but-that-doesn't-mean-I'm-petite

[Kathi]

This is my problem as well. So far, I'm making due with a couple of old, stretched out bras for everyday wear because I'm dreading shopping for new ones (32A or 32almostB depending on which breast you measure!). It was so easy when I was heavier and a 36C fit because those were super easy to find and usually, with enough persistence, I could find a style that worked in that size.

Now? Besides still having a cup size difference between breasts, my biggest problem is now running bras. When you are moving rhythmically for 1.5 hours and your breasts and ribcage have shrunk out of your old sports bras...chafing happens in all kinds of bad places. Ugh.

Sports Bras in 32a from HerRoom. You can look for these brands when shopping. http://www.herroom.com/search.aspx

Sorry the link only brings up the site but search on 32a, sports bras.

[goldfinch]

I totally understand reluctance to order online. There's no one to help you figure out correct fit, it's frustrating when the bra doesn't fit and return shipment adds to the cost although not paying state taxes balances that out.

However, there is a better selection of bras to try than what you find in the local stores. At least, there is for me.

Since I had no correctly fitting bra to compare to I have bought lots of bras over the years that I should have returned but didn't because I had no idea I could get a better fit. I was using an online calculator as my guide. Even if I had gone to stores I would have looked for the wrong size or the clerk would try to put me in a 32c bra that "runs small".

There's lots of good online information (some good videos) on how a bra should fit. Most of it is coming out of the UK. HerRoom is also a good source.

I understand your frustration with the styles of bras. I'm limited to balcony and plunge bras. They are beautiful colors and prints, very few white or beige, which I need sometimes. I have little use for plunge bras as I rarely wear a low cut top. Maybe I'm missing the point about plunge bras.

The other thing I don't get is why "petite" bras start at a 32 band and are only A,B,C cups. I'm as petite as they come and I also need the features of petite bras but I happen to be full busted or "curvy" as the UK girls put it. It seems there is an entire market the bra industry is missing out on.

I too found that ordering a whole pile of bras from Herroom to be much easier than dealing with stores. I sent what did not work back and the postage really wasn't that bad.

As another petite person Herroom had me me search for "petite plus" bras which gave me bras that worked on a short torso. The underwires were all balcony and plunge bras. I am finding them surprisingly comfortable even though like you I don't wear low cut tops.

Oddly, my size in a soft cup bra is different than my size in an underwire.

[Irulan]

http://www.barenecessities.com/

This place has a ton of bras also. I shop for bralets, and A bras that don't' have padding.... also very hard to find. I suspect but don't know that they'd be very similar to the other link posted.

[Crankin]

Well, I like my bras with the "microfiber" filler stuff; not the heavy duty padding of yesteryear, but something to hide the headlights and also make me look like I have some breasts! It just helps my clothing look better.
Some of the Calvin Klein bras have underwire, but it's not the underwire of earlier times. I bought one that has it, wore it yesterday and I was comfortable all day. But, the bra I wear most days is very plain. I would recommend anyone with A-B cups to look at the Calvin Klein line. They have a lot of styles. I also bought a V back one for regular wear, not sports.
I wear the "Handful" sports bra for all sports. It is the most comfortable sports bra I have ever worn. I find most to be way too compressive. I decided to size up and bought the small instead of extra small and it's just great. TE carries them and they come in sizes XS-XL.

[Susan Otcenas]

In the US a 34D is a LOT harder to come by, online or otherwise.

Zoom-zoom, forgive me, but I think you may not be looking in the right places. 34D is generally a very common size. Whether you are looking for an everyday bra at a department store, or a sports bra, 34D is widely available. I just went to the macys.com website and there were 279 different everyday bras available in 34D. At TE, we have 15 different sports bra styles available in 34D. http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/...00002~34D.html Title9 has 48 bras in D-cups, nearly all of them available in 34. We're happy to make some recommendations, if you need help.

---

Kathi's experience is not uncommon. MANY women are wearing bras that are too big in the band, too small in the cup. Going down a band size and up a cup size can cure a lot of fit problems.

[zoom-zoom]

Zoom-zoom, forgive me, but I think you may not be looking in the right places. 34D is generally a very common size. Whether you are looking for an everyday bra at a department store, or a sports bra, 34D is widely available. I just went to the macys.com website and there were 279 different everyday bras available in 34D. At TE, we have 15 different sports bra styles available in 34D. http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/...00002~34D.html Title9 has 48 bras in D-cups, nearly all of them available in 34. We're happy to make some recommendations, if you need help.

Sure, online, maybe...but even when I do find them at brick-n-mortar retailers I have to try on 6-7 to find 1 that fits (and I'm lucky if I find that many to bring in the fitting room. Typically the 34s stop at C cups, for some odd reason. I blame the store buyers, since I know these sizes do exist). Frequently they just aren't cut right for my shape and the top of the cup cuts across the tops of my boobs and/or I squish out at the armpit area. I definitely fall into what is categorized as full-figured or full-cup. So many retailers automatically make anything 34 or smaller with less generously cut/volumed cups, even if the underwire is the same shape/size. Or they don't offer any support or the straps are too skinny or slide off my shoulders. I've ordered online a few times, but get tired of paying shipping both directions, sometimes to not have anything fit.

[Susan Otcenas]

Sure, online, maybe...but even when I do find them at brick-n-mortar retailers I have to try on 6-7 to find 1 that fits (and I'm lucky if I find that many to bring in the fitting room. Typically the 34s stop at C cups, for some odd reason. I blame the store buyers, since I know these sizes do exist). Frequently they just aren't cut right for my shape and the top of the cup cuts across the tops of my boobs and/or I squish out at the armpit area. I definitely fall into what is categorized as full-figured or full-cup. So many retailers automatically make anything 34 or smaller with less generously cut/volumed cups, even if the underwire is the same shape/size. Or they don't offer any support or the straps are too skinny or slide off my shoulders. I've ordered online a few times, but get tired of paying shipping both directions, sometimes to not have anything fit.

I totally get it. I find the lack of consistency in what "34D" (or any other size) actually MEANS to be very frustrating. Surprisingly, our return rates in bras aren't any higher than what we see in any other apparel category, which always amazes me.

[Crankin]

OK, I didn't realize the woman at the LLS switched the brand of the really comfortable bra on me. It looks just like the Calvin Klein ones I had before, but it's the Warners Blissfully Aware line. So comfortable and fits my small size well. But, I also bought a couple of Calvins, so it's worth it to look at those, too.

[SheFly]

OMG. I finally went to Nordstrom's yesterday and had a fitting. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO DO THIS???? Turns out, like most, I have been wearing the wrong bra size. As Susan observed, I needed to go down one band size, but up TWO cup sizes (really - since WHEN was I a 32 D instead of a 34B????).

I had a bad day at the office on Tuesday, so decided to treat myself (I've also recently lost some weight, so my old bras weren't fitting anyway). Heaven. But when did bras become so expensive? Good thing I LOVE the new ones.

I highly recommend a fitting if you haven't had one. Now if they would just create a similar experience for buying pants...

SheFly

[GLC1968]

Well, I like my bras with the "microfiber" filler stuff; not the heavy duty padding of yesteryear, but something to hide the headlights and also make me look like I have some breasts! It just helps my clothing look better.
Some of the Calvin Klein bras have underwire, but it's not the underwire of earlier times. I bought one that has it, wore it yesterday and I was comfortable all day. But, the bra I wear most days is very plain. I would recommend anyone with A-B cups to look at the Calvin Klein line. They have a lot of styles. I also bought a V back one for regular wear, not sports.
I wear the "Handful" sports bra for all sports. It is the most comfortable sports bra I have ever worn. I find most to be way too compressive. I decided to size up and bought the small instead of extra small and it's just great. TE carries them and they come in sizes XS-XL.

Are you kidding me? You are significantly smaller than me, but I needed the XS in the handful bra (I tried one on yesterday)! The small only fit if I had the pads in, but I felt like they made me look abnormally huge so I took them out and had to go down a size.

ps - Susan, I tried them on at a local store, but I'll be ordering them from TE of course!

[VeganBikeChick]

Thanks for the encouragement from this post. I went today to get refitted, and found that while I am correct on my band size, I'm a cup size larger than I thought

Much more comfortable, though! I thought a larger cup size would make me look bustier, but it actually does the opposite.