Does your bra really fit?

[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.

[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.

[OakLeaf]

It's been a while (I'm due for some new bras) but I usually just pick two or three bras that I like the looks of, and take a collection back into the fitting room in four combinations of cup and band sizes (32A, 32B, 34A, 34B). Considering I wear anything from XS to L in regular clothing, I don't find the variation in bra sizes unusual.

[Crankin]

GLC, I always wear the pads in the Handful bra, maybe that makes a difference?
It just doesn't feel so constricting, and perhaps covers more of my b00bs than an x small would. I just got tired of the horrible red lines under my chest and across my back from sports bras. My skin is extremely sensitive, even my socks leave lines, and sometimes I even get hives from being irritated, so this works.