Does your bra really 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