Bra size?

Re: Bra size?

it may be that it's fitted incorrectly (wrong size) or that the bra is not suited to your particular shape, but I would strongly suggest going to a professional bra-fitters, most larger department stores offer this service for free, as do many stand alone lingerie stores.

I'm much larger than my mother in bra size, so there is no reason that you might not be as well.

A well fitted bra is extremely important, as it will prevent them sagging prematurely, and also help support your back

Re: Bra size?

I agree with Rosie! Go get measured... In the US all the department store provide this service aas does Victoria Secret...

Re: Bra size?

I agree with the posters above. You don't necessary end up with the same bra size as your mom. I have no idea where she got that myth from :/

You need to get properly fitted. You can also determine your own bra size with the help of a measuring tape. I found the article below on the internet which is quite helpful:

Measuring Bra Cup and Band Size

Re: Bra size?

You need to measure where your current bra rests under your breasts, and then measure at the widest part of your breasts. The smaller number is your band size. Your cup size is the difference between the two numbers. (A = 1", B = 2", C = 3")

So for example, if you measure 31" and 34" your bra size could be either:

30C
32C

Re: Bra size?

Lipgloss addict is right. That's how u measure yourself at home. Or you could get measured at VS, Frederick's or a dept. store.

You could tell if your bra is too small if it's squeezing the life out your ribcage, your breasts spill over the sides, hang too low, and the part in between your breasts does not sit on the skin, but away from it.

Re: Bra size?

Originally Posted by reesesilverstar

You could tell if your bra is too small if it's squeezing the life out your ribcage, your breasts spill over the sides, hang too low, and the part in between your breasts does not sit on the skin, but away from it.

I just take a sock out of my bra when that happens, Reese! Lol.

Re: Bra size?

Lol ! Also if you can run two fingers between the band and your skin all the way around, you're wearing the right bra size. And when you buy the bra, make sure you tie the bra at the last or medium hook, if you can already tie it at the tightest hook, it means you need to go a band size smaller, as the elastic tends to get looser over time.

Re: Bra size?

Agree with the above. Body size depends on the individual, not the individual's family members. The easiest is probably to walk into a Victoria's Secret or the like and just get measured. It's really easy...walk in ask if you can get measured, and they put a measuring tape around your chest area. (Then again, they never believe me whenever I walk in and tell them my size, so they always re-measure me and I always end up the same size, lol)

I might guess that if it kept moving that the band would be too big/loose? But having a cup size too small might make it hard to hold you in place, and then it might move around a lot then too.

Re: Bra size?

haha, Mags, I'm unable to do that, since most brands don't go down to my size. I'm used to keeping my bra on the tightest hook!!

Still, this advice is completely correct.

Re: Bra size?

I would actually recommend going to a department store and just trying a few different sizes on. My experience with bra fitters is not great... they always got mine wrong and the size they said I was, was very uncomfortable to wear. I had one woman in Marks & Spencers who was adamant I was a 32A and no matter how much I told her the cups were too small she said they were fine! Turns out I'm actually a 32C!!! Bit of a bloody difference isn't it! Also, I've found I am a different size in various stores (and occasionally within the store if the bras are supplied by different designers - I get this in H&M). So, I suggest trial and error done by yourself!

Re: Bra size?

Your best bet is to stay as far away as possible from Victoria's Secret. Across the board, they're known for bra fitters who don't have a clue as to how bra sizing works. Whats worse is, the company line is to give you an incorrect size if you wear a size they do not carry in store. For example, I'm a 30-32DD (or E, depending on how the company names their sizing). Bought VS panties with a coupon that had a $10 off any bra purchase, and when I politely declined, the sales associate asked why. I told her you they didn't carry my size. She asked what size that was, I told her, she asked where I got that number from (myself, confirmed every time I go to Nordies), and told me that those dept stores were off, I'd more than be able to fit into a 34C or 34D. Not going to happen!!! Tried that bra trick (up a band sized down a cup size) and it doesn't work for me, but the other size had to have been pulled from her behind. On another occasion, the sales associate thought it was okay to insult me over my bra size. So, they're not well known for hiring people based on their lingerie knowledge (If you go to www.makemeheal.com which is a plastic surgery website, under their breast augmentation forums, you'll hear a lot of similar comments).

Go to Nordstrom. They have great fitters.

Re: Bra size?

Originally Posted by pinksugar

haha, Mags, I'm unable to do that, since most brands don't go down to my size. I'm used to keeping my bra on the tightest hook!! Still, this advice is completely correct.

Lol ! I used to do that a lot, because it's hard to find anything past the D cup here, and i tend to like my bra real tight.

Re: Bra size?

You could also go to a store (that is not a chain) that specializes bras, etc. They will fit you and let you try on bras, that way you can check if they fitted you correctly.

Re: Bra size?

I would suggest going to get measured, pretty much all department stores and lingere stores will measure you free of cost, and they will also help you determine what style of bra will work best for your shape

Re: Bra size?

I realized my bra was too small when the front wire in between the cups was raised off of my body in an odd way.

Re: Bra size?

Originally Posted by Shadowy_Lady

I agree with the posters above. You don't necessary end up with the same bra size as your mom. I have no idea where she got that myth from :/ You need to get properly fitted. You can also determine your own bra size with the help of a measuring tape. I found the article below on the internet which is quite helpful: Measuring Bra Cup and Band Size

I measured mine at home using an internet site, it was the same measurements they use in stores. I just did not want someone measuring mine. Luckily, I wore the right size

Re: Bra size?

I tried measuring myself and I was wearing the proper sizes, but sometimes my bras don't feel as if they are the right size and during the day they feel uncomfortable and i rely on my sports bra because it's comfortable.

uuuuugh

You should buy a perfectly fitted bra, so as to avoid chances of looseness, it is easy to find right kind of plus size bra now, we can select from online shopping stores, the main thing is cup size and pattern of strips.
 

I hate how lingerie stores try to push "sister sizes." If I'm a 38C, I'm NOT a 36D. I have this problem a lot at Aerie because they don't stock 38C in storefronts other than the basic beige, black, and white ones, but they do stock 36D and try to sell me one every time I go in and ask to have a 38C shipped to me. (Little-known fact, American Eagle and their other branded stores will ship any item to you for free if you can't find your size in store. Better than paying for shipping online!) but the band on the 36D digs so badly I can hardly wear them.

Although I do have a friend who measures at a 38DD but prefers to buy 36D bras and uses an extender on the band because they're easier to find and the placement of the cups fits her better. To each her own I suppose.

Go to Victoria's Secret and have them properly fit you. I'm the same size as my mom, but we don't look like it. But, if your bra doesn't fit, that can be a huge problem later in life,

 

I used to meet that problem a lot, even brands and shops specialised in generous cups (certain consider even a D cup is a generous size, nuts !) don't stock on all sizes, which is why i order online instead of going to a store. How many times have i heard 95E equals a 90F (french sizes), and how many times have i told the saleslady that she'd better learn what she's talking about before selling me her sh*t (politely). I am fortunate to know my size and to have found a true brand for generous cups, so i can order online and compare prices.

I don't really consider 38C a "generous" size, but at a lot of stores it's in the upper range of sizes (like Aerie) and at other stores, it's the smallest size they have (Cacique, owned by Lane Bryant), so they're hard to find there, too. It's really frustrating because I find that the stores with bigger sizes have more matronly bras, and the stores with the younger, prettier bras never make them in my size. It's like I'm doomed to basic bras unless I want to pay $100 apiece for them.

I have the opposite problems from you ladies - I can't find a bra that is small enough :-(   I'm small chested (30AA..maybe even AAA), which is fine by me, and I don't want a bra that's completely stuffed with foam or gel or whatever. I look completely ridiculous. I've had to go buy training bras which is awesome  because they're usually like $12 for 3 bras and slightly embarrassing because I'm in my mid 20s. I'd love to buy the pretty little bras I see online, but I'm picky about how my bras fit and look and feel so I need to try them on and I hate return shipping. Also, I hate spending upwards of $50 on something so itty bitty. So, my solution has been to not wear bras which works great in the summer but now that it's November and getting colder....I need a bra.

I'm jealous of you! All of my friends can wear cute v-necks and think nothing of it and I'm like "oh look... more camis to go under EVERYTHING."

Victoria's Secret tried to sell me a "sister size", 38DD, when I'm 36DDD (yeah, not an easy size to find for a reasonable price). I would have gone for it, too, because I wore the wrong sizes for so many years that I didn't know what the right size felt like. I've seen tons of women bigger than me, so I can hardly imagine what they must go through and/or pay.  Nordstrom's was the best fitting ever...and out of my budget. I should see if they have any at Nordstrom Rack. I found two 36DDD at Kohl's, but they fit strangely. The size feels fine, but the shape is weird. The fitter at Nordstrom said to watch out, because the most comfortable is not always the most supportive, and you need to protect your back and your other muscles involved in holding up the ladies. I love the shape of Victoria's Secret. I think they carry the more unusual sizes through their catalog, although not in store. Maybe I should go that route.

I find that they have the widest selection of sizes during their semi-annual sales.  It's like they hoard all of the random sizes and bring them out during the sales.  I've seen 32DDDD's (yes, 32---though a DDDD is wayyy to big for me) during the semi's.  For years, I used to never find a single one that I'd be able to wear, and then during the semi-annual there'd be 2-5 bras in the store I could try on.

Don't go to V.S. for a fitting, their fitters don't know what they're doing (at multiple locations). I've gone in and they've told me I'm anywhere from a 38B to a 34DD. For the record, I'm a 32G. Go to Nordstrom, the fitters and bras are better. (Back when I could wear VS bras, they'd break so easily) Plus, Nordstrom carries "weird" sizes.

All my bras are from VS, but their sizing is sooo inconsistent throughout--I'm like 3 different cup sizes--with the same band size--depending on the bra.

 

This chart is pretty informative, definitely explains why you can fit into multiple sizes:

 

 

Same cups and cradle	30A	32AA	34AAA
Same cups and cradle	30B	32A	34AA
Same cups and cradle	30C	32B	34A	36AA
Same cups and cradle	30D	32C	34B	36A
Same cups and cradle	30E	32D	34C	36B	38A
Same cups and cradle	30F	32E	34D	36C	38B	40A
Same cups and cradle	30G	32F	34E	36D	38C	40B
Same cups and cradle	30H	32G	34F	36E	38D	40C
Same cups and cradle	30J	32H	34G	36F	38E	40D
Same cups and cradle	30K	32J	34H	36G	38F	40E

I've been fitted at VS & Aerie multiple times by several different women and I'm always the same - 34C. I *really* wanted a nude bra once and VS didn't have it in my size. They told me to try a 32D, the sister size and I have to say it fits just fine.