Bra size?

[shandimessmer]

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,

 

[magosienne]

Originally Posted by SupItsStephanie /img/forum/go_quote.gif

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.

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.

 

[SupItsStephanie]

Originally Posted by magosienne /img/forum/go_quote.gif


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.

 

[tinkerbll695]

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.

 

[SupItsStephanie]

Originally Posted by tinkerbll695 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

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."

 

[sleepykat]

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.

 

[Annelle]

Originally Posted by sleepykat /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 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.

 

[amberlamps]

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.

 

[americanclassic]

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

 

[Baberanza]

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.

 

[LisaF1163]

Originally Posted by amberlamps /img/forum/go_quote.gif

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.

Same here - the SA at VS had me in the wrong size for years.  Go to someplace like Intimacy (if there's one near you), or a high end department store, someplace like Bloomingdales.  That's where you'll get the most accurate sizing by people who know how to do it correctly.

 

[Hellocat4]

Originally Posted by Annelle /img/forum/go_quote.gif

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.

Thank you for this tip!  I will definitely have to take a look the next time. I'm usually one of those- "nope, you don't have my size" types of customers who doesn't give them a second thought. My staple is a Donna Karan sports bra, which I don't know what I'll do if they ever stop making.

 

[gw3ndolyn]

You have two choices:

1) Get fitted.

2) If you REALLY don't want to get fitted, then go try on a bunch of sizes at the store.

I really recommend you get fitted. And also, I know what you mean. When I buy a bra, I have to use the tightest hook because they don't go down to my size.

 

[MissTrix]

Option #3: Fit yourself. It's not hard to do and it's better to take your own measurements rather than relying on the "expertise" of someone who may not know what they are doing or whose agenda is to sell you a bra, regardless of how it fits.

This is an awesome guide making the rounds on Tumblr & Pinterest:

http://sameatschildren.tumblr.com/post/45962915522/do-it-now-guide-to-proper-bra-fit-and-measuring

There is an amazing forum on Reddit dedicated to helping women find their proper bra size. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for advice or help. They also have a ton of shopping recommendations for "harder to find" sizes, mostly UK companies since the UK seems to be light years ahead of the rest of the world in this department.

http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits

Also, I know most of the posts on this topic are years old, but for anyone coming across this discussion now:

If you can fit into a 36 band, then you are NOT a 38 band! Your bra band should fit snugly on the LOOSEST hooks. Then, you move to the middle, then tightest hooks as the band stretches with wear over time. Whatever you measure under your bust is the size band you should be wearing, give or take an inch if you come up with an odd number measurement. Many bra fitters (as well as Victoria's Secret) will add a bunch of inches to your under bust measurement in order to fit you in to a more limited range of sizes. You end up with an unsupportive bra this way. The band should be giving you around 80% of your support. If it rides up your back, it is too big. If you can pull it more than 2 inches away from your back, it is too big. 

Anyway, I could go on and on but just check out the first link I posted ( and the 2nd if you want to learn more). She goes over measuring & how to tell if you have a proper fit. I spent 26 years in the wrong size bras. Finding out my true size has made all the difference in the world to my appearance and my self esteem.

 

[lovelycandygurl]

I wear a 34 B and I don't look it. My girls are really perky.