https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 17 May 2026 19:23:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes/page/2#post-323064 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:55:24 +0000 MsMary 323064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>According to the bra fitting experts, a better-fitting (i.e. snugger) band will actually minimize back fat. Amazingly enough, that's been true in my experience. Who knew? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes/page/2#post-323063 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:55:13 +0000 Anonymous 323063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm...I thought I'd posted on this thread last week. Nordies (even our small one) does carry some 30 band bras. I was very recently refitted from a 32C to a 30D. Nordies had several different Calvin Klein tee shirt styles with pushup and also introduced me to Betsy Johnson's bras which come in small sizes. It was amazing to find rather fancy bras with matching undies in my size. The Betsy Johnson bras had no padding and fit very well. Mo, I've been wearing the wrong bras (usually 34AA) and am nearly 65! What would we do without YLF?!?!<br /> Khris, I hope you find something that your daughter loves. She is sooooo lucky to have you as a mom and to find out about correct sizing at a young age. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes/page/2#post-323053 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:35:19 +0000 Mo 323053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Denise, the band size is the same (32) but I have to say the D cup is more comfortable than the C. It is still a tad too far apart in the middle, but this is a plunge style and that may just be part of the fit. <a href="http://www.herroom.com/natori-132005-sheer-mesh-convertible-contour-plunge.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.herroom.com/natori-.....unge.shtml</a> I may actually be a petite size but those all seem to have push up and padding, which I don't want. Still hunting, but this is an improvement I have my eye on a 30DD and may jump. Will keep you posted :)</p> <p>The back/side fat issue seems the same. I may have to get brave and post a bra pic - yikes! - for feedback. Could it be I don't know how to properly wear a bra at almost 41 years old?? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes/page/2#post-318218 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:19:21 +0000 Sara 318218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have ordered from herroom.com and loved all the reviews on their site and the great customer service. For small band sizes (I wear a 32) I have had great luck with the Victoria's Secret Pink brand. It wasn't until I purchased a two pack of the tee shirt bras in a 32 that I realized how horribly all my size 34s fit. Kohl's sometimes has smaller band sizes too, and the prices aren't bad if you wait for a sale and use a coupon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes/page/2#post-318091 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 05:48:28 +0000 CocoLion 318091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, I am curious how your bra will work out, let us know. I am afraid to go down to 30 band because of back fat. That is why I still wear some 34 band bras, for when I am wearing knits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes/page/2#post-318090 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 05:45:36 +0000 Lena 318090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kate, I'm wearing a 32 band, and I'm shopping for 30. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-318075 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:39:34 +0000 Aziraphale 318075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lena, I have a friend who is tall but has small breasts, and we had a conversation about bras after her recent trip to the fancy lingerie boutique. Up until then, she had been wearing an A cup bra with a band size that was way too big. She left the boutique with a size 30D bra that fit perfectly! And she was really pleased about it ("Can you believe it? ME? a D cup?").</p> <p>I wore a 34C for years until I found out that the 32D "sister size" (as Mo says) actually fits better. A brand-new 34C usually fits me on the tightest hook, whereas the 32D fits on the loosest one -- which means it can stretch out a bit and it will still fit a year later. I know a 30DD is too small because I can't even get it done up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-318071 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:26:09 +0000 Mo 318071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lena, a 34B is the same sized cup as a 32C as a 30D and so on . . . they are sister sizes. Once upon a time I wore a 34A or B and even bought a 36A a time or two (oops) but I should be wearing a 30DD. I don't have big breasts. I am just now getting myself to go from 32C to 32D (once the mail comes this week) so I'm a SLOW learner here. Check the links - they are quite helpful. The last link actually has a bra calculator under bra school tab. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-318068 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:22:26 +0000 Kate 318068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lena, what band size are you wearing? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-318067 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:01:38 +0000 Lena 318067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm reading everyone's measurements and I'm puzzled. How is it possible that my measurements are 29 and 33 and I'm wearing a B cup at most? You guys have seen my pictures - I'm small on top. Nordies ladies put me into A-B bras. I hardly fill out an unpadded A cup bra, and I started wearing padded Bs only because the larger cup size fits my breast tissue better (and there's space left otherwise). What's going on? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-318043 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:44:57 +0000 Megan 318043@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lindas Online is a great resource for bras in smaller band sizes. I'm 26 around my ribs and 32 around my bust and wear a 30C from the Little Bra Company (their band sizes run a size small as they are made especially for petite women). </p> <p><a href="http://www.lindasonline.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.lindasonline.com/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317713 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:08:17 +0000 crwilson 317713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MaryK - I'm especially suspicious of bra fittings at Victoria's Secret, having worked there before. There's only a limited range of sizes available, which means that there's a lot of pressure to put women in bras that don't really fit them but that are available in the store. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317708 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:00:26 +0000 qfbrenda 317708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Kate! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317700 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:53:28 +0000 MsMary 317700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Remember a year or so ago when Oprah (I think) did a show about bra fitting? The take-away was that almost everybody is wearing a too-big band and a too-small cup. And I'm skeptical about bra fittings, too. I went to Victoria's Secret yesterday and they measured me and one lady came up with 36D and the other came up with 38 B. I tried on a million different bras and the one that fit perfectly was 34DD. So the lesson is measurement are only the first part of the equation and you just have to try on a bunch of actual bras before you find the one that actually fits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317568 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 05:46:05 +0000 Kate 317568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brenda, I found this tutorial helpful when altering one of my bras after realizing the band was too big (which was a huge problem because it's a strapless bra!!!) <a href="http://sewglamorous.blogspot.com/2009/05/bra-band-alteration-tutorial.html" rel="nofollow">http://sewglamorous.blogspot.c.....orial.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317549 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 04:22:04 +0000 qfbrenda 317549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Steph, that's a good idea. I'm a seamstress so I might work on them myself. I hadn't thought of that, thank you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317544 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 04:10:19 +0000 Dashrashi 317544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, I also had the problem of "the cups being too far apart." Actual problem: cup size was too small. When there's enough depth in the cup, the center piece sits where it's supposed to. I went down two band sizes and up two cup sizes (and, depending on my weight, am about a half-size bigger than that, even, in the cup). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317494 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 02:53:42 +0000 Mo 317494@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, Maya this got me reevaluating the 'situation' lol. I think I wear my bra low all around. And I think that is so the cup will fit because it likely *is* too small. The underwires poke if I pull it up closer toward the armpit and the cups are not close enough together so that the underwires also don't settle between the breasts. So . . . I have an exact model of my current Natori 32C in a 32D on order. It's a start </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317491 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 02:44:17 +0000 Maya 317491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, you're probably wearing the band too high up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317488 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 02:39:16 +0000 chewyspaghetti 317488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for all of the replies to this! I have to call the closest Nordies to see if they even stock 30's, and start from there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317361 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 21:11:28 +0000 Steph 317361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brenda, it seems a waste to wear a bra that has a band that is too big. Why not take them to a seamstress and see if she can bring in the band for you? I have had my bra bands altered in the past. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317302 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:39:37 +0000 qfbrenda 317302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the info. I wish I had read that thread before I bought new bras. I hadn't read it because I thought I knew about how fit a bra. But I can tell that the band size on my new ones is too big. Oh well... they are way better than the ones they replaced. Now I'll know for next time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317286 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:24:39 +0000 Mo 317286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a 28 1/2" ribcage with a 34 1/2" bust and wear 32C by Natori, Calvin Klein, and Maidenform. ( Maybe I'm just not getting it, but if I put the tightest hook on these, I get the dreaded back fat and I'm a relatively thin person.) Anyway, both the Natori and Calvin Klein I found rummaging at TJ Maxx. You really have to keep looking every few weeks for the odd smaller sizes, but they do show up. And at $15 instead of $50. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317281 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:23:11 +0000 Aziraphale 317281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's my two cents about measuring: it's a good starting point, but is no substitue for trying on a whole pile of bras until you find out what fits. Alicat, that's a good link, btw. In the expensive lingerie boutiques, they do start off by measuring, but it's the trying on of what seems like hundreds of bras that leads you to the right one in the end. </p> <p>For me the bottom line is, buy the tightest band size that is comfortable, with the biggest cup size that you can fill out without puckers. Then find one that gives your breasts a nice shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317265 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 18:59:10 +0000 CocoLion 317265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree to try and get fitted in a store. Even a Macy's would be OK. I wouldn't recommend a Kohl's or Target because they don't have 32 bandwidth with larger cup sizes. And they have little service or expertise.</p> <p>You can try the tape measure/on line approach but it will take a lot of shipping back and forth to get the right size. Barenecessities.com and Herroom.com are good. </p> <p>The measurement only tells a partial story. I measure 28 ribcage and 36 bustline and like the way Natori bras fit in a size 32DD (also have a few Calvin Kleins in that size I like). I know the ladies around here recommend a smaller band, bigger cup for me and I'll try that the next time I need to replace bras.</p> <p>Finally I want to say that I do wear some 34 band size bras from Maidenform and they are not too loose. They are well made and inexpensive. I wear a 34 D from them. Several of their bras have a tighter fit around the band than, for example, Warners or Vanity Fair. Also they have younger styling. I would try some 34 B-Cs from Maidenform for your daughter. As a first bra, I'm not sure an ultra tight band is the way to start (unless she has a lot of cup volume already). Again, I know that around here this is not what's recommended but I find *some* Maidenforms work. </p> <p>Hope my slightly different perspective helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317262 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 18:56:50 +0000 Maya 317262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great link Alicat. </p> <p>The only point I don't agree with 100% is that the straps sliding off is necessarily related to the band being too big. It certainly can be, but it can also just be the result of having big breasts and little shoulders, as in my case. I still get strap slide down no matter what I do. Even if a 28 was too big, there wouldn't be anything I could do about it since a 26 band does not exist... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317260 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 18:53:19 +0000 Kate 317260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>qfbrenda, check out Maya's bra fitting thread: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-bra-fitting-thread" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-thread</a></p> <p>Basically, don't add 4-5 inches. Maya says:</p> <p>Measuring. It's not my favorite method, but it's an option. Get someone to measure you under your bust, where your bra band should fit (see pictures above). This is likely your band size. Remember how I said adding 4-5 inches as per most bra fitting advice is stupid? Well here is why: I don't have proof of this, but my guess is that this advice is a vestige of when bras did not contain any stretch and therefore needed some wiggle room. But bras today DO stretch. They have built in wiggle room! Do you add 4-5 inches to your waist measurement when buying jeans? Do you add 4-5 inches when buying underwear? Of course not! Tape measures don't stretch but bras do, so make sure you get a snug but not tight measurement. I say get someone else to do it because it is very hard to get an accurate measurement yourself. That is why I don't like this method. Too much trouble. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317257 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 18:50:32 +0000 Anonymous 317257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Breakoutbras has a good guide to measuring:</p> <p><a href="http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/noname1.html" rel="nofollow">http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/noname1.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317252 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 18:46:51 +0000 qfbrenda 317252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now I'm confused. I thought you were supposed to take someone's ribcage measurement and add 5 inches to it to get their band size. So a 29 in. rib cage would mean a 34 band size. Apparently that's wrong, so what's the right way to do it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/maya-and-others-with-small-bra-band-sizes#post-317251 Sat, 19 Mar 2011 18:44:17 +0000 Anonymous 317251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey there,</p> <p>I'm another vote for driving to Nordie's for a good fitting. Once you know her size, there are some good online options. I get lots of my bras from breakoutbras.com. They have great customer service and free shipping. Another good option is herroom.com, which also has free shipping.</p> <p>Your town might surprise and have a good small bra shop, too. . . one of the best bra shops I've ever been in was in Mandeville, Louisiana. (If any of you are from the New Orleans area, check out the Bra Genie!)</p> <p>Good luck! </p>