https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:50:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-1150236 Mon, 27 Jan 2014 04:28:37 +0000 Pat Chenell 1150236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very late to this but I just joined YLF today and feel I must weigh in on this topic that is close to my heart. I am 5'2", "small-boned" and wear a 34FF or 32G. Couldn't find a well-fitting bra for years. I felt top-heavy and sometimes a little frumpy due to poor support. Ill-fitting underwire just hurts. 5 years ago we went on our first tropical vacation since our honeymoon in 1990 and I wanted a bikini. I went to a bra &amp; swimwear boutique for a fitting and was introduced to the wonderful world of English/European bras! Now I buy gorgeous bra and swimsuit brands like Panache and Freya. I look and feel better, clothes fit better and they are worth every penny even with costs to import from the U.K. Deals can often be found on eBay. I tell everyone who wants to listen to investigate British engineering lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-774712 Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:26:18 +0000 sarabcook 774712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Uggh. I normally wear a 32F unless I'm pregnant then it's 36G and I am 5'4". I have broad shoulders that help with my large bust and my hips are the same size as my bust so that helps me balance out. My husband recently pointed out that no one other than him sees my waist because most of my shirts just flow down from my chest. So I would say how the shirt fits is a good indicator of large bust or not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-771703 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 14:57:48 +0000 Thistle 771703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sizing across brands is very inconsistent. On line retailers like her room.com have created common sizing ratings across brands because of this.</p> <p>I have struggled with my "girls" most of my life, but never as much as after having my DD. I was never perky, but breastfeeding made it much worse. They are also set low, so support is a huge component. </p> <p>I have also struggled with tops forever. I wear a lot of knits because at a 36(6D) it is almost impossible to find tops that fit across the girls that don't tent over my waist. I do not own a basic white button down as I have never found one that fits without looking like a tent.</p> <p>At my size, bras last 6-12 months, even the expensive ones. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-771594 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 08:03:36 +0000 eternalvoyageur 771594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just wanted to add that a 30D is not that hard to find: I wear a 28DD and can find them in plenty of places. Just search for online stores that sell Freya, Panache, Fantasie or Parfait Affinitas; I heard Nordstorms is good to (if you are in the US). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-769450 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:21:27 +0000 JR 769450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been wondering about this too. I feel average, or slightly above, but clothing manufacturers seem to think I'm big, because tops tend to be baggy through the shoulders. Yet my shoulders are not particularly narrow, being well-balanced with my hips. I definitely don't want to wear a minimizing bra, because that would accentuate my thick waist. Just can't win here.</p> <p>Since I've been on YLF, I have gotten much more particular about getting things that fit right, and it's not an easy task. At least it helps prevent a lot of impulse buying. ;o)</p> <p>As for sizing being inconsistent, I can attest to that. My two newest bras were 36D (band definitely not tight) and a 34DD (cup definitely not tight), bought at the same time with the same SA. She assured me that that DD cup in that particular model was smaller than normal. So much for standard sizing. I was feeling pretty much like Shiny, exhausted and wanting to just go home, but I really, really needed some T-shirt bras. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-769109 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:42:17 +0000 Janet 769109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ann, last year I lost weight (about 15 lbs) and went from a 34D to a 32DDD or E. Even though I definitely lost weight in my breasts! The new size surprised me too. Don't be shocked if you actually need a 34D, for example. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-769098 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:36:36 +0000 Ann in New England 769098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, how did I get to be 47 years old and NOT know that a 32 c cup was different than a 36 c cup? This explains so much.</p> <p>Before I lost weight, I wore a 38C. During weight loss, there was always extra fabric in the cups -- sometimes I felt like I fit another pair of breasts in my bra. Lately I've been wearing 34B, because everything shrunk, so I just went down in everything. But I've been feeling that the B is too small, but telling myself that there's no way I could still be a C.</p> <p>I have to search out a place for a professional fitting. For some reason, the Nordies near me doesn't seem to offer that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-751330 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:48:50 +0000 RoseandJoan 751330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such an interesting read. </p> <p>I am technically a full busted 32F but there are many factors at play which means I do not feel busty. I am tall at 5'8", predominantly a rectangle post children and my bustline is quite low. </p> <p>I do have some difficulty dressing my bust properly, being on the cusp of tall sizes the fit of tops can often seem off and darts hit at the wrong place in both regular and tall sizes.</p> <p>At school I was all blond hair and boobs 'Hello Boys' which was both a blessing and a curse as a teenager. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-751306 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:29:40 +0000 DeclawedJaguar 751306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure if there is a clear dividing line in this case. I *feel* large-breasted at 38C, and I am a wide-shouldered pearish hourglass at 5'9". I can only wear mostly-full or full coverage bras, as all the other types result in unsightly boob overflow. I have no idea how others think of my bust size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-751303 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:26:52 +0000 Jules 751303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>alaskagirl - I don't get busty from your photos at all, you look slim &amp; proportionate. </p> <p>With swim tops, I find only underwires seem to fit properly. And S/M/L sizing does not cut it for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-751280 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:58:43 +0000 catgirl 751280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel busty at 32DD and I'm not happy about it. And I had a breast reduction, but the doctor wouldn't let me go smaller because I was hoping for a second child and wanted to remain "intact" for nursing. I think I have some body dysmorphia around my old size, and I'm also able to hide it a bit with my surrendering looks, but I really would like to fit into more things and not struggle with swim tops. Sigh.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust/page/2#post-751274 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:55:37 +0000 rachylou 751274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think 36D, full coverage cup, is starting to get "busty." That seems to be about the size around which men split into their two preference groups, lol.</p> <p>I can only wear balconette bras, 'cuz I'm pretty much hollow chested. That alone, I think, qualifies me for "not busty." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751243 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:41:35 +0000 Scarlet 751243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, oh well I have noticed that the band size can be inconsistent. I am really between 32 and 30, so some 32 are completely too large, but there are some brands which tend to run a bit smaller as a 32 and they work for me on the middle hook. So given that the cup size shifts down or up with the band size, maybe that partially explains it, since you said you are kind of in between sizes anyway. :o) about the DD. In Germany "DD" is and "E", which sounds much larger to me. </p> <p>Jules, I have trouble with long necklaces too. They tend to do the lasso effect on me on one side or the other. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751194 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:53:13 +0000 Jules 751194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't feel "large" at 5"6 and 36D but combined with being short waisted and perhaps lower-set breasts, I can't wear long necklaces as they hang funny off the 'shelf'. But I can wear styles like wrap dresses that my very tall a-cup friend avoids. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751193 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:49:22 +0000 shiny 751193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Scarlet, something is definitely going on with bra sizing/inconsistencies. I went bra shopping in the summer with DD#2, who keeps increasing in the bust -- she's now in a D, nearly a DD. She is 4 inches taller than me but there's no doubt that her breasts are larger and fuller than my own. Anyway, the priority was finding HER a bra, but this gave me a chance to try on all kinds of bras too, in sizes I might not normally pull off the rack. We were shopping in Bloomingdale's so this included brands like Chantelle, which is what I normally wear. (You can check their site to see what other brands, I don't remember now). We must've tried on pretty much every 32-34 in the store. So I was trying on everything from 32 to 34 band, and cups from B on up to DD. And was surprised that in some styles I took a DD (whereas it didn't fit my daughter at all). I *almost* bought that DD.. just so I could be able to say, "I wear a DD".. hee hee! </p> <p>In general, I find 32C cups to be too small for me, whereas 34B cups fit just right, but the band inevitably loosens up too much after about 6 months. I tried on some 34D's in a different style, and those worked? It was very odd. And in some cases I went all the way up to a 32DD!! From that experience, I can't even say "in general" anymore. </p> <p>There's a lot of air time now to this idea that "most women wear the wrong size bra-- and need to size down on the band and up on the cup." I think that is the culprit here. Manufacturers are responding by creating inconsistently sized bras, so there's something for everyone. It's not all that dissimilar to what we find with clothing sizes. </p> <p>I did not buy any bras for me. I was exhausted from that experience. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751120 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:02:07 +0000 Scarlet 751120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Angie, I was typing while you were posting. Yes, because I am 5'2" and relatively dainty boned, I feel I should feel large busted, but I don't. I guess since I have a fair amount of neck and clavicle region, balancing shoulders, and a non-dainty lower half it must balance out at least in the way I see myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751116 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:58:27 +0000 Scarlet 751116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, this was a completely fascinating read. I think what I am taking away from this is you are only "large-busted" as a shape modifier if you feel like it is something you need to dress around. I personally don't feel I need to dress around my bustline (i.e. minimize or balance it), although I do need to take the extra effort to find the shirts/dresses that fit it. Jackets are less of a problem somehow.</p> <p>Laurinda, I love the quote "D's just aren't that big!" The fact that it needs to be declared basically sums up my whole initial confusion.</p> <p>Shiny, I am surprised by your experience that bra sizing is so inconsistent. I definitely find I have to try a lot of bras on to find the best fitting ones, but usually the size is about right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751111 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:53:40 +0000 Angie 751111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cathy and Gaylene are spot on. It's a proportion thing, Scarlet. What is your bust size in relation to your height, back width, shoulder width, and torso shape. </p> <p>I wear a size 29D bra and I'm 5ft 6. I consider myself regular bust size, although I have a very dainty shoulder line, which can reduce the size of my bust. But when I wear a tight turtleneck, I increase the size of my bust. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751071 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:22:29 +0000 Anonymous 751071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The average button-down shirt will fit my bust but be too large in the waist. I have to look for shaped button-down shirts for waist definition. Knit shirts and sweaters are always problematic. If they fit my bust, they're almost always too big in the waist. Again, I have to look for pieces that are shaped in the torso to get that much-needed waist definition. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751048 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:07:10 +0000 crazyone 751048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>this is interesting--I'm 5'3'' and wear a 32C, but consider myself small-busted. But some of you are about the same height and consider yourselves average-to-busty! I have a small waist but have squarish shoulders and definitely larger hips/thighs/bottom so maybe all those things balance it out. Buttondowns don't gape on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751019 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:27:19 +0000 shiny 751019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awhile back people on this forum were surprised to learn I am only a 34B, which made me go get a bra fitting. I could probably wear a 32C if I found one that wasn't too tight in the band -- my ideal band would be a 33. Then I did a more recent bra shopping excursion, and was annoyed to find that cup sizes are totally not standard -- I found 32-34 bras that fit well in sizes as varied as B, C, D, and even DD! In the same brands!!!! So my true bra size is anyone's guess, and if you ask me, something weird is going on with bra sizing lately. There's no consistency anymore. </p> <p>I'm only 5 feet tall, so I can see why I might look chesty. I do have trouble finding shirts that don't pop open on me, but it's not too much of a nightmare. I would say I am on the extreme end of the fit scale for places like AT and BR, but not outside of it, and that goes for my shoulders too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751018 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:26:41 +0000 Diana 751018@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it needs to be considered in reference to the rest of your measurements. For example, I am a 34C and 5'3.5". But I am very pear shaped and my bottom is several inches bigger than my bust, so I appear small to medium chested if you look at me as a whole. I also have a big rib cage in proportion to my height and my breasts are wide set so I don't get too much cleavage. However, if you looked at only my top half (short and small waisted, sloping shoulders) you might think I am more busty than I appear. </p> <p>Button downs gape on me but they did so even when I was a cup size smaller than I am now and even when there is extra room in the chest. I believe it has to do with the shape and position of my breasts rather than their size. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751017 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:26:41 +0000 Carole 751017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such an interesting post. </p> <p>I was wearing the wrong size bra for years (36d) until a proper fitting (34e). What a difference! I'm 5'9 and very broad shouldered, but I'm extremely short waisted and that makes things a little tricky. I feel large chested but proportionate until I try to wear a belt or empire type waist, then I feel like a freak! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751016 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:24:17 +0000 Laurinda 751016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Considering that bras are terribly sized, and the fashion world is geared toward waifs, I think the typical woman is being pushed aside. EternalVoyageur posted a link for this week from bralessinbrazil.com where I found this great post:</p> <p>"D's just aren't that big! "</p> <p>"...this the average measurements according to race are:</p> <p> White: 41-34-43<br /> Black: 43-37-46<br /> Hispanic: 42.5-36-44<br /> Asian: 41-35-43</p> <p>"which gives the average bras sizes of:</p> <p> White: 34F<br /> Black: 36F or 38DD<br /> Hispanic: 36E/F<br /> Asian: 34F or 36DD</p> <p>" So umm... regardless of race EVERYONE is on average a DD cup or higher. Clearly there are a whole lot more D+ cups out there then people assume."</p> <p>Lots more here: <a href="http://www.bralessinbrasil.com/2011/10/ds-just-arent-that-big.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bralessinbrasil.com.....t-big.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-751012 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:11:57 +0000 Janet 751012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cciele and Laura make good points about it being relative to the rest of the body proportions. My ribcage is relatively narrow, and I have a fairly small frame for my height (5'7"), but even after weight loss in which I know I lost weight from my chest, I'm in a 32DDD or 32E bra. I don't think I look especially chesty in photos from the front unless I wear something tight or cleavage-baring. But considering how short-torsoed I am, I usually find my most balanced looks happen when I dress in a way that doesn't emphasize my chest too much. I do have trouble with button front shirts fitting at the chest without gaping -- when I size up, I have a lot of extra fabric below the bust. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-750996 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:17:17 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 750996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't see this is being as much about bust size as it is about how it relates to the rest of the body. I wear a 30F but don't consider myself to be large chested because my chest measurement is smaller than my hip and I have wide shoulders. We often dress to visually adjust proportions so if anything, I need to visually minimize the hip rather than the bust. </p> <p>April also makes a great point. The cup on a 32D would be comparable to the cup size on a 36B. On an average frame, this would likely not result in a "busty" shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-750983 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:02:00 +0000 sarah 750983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a great question, Scarlet. I'm a 32D or 32DD, and because I'm short and short-waisted, I feel "busty". So, I do think that proportions, rather than absolutes, are important here. My shirts always gap, and like Deborah, I have trouble getting shoulders and bust to fit. I've bought and returned 3 trench coats this fall because of this issue.</p> <p>I also just learned (from an article that Already Pretty's Sal wrote in the local paper), that cup size is relative to band size - a 32D has the same cup size as a 34C, which is the same as a 36B. <a href="http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/style/173519961.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.startribune.com/lif.....19961.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-750976 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:47:22 +0000 Anonymous 750976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a good question. In theory, my 34B bra size is average, but people say I'm busty. I'm 5 ft. 2 in. tall, so maybe that's the reason. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-750968 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:35:52 +0000 April 750968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can look busty in certain fabrics or styles (hello, ribbed turtlenecks) but in general at 5'2" and 32C I feel evenly proportioned. </p> <p>Also, remember that the bigger the band, the bigger the cup, so the "DD" in a 36DD is *much* larger than the "DD" in a 30DD, even though it seems like they should be the same. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-considered-a-large-bust#post-750928 Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:27:57 +0000 ramya 750928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>162 cm: 32-C or 32-D Shirts gape:D<br /> So I think I am pretty busty </p>