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A bra question?

Mona

Veteran

Good morning YLF, I feel terrible for being absent from the forum and now pop in with questions. Sorry about that but I was just extremely busy with my course work, full time job and family. After Christmas break, all this craziness will start again. Hopefully i will be done early summer.
My question today is to do with bras. I am due for my annual shopping for bras and will be in the states for Christmas week. What brands do you think are good for small sizes? i know this has been discussed on the forum in the past but searching through old posts, I got confused.
I know one thing that has been emphasized in many posts was to go to Nordstrom for porfessional measurements and I plan to do that. But also just wondering what other suggestions do you guys have?

Shopping

37 replies

Latest reply was from Mona

Karie

(website)

Veteran

My favorite brand is Victoria's Secret. I have tried many others but always go back to them. I am small busted and the sizing/fit is perfect for me. The sales associates in my local store are wonderful, they measure you, ask questions to determine what product would be best for you, and are very attentive and knowledgeable. I find that their bras last for many years.

Anonymous

The bra fitters at Nordstrom will steer you well and even find you specialty bras like strapless if you need one. I've had the best luck with Calvin Klein bras and they're not expensive, but my Nordstrom's doesn't carry Simone Perele that Angie likes. The brands are limited if you wear a small band size but the comfort is worth it. Be sure to get fitted at Nordstrom's.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

My favorite brand (and the only one I wear) is Wacoal. They're comfortable and come in smaller sizes. Nordstrom carries the brand.

gryffin

Veteran

Mona - I'm not going to be much help. I am small chested and have tried on a gazillion bras and find them to be small torture devices. My favorite to date are the bralettes from Gap Body. They are comfortable, give good nipple coverage and with the matching panties give you get that athletic bikini look (ps my husband loves this look). I know it's got that "uniboob" thing going on but at my size I think that's kind of a moot point! Good luck on the hunt and I'd been very intereested to hear back what you liked!

Mona

Veteran

Karie, where do yo live? The victoria's secret store here is not much help at all and they don't have much to offer for small sizes. Also, I would love to know how you launder your bras. I do mine on gentle cycle in the washing machine and lay flat to dry but still find that after 12-16 months, the elastics are getting stretchy and not fitting very well.
Joy, I plan to go to Nordstrom definitely to get fitted. I will keep Calvin Klein and Simon perele in mind.
Alexandra, thanks for the suggestion. I will look at Wascoat in Nordstrom.
gryffin, I never thought about trying GAP bralettes. It is great that you have found what works for you and your husband likes the look. I will try these on and will let you know what I thought.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Mona, here are some brands that have worked for me in different styles. I got mine in Toronto at one of the bra speciality shops. So if you have not luck at Nordstrom's I can share that info. They told me that the shop on Princess Street should also be good because the fitters had been trained together -- but when I went there they had absolutely no stock in a 30 band and the person working didn't have a clue. So...FWIW.

Simone Perele. (I have the one Angie likes -- I think it is called Caressence or something).

Chantelle (although recently these did not provide such a great fit because I could only get a 32 band and I need a 30.)

Fit Fully Yours. This is a mid priced Canadian made brand that has proven surprisingly good for me for a T-shirt type bra.

Marie Jo. Not sure this would work as well for you because the straps are set wide (which works for my shoulders and bust placement).

Mimi Holliday for pretty lacy sexy numbers.

Some people swear by Natori -- look at the reviews on the Nordstrom's site. The one I ordered was way small for me -- I think the cups were too close together. This is one reason I can't wear "petite" bras - because although I have a small band size my breasts are not close set. But I would try Natori again if I had the ability to try different styles/ sizes in store.

Mo swears by Calvin Klein. The ones I have tried haven't been a great fit for me but the styles were very limited where I tried them (the Bay).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have only had the very worst experiences at Victoria Secret. After measuring me, they said a 32B or 34A was my size, when I wear a 29D, or 30D. If you are indeed an A or B cup, Victoria Secret can work for you, but you really need to know if you're wearing the right size before you head over there and buy bras. Remember that most American women are still wearing the wrong bra size - too large in the band and too small in the cup is a classic mistake.

I suggest that clients go to Nordstrom, Soma or any other Speciality lingerie shop that is not Victoria Secret.

Anonymous

My favorite bra is from Fredericks of Hollywood. I was fitted at Nordstrom's this summer and I am less than impressed with my Natori bra (and the fitting sales lady).

I am so glad you posted this...I need to order new ones and now is the time with free shipping and a discount.

http://www.fredericks.com/NEW_.....lt,pd.html

If you click on the link believe me when I tell you I look absolutely NOTHING like the lady in that picture there is no extreme cleavage for me with this bra. The best part is that you can put a foam insert in to make you look bigger, but I do it on one side only so I can even myself out LOL!

Have fun shopping!

Anonymous

One more thing....they measure me and tell me I am a 30 or 32. There is absolutely no way I can wear those sizes and not feel suffocated. I buy the 32 C. The cup fits great and then I buy the a bra band extender and wear that until it loosens up a bit in the band.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I measure 28 underbust and 34.5 across my breasts. Puts me right in between sizes and basically drives me crazy lol. But enough about that. I have tried Natori, Calvin Klein, VSecret, Wacoal, and Simone Perele all with varying degrees of success. The trouble with VS is lack of 30 or 28 band sizes, so it's never an ideal fit. Calvin tends to run a bit small, which is good for me in my in between-ness. Calvin can be found very frequently on sale (even in 30 bands) at discounters like TJ Maxx and Marshalls for under $20. Natori fits but doesn't flatter on me. Simone Perele unfortunately I am right in between sizes in but makes a very good quality bra. Right now Wacoal is my winner. I'm wearing B'temt'd B'wowd http://www.amazon.com/b-temptd.....B00BECK152 which is a slight push up bra with seaming much like the touted i-bras of last decade. But, you guessed it, I'm between sizes and actually own the exact same bra in a 30D and 30DD right now.

And way back when I didn't know my size and had on a 34B, again Wacoal was the best fit and flatter out of every bra I'd ever owned.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh - for washing -- I do in cold on delicate cycle (no dryer) in one of those mesh bags, but a mesh bag with construction -- it has a sort of skeleton frame so it is not flat. This protects them some. I don't wash every wear. I let them air out between wears. They seem to be lasting this way pretty well.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ditto Suz for the washing in a mesh bag in regular loads. No dryer. I don't wash after every wear unless it's HOT and I get sweaty. Otherwise, once a week is a-okay with me. I have about 6? and rotate between 2 or 3 pretty regularly, but often favor one bra at most times. They last 2 years this way, I'd say on average.

Dee

Veteran

I'm small busted as well and have also had good luck with Victoria's secret and Natori. Also Wacoal actually makes a petite line, which is harder to find but I've found the fits to be better. There used to be a high-end lingerie boutique in my small town, so I used to get them there since there were no big department stores.

viva

Veteran

If you're small, you do have to try on a lot of bras to find the one that is right for you. And I do agree that it's best to go somewhere knowledgeable for a good fitting. But please don't be so hasty in writing off Victoria's Secret!
I know that I am a small 34A, and I swear by Victoria's Secret Body by Victoria demi. It's not the most sexy lingerie but it is the only bra that fits me well and doesn't gap. I don't trust the girls there to measure me, so I have done that elsewhere, but I have tried more bras for small A-cup women than I can count, and I LOVE this bra. In fact, I just took advantage of a buy-one get-one-half-off deal over Thanksgiving, and I practically skipped out of the store, completely embarrassing DD with my glee I would have two new well-fitting bras. Good luck!
http://tinyurl.com/mr5sqhn

viva

Veteran

I don't use a mesh bag but do wash bras separately in the washing machine on a hand-wash cycle (very low spin setting) using Woolite, and hang dry.

Mona

Veteran

Suz, I will definitely give Simon Pirelle a try at Nordies. Hopefully, I find a good fit there and can buy my stock for another year. Great point about Natori, I will keep it in mind. I just use the regular mesh bag to launder bras. Where did you get that skeleton one?
Angie, professional fitting at Nordies is the top on my list.
mtgirl, none of us look like that model. I am actually skeptical that the model looks like this in real life. But I have never heard of this brand and will look for it after I get fitted.
Thanks for chiming in, Mo! Wascoal is definitely on my list. If I can get at least 7 bras that last me a couple of years, I would be happy.
Dee and viva, I will give both vs and Natori a try. Like Angie says, don't leave any stone unturned!

rachylou

Veteran

I like Elle MacPherson's line. I think she's at Nordstrom and Neiman's. I do a 32C and it seems like there's always something from her line. The band part runs to the small side for a snug fit, no riding up.

Catmom

If by small you mean band size, one solution is to get a tailor to cut down the band on a bra that otherwise fits well. I measure 28.5 inches under bust and doing this makes it so much easier to find something that fits. It is a fast and inexpensive alteration that can make a big difference.
If you just want to get a sense of what brands come in your size, go to a website like bare necessities dot com and sort by sizes and also read the reviews for bras you think you might want to try.

E

Veteran

I've yet to find a good underwire option (I'm small busted at 28" under my bust and 33" at fullest point; I've been measured as a 30C but seem right in the zone between 30 and 32), because I'm very wideset and all of the bras I've tried don't have wide enough cups, so the underwire pokes into me, or if the underwire's right, there are wrinkles at the bottom of the cup because a lot of my tissue is up higher. V frustrating. Anyway, for tee shirt bras, I wear Gap's wirefree favourite in 32C. I *love* them: very comfy, start small but the band can grow, and they're invisible under even my tightest knits. And sometimes they make them in pretty options too!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

E - I have this issue, too, or had it -- and it turned out it was because I wasn't in a big enough cup size! I do have to find styles with widely spaced cups also.

Mona, I think I got the lingerie bag in Toronto in one of those container stores. But it's similar to this one: http://www.amazon.com/Woolite-.....d_sim_hg_2

Mine's a different shape but the very same idea. Unlike the flat bag it keeps the moulded cup bras from squishing I guess.

KeepTheKey

(website)

I wanted to chime in and say it's fascinating to see how different our experiences are! This just goes to show you that all boobies are different To that point, while recommendations are an excellent starting point, you really just have to get a good fitting and try *everything* on. I measure 29 at the band, and 40 at the fullest point of the bust. This puts me anywhere from a 30 to 32 band, and about a G cup. Because sizing for bras (and all clothing) isn't standardized, I can wear some 36D bras. Now, the aren't the best fit, but they cut the mustard. So what do I recommend? Beyond a good fitting, take some time to check out your boobs. Are they fuller at the top, or does the tissue sit a bit lower? Are they wide set? Do you have a broad back? Once you recognize these features, you can look at bras with an eye towards those things.

This is one of my favorite shops: http://www.wizardofbras.com/ Say the name out loud for a little chuckle, and check out the selection. They also have a fit guide online, and you can even email with them about measurements and fit. Very mom and pop (if a bra shop can be) and very easy to do business with.

Good luck on your bra hunt!

E

Veteran

Suz, I tried going up a cup size with La Perle, with their 30D in a balconette style (apparently better for my shape). It was so close but had wrinkling on the cup. I've sort of given up on ever finding an underwire bra that fits, but maybe I'll start the quest again with forum help. Which brands/styles work for you?

lisaflex

Veteran

nordies...the best

NO to the washing machine...ever...ever...for your bras

handwash in lukewarm water w/ dreft and reshape and dry flat on a towel

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I really like Simone Perele, Chantelle and La Perla, for sizes ranging from 32B to 32C. I don't like padded bras, though, but highly recommend http://www.simoneperele.com/co....._info.html

It's extremely thin and flexible, but will offer coverage in cooler settings.

DonnaF

Veteran

Maybe it wasn't a formal fitting, but the gal at Nordstrom tried to fit me in a band size that was my underbust measurement plus 2 inches, i.e., a 30 band bra, and that may be because Nordstrom does not sell 28 band bras. Ummm, no. With today's spandex, the band size should be the same as the underbust inches. Like a trooper, I tried on all those 30s and have ordered a few more since, and have concluded that I really and truly need a 28 band to get the proper support so online is my only option.

http://www.bratabase.com/ <--- Bratabase is a good resource for getting a sense of how a bra is cut and fits, especially after you find one that works for you. They post a gazillion measurements of physical bras, too. I have also started to take notes on how particular bras I've tried on have fit since I find the process worse than finding jeans.

Only one company makes a 26 band as far as I know, but quite a few make 28 bands, but in my urban area not many are sold even in specialty lingerie stores. Most purveyors charge S/H -- and yeah, yeah, as an American I'm spoiled by S/H both ways!

For wide but shallow girls that are fuller on the bottom, try Freya and Cleo by Panache. I agree that it helps to do the analysis suggested by KeepTheKey.

Gigi

Veteran

I too have found Victoria's Secret to be helpful. Sounds like it must all have to do with the people in the fitting rooms, since the experiences recounted here are all over the board!

I am a 32A and don't like push-up bras and a lot of padding, so I like to wear the Victoria's Secret bralettes. They are just lace, with no padding, and they are sheer (so you will need a cami if you have a light-colored or thin-fabric top). I think a lot of places have bralettes now (=unlined bras), so if you don't like a lot of padding, you could ask for bralettes wherever you shop.

I also got a couple of bras from Her Room, which is an online shop. I don't know if they have stores. I bought the Timpa Duet, which is an underwire. I think Greyscale said she wears Timpa Duets--I think she mentioned it in a thread lately. The Timpa does run a size small, though--the band will suffocate you if you don't order a size up. The Timpa really gives a nice lift to my bust. I am surprised at how good I look in this bra! Again, it is sheer, so you need to plan accordingly.

My last bra that I also like does have a decent amount of padding but is not a push-up. It is Victoria's Secret Body by Victoria demi bra. It's another one that really makes my small bust look good. I wear this bra when I am wearing something that has fabric on the thinner side or that has a really body-con fit, so that I don't show too much off, if you know what I mean!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I have had the best experiences at VS, and not so great experiences elsewhere. Mona, I live near Albany, NY, and we have every major retailer (except Nordstrom, go figure) here. It sounds like VS is inconsistent from store to store though, as I would expect many retailers are. I usually hand wash my delicates, although every once in a while I will toss them in the delicate cycle.

Mona

Veteran

So many helpful suggestions as expected! I feel ready to go bra shopping now. thanks so much and I will report back from Nordies in two weeks.

josie411

For sizing, fit and brand resources, you might check out http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/ and http://www.bratabase.com.

I have had several fittings at Nordstrom's but found they were not that helpful. After spending some time on the aforementioned sites, l learned how to accurately assess my own size and fit. Changed my life LOL!

I have not had good experience with VS - the quality was just not there. But maybe that was just me.

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