I feel like a huge lumbering woolly mammoth compared to you tiny petite things! (I blame it partly on age. Grrrr. I used to be a size 4, if you can believe it.)

It IS bizarre!

Maya, I was shocked at what a difference sizing down to a 32 made in the length of the bra strap. A huge difference. And as the bra has stretched, I have plenty of room to keep shortening the straps, and as the band has stretched it has become more comfortable. I've just gotten accustomed to feeling the band a little bit more than I had before.

I know. Bra fitting is an art. I have a very skinny, very small chested friend who wears a 32C as well. Her back is broader than mine, but her breast tissue is in a different place. She wears a CK bra though. Chantelle does not fit.

Which Chantelle bra are you in Maya? I wear 32C’s in these styles only. The 32C’s in other Chantelle styles are too big in the band and cup:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/28.....rchresults

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/28.....rchresults

Tara, you are NOT a huge lumbering wooly mammoth

I have had this one in a 32 (but eventually stopped wearing it because the lacy detail was itchy):

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/28.....6&P=1

This is the one I wore yesterday that caused all those weird issues:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/28.....in=related

Angie - do you know anything about minimizers? I just read that it's not a good idea to wear one, as they can compress the soft tissue. Is that true? I've been wearing them exclusively and I like the support I get, but don't like the way it seems to add fullness all around.

Maya - I used to have problems with a bra similar to the one you show in the link.

I think it had to do with the piece in the center (between the two cups). I have full breasts and somehow that piece in the center did not work for me. I switched to a bra that does not have such a wide piece in between, and I do not have that problem at all anymore. (I'm not suggesting this bra for you - just showing the difference in the center piece):
http://www.herroom.com/Wacoal-.....-Bra.shtml

Just another thing to throw into the mix!

Bingo. The second Chantelle bra is big and stretches out (the T-shirt bra). That in a 32C did not fit me at all. I’ve had a few clients take that style back in favour of others, Maya. Can you take yours back to Nordies?

Laura, bras can be altered, did you know that?

Tara, shame on you for calling gorgeous you a woolly mammoth. You are naughty! Minimizers are a hit or miss. Some of my clients like them while others don’t. It’s once again a question of experimenting. Purchase it at Nordies and you can return it if it doesn’t work out. It’s worth a try.

Tara and Maya, how did you guys do with Carissa and her woven shirts? Is there progress?

Going back to the request for measurement I have just looked up a bra size converter and the size I most often wear would be 32 (runner up 34).

Also, my underbust measurement was only when I exhaled. Normally it is 30".

Patience and Marrianne I empathize with the feeling of having large chest!

When I was 21 I tried on both my mother's and Grandmothers wedding dresses. The fitted me everywhere except my ribcage!

The center piece actually sits right against the bone, so I don't think that's the problem. I think it might just be big, as Angie says. It's 6 months old and I didn't get it from Nordies, so there is no taking it back. This was actually my second purchase of this particular bra, so it's probably just me and not the bra. I wore it last year and the year before that and never had this problem.

Also, my Wacoal bra is also on the third set of hooks, and I got it on the same day as the Chantelle tshirt bra. Well, as I said in the other discussion, I'll give a 30F a shot and see how that goes. If it's too tight I don't know if I'll have the patience to wait for it to stretch though.

I have not spoken to Carissa about the shirts since the original discussion. I don't think it ever got off the ground (at least not for me). I got the sense that I might just not be quite busty enough. Anyway, it's just as well because I cannot afford it right now.

Wow this thread exploded. I have to go back tomorrow to read the lastest posts. but Ihave to tell you all that my husband saw this thread and my spreadsheet when he went use my computer--and he said "uh hunny, you're tracking women's bra sizes....I think that's a little...ummm strange...." It never dawned on me how odd I must seem.

But two pages of posts proves you all don't mind my insanity.

In case this helps anyone, I wear 32C in both my Chantelle bras ( Africa and Graphie), but also in CK, Wacoal and On Gossamer. However, when I tried on Chantelle unlined demi cup lace bra, I needed a B cup in that. And for the Le Mystere Tisha bra I had to size up to 34 band, and also in one Natori style.

Nicole, you seemed strange even before this

Actually, it's pretty interesting. I'm most fascinated by people's under-bust sizes because they are just all over the place. People much smaller than me have a similar measurement, or sometimes even bigger. I don't know if mine is so small because of my short-waistedness or what. I also didn't realize what a small ribcage I had. It just confirmed my suspicion that my overall frame is actually quite small, even though it doesn't look that way. Perhaps I should have declined that chocolate croissant I had yesterday...

Tara, I wrote a post a long time ago about my issues with the center gore. My theory is that this may be an issue for those of us who have wide backs. I find that in many bras, the center gore is too wide and my breasts don't fit into the bra properly because of it. Or it's so wide that it pushes my breasts too far out to the sides. I have to take a look at the bra that you recommended - I have had a really hard time finding one with a really narrow center gore. Anyway, I think when you have a wide back, the proportions are all off - sometimes I wonder if I'd do better with a smaller band size (so take a 32 instead of a 34 like I normally do) and just add a bra extender on the back. I have yet to try this but this was one of the solutions that I can come up with for my issue.

Tarzy I'm putting my hand up as another mammoth here! My overbust measurement is 36 inches and under is 35. To make things worse - I have no bust!!!

My bra size is either 14A or 14B (Australian sizes). Tarzy at least you are feminine looking! I on the other hand could easily become a quarterback!!

I hope it is not too late to add my measurements, Nicole. Bra measuring is almost a foreign language for me...I have no idea how to do it right and I have no idea if I'm wearing the right bra size right now! eek!

My over bust measurement is 31
My under bust measurement is 27

I wear a 32 band width (and I could not tell you exactly why as I've never been properly fitted.)

My apologies for being late (it has been super busy week). I hope I am still in time.

Over the bust 29 1/2"
Under the bust 27 1/2"
I wear a 32" band size (while possible to find a 30, it is hard to find)

thank you every who has contributed. (it's never too late for me to add data) (I feel like a scientist!) bwowhahahahahah

Tara, I have the largest measurements in the group--so don't feel like a woolly mamoth. Imagine how I feel being a size 6/8 on bottom and a 12 on top! UGH!!! But we all have to love the bodies we have.

Maya, Please don't take this the wrong way--but perhaps you see yourself larger than you really are. I think it's pretty normal to think you look larger than you really are. Because to me, you look very small framed and tiny--all over. You've been lamenting about your bum and your chest since I've known you, and I honestly don't see you as having a large bum or chest. Also, everyone's body changes as we age. I hope you are not holding onto some ideal body image that you had in your late teens or early 20's. It's not the choclate croissant...it's biology. I think you should accept the numbers as they present themselves. Your over bust measurement is the same or within one inch of the following people: Marianne, San, Nav, Tanya, Shiny and Mequita. Your under bust measurement is the same or w/in one inch of the following people: San, Nav, Tanya, Mequita and Eva. You may have more breast tissue than these women, but your frame size is similar.

Shana, the Fantasie 4500 bra has a small center gore.

Laura, Your both methods of measurement suggest you are a size 34. Have you tried going up to a 34 and down a cup size? Just curious.

Mequita, your band size seems accurate on both methods. Since your over bust measurement was odd, you'd have to either add or subtract an inch to your band measurement.

Eva, You're right on target on both methods as well.

Anne, could you repost all your numbers.....I don't have all the numbers in one post.

Nicole, do you mean sizing to a 34 B from my 32 C? Or down to 34 A?

A 34 B would put me back where I started.

The bra under discussion here is Le Mystere, the Tisha T-shirt bra.

Oddly, I feel that this 32C thing is working out pretty well as the bra stretches. The first month it did feel very constricting!

Laura, What's your fullest bust measurement?

Nicole, love that you're our bosom buddy.

Straps falling down are not a petite issue, it means your bra band is too large:

http://www.oprah.com/article/o.....20080215_b

I probably could wear a 32C if I found the right bra. I do seem to recall trying on 32C's in the Chantelle's in this last year, but I ended up going with the 34B instead. The one lone 32C I own however was a Victoria's Secret, since it was on close-out sale. I can't find it now - I think I gave it over to my DD because it was uncomfortable.

Maya, I tend to think since I'm only 5'0," a B cup (or a C) on me will appear to be larger than a B or C cup on someone who's taller. It's all a matter of proportion.

It's weird how the mind plays tricks and you can't see your own self the way others see you. This thread reminds me of when I last took my DD13 bra-shopping. She wears the same size cup as me now, and I think she looks much fuller in the bust than I do. In fact, I keep asking her if maybe it's time now to size up to a C from a B, because I feel like she keeps growing! Reality is that we are probably about the same size.

It also reminds me of when I went to my college reunion a few years back, and a few of my college girlfriends discretely asked me if I'd had implants. The answer is no - nursing added a little but more importantly, I'd simply learned how to pick a decent-fitting bra (underwire, I love you).

Bosom buddy!! *chuckle*

Nicole, you are probably wondering why you opened this can of worms!

My fullest bust measurement is 35".

Laura...I'm not sure if I am follwing your specific story, or if I'm getting it mixed up with someone else.

You are wearing a 32C Le Mystere, with success or you are uncomfortable?

I've tried the Le Mystere Tisha bra when Oprah endorsed it, and I couldn't stand it. the underwires dug into my ribcage immediately.

Based on the measurements you gave 34 over bust/35 at the bust/30 under the bust....I'd have thought you were a 34A or B (depending on brand). I do believe that Le Mystere runs small in the band--so it makes sense that you'd have luck with a 34. If you want to try other brands of bras, I'd start with a 34A and a 34B. But I have to be honest here...I don't have any experience with smaller cup bras and styles--and if you are comfortable with the 32C Le Mystere, then I'd probably stick with what is working for you.

Shiny,
I find that straps sliding from my shoulders just means that my shoulders are too narrow. It happens in all my bras, and I am certainly not wearing a too large band size. I think the exact placement of straps on the bra differs between manufacturers - some place it wider, some more close together.
I think a racer-back bra would've solved this problem, but there are no racer-back bras in my size

Oh, and about nursing - I know I am completely in a different category than you bra-size-wise, but it happened to me too! Everybody says that after you finish nursing, your breasts shrink back, but nope, this didn't happen. I have three kids, and every time my breasts grew with nursing and stayed this way (I certainly would be happy if they shrank!) So I went from E to F to my current insane size 32H.

For those of you with strap slipping problems, have you tried this?

http://www.perfectstrap.com/

It basically turns any bra into a racer back back. It's also "supposed" to give the girls a little extra lift. I have no personal experience w/it, but have seen it advertised.

I have a racerback bra, but the problem with racerbacks is that they are always front-closures, so you can't really adjust them. The one I have is probably not the most flattering bra I own but it's comfortable so I just don't care.

http://www.herroom.com/Wacoal-.....-Bra.shtml

Angie blogged about a similar product, Nicole, but said it wasn't comfortable enough for everyday wear.

Straps slipping is a problem for narrow shoulders. It's that simple. It is made worse when you have a combination of narrow shoulders but big boobs because, as I have experienced, the larger the cup size, the more widely spaced the straps get.

Shiny, I still think it wouldn't hurt for you to get fitted at Nordies (or somewhere). It will either confirm what you suspect or get you a better fit.

Nicole, thanks for the advice. I am doing okay with the 32C but I checked last night and saw that the band was making a red mark, especially under my arms. (It's amazing what you get used to ...) Next time I will try a 34B and 34A in addition to a 32C. And yes, I got started on Le Mystere by Oprah!! I will break out and try some other brands next time. Any suggestions for brands? Is La Fantasie good for someone my size?

Maya, I have small shoulders like you (and for some reason, the straps always seem to slip off my left shoulder - who knows why - apparently I am small-shouldered AND assymetrical!). I sympathize.

Laura, Fantasie is for the well endowed. I don't think they even make bras in less than a D cup. Definitely give Chantelle a try. Both Angie and Tanya wear Chantelle (as do I, but their build is more similar to yours). I really like Wacoal too, but like I said, I don't know if it will work for your shape and size. Both are high quality brands though.

My straps also disproportionately falls off the left shoulder! For every one time the strap slides off my right shoulder, it slides off about 16 times off my left one.

Laura, on Wacoal, I have this bra in 32C and absolutely adore it! It is my favorite non-Chantelle bra:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....6&P=2