Bra fit question - YouLookFab Forum

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Bra fit question

Mander

(website)

Veteran

So, taking Angie's advice to me from the other day, I'm looking at my bras. Sometime this week I'll go get a fitting, just for some professional advice, but in the meantime perhaps someone can tell me what my main problem indicates:

My bras all seem to fit ok when I put them on (no gapping, poking, or bulging) and the back and straps generally stay in place. However, the front tends to slide down by a couple of inches in the course of the day, and the "girls" end up hanging flat against my chest, squished down by the bra rather than being supported inside it.

I've tried bras in bigger and smaller cup sizes and I end up with either gapping or bulging, so I don't know if that is the answer. Maybe it's just a question of shape?

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Butterfly Collection Lingerie

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I'm no bra expert but I think you could try a more structured cup and maybe a smaller band size.

HeleenH

Veteran

If the bra slides down, you should probably look for a smaller band size. And try different shaped bra's, some are better for different breast shapes. If you go down a band size, you generally go up a cup size. So if you are wearing a 36-C, for a smaller band size try 34-D

Anonymous

Hey, Dr. Mander, (congrats, btw),

Check out this link for some excellent fit tips with visuals:

http://www.breakoutbras.com/sizing

Suz

(website)

Veteran

There is also an excellent thread in our archives here called the bra fitting thread; just search for it and it will come up. Sounds like a band size issue.

Mellllls

Veteran

i honestly don't know enough about bra fit to be helpful. i just caution if you are going for a fitting to be proactive and question your fitter. i have heard of people being the wrong bra for years because of a bad fitter. maybe ask local friends for recommendations?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that it *sounds* like you could go down a band size and up a cup size. Also, if you've had those bras for a while, they may be stretched out and ready to retire.

Also a good point about trying a more structured cup style. I prefer the lined, tee-shirt style bras with no seams, so I can wear them under fitted knits without lumps and bumps, but they don't always give the best support. Balcony-style bras are some of my favorite, because they have a bit of additional band structure beneath the cups, which helps with fit and lift.

I add to the chorus of people saying go for a professional fitting. I never would have imagined I would wear the size I now wear because it would have sounded so odd to me (32DDD or E), but it works. My bra no longer creeps up my back as the day goes on!

Be patient and try on many styles, and shop on a day when you have plenty of time and are feeling good. Take or wear the closest fitting shirt you'd ever wear to see how each bra looks underneath the top. I made the mistake earlier this year of buying a couple of bras just because I was so excited they fit and were comfortable, only to realize that they don't actually make my boobs look good--my husband pointed out that they actually squish me down.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Mander...when you measure around your rib cage with a measuring tape, THAT should be your band size. (go up to the next even number if you measure an odd number) How close are those numbers currently (actual inches and band size)?

Butterfly Collection Lingerie

Hello Mander - Your band is indeed the culprit! Your band is literally the foundation of your bra and takes over 90% of the weight of your breasts. Manufacturers are slowly catching on that there are lots of small band sizes with full busts so you can find 28 bands in A-K cups. It's definitely worthwhile measuring your own ribcage before going for a professional fitting as lots of places will still put you into a bigger band size and smaller cup if they don't carry your actual band size (this is just plain bad!) Don't accept a bra that is more than 2-3 inches bigger than your ribcage (bands will vary from brand to brand but not by more than one size). Good luck getting your girls front and center again! xx

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wait, I thought band size is your ribcage measurement plus approx. 4". I measure 28.5" around the ribcage and I wear a 32 band. If I tried to wear a smaller band, I'd cut off all my circulation!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Janet, you should be closer to the actual real ribcage measurement. I can't imagine wearing a 28 (I have SNUG 30D Calvin Kleins) but I measure 27.5 underbust and should be wearing a 28. As an interesting experiment, I measured my bra bands both loose and stretched and found the 32's came in at 26 inches before stretching. But once I stretched them they expanded to 32". My 30 band measures 24" unstretched but stretches out to 29+.
So, the 32 will techincally fit me, stretching just an inch and a half out of its possible 6", but it won't be the best fit. The 30 will stretch to most of it's allotted inches and fit much more snugly.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Whew, this stuff is confusing. Well, I'm going to go with what I'm wearing now, because it's the result of a pro fitting, and they're definitely plenty snug around the torso. I'm already relieved to take it off at night!

Dashrashi

Veteran

Part of it is also getting used to a snugger band. I haven't taken my ribcage measurement lately, but my big change came when I went from a 36 to a 32. They felt VERY snug for many months. Now, I'm thinking I could probably go down to a 30 (but am reluctant since I'm already at the top end of cup sizes in a 32 for my favorite bras, and haven't seen any appealing equivalents with a 30 band and the appropriate cup size).

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Yes, a good fitting bra will feel a bit snug initially. I can tell if a woman is wearing the wrong size by seeing that the band is higher in the back than the front. That means it is loose enough that the weight of the breasts is pulling down the front and the back is riding up.

A professional fitting is the way to go. Try on a few different styles. I love the freya deco for a smooth molded bra but my former favorite was the fantasie 4510. I also think the fantasie balcony 3 part cup bras are excellent as are the similar plunge styles. Usually a plunge will require you to go up a cup size though. You fitted size is the starting point when shopping as different brands and styles will fit differently.

Butterfly Collection Lingerie

Great to hear that lots of you are wearing the right band size - wearing too big a band and too small a cup is the #1 reason women are in the wrong bra.

If your bra feels too tight and you know you're in the right band size it could be due to style. Even though you're tiny through the body, if you have over a C cup you are carrying a lot of weight and need a deep band, wider straps and full cup that should get you feeling comfy again.

Wearing the right band size is only half the equation, you also need to wear the right cup - don't be afraid of the D+ cups ladies - they'll change your life! Remember that cups are proportional so for example the F cup on a 28 band is the same volume as the C cup on a 34 band.

Bra Geek, over and out!