bra recommendations needed - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

bra recommendations needed

Liz A.

Veteran

I need new bras! After joining YLF, I went from wearing a 36C to a 34D. Now that those bras are all stretched out and so not comfy... I'm constantly pulling the back down all day long... I'm starting to think what I really need is a 32DD.

After some ill advised online ordering of B'Tempt'd bras which were silly small in a 32DD, I went to Macy's and was again fitted in a 34D. However, my underbust measurement is 31", so I'm still thinking 32DD, right?

So here is my call for recommendations. The best fitting bras that I tried on at Macy's were this Calvin Klein and this Bali. Neither of which come in 32DD (well the Calvin Klein does, but I had to go up a cup size, so I'm sized out there). I tried other styles in the same brand, but they didn't fit as well. I think the common denominator is that the underwires actually meet in the middle. You can see this better on the Calvin Klein than the Bali.

Does anyone know of any bras where the underwires meet in the middle like this that come in a 32DD? Or should I buy these particular bras and get the bands altered in a few months?

Thank you so much for any and all input!

Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from

Emily

Veteran

We are close in size and I've had excellent luck with Freya and Chantelle. Is there a local bra store (not a department store) where you can be fitted? I thought I was a 34D/32DD but it turns out I was a 32E.

April

Veteran

Another vote for Chantelle, this one in particular: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ch.....-shirt-bra That's the one I've had the most success with, in terms of how it looks under clothes, and the way the full coverage avoids the dreaded "quad-boob" effect.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm like Emily -- I was wearing a 34D or 36C for years and wondered why my bras were so miserable, slippping up my back and giving me quad-boob in front. Finally got a decent fitting (Soma or Nordstrom is best for this IMHO) and realized I'm a 32DDD or E. Freya and Chantelle are good, as are Fantasie and Wacoal. My favorite tee-shirt bras (no seams) are by Fantasie. Wacoal and Chantelle have some nice lace styles.

None of these are cheap, but in my experience these brands are well-made and last, especially if you have a few on hand and can rotate them and not wear the same bra everyday. I think you need to try a lot of brands and styles to find the proper fit for your body -- we all have so many variations in whether we are wide- or close-set, have high- or low-set breasts, etc.

abc

Veteran

I know you mentioned you went to Macy's but I would recommend going to Nordstrom if there is one near you, or Soma -- I seem to get more accurate fittings and find more options in those two stores.

I would go more by fit rather than the size tag as well. Might take trying on various styles and sizes to find "the one"

Good luck!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

ABC makes a good point. I have had to go down to a 30 band sometimes, or up to an F cup (!) depending on brand. A good SA at Nordstrom (if you have one near you) will often know the quirks of each brand and style and can help you find the proper size with a little bit less guesswork.

Liz A.

Veteran

Thank you for the helpful responses. Ok, so I do have a few Nordstroms in the area. I had just gone to Macys because I was making some returns there. The lady was so sweet, and she was completely shocked when she made me try on a 34C and it was so laughably small on me. No one ever guesses my size by looking at me (wide roots, shallow projection).

I know there is also an Intimacy in the area, but the reviews were terrible on Yelp, so I got scared away. Soma is an idea though.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm smaller than your size (30D to DD), but can relate to the shape (wide but shallow projection). I also end up in a bigger size than it looks like I'd need because of that. I need a big enough underwire to encase the whole breast, but then I end up with too much space in the cup. Sigh. Interminably between sizes. I have found Calvin Klein (sized up) can work. I think it runs small, so the sizing up then puts me closer to that magic half size. Also, an underwire with give is good for us wide and shallow types.

Gaylene

Veteran

Maybe look at non-molded bras as well? Underwire molded bras are really hard to fit, in my opinion. I personally think a good two-or three-piece sewn bra fits better, looks better, and is just as "invisible" as those molded ones under a T-shirt. I have one $$$$ molded bra that sits in my drawer; I bought it at my first fitting because I couldn't conceive of not having that ubiquitous "T-shirt bra" that is supposed to be a staple in every woman's wardrobe. It's been worn only a couple of times in the last four years.

Liz A.

Veteran

Yes, Mo! I experienced the same with Calvin Klein, except I can't go up a cup if I go down a band size! I may resort to altering the band.

Gaylene, I'm open to anything if it still looks and feels good.

Heather

I agree with the above. I'm similar in size to you. I used to wear a 36c, thought it was too small, and have switched up to a 34e in Freya and Fantasie (I too love their T-shirt bra), and that's still maybe on the small side of where it should be. I would try a 32e and see what happens. I would look at some of the online stores (I've bought a bunch of bras from Bare Necessities recently), and see which ones have good return policies.

Gigi

Veteran

If you want to try online, HerRoom has knowledgeable reps that you can call. You could tell them the specific type of underwire you are looking for (wires meeting in middle) and have them recommend something.

Style Fan

Veteran

I vote for Chantelle. They are more expensive than other bras but worth it. I have bought other bras when they did not have my size (32 E) and regretted it. I also go to a speciality shop that only sells lingerie to get fitted.

K. Period.

Veteran

I've had great luck with Chantelle, Wacoal and Natori and I'm a huge huge huge supporter of Nordstrom for a fitting. Call in advance and see if the manager can set you up with a very experienced fitter. They are all very good, but some are absolutely exceptional and know their stock so well that they'll help you find the perfect fit. They'll also know online stock and teach you what you are looking for so that you know what to look for in the future.

FWIW, I love more expensive bras. They really last much better than less expensive ones. I bought one in my early 20s and never looked back. What a difference! Be sure to get at least two, though, so that you can put them in rotation. And if you need help justifying the cost of an $80 bra, just remember, you are wearing it every other day for a long span. Where else can you get that kind of cost per wear?

em

I also am 31 inches around; I wear a 30DD or 32D mostly. My favorites are Chantelle's demi bras in a 30DD. I find the demis usually fit better because I also have less tissue on the upper breast.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm wearing a Lilyette one right now that has a similar underwire arrangement to the ones you linked to. I actually got it from Kohl's, but they are also available on Bare Necessities and other places. I don't know how low the band sizes go - I wear a 36D.

Marmee

Veteran

I love the Natori "Feathers" Bra. I think the cup runs a tiny bit small, but you could always get the DDD. The wires don't actually meet in the middle, but they are very close, perhaps 1/4" or less. It's on sale right now at Nordstrom.\\http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/na.....sonalizeds

deb

Veteran

I was fitted by Nordstrom with the Wacoal Embrace lace bra and it is my favorite. I now have three I rotate. Macy's has it on sale.

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....ategoryID=

JayS

Veteran

If you have an Intimacy nearby, I would definitely give it a try. Sometimes people don't realize how expensive really good bras are and give bad reviews for that reason. If you don't like them, you don't have to buy. I did my yearly bra shopping at the one in Houston last week. The ones I bought ranged in size from 30F to 32D. Even within the same brand, the sizes varied among the different styles. Trying on is key. A good fitter will show you how you need to put the bra on and arrange yourself. A well fitting bra is amazingly comfortable.
Good luck!

Liz A.

Veteran

Well, YLF collective wisdom strikes again. I ended up going to Nordstrom. It's on my way home from work, which can be good and bad. Anyways, I was fitted as a 32DDD!! Yikes! I purchased 2 bras, but I just know I'll be going back for more once I start wearing these and consequently hating all my other bras.

chadya

Veteran

You might try Soma if there is one near you
I was happy with them until they discontinued my favorite bra.!!!!! grrrr
Intimacy might also be good, I wasn't crazy about their selection because from what I saw everything was lacey, and I like a smooth cup. But for small bands with DD it is a good choice
I also think when you get to the 32DD area you have to be prepared to spend more

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm close to your size, and like you, I eventually figured out that I needed to go down a band size. I used to wear 34C, and eventually realized I'm a 32D. I might possibly be able to wear a 30DD too, although I've never tried one because my 32D bras seem to fit -- they don't ride up in back or give me quad boob or back fat (gosh, those terms are awful) or anything. Once you get into 30DD and up, you kind of need to shop the boutique stores for megaprice bras, and I won't do that until I'm unable to find what I need at the department stores!

Anyway, my current favourite bra, which is available at large department stores and is very reasonably priced (compared to Freya etc), is a Wacoal one. It's comfortable and flattering, and yes, the underwires nearly meet in the middle. Wacoal makes a lot of bras with a moderately large cup and small band size. I'm really picky about no lace or anything bumpy that would show under a tee shirt (because I dislike wearing camisoles!) and I refuse to wear a bra with any kind of padding or lining on the cups. This one is perfect. If you need some kind of lining because of nipple show-through (I have a few friends with this issue), Wacoal makes lots of other nice styles.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

lisaflex

Veteran

another nordie vote here! they are professional and you always walk out with a few well made, well fitting bras! while not cheap, they work and do there job...imho....Wacoal, natori get my votes also!! chantelle also.

also, keep in mind, that smaller band size = larger cup size which is an issue for a lot of women wearing the wrong size bra.

do not wear the same bra 2 days in a row - let them rest and reshape themselves from the body heat. handwash in dreft and air dry and a good bra can last 1 - 1/2 yrs if taken care of and worn correctly! good luck on your bra search.

I am not a fan of the sizing "experts" at soma. although I got a comfy fabulous strapless there! they put me in a 36C which is way toooo wide of a band for me. most bras/brands from nordies I wear a 32dd.

DonnaF

Veteran

Both Nordies and Macys have sales racks with miscellaneous styles of bras that include 32DD. It's a good place to pick up Wacoals for a relatively good deal. Nordstrom Rack also has 32DDs.

Bratabase.com is a good place to research how a style of bra is cut and if a particular style might fit.

adorkable

Veteran

Chiming in to say that Soma, IIRC, doesn't carry any bands smaller than 34.

I'm going to place another vote for Intimacy - they have great selection in 32 and even 30 (although not 28 so much, le sigh).

Day Vies

Veteran

I am not aware of any bras that come with a 31" band. I feel your pain as I fluctuate between 34 and 35.

I would try Nordstrom's and try 32DD bras (which will be American) and European bras in 32E or 32F. Also because different makers have different depths in the cups you'll want to try different brands. Keeping in mind that American bras (which will always add more D's rather than increase the letter until DDDD or G/H) increase in cup size only by 1/2" after D, European bras increase by 1" after D cup. As a result a 32E may feel roomier in the cups and 32F even more so.

Most European bras are available online (Herroom.com, figleaves.com, barenecessities.com) or you can buy them in a specialty boutique near you.

Elly

Veteran

I go to Intimacy-- I travel 11 hours to go for a fitting. Totally worth a try. If you aren't happy all you've wasted is 30 min, and you don't have to buy.

Liz A.

Veteran

Thank you again! After getting fitted, I agree that Wacoal, Chantelle, and Natori actually have some cute bras in the 32DDD range, and they're comfortable! Betsey Johnson was nice too, but I guess I'm sized out of that line... still having some sticker shock about the number of Ds in my new bra size...

@Day Vies, I'm curious about what you're saying about the difference between European and American cup sizes. Which are the American, and which are the European brands?

SW Ann

Veteran

I just had to pipe in, even though I'm 10 hours late...Please avoid Intimacy. I was oversold for bras I didn't want, and wasn't strong enough to get out without spending a great deal of money. And I hate the bras. my best experiences have been with Nordstrom's fitters....And the bras are much more reasonably priced than Intimacy. Good luck!

adorkable

Veteran

I can try to answer the question about European v. American brands. Basically:

most US brands go: D, DD, DDD, G ...
many UK brands go; D, DD, E, F, FF, G
and sometimes they go: D, E, F, G ...

...and after D, 1 UK size up is often (but not always) closer to 1.5-2 US sizes up.

For example, I wear a UK 28G which would be a US 28I or 28J ... but I don't know of any US brand that makes that size, so it turns out to be totally irrelevant.

This is a bit of an old blog post, but it's still fairly up-to-date, and it gives some good brands to check out:
http://www.thelingerieaddict.c.....-size.html

A few lingerie web sites, including herroom.com, include comparative sizing charts across brands since no brand has quite the same sizing as any other!
http://www.herroom.com/universal-cup-size.aspx

12