Bra shopping help -UPDATE - YouLookFab Forum

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Bra shopping help -UPDATE

anchie

Veteran

Confession time. I wear cheap bras. And I was never fitted professionally. I know how important good bra is, but because of my constant weight fluctuations I have to replace them often and it seemed like a waste to spend a lot on them. And I am pretty sure that I don’t wear correct size too. I would just buy some random bras that seemed OK, usually 36D or 34D, and I only use the tightest clasp. D cup is usually the biggest cup size that I have seen in stores. Well, I have finally decided to invest in some proper bras in correct size. I tried few online calculators and every single one gave me different size recommendation. Very confusing. Some even seem like a mistake because of big difference from what I am wearing now. Have you used online calculators and can you recommend some that gave you the correct size recommendation. For the record my measurements are 75cm under bust, 97cm over fullest part + 3 years of nursing Anyone here with similar measurements, what size do you wear?

Shopping

79 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Anonymous

As unpleasant as it is, its best to do it in person, because bras even within the same size and brand will fit differently. For example, some wont lay flat against the breastbone. Think of them like any other garment-you cant just pick your size off any rack and expect identical fits. No fun-sorry

anchie

Veteran

Thanks suntiger, I kind of expected to get advice to do it in person, but I don’t even know where to go to do this, and I don’t expect to find the adequate range of sizes in stores. I would probably just get the same size that I was getting before. And I rarely have opportunity to go shopping, I am mostly online shopper.

Laura1975

Those measurements make you something like a 30 E or F I think.

Have a look at the better bra campaign, it shows you what to look for in a well fitting bra: http://thebetterbracampaign.bl.....e.html?m=1

anchie

Veteran

Thanks Laura, this was one of the sizes that I calculated but it seemed way of compared to what I am wearing now. I don’t think I ever seen this size in person.

Laura1975

I'd go for brands Freya, Fantasie, Panache etc.

Another link for you, these guys are quite cheap as quality bras go and deliver worldwide: https://www.brastop.com/t/what.....deliver-to

anchie

Veteran

Laura - just measured bending dow as per the site you recommended and it is 101 cm.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I agree with the rec to go to a store. I went to the lingerie dept of a large department store and was amazed at how much the woman knew, and the things she noticed that made a difference in which bras were best for me. Things like shape and placement on your chest. I went in gritting my teeth and very reluctant to ask for assistance, but came out happy with the experience and my purchase.

I hear you on the size fluctuations, but it seems to me that our basic shape and where/how we tend to gain weight don’t change much, so when you move a sweater that doesn’t fit to the back of the closet, you could put the bra you wear with it there too, and try it on when you’re wearing the sweater again.

anchie

Veteran

Fashintern - good idea about storing bras for weight fluctuations. My problem was because I was wearing the bras on the tightest clasp when new, and they would stretch quickly but I could not tighten anymore, so I would just replace.

Runcarla

Veteran

You should start with furthest clasp and move down as bra band looses elasticity.

Large department stores often have a fit specialist and once you know your size you can buy online. You don't have to be fit into expensive bras, either. My best fit these days is in a mid-price Wonderbra.

Anonymous

I could have written this. I'm SO overdue for a good bra and fitting, but I never seem to have the time. It sounds like I might be a similar size, but don't measure myself in cm so would have to get out the calculator for that one My hope is to find a style that will hike them up a LOT on my chest and mitigate this super-matronly look I fear I have.

anchie

Veteran

runcarla - I just learned that it should be on furthest clasp From my experience if I tried smaller band, they would not have bigger cup size in a store so I compensated with a bigger band.
lisap - most online calculators are in inches so I already translated - 30 inch under and about 39 inch fullest part. I hear you on hiking up - mine should sit at least 2 inches higher.

Maureen B

Go to

https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/ and their calculator https://www.abrathatfits.org/calculator.php. Lots of helpful advice (buying bras is complicated!) and the women there are great. Once you get familiar with the terminology the search function is so helpful.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Trust me, you will feel so much better in the right bras after you do this, you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner! Proper fit will help lift the girls up where you want them, too. It sounds like you are not far from the same size as me, and I can remember how miserable I was with bras that always shifted up my back and straps that fell down. I think also defaulted to a 34C or D because that’s what was easy to find. 30 or 32F or G, not so much. But once you find your great fit, online shopping often makes it easier to duplicate on a budget. Wacoal has been good to me lately.

DonnaF

Veteran

No to department store; yes to specialty lingerie store which is more apt to carry your size or not try to sell you the wrong size. I also wear a unicorn size (28 band) and have to order online. Occasionally Nordstrom offers my size but online only.

Once you find a style and size that fits, Bratabase.com will help you find other bras likely to fit.

anchie

Veteran

I just calculated again using Maureen calculator. It recommends 65I/J In EU sizing or 30I/J in US sizing and that just seems wrong to me. I have never seen this size at my usual places, who even makes sizes like this?

anchie

Veteran

Janet - glad to hear I am not alone in this. Yes to all what you said. I just thought this is the way it should be, because I don’t know any better. Can you tell me which Wacoal style you like? I will look it up.

anchie

Veteran

DonnaF - thanks, I am somewhat intimidated by specialty lingerie stores but will probably need to get over it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Anchie, this is my current favorite. I have it in three colors and the “minimizing” effect is subtle and doesn’t flatten my boobs the way some minimizers do. Just mild compression and shape.

I find that styles with the band that extends visibly below the cups are the most comfortable and the most flattering for a small bit of lift (only really a concern for me as I am quite short-waisted). They are sometimes called balconette styles. Freya, Fantasie, and Panache are also good brands for me, depending on style. Panache does good sturdy sports bras.

There are so many factors in bra fitting — it’s not just the numbers. Some cups that are large enough for me extend too far under my armpit because I am relatively narrow in the ribcage, for example. Or the cups are spaced too far apart, etc. It’s really worth the time if you can find a good lingerie shop near you that is experienced in fittings! Check out independent boutiques — they may be pricier up front but service tends to be good, and when you find a style you like (I recommend really giving it some wear and wash first to know how it feels after a full day of wear), you can look online for bargains on the same style.

Wacoal Visual Effects Wireless Minimizer Bra | Nordstrom

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anchie

Veteran

I just looked up those brands - Freya, Fantasie, Wacoal and Panche - thanks Janet an Laura - I was not familiar with them. They do have this size that is recommended to me, and I may just order it to prove myself wrong. I still can’t wrap my head around it, still thinking it must be mistake.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

It is very common to be in the wrong bra size, and the cup sizes sound so big because no one talks about them. Also, the size of the cup increases with the size of the band.
My one caution that might only be relevant to larger women reading this is that the bra fitter insisted on an uncomfortable band size so I didn’t wear the bra until I had lost weight. Now I insist on a band size I’m comfortable in.

anchie

Veteran

Barbara Diane - that is actually my main concern, that such a small band will not be comfortable. And I have just average size bust so I/J cup size seems so huge. But maybe it is not on a smaller band?

Tina

Veteran

The recommendation sounds right if you take your bust measurement and subtract your underbust measurement. It’s around 9”, in the size calculation the general rule is to go up 1 cup size per inch of difference. So for a 1”
difference you would be an A cup, 2” is B and so on...
The smaller your underbust measurement is, the more challenging it is to find a good fit. My experience has been that I need to try on a lot of bras to find one that really works.
I agree with Barbara Diane, if the band feel way too tight it will likely not become comfortable even with wear. Snug yes, pinching and digging into skin- no.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Anchie, yes — my underbust actually measures closer to 30” but I find most 30 bands uncomfortably tight. Hence my usual choice of 32s. But not all bands fit the same, even if the numbers match, and even in the same style! I have two of the exact same bra in two different colors, bought at the same time, and one is tighter than the other.

anchie

Veteran

32” sounds more doable. That is just one band size down from what I am wearing now. But if I increase the band from the recommended size, than I think I should also decrease the cup, is that right? By one or two sizes? 34D that I am wearing today feels little too small in the cup, there is some overflow in the armpit area, and quadro boob in front. 36D that I also have has big enough cup, but doesn’t offer any support at all. What is equivalent of 30I/J in 32 band size? 32G or H?

kkards

Veteran

Confession time...every time I’ve tried to measure myself I’ve got it wrong.
Also as some who always thought I was small busted I was sure the fitter was wrong when she told me I needed a D cup...but she was right. My last fitting, about a month ago, I ended up with DD.
If you can, I would definitely recommend a professional fitting and be honest with them about fit and feel. If you are uncomfortable with what they are putting you in be sure to say so, a good fitter will work with you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Anchie, in theory, yes, if you go up a band size, sometimes you can go down a cup size, but it’s not always that straightforward. It’s a starting point.

Honestly, in your photos you don’t appear to be bustier than I am (but I don’t think most photos here really show how busty I am either, as I generally dress to deemphasize curves), so I would doubt you are larger than a F or G cup (US sizing), but sometimes I think the sizing translations between European brands and the US market are not totally reliable. Again, there is nothing like getting a good fitting and trying on in person, where the SA can grab the next size up or down as needed.

Anonymous

Bras fit differently from brand to brand even if the numbers are identical just the way shoes from multiple manufacturers in the same size fit differently. Even styles within a brand fit differently. You'll need to try them on wether you go to a store or order online.

On the bright side, once you find a style that truly fits, that manufacturer will probably always work for you.You might want to look at wider bands and wider straps too to distribute the "work".

JP

Veteran

I think as others have suggested you should have yourself measured the first time and try on a few different styles. Then once you find the right one you can order online. I've learned what to look for in a bra, I know what type of center Gore will work for me, where the Apex should sit and especially the cut of the cup, for example if the cut is diagonal from center of the cup it doesn't provide a nice shape for me, or if the Apex is more centered it bring my boobs too close to each other, etc. Balconettes don't work for me, everything spills out even with the right size; also full coverage that makes my chest area (above the full parts) look flat... Once you know what works and have your measurements then it's much easier to order online. Just make sure the person measuring you is experienced. I went to one department store and didn't like the results then I went to Nordstrom and was very happy with the fittings. Oh, and Wacoal is a winner for me most of the time too.

anchie

Veteran

I have 500 euros worth of bras in my shopping cart, all different styles and sizes. I will just consider this an experiment. Hopefully I will learn something from this.

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