http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-thread

The best info on bra fitting that I've ever read! From our very own Myra - who I miss dearly!

Just chiming back in here to say thanks to Joy. I am now a 30D (or sometimes C, depending on maker) as well -- I am grateful for the Betsy Johnson recs! Good to know.

Ok, I just got back from the mall, where I spent a good hour trying on bras at Aerie. I ended up with the Haley style, which is lightly lined and more of a Demi cup. I think it will work well for my shallow upper breast.

I ended up with a 32C (I always ended up with a 36A before but I know the band size was way loose). I tried on all the lightly lined ones (I think there are 6-7 styles), and the full cup ones were not good for me as I couldn't fill out the upper part of the cup.

intrigued to read this today, as i spend yesterday afternoon at nordies getting a bra fit. i had known for months that i needed different size, but i kept putting it off until this week when i had to change 3 times one morning because the tops i wanted to wear just didn't look right---all because the bra was not fitting correctly. i thought that i need a smaller cup, but it turns out i needed a smaller band, and the cup actually went up.

If you're not opposed to putting some serious dedication (and money) into this, check out ThirdLove or True & Co. (They'll pop up if you Google them.) ThirdLove is actually an app that measures your bra size through pictures (no nudes, thank God) to find you to perfect bra. True & Co. is an online website that has you fill out a survey and then sends you a bunch of bras to try and return if you don't like them.

Any results? I need to go bra shopping with my DD too -- she needs more than just bralettes now (and she's only 10, ugh).

FWIW, my underbust measurement is 35" and I definitely wear a 36" band. Had thought I was 34" (given the trend of people generally going too large with band size, I thought I'd go down) but there was too much side squishing going on. 36" worked much better

No results yet, Cathy. I ordered on line since there is no local store. I'm also pretty sure I ordered all the wrong sizes since I used their on line bra calculator. They have a 40% off promotion going on now--free shipping and free returns so there's nothing to lose. Based on Ceit's experience, it sounds like you need to order based on underbust measurement and ignore the online bra calculator.

Lol: re the bra shopping.

I definitely need a band that is the same as my under bust measurement. No adding inches. Suz, the other bra that my Nordstrom carries in a 30 D is Calvin Klein. They are more plain and I've only seen cream, beige and black. They also have more padding in the lining but are not push up. Customized Lift #2892. They are comfortable, have lasted well, and help make me the right size for some dresses, and are not really expensive.

Thank you, Joy! I also like the Simone Perele, but it is pricy. And I got a couple here in Canada. Fit Fully Yours (not super expensive) -- I take a C cup in their full cup bras, but it is a bit of a tight squeeze for me. And Mimi Holliday makes bras that fit, but those are more of the "sexy" variety and not great for everyday wear.

LOL at Aerie's bra calculator. It suggested a 40DD for me! My current bras range from a 34D to a 36C so I'm not sure what I'd do with the extra 4-6 inches of band plus the extra volume in the cup--maybe stuff in a couple of socks for our northern winters?

@Gaylene: Lol! Thanks for checking the calculator. It's no wonder they offer free returns--I'd be irritated if they recommended the wrong bra size and made me pay for return shipping. I'm thinking you could wear the bra over your winter coat

The old fashioned way to size bras was to add up to 4" for ease of breathing and movement... but that was way back before spandex. o_0 Unfortunately, some places still use this system. Kind of explains why so many are in ill-fitting bras.

Thanks, Kelly! I went ahead and ordered. We went to the mall today and tried on a bunch but nothing fit. Aghhhhhh I would rather go to the dentist!

bumped for update.

Funny, I remembered your initial post so I used their bra calculator the other day out of curiosity. I entered my measurements - 30 band size, 34 cup. Their suggestion? A 34D. On what planet would I add 4 full inches to my band?! I think you're right to ignore their "fit guide" entirely.

Given the laughably huge size that the calculator recommended for me, why am I not surprised. I guess I can't figure out why they would use something that was so inaccurate, especially since they pay for shipping.

So sorry that your bra experiences have been such a hassle, Kelly. Here to better luck now that you know what sizes will probably fit your daughters. But sheesh....

Oy, Kelly -- that's such a pain. If your DDs are like mine, the whole exercise is excruciatingly embarrassing for them. I hope you find something for them soon.

PS I still haven't found anything for my DD.

@Florence: Lol! I know. I was just hoping that Aerie had some kind of unique bra sizing system. Wishful thinking. I think my measurements came up as a 34 D too--we are imaginary bra twinnies
@Gaylene: I know. It's so disappointing. At least I don't have to pay for return shipping!
@Suz: Painful is right. I was going to re-order but I think it would be another bust (haha!) I'm going to try Macy's or Kohl's next but I need a little break to bolster my courage!

I have not had great success with bra fittings for my 2 DDs. I have gone to 3 places and found at the end it was a matter of trial and error.
I do not want to spend tons on them because they require replacement often.
So far for my 2 DDs I have found excellent bras at Walmart - only one style from the George line - a soft cup which comes in nude and white. I can try and find the style number if you wish. This has been the most popular with my 14 year old but difficult to find.
I have found a great selection of similar bras at Joe Fresh - truly excellent. They also have an entire range of sports bras from high intensity to low.
Both Girls really like La Senza but it really only works for my younger child who is larger. But they are worth a try if your child is more than an a cup. They do carry some a but not many.

Thanks, Glory. I've scoured Walmart. I don't recall the George line but I will look for it when I go to the Superstore. Our local Walmart has girls' bras which are too small and junior bras which are padded and pushed up beyond belief (in the most outrageous colors too.) I find the band size to be the most difficult to find. They need 28 and 30 and the smallest I saw at Walmart was a 34--last time I looked. They are both really almost A's but the A will work and is something they can grow into. I, too, am reluctant to spend too much money because they are still growing. I feel like at this age I shouldn't have to spend much more than $20-25 per bra--but maybe I will have to re-think that given my experience so far.

I'd also suggest http://www.herroom.com/ . They have an easy search by size feature, a great return policy, detailed notes about fit on each item, and tons of reviews. They have several options in the 30A, and you might see if any of them run smaller. I know there have been some I looked at where the reviews and the fitter notes all said "this bra runs a full size small."

Kelly I will look for the style number tomorrow as she is now asleep. These ones are a soft cup, no push up at all and a small band size with an A cup. They are in the regular section.
I just recalled that several times I have found her something at Winners as well.