Don't always believe your measurements for bra fit!

I measured myself and it matched up exactly with my pro(?) bra fitter at Allurefits.com said, when I went to their local store, although she first tried fitting me in a 40 band (probably because I'm fat) even though I said it felt way too loose! She then tried a 38, which was better ( that is what I got, when I measured myself) and even though I had to start a new bra on the middle closure, she said it was fine.) Which it was, but I needed to go to the tightest one within a month after purchase Needless to say, it was soon sliding up and felt like it was riding on my shoulder blades I re-measured, and it was the same- 38 inches on the band, 8 inches more on the cup, indicating a H cup, which I had bought several of (Elomi brand.) Yesterday, after my whining, lol, DH and I went to Nordstrom's and I had another fitting w/a fab associate. When I told her my situation, she tried me in several bras and determined although the cup was right, I should've been placed in a 36!!! band (Elomi runs big, she said) so if you use the Elomi brand, please be prepared to size down from your measurements....I tried several others and it felt like my boobs were facing east/west instead of front/center like they should! I am so happy and grateful to the Nordie's associate who treated me like a woman, instead of a overweight blob...PS- the Nordie's lady said NEVER buy a bra you need to start at the middle hooks, it's too loose!.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

A good bra fitter is worth her weight in gold.

I just bought 2 more bras. Expensive slips of lace, but boy, worth every penny!! And I listened to Gaylene and all my bras are now 3 part bras. The difference is amazing! The fitter tried me in a smooth t-shirt bra, and the difference was huge. May not lie smooth under my shirt, but oh well!

DonnaF

I always have to start Wacoal and most other brands on the middle hook so I've stopped buying them. Le Mystere's bands are slightly smaller so they work for me.

Suz

(website)

You are so right, BiscuitsMom. Always always buy them to wear on the first set of hook and then if/when they stretch, you can tighten as needed.

kellygirl

I hate bra shopping. I've been measured at Nordstrom several times and I never end up with anything that fits very well. My bras are all 5 or more years old and I'm ready to toss them all out--just as soon as I can find a new one that fits! It's appalling, isn't it? I suppose it's a good thing the girls are so small....

Glory

There seems to be such huge differences in bra fitting experiences. Last year I went to the well known place in town and the fitter was lovely. I did make one purchase from her and honestly I quite dislike the bra she selected for me. I have worn it twice. It is larger in the cup than I would normally take but was according to the measurements. I should just donate it but feel I was so very wasteful.

Diana

So measurements do actually work almost perfectly for me. I think the difference is that I am a very "standard" bra size, 34c. I've been told that sizing is much more variable with nonstandard sizes (bands below 32 or cups above D).

This is not to say that I don't have plenty of bra fit issues anyway. The band and cups of 34c almost always fits, but since my boobs are wide set the cups are not always in the right place. Luckily I have found a brand I like; unluckily it is a French brand that is pricey and hard to find in the us.

flowergirl

Active Member

The bra fitting service at Marks and Spencers is pretty good. I've always bought my bras there and if I purchase these online, they fit. I don't like the underwire as they are uncomfortable for me.

Cindy

I've never had good luck being fitted at any of the department stores since they just measure you then hand you a bunch of bras to try on. I found a gem of a local boutique where the owner actually went into the fitting room with me to show me the correct way to put a bra on and to evaluate the fit of the bras on me. It was a bit awkward at first but it was the first time in years that I had pretty bras that actually fit and are comfortable.

Gaylene

Finding a good bra is not easy for many women. Sizing in bras, like in any other type of clothing, is not standardized and may even vary within a brand depending on the style and fabrics used. My bra wardrobe includes everything from a 32F to a 36C with the only common denominator being that every bra fits perfectly and is comfortable.

My suggestion to to find a store and fitter who encourages you to try on different brands in different styles and fabrics and in different sizes. If the fitter knows what she is doing, she will be able to help you understand why some styles (and brands) work better for your body than others. I learned, for me, a lower cut demi-style with straps attached to the underarm section of a 3-part, underwire cup is much more comfortable and looks much better than any molded bra or full cup bra. And my fitter was able to explain exactly why each of those features were important which helps me enormously when I look for a new bra. If the fitter just concentrates on band and cup size, you are only getting a small part of the total picture.

TraceyLiz65

I am so trying to convince my stubborn daughter to go get measured as I know she is wearing the wrong size bras.. not giving up...

Peri

Just commiserating...I'm having a terrible time. After hearing how great nordstom is, I really had bad service twice at my local store. I have also had really bad service at a local specialty store and okay service at another local specialty store, but I don't love the bra I bought there. Next up is trying online.

I'm not standard (30 or 32DD) but I still don't think it should be this hard!

Joan Joplin

Measurements are often a good starting point, but they're rarely exact, and, like a few others have mentioned, every brand has different sizing issues. For example, many Freya bras have horribly stretchy bands. Panache is often good if you have shallow boobs with wide roots, but if you have narrow roots and a lot of projection, the shape tends to not work as well. Fantasie also has fairly wide wires, and tighter bands than Freya. Cleo by Panache has wide wires but also a ton of projection. And even once you know how the measurements compare between brands, your own size is frequently a bit different than measured. Very busty women often have to size up from their measurements, and smaller women sometimes have to size down.
Peri, if you're searching for bras online, Bare Necessities, Figleaves, a Bravissimo are good starting places to buy them. A Sophisticated Pair has good fitting advice and an excellent blog. Bras I Hate And Love posts very detailed reviews, and Thin And Curvy has one of the best fitting guides on the web. Sweet Nothings is fantastic as well, as is Curvy Wordy. It's really good to read reviews first when buying bras online. I typically wear a 28J (in Uk sizing, I'm a 28M in US sizing) so I've had a lot of experience with online bra shopping.

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