PSA on the importance of bra fitting

Janet

Ok, we've been talking a lot lately about the importance of the "invisible" elements of our wardrobe. I have been planning on replacing my go-to nude t-shirt bra, so I popped into a lingerie store today. I tried on a couple of bras and something was clearly off with each one even though they were "my size." The SA and I decided maybe a fitting was in order even though I could swear my size has not changed in the three years since I last had a fitting (after a 15 lb weight loss).

Well, it turns out I am no longer a 32DDD -- I am a 30F.

[It would be ironic is cycling is making me smaller in the torso while remaining the same size in the hip and thigh. ]

So ladies, even if you could swear you are the same size you've been for years because your clothes still fit the same, you still may have changed bra size!

11 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Alassë

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow - that's pretty interesting, Janet. I hope you found a good new one!

11 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I hope this explains some of my recent issues. I'm in desperate need of new bras, yet nothing I tried recently had fit right.

11 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I have a stupid question. Why is there no size E?

And thanks for the tip, Janet!

11 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I've made up a list for bra cup sizes:

A: Almost flat
B: Basically there

C: Curvalicious
D: Dang, those are big
DD: Double dang
E: Enormous
F: F@#&ing enormous
G: Gazongas
H: Holy moly

Maybe nobody wants to be E for Enormous?

(This is a joke, btw...I get so tired of crazy bra sizing that it's easy to make fun of the whole thing).

11 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

Well I know for a fact my size is changing....despite the same weight and overall size I am the incredible shrinking woman in the chest... perhaps I don't dare confirm it with a fitting...HA!

ETA:

A - for Are you kidding me what happened? or AA or AAA even...AAAAAhhhhh

11 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Based on my experience, I'd say that bra sizing is like any other kind of clothes sizing because the fits can very quite a bit across styles and brands. And just like other clothing, everyone has a different idea about what is comfortable; one person's too loose is another's too tight.

And, to answer Aziraphale's question, there is a size E, and a size F as well, but the letters don't always correspond across countries. Here's a conversion chart that shows how sizing differs across countries:
http://www.herroom.com/europea.....29,30.html
That's one of reasons finding a good fit takes time because the only way you can tell if a bra fits you is to try it on--sort of like buying a pair of shoes.

ETA: *laughing at Aziraphale's chart*. Well, I've got a 30E bra in my stash but I'd hardly call my girls enormous because I've always been able to go bra less quite comfortably. A 30E/32D/34C/36B could all theoretically fit depending on how tight I wanted the band. My 30E bra is a single hook band made of quite stretchy lace; I needed to size down two band sizes to get the sucker to feel secure.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

True, Gaylene! Yes, I have been wearing DDD/E depending on the country of sizing origin. I wish it were more standardized.

The true test was that I tried on the very same model bra that I've been wearing -- one by Fantasie -- and lo and behold I needed it in a smaller band size than I've been wearing. No wonder I was thinking my bras had stretched out. Either that or they've started vanity sizing bras. But I don't think so. I measured just under 30" around the band.

11 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

I had the same adjustment last time I got my fitting done. Smaller back, larger cup. I don't understand; maybe bc I'm a stomach sleeper it all slides to the front? (If only I had known that in high school!)

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good for you, Janet. Bras change their fits too, so it's ALWAYS good to make sure you fit into new bras - whether you've worn them before or not.

Chantelle's size 30D used to fit me when we lived in France and I bought bras there. But over the years they changed their fit - and now my bust and under bust are swimming in a size 30D by Chantelle (who used to fit quite small). I stayed the same size though. Simone Perele's size 30D is much snugger and fits very well. Thank heavens for them. I measure 26 inches under the bust, so yes - their 30D runs small.

Elisabeth, you crack me up.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Thank you for reminding me to go get fitted again. Going next week. My straps keep falling down!

11 years ago