I see I am not caring for my bras properly....I am rather unkind to them when I wash...I shall forever be more thoughtful...thanks for the info!!

Ok, other than Magda and Renata, I don't think anyone is going to be able to understand this site. But you don't need to. You just need to look at the pictures. It is actually quite enlightening. You'll find that an abundance of women are wearing 28's and 30's (60 and 65 respectively, in European sizing). It's not that unusual or uncommon. It really shows what a difference the right bra can make.

http://stanikomania.blox.pl/ht.....169.html?1

The images are mostly of fuller busts, but there is one image showing a woman with a small bust starting at a 75A (I think that's a 34 but not sure...) and eventually ending up at a 65D (30D)! She is not what anyone would call busty at all.

I have to say Maya- I think you're right about DD being a common size if women were wearing the correct size. At a D cup, I think that I look small compared to the majority of women that I see.

Wow Maya you are VERY good at all this bra stuff! Thank you for writing such an informative series of posts.

About this time last year I had my first professional bra fitting and was astounded at the difference a great bra makes. I now only ever wear the ones I bought that day (unless I'm just bumming around the house then I'll wear my old ones).

I actually can't wait to go back for this year's fitting!

Wow Maya, you've created an epic. Impressive! Took me a whole morning's coffee to get through it

Theresa, where did you go for your bra fitting? I've googled bra fitting places in Melbourne, and not too much came up. I think I have found one prospect though....

http://www.dickorydock.com.au/

Wow Maya, what an incredibly useful and amazing post!

You got me to remeasure myself and I think I might be in the wrong size ( sigh...). After thinking for the most of my adult life to be 34A 2 years ago I was fitted at Nordies to be 32C and was quite happy with those bras. I have just measured myself and my underbust measurement is 29" ! That means that I need a band size of 30, right? And that I (gasp) might actually need a 30D! I can not even imagine that, I am still in the mind set of being an A cup... No Intimacy here, but I will be going to Boston soon so I will have to go for another fitting.

Btw, where on those site were the photos of women going from 34A to 30D ( which might be case)? Couldn't find them, and it seems that it would be helpful.

Hi Tanya. Here is the post. For some reason that link didn't work. To see the pictures click where it says "Biust na żywo" at the top of the page.

http://stanikomania.blox.pl/20.....owane.html

That girl is built similarly to you so I would not be surprised if you wore the same size!

Thanks Maya, the girl does indeed looks to be built similarly to me. Hmm... I have to admit that I would rather be a 32C then 30D ( those are quite difficult to find), but no point in sticking my head in the sand... I will see what the Intimacy people say in few weeks.

30D isn't too hard to find actually. It's once you make the jump to a 28 or over an F that things get complicated...sigh.

Make sure to make an appointment at Intimacy so you don't have to wait or be turned away. You can make a reservation on their website.

Lots of great information Maya, thanks! I am in the same boat as Tanya. My underbust measurement is 29, so I have a suspicion that I might be wearing the wrong bra!:( Maybe I should make a trip to NY to be fitted at Intimacy.

And have tea with me, Bella :p (it's right near Intimacy!)

AAAACK , Holy Cow Maya...help...my under bust is 26 1/2 I always bought a 32...No wonder they NEVER fit...even on the tightest. Now what ...:(

Honestly, I don't expect you to have all the answers, and solve this for me. I obviously need to get the smallest band size they make...I can only find 32 in stores, so I will be on line!!!

WOW Taylor! :0

I only hope this doesn't take me back to the training bra section!!!

Deep breath Taylor

Seriously, are you any good at alterations? You could alter your bras yourself. When I last went to Intimacy, the girl at the counter told me they sometimes have to take the band down to 26 for some very slim women, like you. There might be a specialty shop in your area that will do alterations as well.

Look online for 28's, and if you can alter them yourself, do it. Just an inch off. Or you'll have to hook them on the smallest hook. But I'm sure there must be a shop that can do it. Even take it to the tailor if you're comfortable with that.

SMART...I didn't even think of that Maya...yes , I sew, and do alot of alterations...I wonder if San or Kim will offer suggestions on where is the best place on the band to do that, they are much more skilled than I...thanks Maya!!!

Taylor, here is a decent tutorial.

http://sewglamorous.blogspot.c.....orial.html

Rather than doing the whole pinch thing, I think you could just remove 3" from one side and 2" from the other (I thought doing this would make the bra lopsided but apparently it doesn't make any difference--the clasp just won't be centered on your back).

I swear...you are brilliant!!!!

I honestly didn't think this thread would be of much help to me...not thinking I had any bra fitting issues....as I read, things started to click...Now I am probably getting more help from this well written and informative thread than I could have ever possibly imagined!!!

Thanks for the link....off to learn how to alter my *many* ill fitting bra's!!!

Maya, you are a bra fit fairy!

I wear a 30 band size (sometimes 32) on my Size 8/10 frame so it makes sense that Tanya, Bella, Taylor and several others need a smaller band size than I take.

Did you know bra sizes in Aus are in clothing sizes? eg 10A, 12B, 14C 8AA etc.

Maya, this post is full of awesomeness. You are like some kind of bra guru, I love it!

I'll point out that Bravissimo isn't just for the big-boobed among us. They start at a 28D, which we'll all agree (if everyone was wearing properly-fitting bras) isn't that uncommon, right? Also, they have great sales twice a year and those smaller sizes (Ds, DDs) don't go quickly, so shopping online is a good option for the ladies Stateside. Even with the shipping you can get some great deals.

Maya, how did you get your encyclopedic knowledge of bra fitting? Just from trial and error?

I never would have invested so much time and effort into bras if I didn't have to Laura. At my size, I don't have any other choice. I'm wildly uncomfortable in ill-fitting bras and they can really ruin an otherwise fab outfit for me. Also, bras that come in my size are rare and expensive. I don't want to waste my money. Since I have the experience of making all the common bra mistakes, and I also have the experience of correcting those mistakes, I know and understand where most women are coming from, and how they can improve for their own sake.

Carissa also gets a ton of credit. I learned so much from reading her blog!

Maya, many thanks for this tutorial! I was very familiar with some the information but a lot I didn't know. A year or two ago I got fed up with ill-fitting bras, and after having three kids and entering my 40s I knew I needed help. I went to Nordstrom, VS and Lady Grace for fittings, figuring all these salesladies would sort me out. Not! I didn't find a single comfortable bra in any of them, and was given wildly different sizes in all three places. i gave up and have just been wearing my 34Bs which I know aren't correct.

But you've given me hope! There's an Intimacy store near me ~ and I'd never heard of them before. Their Yelp reviews are through-the-roof fantastic. I can't wait to try them out.

Wow, Maya is linking Stanikomania (this means Bra Mania :D) - this is definitely a good source. Bra-fitting is in bloom in Poland.

If you want to see a big gallery of real women in real bras: http://balkonetka.pl/katalog/size - I think it's better not to browse it at work

Just click on a size you want (there are both UK and EU sizes) and see for yourself. It's in Polish, however, but I think that you would be able to understand pretty much. If not, you can use Google Translate

Maya, you are such a star it's unbelievable! And huzza for your dedication to the concept of proper bra fit!! I have been going to specialty bra stores ever since I graduated out of training bras thanks to the boundless wisdom of my mother. She taught me early on that a well-fitting bra was where style began and ended. Her coaching, plus the experiences I've had as I moved up into H-cup range, enable me to say without reservation that Maya has absolutely nailed this topic. Apply no grains of salt, entertain no doubts. Take this advice and run, don't walk, to your nearest specialty bra shop!

Thank you Maya, this is so helpful.

I've read over and over that most women are wearing the wrong size bra, but of course I never stopped to think one of them is ME! I'm now pretty sure the 36B that I've been wearing most of my adult life is wrong. I think my correct size is probably 32-34C or somewhere around there.

I found a local store with a lot of positive reviews about the fitting, with experienced people who practically know your size when you walk in. I'm going in soon!

Ooh Magda, thanks for that. I am curious about this Curvy Kate brand that a bunch of the 28G's are wearing, but they do not sell it in the US Boo. Ha, if anyone tracks my internet habits, they must think I'm a huge pervert.

I'm glad this info is helping! I'm too tired to write another segment today but I'll get around to it this week.

Maya, I have a question! Not sure if you'll know the answer...

This might be because I have a disgusting amount of back fat/side boob, but the bottom edge of my bra band rolls up a bit... it doesn't lay completely flat all the time. I was just fitted at Intimacy and otherwise the bras fit great. Any idea what might be the cause? I do think it's just because my back is extra meaty...