You are roughly the same size as my mom. 34 is totally normal for your size!

Everyone's weight is distributed differently. I'm the opposite from you--I look bigger from the front than from the side. You'll always look bigger from certain angles and smaller from others. Don't let it get you down. Just focus on your "good" side and forget the rest! Remember most people see you in motion, in three dimensions, so pictures are rarely entirely fair.

I was inspired by this thread to take a trip to Intimacy. I probably should have gone a while ago, since the store is only a couple blocks from Mr. Medusa's apartment in New York, but I was creeped out by the thought of getting naked with strangers.

The fitting didn't produce a big change in what size I wear. I had been fitted at Nordstrom in a 34B or C, depending on the style of the bra. The ones I'd been wearing the most were a style with smaller cups so I had a 34C. At Intimacy they put me in a 34B. So not so shocking.

I think it was useful because they have a pretty big selection and lots of experience, so they can recommend things that will work well for you. I have trouble finding bras that are comfortable and don't irritate my skin (I don't do so well with lace), and they were happy to suggest ones that would work better. They also pointed out that my breasts are fairly wide set (who knew?) and suggested bras that work better with that.

For me I think the best part is the free alterations. I've had problems with bra straps sliding off my shoulders, and if that happens with my new bras they will move the straps in closer to my spine for free. It makes me willing to pay more for bras, knowing that they can be adjusted if there's a problem.

Sorry, but I had to post it:

http://images.asos.com/inv/R/3.....ge1xxl.jpg

DON'T DO THIS TO YOURSELF

Even the model looks miserable.

Although this is an old thread, I have spent a good 30 minutes digesting it and just had to say thanks to Maya for putting in the time with it. I thought I knew a lot about correct fit. (Heck, I thought my shirts were long enough for my pants, but I was wrong there, too! lol)

I have been struggling these last 5 years with 32C's after spending my 20's and half my 30's in 34B and A cups. Well, my underbust measures 27 1/2 inches so I can see where my problem lies. I always assumed that because I didn't have a lot of projection to my bust, I didn't need a larger cup size. And the back fat syndrome had me searching for *larger* bands to alleviate the issue. I actually bought a 36A several years back - sigh. I am now thinking of trying a 32D because I have issues with the underwire poking near the armpit. Does a bra fit all the way to the armpit ideally? I do have that little cutlet of fat poking out from the bra to the armpit. I can't imagine I should be a 30D but going by what I've read maybe so?? Seems utterly impossible after years of donning 34A/B bras. Definitely food for thought. And if I should find that perfect bra fit - I AM breaking SYC!!

Thanks again Maya for this great thread!!

Mo, some people feel more comfortable transitioning gradually. I started at a 32, then went down to a 30, and then a 28. Going straight to a 28 would have been hard to get used to although ultimately the fit is much better. It sounds like you probably want to get to a 30 eventually, though.

The underwire of the cups should go BACK enough to encompass the entire breast, but it doesn't have to go UP all the way around the breast, if that makes sense. If you're getting armpit pokage, your cup size is probably too shallow and thus the underwire is sitting against your breast instead of your torso. The other thing to try would be a lower cut style. A full cup bra will generally have higher underwires than a balconette or a plunge bra. If you're petite through the upper torso, they can often be too long and high so a lower cut style is better.

Mo, go to Nordstrom or the equivalent in your area and get professionally fitted. It was the best thing I ever did bra-wise.

What an informative thread. I am currently wearing 34D on the tightest setting with the riding up and straps falling off problem. I've always worn my bras on the tightest setting.

Under bust measurement is between 28 and 29, so I guess I'm going to be either a 30E or a 28G?

I also love the cups on my 2 Mystere bras; what is a reasonable price to pay to have someone take the bands in?

Danza, I'm not sure. The specialty shops I have been to have done it for free.

Depending on brand, you would want to try a 30FF or 28G. Some brands might be a 30F instead of FF (I know, it's dreadfully confusing). 30E would actually be one cup size smaller than the cups on a 28G.

For what it's worth, I'm a similar size and have found that I probably could wear a 30 if I didn't have such a large, heavy chest. The band only rides up because there is so much weight straining it in the front and it gets too stressed and stretched over time. If I were about 3 cup sizes smaller, I'd probably go up to a 30.

On that note to what Maya said: I usually wear a US size 8-10, and when I'm sized in Nordstrom they recommend that I wear a 34 band. However, a 34 band only gives me proper support for about a month and a half before it stretches out and rides up. At my current size, a 32G or sometimes 32H fits best (again, depending on the brand and cut of the bra.) When I was thinner, my chest size was still quite large, so I needed to go down to a 30 band size to get the best support.
I also find that purchasing bras with 3 rows of hooks instead of 2 makes a HUGE difference in terms of how long the band stays supportive.

Maya, I have a bra question for you. I have a family member that is very big busted and always has been. She has a horrible time with bras. She constantly snaps underwires and ends up with poking, digging, the whole lot. From reading your tutorial, it sounds like she needs a smaller bra size and I would totally agree. I finally convinced her to get a smaller cup size (she was wearing a D, but with a very large band size and was having problems finding cups that weren't baggy), but I can't convince her to try a smaller band size. The problem is that she is plus size with a belly and no waist. Her underbust area is the smallest part of her torso. She has an old back injury and cannot clasp bras behind her, but she finds it impossible to turn a bra around unless it is a large band size (42 and she usually adds a band extender to that). The result is an uncomfortable, un-supportive bra. Do you (or anyone else) have any ideas? Unfortunately, we don't have a fitter within many hours of us.

Thanks Maya! I'm so thankful for the time you've put into this.

I think I'll head over to Zovo lingerie this weekend and get fitted starting with those sizes. It will be a present to myself for finishing my last call of residency and getting a grant funded. . .

Elly - given your friend's back injury, has she tried to find racerback style/front closing bras?

I avoid them myself because a) They are near impossible to find at my size and b) since there are no hooks, I can't adjust the width when the band starts to wear out; however, my thought is that it might be a viable option for your friend to try out given her physical challenges.

Remember too that if your friend goes down a band size, she may need to go up a cup size or two since the cup size is proportional to the band size.

(I also cannot fasten a bra in back. I've tried and I just end up fumbling around putting the wrong hook on the wrong eye. My bra bands are snug, but the smallest part of my torso is a few inches below the underbust so it's not *that* hard for me to turn it around. I guess there's a plus sometimes to being very, very shortwaisted.)

If it helps at all, this is my current favorite bra: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ch.....n=category
It fastens in the rear, but isn't painful at all to turn around. I bought a size that fits me snugly, but I can still turn it around comfortably. The underwire doesn't dig, and the lace doesn't itch. I have plenty of support. It's NOT a cheap bra, but the cost per wear is whittling down to practically nothing. I honestly think that these bras (I have 3) will last me a full year.

It will SO be worth it Danza!

Elly, that's tough. A front closure isn't ideal since it can't be adjusted and they are generally unflattering and not as supportive. Hmm, I wonder if she would be willing to wear a longline bra?

http://www.herroom.com/Carniva.....-Bra.shtml
http://www.herroom.com/Grenier.....-Bra.shtml

It seems extreme but they were once quite common under all those full-skirted, wasp-waisted 50's sundresses...

Otherwise, a front clasp might be her best option. Herroom.com and BareNecessities.com should have a good selection.

Thanks Maya, I think we will have to look for front closures. The longline bras would be a good solution, except she doesn't have that much room between her underbust and belly, so I think it would roll or be loose in the band like her current bra.

@danza.armonia -- I have similar measurements to you. I used to wear a 34D. The band was too loose so I tried a 32DD and I like the fit. My under-bust measurement is 28 inches. I thought you add 4-5" to that measurement to get your band size (making 32 band the right size for me). So I am confused about how a 30 E or 28 F would be the right size. Sounds tight to me. Won't that tightness create back fat plus add discomfort as your rib cage expands in sitting position?

Maya (and anyone else who understands this) -- are you suggesting a 30 or 28 band to factor in the material stretching?

CocoLion - based on my experience in the past 4 years, I believe that adding 4-5" to your underbust measurement in order to calculate your band size is not the best way to get a bra that really adds strong support, particularly for those of us that are quite busty.

I don't want to speak for Maya, but if you have an underbust measurement of 28, I would really recommend trying a 30 or even a 28 band size bra (and go up a cup size or two to make sure you have the same amount of volume in the cup) to see if your support improves.

As far as my own measurements go: currently I'm a bit heavier than usual, and I have a 31" underbust measurement. I wear a 32 band size. If I go up to a 34" band size, I only have decent support for a couple months at most, and then the bra stretches out of shape, starts to ride up, and is uncomfortable.
When I had a 30" underbust measurement, I wore either a 30" or 32" band size, although the 30s were usually more comfortable.

I thought that going down to a band size that is close to my underbust measurement would be too tight, but as long as the bra fits properly, I swear it is a huge improvement.

I buy bras with 3 hook and eye closures to make sure the band is wide and strong - which also eliminates concerns about causing bulging/back fat to spill over the band. I buy bras where the cup size fits me perfectly in the dressing room, but the band is just slightly too snug, because I know within a week/1 or 2 wears the fabric in the band *will* slightly stretch a bit.

It's not uncomfortable, even as I'm sitting or dancing or bending. Because my cup size is large enough to fit me properly, all of my breast tissue is encased in the cup, and the underwire stays in place and doesn't dig in. I don't experience back or shoulder pain, my straps are only minimally utilized for support and the band is doing the majority of the work. Also, my bras last for *much* longer (with good care and gentle washing) than when I bought bras in a larger band size, which means that I am comfortable spending a bit more to buy a higher quality garment.

By the way, here's an illustration of why I think the "add 4-5 to your underbust measurement method" is completely bogus:

This bra size calculator utilizes the "add 4-5" method. Using my underbust/overbust measurements, it tells me I should be wearing a 36B. In Victoria's Secret stores, I am usually advised to wear a 34DD because it's the closest size that their store actually carries. It's certainly better than a 36B, but my breasts are still much too big to fit either of those cup sizes.
http://brasizecalculator.net/b.....lator.html

This bra size calculator does not use the "add 4-5" method. Using the exact same measurements that I had listed above, it advises me that I should wear a 32G, which is the size that usually fits me best.
http://www.lindasonline.com/br.....bAodLEDieg

Thanks for explaining it Kari, that is an interesting testimonial. Maybe I should be open minded and try it. I do agree about the pricier bras -- I have two Natori bras that are my favorite. I have spent a lot of money on bras that don't work out (Calvin Klein, Panache).

I hear you - I've been burned on bras before after dropping a lot of money on them, too. Funny enough, I know other larger-busted women who *love* Panache, but none of their bras worked for me. They made me look pointy and squished flat like a pancake, and the fabric didn't feel terribly high quality on the bras that I tried, either. (This was a few years ago, though.)

I have had great luck with Fantasie and Freya lace seamed bras, but in the past year or so I've especially become a fan of Chantelle. My favorite Chantelle bras range between $88-119 retail price (!!!); however, I've only once paid full price for one, as I've stalked my favorites for online deals, coupons, or even once at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. They still aren't cheap even when on sale, but given that the bras I buy stay in decent shape for a year or more (as opposed to the few months I would get out of a bra when I bought cheaper brands or larger band sizes), I feel more confident that I'm going to get enough bang for my buck to justify the cost.

(I hope that makes sense; I'm getting pretty tired and am about to log off & get some sleep!)

So with a 28" underbust measurement and 34-36" (nursing so I fluctuate), I might be looking at a... 30F? 28X? I've been to the only specialty shop near here, and I've always been put in a bigger band size, like 32 or 34. I plan on going back but need a battle plan. My straps always fall down.

Double post, sorry!

Kari explained it perfectly. Thank you Kari

Cobalt, you would probably want to try 28G, 28GG, 30FF, and 30G to start with. Try Freya and Panache for 28's and 30's. Fantasie and Chantelle might have a few 30's but no 28's.

Hi, I have made a tutorial to alter normal underwire bra's into nursing bra's. I found it impossible to find good nursing bra's in my size (somewhere beteen 70F and 70H at the time, which converts to about 32DD-32F). Since I nursed my children for a long time, I decided to make my own nursing bra's.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~hhayes/N.....ngbra.html
Please contact me through the site if you can help me improve the English translation.

I forgot to mention that pregnant and nursing moms can wear underwire bras but it is even more essential than normal that they fit absolutely perfectly, so you don't damage the glands and tissue in the breasts. I wore underwire bra's during my 2nd pregnancy, wore non-underwire nursing bras in the first weeks post partum and then when my breasts were used to nursing went back to underwire bras. Those first weeks your breasts tend to grow and shrink, which is why a bra without underwires is better and more comfortable at that time.

Heleen, Dank u wel! What a great tutorial! I think I may be brave enough to try it if I can't find the perfect nursing bra when I shop.

Maya, Thank you for the tips as to size. I'm a timid shopper but will try to insist on trying those sizes if my fitter doesn't suggest them tomorrow.

Becky

Just finished a bra fitting! Cobalt, my measurements are similar to yours 28.5 band, 34.5 fullest. I started out at 32 per my fitter's recommendations, but (as Maya predicted) ended up at 30. Most of the bras that worked were 30F, but there was still quite variability in how any particular 30F fit. They were pretty much out of 28s, so didn't try a 28G.

There were more factors involved than I had anticipated. The curve of the underwire can vary in slope and extent considerably. Then the top of the cup, may come in (i.e. push into the breast tissue) to varying degrees. The location of the strap (medial to lateral) can make a big difference, tool. I'm definitely a wide/gentle slope underwire curve and lateral strap gal.

All in all, it took a little over 2 hours to get the size down and then about 10-15 minutes to decide what I was actually going to buy. My favorite brands were Chantelle, Panache and Twist. Freya was a little hit or miss for me. . .

Danza, I'm glad you had a positive experience. There ARE a lot of variables, which is why it is so important to just try a bunch on.

Bras are so personal (as they should be). What works for one body won't always work for another, even if you're the same size.

I have never heard of Twist. Will have to investigate.

Maya,

PrimaDonna Twist:

http://www.primadonnatwist.co......-1611.aspx

Maya, Thanks to your help, I knew to ask for a 30 (much better than 32!) and ended up coming home with a 30F (same as Danza!) made by Panache. Unfortunately, there were not workable nursing bras available, so I am going to be brave and follow Heleen's instructions for bra retrofitting. If I don't make a hash of my new $60 bra, I'll buy another and do the same to it.

I have to admit that I'm still wearing a compression sports bra 1/2 hr a day. I completely forgot to ask about good sports bras at the store!

I need some advice. Originally i figured i was a 30D. A week or so ago i had a fitting and wnt up two cup sizes. So a 30F. I purchased a curvy kate elegance plunge bra in the size. I thought it fit proper and looked proper as well. However after a few wears i noticed the top gaping and breast tissue near the armpit area revealing instead of being covered. Do i need a different style bra? Larger cup? Larger band? Im 30 underbust and 35 over bust. Thanks ladies!