Where do you buy bras online? - YouLookFab Forum

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Where do you buy bras online?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

So I'd heard the supposed stats that most women are wearing the wrong size bra, and recently I came across an online size calculator at Butterfly Collection and bought some of the recommended bras. Two of them do fit pretty well and they are one band size down and two cup sizes up (!) than my previous size.

Given that cup sizes above D aren't very common in stores, if you're a busty gal do you have an online source that you really like? The ability to return seems key (I liked Butterfly Collection in general but they don't allow returns on anything that's on discount sale, which is not so helpful - but they are in Canada, FYI, if any Canadians are looking for a nice source, and they have free shipping to the US and Canada.)

[Side note: switching from a wirefree to an underwire bra is taking some adjustment - is it just me?]

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from JR

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I've ordered from Bare Necessities and Figleaves. I haven't had to make returns yet, but this latest shipment from Figleaves will probably require a return since I ordered two sizes of a bra to see which one fits better. Both sites offer DD+ sizes (that's what I wear). I've heard from friends that returns to Figleaves are relatively easy. The only catch is that they are in the UK, so if your order is more than $200, you have to pay customs duties.

I've always worn an underwire bra, but I do remember it being an adjustment way back then. I find underwires to be more supportive. They are more labor intensive to wash though. You need to hand wash them or put them in the machine on a true hand wash cycle (not just delicate). The underwire will warp over time if you put them in the washing machine in just a lingerie bag (speaking from experience).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Ana, I'll give them a look.

I can't believe I'm a E/DD according to the bras I just got. It's funny, wearing the new bras makes me feel weird, like I'm all boob - I suppose it's more flattering, you'd rather be boob than general chunkiness, but still, it's a very different silhouette...

I categorically refuse to do actual hand wash, so I'm crossing my fingers that the delicate cycle in a mesh bag will work - it's been OK with the couple of underwires I've had for special wear (strapless etc.) so hopefully these will be OK. That's one of the reasons I've never worn a lot of underwires, that and I could never find one that fit well (apparently that was because I was wearing the wrong size!).

dawn

Laura, I am an average bust size, but most women would not believe their correct bra size if they wore the correct bra. Since you are just starting out with being in a larger cup than you're used to I'd recommened that you look at bra blogs, they tend to have well written reviews.

Also even though I am an average size I second barenecessities and if you register with ShopRunner then you get free two shipping. Also you can return items back to barenecessities up to 60 days.

Claudia

Veteran

Once I got fitted professionally and found a great fitting bra that I loved, a fairly expensive underwire 36G, I've made a point to web search for it on sale and have found it and ordered it online from both Bare Necessities and Nordstrom. Personally, I would hesitate to try a different make and model in my size from an online order without having tried it first in person unless there was free shipping and returns.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Once I got a fitting (Nordstrom) it was easier to order online from brands I had tried. I have ordered from Nordstrom online, Figleaves and herroom. I'm a 34DDD.

Anonymous

I really like breakoutbras:

http://www.breakoutbras.com/

Linda's is also good:

http://www.lindasonline.com/

This site has free international delivery:

http://www.largecuplingerie.com/

For handwashing, I use this product. It doesn't require rinsing:

http://www.eucalan.com/

For the Austin ladies, a few weeks ago I had a great experience at Petticoat Fair. My weight has changed and so has my bra size. They were even better than Nordstrom.

Finally, here's an entertaining blog!

http://busts4justice.com/

Good luck!

Irene

Veteran

It is true that most women wear the wrong bra size and that's terrible, not only for them, but also because it gives the illusion that DD+ women are something extraordinary and thus most shops do not cater for us.

One of my friends is quite large in the bust area and of course wears the wrong bra. She's large, like maybe a 36B, but wears a size 0 in clothing, which means that a 36 band will be way too big for her. Nevertheless, since she doesn't know how a right bra feels, she's just gotten used to the wrong ones. And I don't think the idea of spending thrice the price of her current bras on less than pretty bras (at least in Spain) sounds very appealing to her.

Personally I'm an F-G, and as you can see in my outfits it doesn't show at all. I look well endowed but not enormous, and that's because a G on a 28-30 backband is not that much, not really. People tend to think that a G cup must be, well, gigantic, but that's a myth. It depends on the proportions and not on the cup alone.

I wouldn't dare buy lingerie on the internet -not even clothes, really- because of fitting issues, unless I had tried it in advance. That's also because it's not that popular to buy on the internet where I live, and Spanish stores do not sell big sizes anyways. Last time I bought right bras was almost three years ago in the UK. I got new ones in Barcelona but they are not very good compared to the British ones (from Debenhams, and pretty cheap, actually). I'm considering buying new ones on the internet (from Debenhams) but I don't like the idea of having to pay for shipments and maybe for returns too.

Kari

Veteran

Nordstrom, Bare Necessities, Figleaves, HerRoom, and Amazon.

I wear a 32g or h these days, and this is my #1 favorite bra. The past few years it's gone on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr.....rs_apparel

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Once you find a brand,know your size in that brand, and the style name/number that really works well for you, I *highly* suggest going to eBay, where you can buy them at 1/2 price or less! Just make sure the seller has good feedback and that the item is 'NWT' (new with tags) I accidently bought a used bra once- eeww! lol Ive purchased several this way and it's been great. Many sellers offer free shipping, as well!

BarbaraL

Bare Necessities, Figleaves, HerRoom, and Nordstrom. I also check FreshPair and Soma Intimates. The UK site brastop.com has GREAT prices, even with shipping to the USA.

Two winters ago I finally got a bra fitting in person. Wonderful experience! I'm not a 36B, I was a 34DDD (now a 36DD/DDD due to weight gain). I bought several bras that fit great, were lovely, and made me look great — oh look, I have a waist!

The advice I got from the YLF forum was excellent, encouraging me to have an in-person fitting done, make note of the tag info on all of the bras I liked and only buy what I needed/chose to, and then look online for sales.

As someone else mentioned, "curvy gal" bra blogs' reviews are very helpful when considering buying something online that's new to you. I've learned that it makes sense that I like how the new Curvy Kate brand fits, given that Chantelle and Natori fit me well (shape, width, & position of the cups). Very helpful!

http://www.stackdd.com/
http://www.thefullfiguredchest.com/
http://www.curvywordy.com/

The eBay tip is excellent. A couple of bloggers mention that when return shipping cost is a little much, they simply sell the bra(s) on eBay rather than returning them.

Belcanto28

http://www.biggerbras.com (not sure about Canada)
http://www.figleaves.com (From the UK)

I shop at Nordstrom when they have something I like, but it is rare. I am a big fan of Freya bras. The material actually touches your body the way it should between your boobs. They are one of the only companies that this happens with for me. I really like their swimwear as well - for one of their tops they don't have padding in it so you aren't like a sponge when you come out of the water! It is amazing! And it is an underwire swimsuit.

I haven't worn a non-underwire bra since I was in high school. But from what I remember it was not comfortable at first. Now, I really can't imagine wearing anything different (even when swimming!) I am a 32F, wires are wonderful for me.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I need to go and get fitted properly, but in the meantime, the last place I was 'fitted' was at Victoria's Secret and they did a good job of finding me sizes/styles from their store - and there are two or three styles at VS that totally work for me. That said, when I tried to buy that same size in a different store/different brand, it didn't fit properly and was actually too big! Hate to say it, but I kind of wonder if there's a different kind of 'vanity sizing' going on at VS, though I can't be sure.

So, for now - I order bras online from VS or buy them there in person. So far, they are the only bras that work for me. I suspect this just means that my VS size doesn't match-up or correspond to other brands sizes. I like the Body by Victoria and the Angels collections.

I would like to try some other brands/styles though...but will need to get fitted again at a store that carries more than just their own store brand.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Well, I returned the bra that didn't fit to Butterfly Collection and ordered a few - both wired and not - from Bare Necessities, which offers 60 day returns on everything. I eyed some things from figleaves but I'll save the international shipping until I have a better idea of my real size. I was at Nordstrom the other day and meant to try on a few brands just for the sake of info, but got distracted by the clothes. :/

Let me just say whoever decided that DD and E weren't the same in some sizing schemes needs to be smacked around a little with a wet bra.

Belcanto28

VelvetyChocolate - I tried to get fitted at Victoria Secret a long time ago... they said I was a 36D. I am actually a 32F. One of my friends who used to work there said they sized me at a 36D because that is what they could sell me, they don't make my size so try to fit you into what they have. That was my experience AND what a former employee told me.

So that may be why you might be having a problem with other brands?

I do however love their panties and since I can't buy their bra's, whenever those cards come in the mail for $10 off, I tell them they don't sell my size and put the $10 towards panties. Yay!

JR

Veteran

Laura, I've found a way to make handwashing very simple. I put the bra in the bathroom sink with some Ivory dish detergent and leave it to soak while I take my shower. Then I just squeeze the suds through the bra a bit, squeeze out the excess water with a towel, and hang it on a plastic hanger from the shower head to dry. I do admit that I switched to the rock crystal deodorant a few years ago, in part because it makes bras so much easier to wash. None of that gooey stuff from stick deodorant.

Underwires will twist when machine washed, punch holes in the bra material, and gouge you in tender places. And before they get to that point they'll be fitting badly because warped. Handwashing is worth it.