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Who knows about bra fit? Experts needed!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have a dilema. I seem to be between 2 bra sizes right now. This could be age related, that I'm just not filling out the bigger cups as I used to. Mostly at the top. I was wondering if you could help out. I have one of my favorite comfortable full-coverage Natori bras in 2 sizes. I can't determine which is the best, my old bigger size, or the new smaller size.

If you think you know about bra fit, please leave a note here and I will pm you with my pictures. Sorry not everyone gets my boob pictures. I have to feel as if I 'know" you to show you these pics. I hope you're not hurt if you don't get to see my chest.

This is no joke. I'm not comfortable posting pics for the whole forum to see, but I figured sending them via PM I would feel more ok about it. A bra fitting is not in the cards for me right now given where I live.

Thanks!

ETA -- I hope to PM the pictures, but have the conversation about fit here. Who knows the conversation may help others too!

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from ma342

Sharon

Veteran

Denise, I used to have this problem too. I think for me it was a combinations of distribution of breast tissue and gravity, resulting in the bulk of my breast being quite low and the upper pole not having much volume. My solution was to move into demi-cup and balconette style bras, which gave support without having extra fabric at the top gaping uselessly.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

So maybe I need to move away from this full cup style Sharon? This is the bra. I've worn it for a number of years, it's the bra I wear when I want to feel very comfortable, it's not my perky or sexy bra. It works well with things like button down shirts. I don't wear it with v or scoop necks as it's very full coverage.

I do agree that the demi cups have been fitting me well lately!

Natori 'Lace Body Double' Underwire Bra

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Caro in Oz

Veteran

Not an expert but I have a few hints. First the obvious things (I know I forget them sometimes) have you checked the back band - is it sitting right without looking hitched up? Have you tried adjusting the straps on both bras? When all the above is adjusted & okay, my trick to choose between two bras that both seem right is to put on the first bra & a tee. I put a safety pin in the tee at the spot where my nipple sits. Leave the pin in the tee & repeat with the other bra. I find the bra where the nipple sits higher is the best fit, of course this may not be so for everyone but it works for me.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Caro I never heard of that! Must try. Brilliant suggestion!

em

I have a shallow bust and find that, like Sharon, the solution is generally to go with demi and balconette styles.

T

I have the same experience as Sharon. Mines tend to tear drop shape and hence the bulk is at at the bottom. I too find balconette bras to provide the best fit, support & they make me look good.

But finding a balconette without the newer silicon strap lining is quite difficult for me. I am allergic to the silicon and all balconettes here tend to be of the detachable straps variety.

I currently make do with underwires as the extra support at the bottom tends to balance out the cup, although I still don't fill the cup entirely and there is some gap on top.

Susie

Veteran

Denise, I got the same recommendation of going with a Demi style rather than full coverage and that definitely helped. There is a lot of good info on her room here:

http://www.herroom.com/know-yo.....tions.aspx

Andrea H

Agree very much that this is likely to be a style, not size, problem!

April

Veteran

CL -- I had no idea how much variation there is in breast shape (not just "size") and placement until I completed the questionnaire on Her Room: http://www.herroom.com/know-yo.....tions.aspx The bra you need depends on whether your breasts have fullness on the top, bottom, or both, as well as how wide-set they are and how much depth vs. circumference they have.

I should add that this questionnaire didn't actually help me to find the right bra, it just helped me to understand how one 32C might work for me while another does not. and why the demi-cup that others swear by makes me look like I'm wearing one of those Victoria's Secret extreme push-up styles.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'd also recommend moving to a balconette style, preferably with an underwire. Just make sure that the underwire is shaped right--some under wires have a wider U-shape to fit a wider "root"; others have a narrower U so are usually a better fit for women with smaller, narrower breasts.

If you like your Natori, why not see if that style, or a sister style, comes in a balconette version? As for demi-cups being "sexy" bras, the balconette styles are the only kinds of bras this senior citizen can wear. My boobs have always been shallow on top and time hasn't made things any better.

And, T, I've never had a problem finding balconette bras with regular straps. The bras with detachable, silicone straps seem to be more pervasive in the demi styles marketed as "sexy" bras by companies like Victoria's Secret.

Diana

Veteran

I too suggest you try a Demi or balconette. They've always worked best for me. And I prefer the shape they give me too, it's lifted but still natural and not pointy or unnaturally round like a lot of full coverage bras make me look.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What everybody else said.

I'm no expert, but I'm also "between" sizes sometimes and therefore order the larger of my two sizes for some bras and the smaller of my two sizes for others, after a careful reading of reviews, and after narrowing down some styles that can work well for my boob shape/ position. I used the Herroom guide already linked as well as a few other sites.

You have much more in the top than I do but it is possible that it is shifting a bit -- as happens to all of us to a degree, I suspect, as we age.

I can still wear some full cup bras but a plunge style works better than the kind you showed. (Like the Simone Caressence bra we both have -- it is a full cup, but not AS full as the one you show.)

Go for bras that are said to be good for women with "shallow" breasts and see if you get a better fit there.

Molded bras can be especially poor fits for women with shallower breasts. So that is another issue with t-shirt bras.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Alongside the demi bra recommendation, I find that Calvin Klein tends to run smaller than some other brands. This can help us in between size gals by going to the larger size in his brand.
For instance, I have only one 32D right now, and it's CK. The rest of my bras are 32C (some bands sewn tighter by me) or 30D and 30DD (of which I vacillate between maddeningly). For reference, I also have a Natori in 32C but the band is not tight enough on me. The 32 Calvin Kleins are. I'm 28 under bust and 34.5 across.

ma342

I'm a member of a few internet bra-fitting communities (yes, these exist), so this is a topic I know at least something about. A few notes:

1) Most American bra fitters/retailers add 4 inches to your underbust measurement to get your band size, which is incorrect--it gives a band size that is too big and provides little support. Most do better with a band size that is close to their underbust measurement. (So, if your underbust measurement is 30", you would take a 30 (or possibly 32) band.

2) Most American retailers carry a narrow range of sizes (no bands below 32, no cups above DD, and not much selection above size 40 bands, either). Most U.S. bra salespeople fit women (incorrectly) into this range of sizes, because that's all the stores sell. British manufacturers do a lot better--bands from 28-50, cups from A-L, and they do sell in some American stores (Nordstrom, Amazon). The U.S. is just kind of behind the times in terms of bra-fitting, unfortunately.

3). There's a myth that D cups are big and DD cups are huge. In fact, any cup size is proportionate to band size. DD cups are for women whose breasts measure 5 inches (not that much) larger than their underbust. Here is an article with a photo of bras with cups ranging from 30D to 38D. As you can see, 30D cups are not that big.

4) Probably the best English language bra fitting community is this one on Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/new/. Yes, large swaths of Reddit are terrifying, but this particular community is a pretty pleasant, safe space, ran by female moderators.

Feel free to ask me questions, either on the forum or via PM. Getting a bra that fit properly fixed the upper back pain I'd dealt with for 15 years, so it's something I feel strongly about.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Denise, you could also check out http://www.bratabase.com . The users include reviews of various bras with comments on fit. If you find one that fits, you can look it up and get information on similar styles that may fit. Most styles also have measurements for the bra that you can use for comparison. I find it very helpful when bra browsing.

DonnaF

Veteran

Hi, Denise;
My guess is that your girls have moved beyond that particular Natori bra, and neither size will be a *10*, and you DESERVE a *10*. It is a PITA, but you may have to change brands and search a LOT if you want a molded bra. I've gotten shallower on top and despaired of ever finding another smooth bra that works, but I found a fit in the Freya Deco plunge bra; maybe it's the plunge part that accommodates the changing shape? It goes down to a 28" band and up to a G or so in cup size. This is a pretty common bra so can be found online, including Amazon, and reviews abound.

FWIW, I tried on Panache's Andorra full coverage bra at a lingerie shop once and thought it didn't fit. The SA told me to tighten the straps and have it sit higher under the girls, and lo and behold it fit. I would only recommend this bra if one is going for a Mad Men or '50s retro look because that is the style of the bra and the shape it gives.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the advice ladies. Right, maybe it's time to face facts and change bra styles. I guess the reduced volume on top is common and it seems to have hit me exactly with my official time of menopause, at least I think I'll be there officially in another 3 months. (Sorry if TMI!)

It's true the balconette and plunge and demi styles have been fitting me better. I have a lot of volume on the sides and it is just getting worse, going more east-west and a bit south too! I frequently have problems with wires poking me under the arms and on the breast tissue. I also have a problem with center wires poking me from time to time, this comes with some styles with a certain wire shape I need to stay away from.

My current best-fitting bras are DKNY Modern Lights, and Simone Perele Andora and Caressence models. I have some unlined bras that I wear on days off too, but prefer the coverage and thin foam of these models when not at home.

Here is the (discontinued?) DKNY Modern Lights

Bare Necessities

Simone Perele Andora Spacer Bra

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Bare Necessities

Simone Perele Caressence Plunge T-Shirt Bra

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CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

This bra is beautiful but has not worked for me due to center wire position. As you can see from my selections I like spacer foam.

Bare Necessities

Wacoal Seduction T-Shirt Bra

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

What IS spacer foam, exactly?

elpgal

Veteran

Denise, I was in a similar conundrum a few years ago and ended up sending pics to a German lingerie store who were able to recommend something that worked for me. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name and I have since deleted the emails ( how helpful am I!). They recommended that I select bras that have a seamed fabric cup on the bottom part and a stretchy lace part on the top with the top edge elasticized. That way you get support and the lace part molds to the shallow top.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have the same problem with east/west and poking underwires. I need the underwires to practically touch in front to not land on my breast tissue and I need them fairly wide and low so they don't sit on my tissue near the armpit, or just as bad, dig into my armpit from coming up too high on the sides. Sigh. It's a struggle.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I tried Parfait by Affinitas recently and find their bras have great lift and shape. The Casey may be a good alternative for you. It still has good coverage and is a favorite for a lot of women.

I ordered one but it is a bit too small in the cups for me so I may try the next size up.

Missey

Veteran

All I can say is try, try, try again and wear your most unforgiving tee when you do.

DonnaF

Veteran

Do the bras that work for you show up on Bratabase? And are they cross-referenced? I also like that Bratabase gives pretty detailed measurements of EVERYTHING and the reviews seem more helpful than those on Amazon and Herroom IMHO.

It's funny how eyeballing a bra doesn't always tell you whether it will work. I also have a couple of bras that technically fit, but I'm not super pleased with the shape and uplift they give me. And once you find your Holy Grail, they start manufacturing it in a different country that cuts it a bit differently so you're back to Square One, right? Best wishes in your search.

josie411

Check out http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/ especially the fit guidance in the side bar.

Joyce B

Veteran

I think your post will help many others including myself. There is so much helpful information that people have shared.
So, how do you choose a band size? If you measure 31 then a 34 will be too large and I have not seen anything under 34 band in the stores and maybe not even online. Should you add 1 or 2 inches to your measurement to get a proper fit?

em

Joyce...it is trial and error. Sizes are inconsistent between brands and even styles within brands. Also, you can get bras altered. Yes, you can. Some lingerie stores still have a streamstress on hand. Nordstroms should be able to do it, as well.

I read somewhere that the practice of adding 4" to the ribcage size is leftover from when American manufacturers measured the band size by the length of fabric needed to construct the bra. Some things just linger....

shiny

Veteran

Interesting! I need a bra with minimal spacing in the front, but with straps that are set wider on the shoulder (as in your Simon Perle examples), otherwise, I get the armpit flab effect. Unfortunately it seems these two requirements contradict, making bra shopping a challenge, and we haven't even gotten to the cup style yet. I do not like balconette styles, as I pour out of them on top. I also do not like plunge styles as they seem to *create* a teardrop shape.

Earlier in the summer I went bra shopping with my daughter, did not buy any for myself, but did try on some of the same bras she tried on. I can attest that cup sizing is ALL over the map: I was fitting in everything from B to some DD's, in same exact band size, just different models & manufacturers.

My only trick (other than trying a tee shirt over the bra) is to hold the bra cups up to your breasts and evaluate how they fit the shape of your breasts -- *before* you hook the band and put on the straps. Then hook the band and evaluate again, *before* putting on the straps. It seems to me that the best fitting bras fit well and support well even without the straps. The straps should not be doing all of the work. The straps should simply fine-tune the fit and provide a bit of lift. Following this strategy, I avoid bras with underwires that dig into my armpits, cups that are spaced too far apart, cups that are too large or too small, and straps that dig uncomfortably into my shoulders, leaving red marks.

Joyce B

Veteran

Thanks, em.

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