I hate bra shopping because unless I'm prepared to shell out nearly $80 per bra, it's a single bra shopping event, and it's usually NOT something pretty, frilly or fancy - and rarely has matching panties. I think I'm sized out of cute, sized into *functional*. Functional bras come in black, nude (not me nude...nude like the side of this webpage!), and sometimes white. If in fact there IS a fun decorative color, I then have to make the very hard decision as to if I want to spend $$$ on a purple bra that may not go under all of my clothes, just for the sake of color diversification. Usually the answer is no, and I end up with another "not nude on me" bra. That is the same argument that comes up about lace, and bras with thin straps. I see tons of great bras online at Bare Necessities, but knowing how trying on bras in person goes, I doubt I could order a single bra in what should be the correct size and get the right fit. Buying and returning online is such a let down!

This may be a "grass is greener" syndrome thought, but buying bras was definitely easier as a C cup than an E or F cup! Oh to walk into any department store and buy a sale bra, or a few bras -- with matching panties! Better yet, to be able to do this repeatedly, because there is always something in your size. That's when bra shopping will stop being such a chore!

Von, I can totally relate to what you wrote, even though my nude is pretty close to the side of this web page. You have me counting my blessings on that score- thank you!

I do calculate the $80 for practical color (nude or black) vs fun & colorful like purple. My bra drawer is 80% nude and 20% black. My daughter and I had this whole debate recently because she always goes for the fun colors instead, and rags on me for going the practical route. But, she is young and wears a lot of tank tops and such, and showing a hot pink or neon bra strap is totally "the trend" -- fashion intentional!

RE: online ordering -- I've only ever ordered bras that I want to duplicate, i.e., I know the exact model number and size (which is a certain model of Chantelle and has been for many years). I would never risk online ordering for something like this, because out of every 50 bras I try on in the store, I average 1 that fits and is worth duplicating.

My hit rate with bras is far, far worse than anything else -- though shoes are starting to get close to that rate too!

I have a hard time finding bras that fit. The size I have isn't normally even available in Germany, which means a lot of ordering in the UK or at online stores, with the corresponding returns. I have small breasts but they are rather wide which means empty cups and fitting underwire or fitting cups and too narrow underwire in most cases. And I haven't much space between breast tissue at the same time which means often that the middle part is poking me. Add the narrow shoulders which means bra straps are often set too wide apart and you have a fitting disaster. The only bra I found so far that really fits is the Lepel Fiore, which has wide wires, a plunge style so it doesn't pinch in the middle and fairly shallow cups.

After reading the comments, I have found utilitarian bras that are comfortable and have some lace detail. Calvin Klein makes this one that works with tees:
http://www.amazon.com/Calvin-K.....3R6GDW32RE
They have matching bikini undies. I have bought these at Nordstroms in 30D.
And this one looks promising (below) and even comes in 30D!

Can I also add that the "ordinary" department stores, which are always easy to find and to get to, (Kohl's, Macy's) often start their serious bra selection at a 34 band size.

You can find a 32 if you really, really hunt for it, but it's likely to be purple lace leopard print. And it will almost always be an A or B cup, as if women are either big or small all over.

^^what April said.

All this talk of duplication makes me morose. I have just once had a bra worth duplicating ... And it was not to be had for love or money. And even that was back when I could take a B or C cup. It was the only one I have ever had where the gore sat right.

And the only one I have ever had in my REAL size was pre-pregnancy and has more padding than I would ideally like and lace that grabs my shirts and hoists them on my, um, shelf.

I used to find light support sports bras the best compromise for a good while. The tech fabrics also helped with the sweatiness issue (with apologies for TMI).