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Why oh why...

Aziraphale

Veteran

...do they not make bras in small band sizes??

If you were to look at me, you'd never guess that I have a weird bra size. But apparently I do. I finally went to the specialty bra store in town and was gratified to learn that I am wearing the correct bra size (32D), which is hard enough to find, but it does exist. But in many styles, what I really need is a 30E. Most brands do not make this size. WTH. There must be a lot of women out there who have the same measurements as me, who are wearing the wrong bra simply because they don't make very many of the right ones.

How can I change this? I'm prepared to get on the phone and beg.

Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

rachylou

Veteran

Well I for one have noticed a dearth of 32s...This customer rep once tried to argue with me that a 34B is the same as a 32C. Not so, not so!

Aida

Veteran

There are so few options at that band size! I'm a 30D; my sizer lady initially tried to tell me 28 and I told her nope -- then there's REALLY no options. So I share your grumbles. I'd say try and find brands that run a bit small and get their 32s, if you can find one that jives with your body. That's what I did with my 30s (mine are Simon Perle). None of mine fit as well as I'd like but they fit decently enough; and that feels like the best I can do.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Aida, that's what I do. There's a 32D Chantelle bra that fits me beautifully and is super comfy, and meets my criteria (NO MOULDED CUPS, not visible under a tee shirt) and is even a little minimizing, which I like. But it fits on the tightest hook when brand new, which doesn't leave any room for when it stretches out. Chantelle makes other bras in 30E that fit nicely on the loosest hook, but they have lace and look lumpy under tee shirts.

Wacoal makes a good, plain bra that fits really well in the 32D size, but I find they wear out quickly, even if I'm really careful about hand washing them.

Aida

Veteran

Yeah I found that some, but not all, of the Chantelle bras run small. I have the one below, which is pretty good, though I did have to start it on the middle hook (and probably should go straight to the smallest but maaaan I don't want to replace it so soon ><). If it came in a 30 or 28 band it would probably fit me perfectly! But alas, 32 is the smallest in this one.

EDIT: Not sure how helpful this is but Nordstrom lets you search by band size,and it looks like there are several options at 30E (assuming something works with your shape and criteria). http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wo.....30e~~22%27

Chantelle Intimates 'C-Ideal' Underwire T-Shirt Bra

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elpgal

Veteran

Not many useful suggestions but I commiserate with your bra troubles. I found several styles on Amazon.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wear a very small band size - 30 or 28. Simone Perele runs small so their 30D (quite a bit smaller than Chantelle) fits me perfectly. They have 30E's too.

I DO wear very pretty bras with matching knickers so they might not be your style - but good grief, the fit is superb.

'Delice 3D' Molded Underwire Demi Bra

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'Amour 3D' Underwire Plunge Bra

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'Caresse' Underwire Plunge Bra

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Don't even get me started. I am somewhere in the 30-32 E/F range, and I know I am due for some bra shopping. I dread it.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies. I will give Nordstrom and Amazon a try next time. I will keep Simone Pérèle in mind next time as well -- although the ones you posted above all look like moulded cups, Angie, which is a deal-breaker for me. (I'm OK with lace as long as it doesn't show under a plain tee shirt, and is not itchy). I tried the Simone Pérèle website and it's annoying -- hard to easily scroll through the options, and in some of the pictures, the bra isn't even fully visible on my screen.

Gail

Veteran

I am a 32D also so I can totally relate. I need to go and get measured as I feel as though none of mine are fitting correctly. I want to rip them off after wearing them for about 2 hours !
Janet- I too dread it .

Aziraphale

Veteran

Aida, I had a quick look at the Nordstrom website -- thanks for the link -- and there might be a few that will work. Next time I go bra shopping, I'll try there.

Joy

Veteran

Another 30D or smaller band size and understand your frustration. Nordstrom's is the only place locally that even comes close to having bras that will fit me. I have found a couple of 30Ds at the Rack.

Helena

Veteran

No advice. Bra shopping sucks! I was told at one store they didn't make bras small enough for my bust. 'Nuff said.

catgirl

Veteran

Agree! Before I had a reduction it was impossible to find a bra. That was one reason my insurance knew I needed surgery though - the total disproportion.

Greyscale

Veteran

I was just thinking of this too. I'm a 32C or 32D. And I have a pretty sturdy torso for my overall clothing size, so there must be so many people who are sized out.

I just bought a whole stack of Chantelle bras and one style was big to begin with and then stretched out like whoa (the Parisian unlined demi). I'm used to their bras running small, but that one not so much. Too bad, because I love the look of it. But after wearing it for an hour I had it on the third hook.

Anonymous

Aziraphale, I'm with Angie on loving Simone Perele. Their cut & sewn style is amazing. I believe you're in Canada, so you can also get Aubade. Both brands are pricier, but offer small bands (I'm also a 30dd/e). The comfort, support and line these brands offer is unparalleled. I bought a cotton cut and sewn from Aubade while in Montreal last year and it's just fab in summer.

I have also had Nordstrom alter a 32 to get a proper band fit. I believe it was Kari who suggested this to me last year and it worked out well.

Greyscale, I too find that Chantelle bras stretch out. I love the versatility of their adjustable Vous et Moi, but the support and line is gone after 4 or 5 wearings on me.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Get then altered! A good shop will shorten the band for you.

elpgal

Veteran

Herroom and Linda's Are the best place to research bras.

elpgal

Veteran

Greyscale, too bad about the Chantelle Parisian. It is on its way to me

Ginger

Veteran

Small band sizes and large cup sizes are totally out there! There's just not a wide selection in any store, unless you're in Europe. Online is the way to go.

I wear 30E-FF (depending on cut and style). I really like both Freya and Cleo by Panache. I have heard that Curvy Kate DOES stretch out very quickly and oddly, even during the course of one day.

I order from http://www.herroom.com/ ; they don't bat an eye when I order 12 bras and return 11, or return 12 and order another 10! I've heard that Bare Necessities and Fig Leaves also have a very wide selection and are easy to order from.

Muffin

Veteran

I am a 30DD (E)-- Wacoal embrace lace is my favorite. Very supportive and has a thicker back strap with double hooks. Chantelle, I like as well. I need to try Simone Perele- especially with the fancy knickers! Calvin Klein and Betsy Johnson both make more affordable smaller band sizes too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm also a 30D. It is tough to find bras that work here in Canada. I have bought during the NAS actually for this reason. I try a bunch in the right size and send them back if they don't work.

I have a couple of the Simone Pereles; mine are not "moulded" cups in the traditional sense -- they aren't "hard" if that makes sense. They are a soft material but with enough heft to hide nipple visibility. Unfortunately, while they are lovely bras and the band fit is excellent for me, the cup placement is not quite right -- they are a bit close together for my shape. I will continue to try others from this company, however, because that's a feature that can be different from bra to bra, and once you get the band size right, that at least gives a good start.

I also wear Natori Feathers, but I size up to a double D for that one. They fit very small in the cup but well in the band size and the cup placement is better for me.

I have moulded cup bras I also like or at least tolerate, though on the whole I feel like you -- I prefer a non-moulded.

Calvin Klein does not give me a good fit -- I have learned to rule them out. Occasionally Betsy Johnson works but they are not high quality and the fit/ comfort is quite variable -- I tried on one last year that was hideous.

Natori 'Feathers' Underwire Contour Bra

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Simone Perele 'Caressence 3D' Plunge Bra

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Wacoal 'La Femme' Molded Underwire Bra

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Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks for all the suggestions, ladies! I will have to give some of these a try. Maybe my new Chantelle "C Magnifique" one that I love so much -- it's seriously the most comfy bra I've ever worn, and creates a perfect bust shape under my clothes -- can be altered a bit once it stretches. Right now it fits snugly, but on the tightest hook.

Will also try Her room. It's true that there are quite a few bras in my size -- just not all in one store -- but for every 10 bras I try on, 9 don't fit right or have moulded cups, which I simply cannot tolerate (I wish I could!). I understand that nipple show-through is an issue for many women, but not for me. All that happens is that the moulded cups cause aggressive fluid retention in the breast area, and thus sore breasts.

Ginger

Veteran

I do like the balconette styles I've gotten from Cleo/Panache. They are seamed but I find the seams all but invisible. They are very supportive and comfortable. And there's nothing wrong with returning 9 out of 10! My last winner I bought in 4 sizes to find just the right one. And I'm thrilled with it. Good luck!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hear you on the moulded cups thing. I like the idea of them because I wear a lot of tees and knit tops that will show seams or lace through the fabric, especially in summer when the fabrics are thinner, but hubs hates them. Haha! He thinks they're like armor. So when I shop for bras soon, I'll be looking for something a little less stiff and armor-like.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Ginger, do you find that balconette styles enhance your cleavage? They seem to do that for me and I don't like it. I'm always looking for bras that minimize without causing a uni-boob effect, and the only ones that seem to be able to do that are underwire full-coverage bras. But perhaps I'm trying the wrong ones. Balconette bras are certainly very pretty.

Janet -- I agree with your hubs. Besides the practical problem of them causing fluid retention, I find that they make me feel like I'm wearing falsies.

Anonymous

Bravissimo do bras in smaller band sizes. See bravissimo.com. I wear a 28FF. They are based in the UK but they do ship abroad if that's any help.

Anonymous

I wear size 34B, and even that is becoming hard to find. My DD wears a smaller band size, and we go to Kohl's. She only wears an A cup size, though. I wonder if there's a way to reduce the band size by taking it in, like you do when you have to reduce the waist size of a pair of pants. ???

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Part of the problem with getting a bra with a larger band size and taking it in is that often the straps are set too wide and can still slip off your shoulders (elpgal had a thread about this recently). Or the cups are too wide-set.

Bra shopping is an exercise in patience, at best. Torture at worst.

Anonymous

That makes sense.

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