Bras that Fit

Sites to check out:

Bratabase

Bras I Hate

Big Bras Blog

Invest in Your Chest

Fuller Figure Bust

Two months ago I walked into Neiman Marcus’ lingerie department in San Diego and asked the saleswoman if she had any bras in my size, 28G. Like a deleted scene from Pretty Woman, she treated me as if I was a pair of Lucite platforms away from a highway strip club.

The first bra size I distinctly remember buying (many moons ago) was a 36A.  Looking back, I was waaaay off. I was super skinny as a teenager, so no wonder the bra kept riding up in the back and was uncomfortable. If I could go back in time, I would say a better fit would have been a 32B or 32C.

If you have never been properly fitted, I will break it down into the simplest steps I can:

1. Get a fabric tape measure.

2. Measure around the ribcage, right under your breasts (measure where your bra band normally lies). Keep the tape straight across your back. Pull the tape snugly--now don't squeeze all of the air out of yourself, but remember to pull the tape tight.

3. Measure around the fullest part of your bust. This time when you measure, don't pull the tape tight. Keep it loose across your chest.

4. The measurement you took in step two is your band size. If the measurement is an odd number, you can try both sizes around it. Example: if your measurement is 35, I would try both a 34 and 36 band.

5. Take your measurement from step three and subtract your number from step two from it.  Example: if your bust measured 40 and your band is 35, the difference is 5.

6. Each number difference is a cup size. 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD, etc. So in the prior example of 5 inches difference, try a DD cup.

This will give you a starting point when you go to try on bras.  I have used my own numbers as examples, so when I go in, I will ask for a 34DD as my starter.

You may be used to the old method of adding 5/6 inches to your band measurement. THIS DOES NOT WORK. You will end up with a band that is much too large and will ride up your back. If the band is riding up, the weight of your chest is supported by your shoulder straps. This will end up causing back pain!! If I were to use the old measurement system, my size would be a 40A--WAY WRONG! As I was writing this, I went to the Victoria's Secret site, and they (finally) describe the proper method as I described above. 

Where do I start?  For years, I was in the mindset that Victoria's Secret was the cream of the crop in bras.  Mind you, they have some lovely items, but the brand's fit just doesn't quite work for me. Almost across the board when I am in a VS bra, my breasts are pushed in and up. Sounds great, right? Not so much for me. Naturally, my breasts are close set--no problems with east/west for me. So I already have a fair amount of cleavage as is. I don't need an ill fitting bra to make me look like I'm trying to be noticed!