Advice for proper bra fit

[InsertCoolName]

I finally got sick of feeling, er well, looking like I'm hanging low. So I measured.

The online calculator said I was a 32DD or 32F!!!!!!

Where would I buy such an odd size?!?!

So any of ladies smart enough to know what that would be in a more normal size? Because the ONLY place that I can go get a bra is at our local Walmart. And I doubt they have any in that size.

Any help would be awesome!

[thyme4change]

Google it. I bet there are plenty of online places that will send you what you need.

[mizbear]

Have someone you trust double check your measurements. Also, know that different manufacturers and models will mean different fits. Part of what you find in your size will depend on price point too. We ladies in the D-OMG range will not find a lot of bras in the $5 range- particularly if we have special needs. If you have a Hanes/Bali or Vanity Fair outlet near you, I would try them. I have a lot of luck with Playtex for my everyday bras. My mom likes Fully by Exquisite Form- these are not "pretty" bras- they are for function- however they are usually on sale.
Outside of that, there are internet sources for custom bras- but if you go that route- have a professional take your measurements or someone who is very very familiar with how the measurements should be taken.

[InsertCoolName]

Yeah I have figured that out. Online buying only. And that isn't something I can do. No way to pay for it. Oh well. Hoodies/sweatshirts for me. Hope it's not a hot summer. LOL

Thanks!

[busymom]

Coolname, I don't know if you live in or near any large cities, but a specialty bra store should be able to help you. They have more sizes, but tend to be rather spendy. My SIL isn't an "average size" either. She can't shop for her bras at a Kohl's or Penney's, which for her is very annoying.

[mizbear]

I know that these sites are not inexpensive, but here are some that are no more expensive than buying say a Lane Bryant or "average" plus-size bra.

www.bare.necessities.com More expensive
www.onehanesplace.com - this site has bras to fit you as low as $14.99 and has sizing info.

[sbcalimom]

You could try the sister sizes, those might be a little easier to find. Try a 34D or a 34DD (an F and a DDD are often interchangeable). Anytime you go up in the band-size, you go down in the cup size. 34s will be much easier to find and Walmart should carry them. I would recommend a fuller coverage because the sister sizing usually works better in those.

Just out of curiosity, how did you come to those sizes? What did the online calculator tell you to measure?

[Green Eyed Lady]

Do you have a JC Penney's? They measure for you. I'm not huge, but I have enough and I can't wear inexpensive bras. The material just doesn't hold up, if ya get my drift. I love Playtex.

[InsertCoolName]

I measured under the boob, around where the bottom of the bra would sit-32 inches. And then around the largest part of my chest-36 inches.

I have 34D's but if I lean forward I fall out. And with small kiddos, I'm going to be bending over a lot.

I've been looking on line. I guess my issue is, I have NEVER found a bra that fits me. So the idea of spending $$$ on something that I can't try on first bothers me.

I would have to drive over an hour to get to any place that isn't a Walmart. Joys of living in a small town.

I feel like a freak of some sort because I can't just get something that is normal. LOL

I'm reading all over the place. Some people are saying that I *should* be able to get a 34D or even a DD and be fine. Others are saying that it's impossible to find a bra that isn't your correct size to fit. It's crazy!

I might try to get back to Walmart and see if they have 34DD. I know they had 34D's but don't know if I seen DD. Well I did, just in 40+.

I'm not trying to look sexy or anything just don't want the stupid extra boobs or be falling out. I want to look decent, so when I am shopping at Walmart I don't end up on that peopleofwalmart site!!!

[mizbear]

Measuring instructions from the onehanesplace site.

Hanes is the parent company for bali, playtex, etc.

I tend to agree with sbcalimom and greeneyedlady.

And don't feel like a freak- it can be an all day shopping trip to find me a week's worth of bras and 2 pairs of sneakers. And I wear size 7 sneakers and 40+D+ bras.

[sbcalimom]

When you say you fall out, are you falling out of the cup or are you falling out of the band? It sounds like the cup so I'd definitely say try the 34 DD and a 34DDD. I know Walmart typically carries the DD, not so sure about the DDD but I've seen them there every once and awhile. When you're trying them on, see if you can wear it on a middle hook since it will stretch a bit over time. Also, stick with as full coverage as you can find that definitely helps with the falling out too!

I totally feel you on the frustration, I used to wear a 32G/H before I had a reduction in 2004 and even still am pretty big. The only thing I liked about the pregnancy changes was that my ribcage expanded quite a bit so it is WAY easier to find bras now. I worked at Victoria's Secret for about 7 years and it used to make me so mad that I could wear basically nothing that I got a huge discount on.

ETA: that's the correct way to measure, I just wanted to double check since I've seen some really awful instructions online before.

[mizbear]

I prefer the method of measuring you use- as that is the one my DGM the seamstress used.

Apparently PB prefers it too because my link nitzed itself

[InsertCoolName]

Thanks so much for your help ladies. It means a lot.

I will be getting something. I think I am a bit nervous with ordering on line because I don't know how that size will fit. I have never found a bra that fit me well so I guess I just don't believe that there could be one out there for me!

I'm just surprised that the smaller band size with larger cups aren't available everywhere with all the ads promoting super small models. I guess that just goes to show how much all those ads are fixed.

[Deleted]

Do you have an outlet mall anywhere around? Maidenform outlets carry sizes that the other shops don't. They only have one bra style in 32DDD in their on-line selection.

Why did you say you don't have a way to pay for on-line purchases? If you go to a name brand or known secured site you can use your Debit Card to charge the transaction. Some places also accept PayPal, so you could hook that up to your bank account (but PayPal hackers seem rampant so I'm not sure I'd do that personally).

[mizbear]

You can also put the amount of purchase on a Visa GC- or similar item. My DM will not shop online with her actual cards so she uses these. She purchases the reloadable variety and says the fee is worth it. I have protection on my checking account and don't use my card for super large purchases online.

[constanz22]

The right size is important, but so is the right style. Make sure you are looking for a full coverage bra, not a push up, Demi-cup, etc. I have had really good luck with Bali and often find them on clearance at large department stores. You might also want to look for some "minimizer" styles. I have a couple that I love. Great fit and coverage. I don't remember the brand but if I come across one today, I'll post. I know you said walmart is the only store close by. They used to sell Curvation brand, which I have also really liked. Good fit and they last. You want to look for thicker, supportive straps, not the little teeny bopper thin spaghetti straps.

[InsertCoolName]

LOL But those are the ones that look best with tanks.

I could put money on my walmart card. Duh. I only have that to pay bills that aren't in town. LOL I feel silly for not thinking of that.

Should be able to return them without issue. I read that VS didn't carry that size. But when I went to their site, they do. I might just have to plan a day and drive the hour to go to one. At least I think they still have one up there. I'm sure they do, it's college town. LOL

I just want to try one before buying it. To make sure they fit. Being a female is a PITA sometimes.

[mizbear]

You can go on the web and research store locations before you go.

I have to go 30 minutes to the outlets and 45 minutes to an hour or more to either of the malls- it's not worth it to me to drive if something isn't going to be there if I get there- especially since if I go to the outlet- I usually have to turn around and go back to one of the 2 malls that are closer because the other mall can be a - pardon the pun- real bear to get to.

They do sell some playtex, Just my Size, etc bras at wal-mart where I am- but I have found that the size selection depends on the size of your wal-mart.

[nidena]

My favorite big bra size websites:
www.barenecessities.com
www.herroom.com
www.amazon.com
www.figleaves.com
www.ebay.com
I have worked at Victoria's Secret for nearly six years now and I feel the pain of those who can't shop there. In my heavy days, I'm in denial and wear the 36DD but most of the time, I'm a 36DDD. I buy my sports bras from barenecessities because they are near me and have quick shipping time. For the bras that you have currently, when you lift your arms above your head, do your breasts fall out the bottom? If so, then yes, you will need to go to a smaller band size. If no, stick with the 34s. I do a three point measure--under the bust, over the nipples (while wearing a bra), and just under the armpits. If there is a huge difference between u-t-b and u-t-a, I find that a middle size fits better.
Some women wear their bras high on their back, which calls for a larger band and others wear theirs lower, thus a smaller band size. VS carries DDD online only. Very few stores carry them; just as very few stores now carry the 40s.
Also, to echo what sbcalimom said: if you're falling out, it may just be due to the style of bra you're wearing; not so much the size. There's a higher likelihood of falling out of the plunges and other non-full coverage bras.

[misplacedbrit]

I always get mine from www.jms.com

I am an "off" size, so this works for me

[alabamagal]

I am an odd size also. The last couple I purchased from walmart.com and was pretty happy with them. I just hate shopping anywhere for bras (or shoes) seeing a style that looks good, then madly searching to find out they don't have your size. With online, you just pick it out and have it shipped. With walmart.com I think you can return to a store, so it is pretty simple. Some sites even have a selection where you can pick you size and see what's available. It is a hassle not being able to try on, but it has worked for me.

[muttleynfelix]

If you need a sports bra, I highly recommend moving comfort. You can get them discounted pretty decently from Amazon.com. Well worth it IMO.

[thyme4change]

How about the "Ahhhh Bra."

[kgb18]

I've always said I was willing to spend good money on shoes and mattresses because you have to be comfortable in both. I'll add bras to that list. There's nothing worse than an uncomfortable, ill-fitting bra. I really should get measured. I get most of my bras at Victoria's Secret. I used to be a 34C, but I seem to be a 36D since having a baby.

[mizbear]

I agree- bra and shoe shopping suck rocks.

[sunshinegal1981]

My sympathies. Even without being an 'unusual size', bra fit is VERY personal. It depends not only on the SIZE of your breasts, but also on the shape, space between them, width of your shoulders, etc etc.

When I go bra shopping, I very often find that I bring 12-14 bras (ALL of them supposedly "in my size"), and only 1 or two will be a truly comfortable, flattering fit.

My best advice is to suck it up and make the trek to a bunch of brick-and-mortar bra stores, and when you find something you like, STOCK UP. As in, buy one in EVERY COLOR, and two in black. :-)

OR.... find an online retailer that will pay for return shipping if something doesn't fit, a la Zappos.com. (I have not found anything like this, but maybe someone else has?)

Unless your boobs change size/shape depending on the time of the month. Then you're REALLY screwed. :-(

[sunshinegal1981]

Oh DAYUMMMMM.....

Right after I posted the above, I went to Zappos.com to see if they actually DO sell bras. They do! :-)

So here is your answer: vip.zappos.com/bra-bras/CKvXARDG1wEY1NcB4gIDAwIB.zso?ot=bra#!/bras/CKvXARDG1wEY1NcBegL2BIIBA67DBOICBAMCAQ8.zso?ot=bra

At first glance, it looks like there are over 200 bras to choose from in your 'possible size range''. Order a ton of them, and send back the ones that don't fit. For free. VOILA! :-)

Hope that helps!!!!

[suziq38]

Have you tried Victoria's Secret or Lululemon (sports bras)

[swamp]

Jun 20, 2012 9:12:37 GMT -5 suziq38 said:

Have you tried Victoria's Secret or Lululemon (sports bras)

victoria's secret doesn't have off sizes. at least in their stores they don't. and their quality has gone downhill in the past few years.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

They also don't know how to measure properly. Every time I went in they kept telling me I was a 34 B. I finally got measured by a woman who has been a seamtress for over 30 years, I am a 34A!

I think part of it is they don't really train people and the second part is VS don't carry A bands in their store. If they wanted to make a sale they had to get me to buy a bra size they carried.