A little bit confused... (A post aimed towards women).

rejennarate
rejennarate Posts: 7
in Health and Weight Loss
My first post on here but yes I have something to ask aimed towards ladies. I've lost 11lbs so far and my breasts have gotten smaller, or so I thought. I was a 36 DD but now I've measured and it turns out I'm a 40 C. It doesn't make much sense to me as since I have lost back fat I thought I would have gone down around my back and not up?
Has anyone else had this sort of problem?

Replies

  • Ruthe8
    Ruthe8 Posts: 423 Member
    One of those measurements must be incorrect. I don't see how it's possible for you to gain that much fat around your bra band. Was your bra super tight before? And have you actually tried on a 40C?
  • julieh391
    julieh391 Posts: 683 Member
    One of those measurements must be incorrect. I don't see how it's possible for you to gain that much fat around your bra band. Was your bra super tight before? And have you actually tried on a 40C?

    yup
  • supermodelchic
    supermodelchic Posts: 550 Member
    You should go get an accurate measurement go to Victoria Secrets they do it at no charge..
  • rejennarate
    rejennarate Posts: 7
    Yeah, like my old bras are all 36 around the back yet I went to the same place today to try on some as I thought I needed a size down and I tried on the 40 C and it fits :S I'm seriously confused. Unless the place I buy from has changed their sizes drastically :S
    Also none of them were really tight. But I went to try on 36 D and it was too small :S
  • rejennarate
    rejennarate Posts: 7
    You should go get an accurate measurement go to Victoria Secrets they do it at no charge..
    Sadly don't have a Victoria Secrets here but The place that I've bought from is saying that it's 40 C. To be fair though I can get it ont he tightest clip.
  • summer8it
    summer8it Posts: 433 Member
    40C and 36DD are the same cup size; i.e. the breast itself is the same size, but the rib measurement is different. Each time you go up one band size (which are even numbers only, so 36 to 40 is only 2 sizes up), the cup letter drops, but it's the same size breast. Therefore 36DD, 38D, and 40C would all fit the same size breast.
  • denezy
    denezy Posts: 573 Member
    You were not a 36DD before.
  • takingnameskickingbutt
    takingnameskickingbutt Posts: 231 Member
    I would be worried if you got measured at a store and they told you a different size because they may be trying to sell you a whole new set! :) That happened to me once, and I got totally suckered.
  • crazyellybean
    crazyellybean Posts: 999 Member
    You did not go up, something malfunctioned there.. Your boobs probably are smaller, but you could not have been a 36 and are now a 40 .
  • loserbaby84
    loserbaby84 Posts: 241 Member
    Most women (I'm talking 98%) don't know their true bra size and wear an incorrect size most of their lives!!

    My suggestion is to get professionally fitted.. I never knew a bra could feel so comfortable after I did.

    Cheers!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    When you buy a bra, you want it to fit snugly on te loosest fitting clip.

    As it wears, and stretches, you will gradually go to the tightest clip.

    It's possible to make mistakes and different bras even within the same clothing line or brand are sometimes sized differently. Just try them on. This is definitely a First World Problem :wink:
  • vickylee26
    vickylee26 Posts: 35 Member
    measure yourself!! use Google and put in" what size bra am I" there are loads of site where you can put your measurements in to get an accurate size hope this helps
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    40C and 36DD are the same cup size; i.e. the breast itself is the same size, but the rib measurement is different. Each time you go up one band size (which are even numbers only, so 36 to 40 is only 2 sizes up), the cup letter drops, but it's the same size breast. Therefore 36DD, 38D, and 40C would all fit the same size breast.

    ^This! I'm a 36C and a 38B.
  • rejennarate
    rejennarate Posts: 7
    40C and 36DD are the same cup size; i.e. the breast itself is the same size, but the rib measurement is different. Each time you go up one band size (which are even numbers only, so 36 to 40 is only 2 sizes up), the cup letter drops, but it's the same size breast. Therefore 36DD, 38D, and 40C would all fit the same size breast.

    Thank you for clearing this up for me. I've been pretty confused. All the bras I own are 36 around the back though and they still fit me just the cups don't. But meh, I still have weight to lose so it could quite easily go down.
  • kdward83
    kdward83 Posts: 32
    How long did you have those old bras? Did you get them when you were smaller? I know my bras stretch out significantly even over a year (I'm talking about Victoria's secret and department store kind).
  • tashjs21
    tashjs21 Posts: 4,584 Member
    Is it the same brand and style bra? I know I can vary from size to size trying on bras just because each brand and style fits differently.

    Just with anything in women's sizing, go with what fits and not what the numbers say.
  • summer8it
    summer8it Posts: 433 Member
    And more advice!

    The best bra size for you will be one that you have to fasten on the outermost set of hooks when it's new -- that will allow you to fasten on the inner hooks when the bra has been worn for a while and the elastic has loosened.

    The bra band should not rise up in the back. If the bottom of the bra band is making a C shape, the band size is too large and you're relying too much on the shoulder straps, which is uncomfortable! Try smaller sizes until you find one that fits with the bottom of the bra band making a straight line parallel to the floor.
  • BamsieEkhaya
    BamsieEkhaya Posts: 657 Member
    a lot of bras work that you can get a larger back and smaller cup size, for instance I wear a comfortable 34FF/G (UK), However I could wear a 36E/F if necessary, because the cup is smaller the back doesn't feel lose, but I'd recommend getting a proper professional fitting, like in ann summers were they don't do double sizes I make my way up to a a smaller back and larger size or larger back smaller cup..

    always best to get a professional fitting, that said I do differ depending on shop and even those measuring me, if you in the UK you'll find pretty much everyone offers free bra fittings ie john lewis/M&S/debenhams and lingerie stores x
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    you could have been measuring improperly before.
  • rejennarate
    rejennarate Posts: 7
    How long did you have those old bras? Did you get them when you were smaller? I know my bras stretch out significantly even over a year (I'm talking about Victoria's secret and department store kind).
    That could be what it is. I've had them a while. Well actually the 36 E ones I have were bought just before I started losing weight as it made me motivated to lose it so yeah. I've never been a 40 before.
  • sassi5
    sassi5 Posts: 49
    You should go get an accurate measurement go to Victoria Secrets they do it at no charge..
    Sadly don't have a Victoria Secrets here but The place that I've bought from is saying that it's 40 C. To be fair though I can get it ont he tightest clip.

    Gap body is more accurate then VS and they have more of them in side the regular stores.
  • LadonnaFunk
    LadonnaFunk Posts: 15 Member
    A 40C has the same cup size as a 36D, so if you were a 36DD before, then you're down one cup size. As far as why you've been put in a size 40 now, I have no idea. Either you were wearing the wrong band size before, or you're wearing the wrong size now, or someone didn't measure right, or your newest bra fits small.

    Personally I find it is better to go with a band size that fits well on one of the least tightest settings, because then as you lose weight or the bra stretches out (as they all do) you can make it tighter.
  • ChaosBomb
    ChaosBomb Posts: 5 Member
    My aunt who used to own a lingerie store and measured women all the time told me that in terms of bra size you can always go up a size and down a cup. Try both "sizes" and see which fits better.
  • pawoodhull
    pawoodhull Posts: 1,759 Member
    Yeah, like my old bras are all 36 around the back yet I went to the same place today to try on some as I thought I needed a size down and I tried on the 40 C and it fits :S I'm seriously confused. Unless the place I buy from has changed their sizes drastically :S
    Also none of them were really tight. But I went to try on 36 D and it was too small :S

    My daughter did the same thing. Turned out she needed bigger around to get her boobs to stay in the too small cup and didn't realize it. In other words, you didn't go up around. Because you got a smaller cup size you had to go up around to make up for the wrong cup size. Make sense? Bet if you go back to your original DD or even a D, and your original measurement around, you will get a better fit. And no VS by you? Try Lane Bryant. They also will fit you for free.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    I've experienced 3 different methods for determining bra size. I've been to the department store and tried on 10 different bras, but nothing fit.

    There must be an element of magic involved (lol).
  • rejennarate
    rejennarate Posts: 7
    A 40C has the same cup size as a 36D, so if you were a 36DD before, then you're down one cup size. As far as why you've been put in a size 40 now, I have no idea. Either you were wearing the wrong band size before, or you're wearing the wrong size now, or someone didn't measure right, or your newest bra fits small.

    Personally I find it is better to go with a band size that fits well on one of the least tightest settings, because then as you lose weight or the bra stretches out (as they all do) you can make it tighter.
    I may have to return this bra then as on the 40 I can have it on the tightest fitting...
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    My first post on here but yes I have something to ask aimed towards ladies. I've lost 11lbs so far and my breasts have gotten smaller, or so I thought. I was a 36 DD but now I've measured and it turns out I'm a 40 C. It doesn't make much sense to me as since I have lost back fat I thought I would have gone down around my back and not up?
    Has anyone else had this sort of problem?

    Were the 36DDs old? Is it possible that you stretched them as you "grew"?
  • lovinmyselfagain
    lovinmyselfagain Posts: 307 Member
    40C and 36DD are the same cup size; i.e. the breast itself is the same size, but the rib measurement is different. Each time you go up one band size (which are even numbers only, so 36 to 40 is only 2 sizes up), the cup letter drops, but it's the same size breast. Therefore 36DD, 38D, and 40C would all fit the same size breast.

    Great info. This explains a lot. Thanks!
  • dmwells3
    dmwells3 Posts: 42 Member
    Ia always thought I was a 38DD, according to this site, http://www.85b.org/bra_calc.php I am a 42B.Ill have to try that as 40D does not fit. Who knew? Good luck.
  • rejennarate
    rejennarate Posts: 7
    My first post on here but yes I have something to ask aimed towards ladies. I've lost 11lbs so far and my breasts have gotten smaller, or so I thought. I was a 36 DD but now I've measured and it turns out I'm a 40 C. It doesn't make much sense to me as since I have lost back fat I thought I would have gone down around my back and not up?
    Has anyone else had this sort of problem?

    Were the 36DDs old? Is it possible that you stretched them as you "grew"?
    Not really as before when I was at my heaviest I was a 36 E and that was measured by someone. Meh, I'll suck it up just now. They fit and I guess that's all that matters really but it's made me more determined to lose weight haha

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