Ladies who know a lot about bras, come in here

I've lost a little over 40 pounds, and my 42G bras are definitely too big. I ordered a bra in a 36DDD, but it's a little too small in the cup because my breasts spill over the top.

I think i need to stick with a G cup, but go down to a 36 or 38 in the band. My question is, the cup sizes on a 36G is smaller than the cup size for a 42G, right, even though the letter is the same? (I know I need to get fitted, and I will some time next month).
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Replies

  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    i say throw the bras OUT,, go free.....
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    If I've lost a little over 40 pounds, and my 42G bras are definitely too big. I ordered a bra in a 36DDD, but it's a little too small in the cup because my breasts spill over the top.

    This is what we like to call a "good problem".
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    Yes, the cups get smaller as the waist band decreases.

    Only found this out recently, baffling!
  • ruwise
    ruwise Posts: 265 Member
    Yes it is smaller. The letter relates to how many inches over your back size it is.
  • Gizziemoto
    Gizziemoto Posts: 430 Member
    My experience is that the cup was the same as the larger size. Years ago I went from a 44DDD to a 34DDD and the cups felt the same.
  • happyheart15
    happyheart15 Posts: 383 Member
    You men, lol.
  • caspergirl7
    caspergirl7 Posts: 590 Member
    You need to get measured!!! Different styles & brands will fit differently
  • CristinaL1983
    CristinaL1983 Posts: 1,119 Member
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    If I've lost a little over 40 pounds, and my 42G bras are definitely too big. I ordered a bra in a 36DDD, but it's a little too small in the cup because my breasts spill over the top.

    This is what we like to call a "good problem".

    Hello... Are you an expert on bra measurements? I got you info from a friend.
  • Shannonpurple
    Shannonpurple Posts: 268 Member
    Bra sizes if you go down a band you go up a cup and if you go up a band you go down a cup.

    Example I am a 36D=34DD=38C
  • SarahKhristan
    SarahKhristan Posts: 134 Member
    I would suggest going to a professional and getting a fit done. You may need a specialty size. I know Macy's has fit specialists.
  • farmers_daughter
    farmers_daughter Posts: 1,632 Member
    No should be the same. a G is a G is a G. If it's not it should be. I know a 40 DD is the same as a 38 DD anyways.

    Keep in mind how much extra "boob" you have under your arms, yeah I know as if having boobs isn't bad enough. Wait! let me recant. I love my boobs, but.... there is a reason why I had a reduction for God sakes. lol.
  • PriceK01
    PriceK01 Posts: 834 Member
    Cup size seems to stay the same. I've gone from 36DD to 34DD. The 34DD seems a bit big, so I tried my 34D in the exact same brand, but I was spilling out. Maybe I need a 32DD, but I can't find that size in my favorite.
  • mnishi
    mnishi Posts: 419 Member
    Wearing a bra, measure underneath your breasts, then measure around your nipples. The difference between the two is your cup size.

    Example 36 & 42
    difference is 6 (1 is A, 2 is B... 6 is DDD)
    Then your bra size is 36 (first number) DDD
  • 1two3four
    1two3four Posts: 413 Member
    I've lost a little over 40 pounds, and my 42G bras are definitely too big. I ordered a bra in a 36DDD, but it's a little too small in the cup because my breasts spill over the top.

    I think i need to stick with a G cup, but go down to a 36 or 38 in the band. My question is, the cup sizes on a 36G is smaller than the cup size for a 42G, right, even though the letter is the same? (I know I need to get fitted, and I will some time next month).

    What?! Omg, for real??
  • kiangel
    kiangel Posts: 246 Member
    I would go and get fitted :) when I was 200lbs my cup size was a G , now 50lbs lighter and although band size reduced lots my cup size is still the same :(

    I tried measuring and ordering at home , spent a fortune on wrong sizes !
  • happyheart15
    happyheart15 Posts: 383 Member
    Thanks everyone, very helpful information! I will definitely go get fitted. I only have Macy's and Dillards around me, so I'll probably go to Macy's.
  • Lift_This_
    Lift_This_ Posts: 2,756 Member
    i'd get them refitted before buying any more.

    i lost almost 60 pounds. went from a 46D to a 38/40DD
  • Shannonpurple
    Shannonpurple Posts: 268 Member
    No should be the same. a G is a G is a G. If it's not it should be. I know a 40 DD is the same as a 38 DD anyways.

    Keep in mind how much extra "boob" you have under your arms, yeah I know as if having boobs isn't bad enough. Wait! let me recant. I love my boobs, but.... there is a reason why I had a reduction for God sakes. lol.

    Nope this is wrong a 40DD is not equal to a 38DD, 40DD=38DDD
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    No should be the same. a G is a G is a G. If it's not it should be. I know a 40 DD is the same as a 38 DD anyways.

    Keep in mind how much extra "boob" you have under your arms, yeah I know as if having boobs isn't bad enough. Wait! let me recant. I love my boobs, but.... there is a reason why I had a reduction for God sakes. lol.
    Very wrong, though the occasional company makes bras this way they are very very very rare (I know they exist but haven't seen one) . There's a correct fit, and a sister size that's fairly similar. If you go down in a band size, go up in the cup. For example, I usually take a 28DD...which I can't find for the life of me, so most of my bras are 30D. Also, my D's are nowhere NEAR my sisters. Hers are as big as my head. And I know some people in A's that are bigger then my D's.

    The letter is just the amount of inches you differ from your bust.

    "The current popular system of determining bra size is inaccurate so often as to be useless. Add to this the many different styles of bras and the lack of standardization between brands, and one can see why finding a comfortable, well-fitting bra is more a matter of educated guesswork, trial, and error than of precise measurements." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassiere_measurement#Correct_fitting
  • boroko
    boroko Posts: 358 Member
    The cup size relates to the ratio of the overbust (nipples) measurement to the underbust (ribcage) measurement, so a G cup will change as the band size changes. The number does also not equate to your bust measurement, which is a common mistake women make when buying bras. For example according to M&S a 42G is supposed to fit an overbust of 44 and an underbust of 37.5, while a 36G is for an overbust of 41 and underbust of 31.5. Confusing huh!! I wear a 32F and have smaller boobs than my sister who is a 36D but I have a narrow back.

    There is also a lot of variation between the style of bra and different manufacturers. If you can't go and get properly measured then the best thing to do is to order a load of bras in different styles and sizes from somewhere that does free returns and spend some time trying them on. Most bra retailers have advisors who can give some guidance if you give them your measurements.
  • probably best to get refitted. Macy's will do it for free!
  • ThatSoundsHard
    ThatSoundsHard Posts: 475 Member
    I measure every time I go bra shopping.
    Between nursing 2 kids, weight gain/loss etc I've worn about 4 different bra sizes in the past 6 years.

    http://howtomeasurebrasize.net/
  • MonicaT1972
    MonicaT1972 Posts: 512
    There is F, FF, and FFF before you drop down to DDD. I've gone from 42H to 36F and the F is tight, but G's are too big. Waiting for an FFF to come in to see if it will work.
  • happyheart15
    happyheart15 Posts: 383 Member
    There is F, FF, and FFF before you drop down to DDD. I've gone from 42H to 36F and the F is tight, but G's are too big. Waiting for an FFF to come in to see if it will work.

    A lot of American bra brands go from DDD to G without anything in between. I do know F's exist though. But I've never heard of FFF. Learn something new every day!
  • MightyMe01
    MightyMe01 Posts: 29 Member
    I've lost a little over 40 pounds, and my 42G bras are definitely too big. I ordered a bra in a 36DDD, but it's a little too small in the cup because my breasts spill over the top.

    I think i need to stick with a G cup, but go down to a 36 or 38 in the band. My question is, the cup sizes on a 36G is smaller than the cup size for a 42G, right, even though the letter is the same? (I know I need to get fitted, and I will some time next month).

    I found this a few weeks ago. Hope this helps!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jk55ep4XUQ
  • metermaid11
    metermaid11 Posts: 31 Member
    "There's a correct fit, and a sister size that's fairly similar. If you go down in a band size, go up in the cup. For example, I usually take a 28DD."


    This. I worked at both Fredrick's of Hollywood and Victoria's Secret and that is what I was taught when they taught me how to fit bras. If you started at a 42G, that means your bust measurement was 7 inches bigger than your back. If you loose inches around your back and not your bust, that would change your cup size and it would be a smaller band, but a bigger cup. It sounds like that is what you had happen.

    Here is how I was taught to accurately measure bra size. It is better id you can get someone to do the measuring for you, but you can do it yourself. Measure around your back underneath your breasts, and then around the fullest part of them. Add 2 to your back measurement, this is your band size (36 inches around means 38 band size etc), count the number between the two measurements and count up the letter ladder to find your size:

    1-A
    2-B
    3-C
    4-D
    5-DD etc.

    Anything over 5 inches can be tricky depending on where you buy from. Some stores have a DDD after the DD and before the F. Some stores jump straight to F after DD. As long as you know your measurements and the store's succession of bra sizes, you should be able to find one that fits. Good luck.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I really wish this were less confusing! LOL. I need to go in to be fitted and say, "just write down what sizes I need and I'll be on my way"...

    I have recently found that some of my 38B bras were SO HUGE on me, so I did buy some 36B and they fit perfect. But it's the Hanes Concealing Petals with underwire and they are awesome. So I bought 2 more because I know they fit me like a glove, or at least the way a bra should!
  • kriskris92
    kriskris92 Posts: 190 Member
    Bra sizes if you go down a band you go up a cup and if you go up a band you go down a cup.

    Example I am a 36D=34DD=38C

    This. But just get re-sized.