Sizing for bras- anyone do it this way?

kittyhasclaws
kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
in Chit-Chat
Okay, so it's pretty common knowledge that it's hard to get sized properly for a bra. I just read a tutorial and watched a video tutorial (youtube it, Bra Fitting 101). Short version: Measure your band around the root of the breast to the closest even number (so, a 35 would be a 36 band size), and then to measure bust, lean over with your back parallel to the floor and measure around the breast loosely. Bust minus band equals cup size (ie. less than 1": AA; 1": A; all the way to 14": N).

Now, the only times I've been sized was by VS, and really, they don't feel comfortable after an hour- underwire digging into the sides and all... They had me at a 38DD. According to this sizing data, I should be in a 36J (US size). But bras are freaking EXPENSIVE, especially the bigger they get! I'm hesitant to buy one if no one has had success with this method. Plus knowing that I still have 55 lbs to lose, I know that measurement will change. Is it worth it? For regular bras and for sports bras?
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Replies

  • Happy2Shop21
    Happy2Shop21 Posts: 55
    I agree with the measuring method of the band size being close to what you actually measure etc. I find this to be a very accurate way of measuring. I personally can’t wear a VS bra because they don’t carry my hard to find size. Having supportive bras in the correct size is very important. I would suggest purchasing on ebay or amazon so you aren’t spending a lot of money during your weight loss. A few regular bras and a couple sports bras will work fine. You can rotate between wash and wear. Best of luck. ^_^
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    Hmm the version I know is to measure around your bust wearing your most comfortable, non pushup bra. To make sure you include all the breast tissue in the measurement (which was the point of you bending over in your measurement), while bending over, use your hand to scoop from your back to under your bust and put it all in the cup.

    Good bras are more expensive, but if you're wearing the wrong size from VS you will immediately understand the difference when you get a bra that really fits.
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    Do you have a specific brand you use? I'm so totally out of the loop on this since I've never been fitted by anyone BUT VS, and they're obviously WRONG. I tried on my regular 38DD bra that VS suggested to me, and I'm totally seeing the issues... The band feels exceedingly tight, but I now look at it and realize that it's because my boobs are pushing out the cups so much if I have them tucked in the bra completely (swooped and scooped and all). If I try to make it so that the underwire is at the root of the breast, my nipples end up over the top. There is no way in heck that the gore on this bra would EVER touch my sternum... Kinda freaked out about this... I've been living in cheap sports bras, so this is different...
  • wolverine66
    wolverine66 Posts: 3,779 Member
    I use my hands.

    I'm remarkably accurate.
  • Happy2Shop21
    Happy2Shop21 Posts: 55
    While on your bra search just remember a “J” cup in American sizing is equivalent to an “H” cup in bras from the United Kingdom. Popular brands from the U.K. that you can find here in the States that go up to an “H” cup and beyond are Freya and Panache. Nordstrom’s carries both these brands and sometimes you can find them on the sale rack.
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    Well crap. I don't have a Nordstroms within 600 miles of me! I'll have to look into their return policies for online purchases, I guess.
  • amyk0202
    amyk0202 Posts: 666 Member
    Victoria's Secrets is horrible at fitting bras. They measure above your breasts & make that your band size so it is already loose. Then they go up in band in order to try to find a bra that will cover your breasts since they don't carry larger cup sizes. They have spent their advertising money well apparently since so many women think they are the place to go.

    Bras in larger sizes can be more expensive, but you can find them on sale. I would look at www.herroom.com or http://www.barenecessities.com & do a search by size & price. I just looked & they have several on sale that are not outrageous, especially if you are used to buying VS bras. Both websites have great customer service & easy returns.

    A well fitted bra will be tighter in the band than most women are used to--that is where your support comes from, not the straps. It should fit well on the middle hooks because it will stretch some as you break it in.

    For some good info on how different bras fit look at http://www.bratabase.com/ .
  • Happy2Shop21
    Happy2Shop21 Posts: 55
    Oh boy, If there isn’t a store nearby then online will be the way to go. I only purchase online because nobody carries my size. I purchase a lot of my bras from, herroom.com ,they have a great return policy unless it’s on final sale. You can also get some at a great price.
  • k8wizzo
    k8wizzo Posts: 33
    Do you have a specific brand you use? I'm so totally out of the loop on this since I've never been fitted by anyone BUT VS, and they're obviously WRONG. I tried on my regular 38DD bra that VS suggested to me, and I'm totally seeing the issues... The band feels exceedingly tight, but I now look at it and realize that it's because my boobs are pushing out the cups so much if I have them tucked in the bra completely (swooped and scooped and all). If I try to make it so that the underwire is at the root of the breast, my nipples end up over the top. There is no way in heck that the gore on this bra would EVER touch my sternum... Kinda freaked out about this... I've been living in cheap sports bras, so this is different...

    VS doesn't sell larger than a DD cup (unless they've changed that) and they have a maximum band size so they try to "fit" you into what they actually sell. My best measurement session was at JCPenney where they actually sell a very large variety of sizes and seem to just want you to be comfortable and in something that really fits.
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    Thanks, Amy. I'm going to check those ones out too.
  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
    My new favorite bra is Title Nine's (Bounce) Super Lace Bra. $49. Kinda pricey but very supportive and pretty to boot.

    PS I am also a weird size that I cannot just go to Walmart, Kohls or Target to buy a bra. I would if I could.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    http://www.atlastravel.nazwa.pl/mini/

    Never do math again!
  • CandiceLeeAnn
    CandiceLeeAnn Posts: 80 Member
    I'm a 38I or 40H and have been measured in store and done it at home. Bras are crazy expensive! I'm in Canada and a bra from sears was costing me $60-$70, then I ordered from JC Penney, but shipping at the time was a killer. Now I order from freshpair.com. They have really good prices and a good variety. I highly recommend checking out their site :)
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    Fantastic, ladies! Thank you so much!
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I suck at getting the right bra I either look like I have back fat or I am stuffing my bra I just don't get it SO I go to Victoria secret and the fine ladies in there hook me up perfectly every time :)
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    I use my hands.

    I'm remarkably accurate.

    lol
  • morielia
    morielia Posts: 169 Member
    My best friend has tremendously large tatas, and she orders online from Fig Leaves. The bras go up to like a 40K, I believe, and they're reasonably priced ($30-50). She's said that they also have a very good exchange policy.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    no
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    Okay, so it's pretty common knowledge that it's hard to get sized properly for a bra. I just read a tutorial and watched a video tutorial (youtube it, Bra Fitting 101). Short version: Measure your band around the root of the breast to the closest even number (so, a 35 would be a 36 band size), and then to measure bust, lean over with your back parallel to the floor and measure around the breast loosely. Bust minus band equals cup size (ie. less than 1": AA; 1": A; all the way to 14": N).

    Now, the only times I've been sized was by VS, and really, they don't feel comfortable after an hour- underwire digging into the sides and all... They had me at a 38DD. According to this sizing data, I should be in a 36J (US size). But bras are freaking EXPENSIVE, especially the bigger they get! I'm hesitant to buy one if no one has had success with this method. Plus knowing that I still have 55 lbs to lose, I know that measurement will change. Is it worth it? For regular bras and for sports bras?

    no, i heard good things about fig leaves too
  • emmas42
    emmas42 Posts: 17 Member
    In the UK (If you happen to be over this way...) The very best bra fitters are Rigby and Peller.
    No tape measures, they look at the bra you are wearing, ping the straps a bit and come straight back with a (Normally) perfect bra for you. I discovered I was wearing too large around the back and too small in the cups. I wouldn't buy a bra from anywhere else now. The only downside is the price. One of mine was £75 and the other £92 (Current exchange rates $114 and $140)
    but I no longer have grooves in my shoulders and I don't have to keep adjusting myself.
    I just wish I could afford to buy more of them!
  • onedayatatime12
    onedayatatime12 Posts: 577 Member
    Well I got sized at Dillard's who gave me those granny looking bras (no offense!) in nude, black, and white, but I want colors! :tongue:

    So I went to GAP and VS-both sized me at 32D, BUT when I wore a VS bra, it made me look like I had saggy boobs. And it was a freaken PUSH-UP bra too... what's with that?!?! It just made them stick out more to the front, but they sagged! :mad:

    Anyways, now I wear GAP bras, in 32D, and I see a HUGE difference. Even the normal favorite t-shirt bra (Btw they're cheaper in store, by $6, don't order online!) is supportive, and holds them up well. And the GAP push-ups? WOW, amazing. BRILLIANT. Love em <3

    I swear I'm not advertising, just tellin ya my experience, I really was looking forward to VS designs, they're sooo pretty! But I guess they're not for everyone? And I don't wanna try a double cup/Bombshell bra-I don't need that much pushup!
  • heathermnrd
    heathermnrd Posts: 73
    actually that is how i was taught to measure people at victorias secret and nordstrom....the thing is at a store they will try to make you fit into a bra they sell so since vickys only carries up to a DD they will try to make you fit into that just to sell you a bra. honestly if i were you i would go to a nordstrom and get fitted by one of the girls there because it really is difficult to correctly measure yourself.
  • kittyhasclaws
    kittyhasclaws Posts: 446 Member
    actually that is how i was taught to measure people at victorias secret and nordstrom....the thing is at a store they will try to make you fit into a bra they sell so since vickys only carries up to a DD they will try to make you fit into that just to sell you a bra. honestly if i were you i would go to a nordstrom and get fitted by one of the girls there because it really is difficult to correctly measure yourself.

    Can't. The nearest Nordstroms is over 600 miles away. :( Biggest city in Montana, but still very much country.
  • WilmaDennis91
    WilmaDennis91 Posts: 433 Member
    I've been measured at VS several times, the sizes are not always correct compared to the sizing I get at JcPenney's. I personally love the JcPenney's brand, the bras are so comfortable, the sport bras fit me right, and they're at better prices. I wear VS sometimes, but they're not really comfortable for me, but I don't mind it if I'm getting some actions with my boyfriend! Hahah. But if you want comfort and fitting, then I recommend other stores that make sure that you're comfortable in the bras. But if you're looking to look hot and sexy on a night out, then go with the expensive store and make it worth it! Spoil yourself, but comfortably :)
  • heathermnrd
    heathermnrd Posts: 73
    actually that is how i was taught to measure people at victorias secret and nordstrom....the thing is at a store they will try to make you fit into a bra they sell so since vickys only carries up to a DD they will try to make you fit into that just to sell you a bra. honestly if i were you i would go to a nordstrom and get fitted by one of the girls there because it really is difficult to correctly measure yourself.

    Can't. The nearest Nordstroms is over 600 miles away. :( Biggest city in Montana, but still very much country.
    then i would go to any lingerie or department store that carries a large selection of sizes up to what you measured yourself as....
  • xynyth
    xynyth Posts: 89 Member
    I was recently told about this bra sizing method which put me from a 40 F all the way up to a 40 K....The new bras fit better so there must be something to it. If you measure your breasts with a bra on, all you are doing is measuring the size of the bra.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    this is how they measure at my fave lingerie shop in nyc and it's pretty accurate for me.

    another thing you want to keep in mind is bra fit as well as the size. some bra styles will not be made for certain body types. for instance i have an extremely short waist, so i can't wear a full coverage bra without the underwires coming up too high in my armpit :mad: so i can only wear balconette or demi cup styles. wacoal and panache seem to be the only "full coverage" bras with underwires that work for me.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Isn't ironic bras were invented shortly after women got the vote? Coincidence I think not the man's shackle of oppression on my tatas to keep me from being a wild and loose woman. Lose the bars girls! I say burn the shackles. FIGHT THE POWER! oh and stop shaving.

    Anyways being sized for bras sucks because one again its all different depending on manufactures and which country it's in how do you size something that is so variable. I have giant side boob fat does that ever get supported, NO!!!

    I guess I'm an odd ball though I like my bras a bit smaller even though the side boob escapes cause I think the muffin effect is hawt.
  • mommylifter
    mommylifter Posts: 123
    I don't think bra sizing is at all accurate since every brand is different. I can wear anywhere from a 32DDD/34DD to a 32 F, depending on where I shop.
  • amandapye78
    amandapye78 Posts: 820 Member
    As a larger chested woman, I can tell you that spending the extra money on bras that fit is sooooo worth it. I was wearing a 36DD and miserable. I am now wearing a 32DDD and it is soooo much better.

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