Ladies: Bra Size changes?
missladyfit
Posts: 54 Member
Hi ladies!
TL;DR version: Is there any reason my bra cup size would increase when losing weight? Should I consider this a somewhat permanent change or is it likely that it will go back down a cup?
I'm leaning towards buying a smaller-band sister size instead of the larger one as I am optimistic about losing more (snug band = better support). Just wanted to know if anyone knows any disadvantages to that. I figure I can always use a bra extender to turn my 34DDD to a 36DD if I need to in the meantime.
Background:
I hate clothes shopping. I'm sure a lot of you share this notion. However, bra shopping was always cut and dry for me because I know how they should fit and I know how to adjust my size.
So when I started out on this journey I always knew that I could lose breast tissue mass from the weight loss. In January, I changed my original size from 38C to 36D (same cup size, smaller band to account for less fluff around the ribcage). I had never worn a D before and hadn't been a 36 band in a few years so I was pretty accepting of the change. I also felt like I had a lot more support than I had before.
I recently attempted to buy new sport bras (in a brand and size I knew to be correct) but when they came in, they did not fit. No big deal if the band needed adjustments since I could easily sister size, but the cups were too small as well. I went into my closet and tried on pretty much every bra I had and had the same issue, including 7 newer bras purchased in the past 6 months (I really thought that my bra size wouldn't change this fast). Decided that I definitely needed a cup sizes up to 36DD (this is the weird part I wasn't expecting at all). So first off, I'm wondering if there is any explanation for this kind of change? I know I need to buy a new bra because quadriboob is neither attractive or healthy, but I don't want to invest too much in a long-lasting bra if it's not in a long-lasting size.
So then I went into the store to confirm my new size, but the band seemed a tiny bit too loose for me. I went on a whim and also tried the smaller band sister size to 34DDD (34F). Still fit with reasonable comfort. If a 35 DD and a half existed, I'd probably be that. Again, I don't want to throw too much money into something if it's just going to be an intermediate size. Thanks in advance for your advice!
TL;DR version: Is there any reason my bra cup size would increase when losing weight? Should I consider this a somewhat permanent change or is it likely that it will go back down a cup?
I'm leaning towards buying a smaller-band sister size instead of the larger one as I am optimistic about losing more (snug band = better support). Just wanted to know if anyone knows any disadvantages to that. I figure I can always use a bra extender to turn my 34DDD to a 36DD if I need to in the meantime.
Background:
I hate clothes shopping. I'm sure a lot of you share this notion. However, bra shopping was always cut and dry for me because I know how they should fit and I know how to adjust my size.
So when I started out on this journey I always knew that I could lose breast tissue mass from the weight loss. In January, I changed my original size from 38C to 36D (same cup size, smaller band to account for less fluff around the ribcage). I had never worn a D before and hadn't been a 36 band in a few years so I was pretty accepting of the change. I also felt like I had a lot more support than I had before.
I recently attempted to buy new sport bras (in a brand and size I knew to be correct) but when they came in, they did not fit. No big deal if the band needed adjustments since I could easily sister size, but the cups were too small as well. I went into my closet and tried on pretty much every bra I had and had the same issue, including 7 newer bras purchased in the past 6 months (I really thought that my bra size wouldn't change this fast). Decided that I definitely needed a cup sizes up to 36DD (this is the weird part I wasn't expecting at all). So first off, I'm wondering if there is any explanation for this kind of change? I know I need to buy a new bra because quadriboob is neither attractive or healthy, but I don't want to invest too much in a long-lasting bra if it's not in a long-lasting size.
So then I went into the store to confirm my new size, but the band seemed a tiny bit too loose for me. I went on a whim and also tried the smaller band sister size to 34DDD (34F). Still fit with reasonable comfort. If a 35 DD and a half existed, I'd probably be that. Again, I don't want to throw too much money into something if it's just going to be an intermediate size. Thanks in advance for your advice!
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Replies
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In my experience, I haven't gained in the cup, I've lost. Breasts contain a lot of fatty tissue, so if you lose a lot (in my case, 80 lbs), at some point, your body's going to pull from that reserve. I guess anything's possible due to hormone changes that sometimes accompany weight loss, but I wouldn't put money on getting bigger.
I went from a 42G to a 36DDD in two years.
Edit: Noticing that you have gone up a cup size in a re-read, I would wager that increase came from decreasing your band. Those two measurements are very interconnected, which is one of the reasons finding a professional bra-fitter can be very handy.0 -
Apparently you know that sister sizes have the same size cups. Other than that I think you may have underestimated your band with previous purchases, or your breast shape may have changed a little. Also sports bras are notoriously smaller than regular bras.
I also think it's rather common, for women who begin wearing their correct bra size, which tends to be bigger cup with smaller band than they wore, see their cups"grow" over the next few months because a lot of what they thought was side flab was actually breast tissue displaced by the smaller cups. As they start getting closer to their true size, the breast is no longer squished to the side and begins to migrate forward again. Not sure if this is your situation. If it is, yes, you might see more "growth" or it might be offset by weight loss.
Overall, I think there's just no knowing what your size will be from one month to the next until you lose all the fat you plan to lose.0 -
If you have a smaller band size, your cup size would go up 1 to stay the same size ...so in terms of boobage a 36D = 34DD etc
For me in 54lbs I've gone from a 36DD/E cup to a 34C/D cup so my boobs have gone down 3 sizes roughly0 -
Aside from the biological reasons given above, have you considered:
-Not all brands (and styles within brands) fit the same
-You were not wearing the correct size before you began losing
-Clothing companies generally subcontract and may change manufacturers. In theory the specs should be the same, but in practice they very often are not (Levi's springs to mind).
I've lost both band and cup sizes, except I'm still a C in one brand.0 -
I agree that bigger overall is the most unlikely scenario. I would agree that decreasing the band should be the reason, but I was very comfortable in my 36D not too long ago and went up a cup size before even attempting the smaller band. If that were the case, wouldn't I be fitting in the 34DD instead of the 34DDD?maniacallaugh wrote: »In my experience, I haven't gained in the cup, I've lost. Breasts contain a lot of fatty tissue, so if you lose a lot (in my case, 80 lbs), at some point, your body's going to pull from that reserve. I guess anything's possible due to hormone changes that sometimes accompany weight loss, but I wouldn't put money on getting bigger.
I went from a 42G to a 36DDD in two years.
Edit: Noticing that you have gone up a cup size in a re-read, I would wager that increase came from decreasing your band. Those two measurements are very interconnected, which is one of the reasons finding a professional bra-fitter can be very handy.
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Wiseandcurious wrote: »Apparently you know that sister sizes have the same size cups. Other than that I think you may have underestimated your band with previous purchases, or your breast shape may have changed a little. Also sports bras are notoriously smaller than regular bras.
I also think it's rather common, for women who begin wearing their correct bra size, which tends to be bigger cup with smaller band than they wore, see their cups"grow" over the next few months because a lot of what they thought was side flab was actually breast tissue displaced by the smaller cups. As they start getting closer to their true size, the breast is no longer squished to the side and begins to migrate forward again. Not sure if this is your situation. If it is, yes, you might see more "growth" or it might be offset by weight loss.
Overall, I think there's just no knowing what your size will be from one month to the next until you lose all the fat you plan to lose.
That last comment was what I was afraid of LOL. To clarify, I did all my new fitting in regular bras, the sport bra was just the catalyst. I think you're onto something about the size flab and breast shape thing.
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maniacallaugh wrote: »In my experience, I haven't gained in the cup, I've lost. Breasts contain a lot of fatty tissue, so if you lose a lot (in my case, 80 lbs), at some point, your body's going to pull from that reserve. I guess anything's possible due to hormone changes that sometimes accompany weight loss, but I wouldn't put money on getting bigger.
I went from a 42G to a 36DDD in two years.
Edit: Noticing that you have gone up a cup size in a re-read, I would wager that increase came from decreasing your band. Those two measurements are very interconnected, which is one of the reasons finding a professional bra-fitter can be very handy.missladyfit wrote: »If that were the case, wouldn't I be fitting in the 34DD instead of the 34DDD?
Hmm.... one would think. But where your body took fat from first could make a difference here. I think I lost it in my band from deposits under my arms before I started losing it in the boobs, but maybe you're the opposite, or lost more evenly than I did.0 -
maniacallaugh wrote: »maniacallaugh wrote: »In my experience, I haven't gained in the cup, I've lost. Breasts contain a lot of fatty tissue, so if you lose a lot (in my case, 80 lbs), at some point, your body's going to pull from that reserve. I guess anything's possible due to hormone changes that sometimes accompany weight loss, but I wouldn't put money on getting bigger.
I went from a 42G to a 36DDD in two years.
Edit: Noticing that you have gone up a cup size in a re-read, I would wager that increase came from decreasing your band. Those two measurements are very interconnected, which is one of the reasons finding a professional bra-fitter can be very handy.missladyfit wrote: »If that were the case, wouldn't I be fitting in the 34DD instead of the 34DDD?
Hmm.... one would think. But where your body took fat from first could make a difference here. I think I lost it in my band from deposits under my arms before I started losing it in the boobs, but maybe you're the opposite, or lost more evenly than I did.
This could be a very good reason for going "up" a cup size, in effect if you lose more than one size under the band first your breasts are the same real size but you go up a cup - the sister size doesn't work anymore because you lost two sizes from the band, not one.
This is actually probably the most likely reason, it happened to me a couple of months ago and I had even forgotten about that :face-palm: I totally need another coffee right about now....
ETA: as you can see I don't buy many bras while losing
I got the one with the bigger cup (correctly fitting) for more formal occasions but still hang around (ahm) in my old bras day-to-day. Probably time to rotate one out for the new one. Possibly time to rotate out my baggy jeans too. I so don't need to spend more money right now... 0 -
I second the opinion of getting yourself to a professional bra fitter. I know that our local Nordstrom store has several on staff and their expertise not only can save you money but give you a look that will flatter your physique in various brands (which means various sizes). One size simply does not work across brands that I've found.
And since your body is changing rapidly, maybe only purchase 1 or 2 that fit correctly now and then go back in a few months and see if you need to be refitted. I explained this to the woman assisting me and she was willing to bring me lower-priced bras because I didn't want to spend a lot when I knew they were only going to work for a short period of time.0 -
That makes sense, but all things being equal the 34DDD cup is still bigger than the 36D cup. So I don't know that just the math is enough to explain it.
Thank you ladies for your input, I'm a lot less confused by the reasons for the change but I'm feeling much more confident now about buying in my new size. I guess if it changes again, then it changes again. In the meantime, I know the importance of wearing the correct size so I'll just have to suck it up.
I actually do have experience in bra fitting and have come across many women who unfortunately do not know much about how their bras should fit. I'm glad you're all knowledgeable about the issue. 0 -
giggerty!0
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I don't have anything constructive to say I'm just jealous of all the casual talk about being D and DD cups. I had to gain 15 pounds just to fill out my C-cups. Just started losing again and I'm already almost back to my Junior department "B" cup bras.0
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No need to be jealous! I'd kill to have as flat of a stomach as you do. If I were you though, I'd double check that the B cup bras you have are snug enough in the band.I don't have anything constructive to say I'm just jealous of all the casual talk about being D and DD cups. I had to gain 15 pounds just to fill out my C-cups. Just started losing again and I'm already almost back to my Junior department "B" cup bras.
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Basically, the cup size is the difference between the rib cage measurement (under the bust) which determines your band size, and the measurement over the fullest part of the bust. You can easily gain a cup size while going down a band size if you lose fat from your upper back, sides, rib cage, etc., but not drop as much from the "girls" themselves. How and when you lose from the actual boobies depends solely on your body.
I have gone from a 50 F to a 44 I as I have lost weight. It is getting harder and harder to find bras. I really hope the boobies start dropping fat soon.0 -
Again, I needed the bigger cup size before even attempting to size down the band. So I'm still not sure exactly what's going on but I guess it is what it is.
Maybe we should all start a pool of gently-used bras until we all hit our goal weights. LOL0 -
Good idea on the buying lower-priced ones at a minimal quantity. I think once I try on a specific bra, I know where to go from there. I definitely appreciate a bra fitter's knowledge of different brands and styles, even if I don't necessarily need their expertise in sizing.I second the opinion of getting yourself to a professional bra fitter. I know that our local Nordstrom store has several on staff and their expertise not only can save you money but give you a look that will flatter your physique in various brands (which means various sizes). One size simply does not work across brands that I've found.
And since your body is changing rapidly, maybe only purchase 1 or 2 that fit correctly now and then go back in a few months and see if you need to be refitted. I explained this to the woman assisting me and she was willing to bring me lower-priced bras because I didn't want to spend a lot when I knew they were only going to work for a short period of time.0 -
And since your body is changing rapidly, maybe only purchase 1 or 2 that fit correctly now and then go back in a few months and see if you need to be refitted. I explained this to the woman assisting me and she was willing to bring me lower-priced bras because I didn't want to spend a lot when I knew they were only going to work for a short period of time.
I second this. When my size changes I buy 2 bras, one white and one nude, and just wear and wash them frequently.missladyfit wrote: »Good idea on the buying lower-priced ones at a minimal quantity. I think once I try on a specific bra, I know where to go from there. I definitely appreciate a bra fitter's knowledge of different brands and styles, even if I don't necessarily need their expertise in sizing.
It is especially important when you are larger than a D cup. The standard ways of measuring become very inaccurate when you go up in cup size. The knowledge of different brands is invaluable. Once you find a brand and size that works for you, buy it from the store that served you well, then you can price shop online if you want to buy more. Also, a style may fit you perfectly now but, depending on how and where you are losing, it may not work for you in the future so an occasional trip to the professional is a good idea.
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I went up. I went from a 36DD to a 34DDD. I was so confused but it makes sense if you think about it.0
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I second this. When my size changes I buy 2 bras, one white and one nude, and just wear and wash them frequently.
It is especially important when you are larger than a D cup. The standard ways of measuring become very inaccurate when you go up in cup size. The knowledge of different brands is invaluable. Once you find a brand and size that works for you, buy it from the store that served you well, then you can price shop online if you want to buy more. Also, a style may fit you perfectly now but, depending on how and where you are losing, it may not work for you in the future so an occasional trip to the professional is a good idea.
I was just upset because every style of bra I need (and then some), is less than 6 months old and are now not my size. I guess I'll have to let go of the notion of my complete bra wardrobe for now until I get to a size that is more lasting, otherwise I'll end up with another half a dozen bras to box up and save just in case. Sigh.0 -
I think that I have, indeed, gotten slightly bigger. I look WAY bigger because I have lost fat everywhere except my breasts. We are all different.
My suggestion would be to get professionally measured at a reliable place like Nordstrom. Then buy just a couple of good bras and wait to see what happens. There is no way that you can predict your end result.0 -
Hooray for boobies!0
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I don't have anything constructive to say I'm just jealous of all the casual talk about being D and DD cups. I had to gain 15 pounds just to fill out my C-cups. Just started losing again and I'm already almost back to my Junior department "B" cup bras.
I know this is the "cliche'" thing to say, but I would've loved to have been a B or C while beginning the loss. Those things were an automatic pack weight that would make me have back spasms that would kill a workout day. I've since learned how to strengthen my core, but still...0 -
azulvioleta6 wrote: »I think that I have, indeed, gotten slightly bigger. I look WAY bigger because I have lost fat everywhere except my breasts. We are all different.
My suggestion would be to get professionally measured at a reliable place like Nordstrom. Then buy just a couple of good bras and wait to see what happens. There is no way that you can predict your end result.
I know Nordstrom is put up there as a good standard for quality bra fittings, but I've run across too many people in the past that have no idea what they're doing. Again, sizing/fitting knowledge is different than knowledge of different brands, style and silhouettes. I definitely appreciate their suggestions on the latter as I'd probably never spend enough time researching all that. Any size is always just a baseline. The way I see it, the process should be size then bra then fit, which will ultimately lead you to the correct one which may or may not be where you started. Unfortunately, there is no true universal sizing
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Oh yeah, one more question: Can anyone recommend a bra with a thin center gore?0
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missladyfit wrote: »The way I see it, the process should be size then bra then fit, which will ultimately lead you to the correct one which may or may not be where you started. Unfortunately, there is no true universal sizing
Eh...my experience is that the only real way to find what fits is to try things on.
I've heard consistently good things about Nordstrom, and they carry a variety of brands. What you do NOT want to do is to go to a place like Victoria's Secret where the sizes are wonky and the sales associates don't know anything.
For smallest gore, maybe consider looking at plunge bras.0 -
azulvioleta6 wrote: »What you do NOT want to do is to go to a place like Victoria's Secret where the sizes are wonky and the sales associates don't know anything.
I hate that place; I truly do. Ignoring the whole "VS model v. healthy body image" argument that has come up so often, they just don't have anything for large girls. And I don't mean "plus size", I mean anything over a C. (As I understand it, you can find more in their online catelogue, but I've also heard their definition of a "D" isn't really a "D".)
I do have a thing for their "Love Spell" scented lotion, though.
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I definitely agree with going and having the ladies at Nordstrom help fit you. I wear a size they don't carry in the store, but they have always been spot on for measuring me and recommending bras that will hold me in securely, flatteringly, and are cut to work with different shirt necklines.0
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azulvioleta6 wrote: »missladyfit wrote: »The way I see it, the process should be size then bra then fit, which will ultimately lead you to the correct one which may or may not be where you started. Unfortunately, there is no true universal sizing
Eh...my experience is that the only real way to find what fits is to try things on.
I've heard consistently good things about Nordstrom, and they carry a variety of brands. What you do NOT want to do is to go to a place like Victoria's Secret where the sizes are wonky and the sales associates don't know anything.
For smallest gore, maybe consider looking at plunge bras.
That's what I meant. Start with a bra size, find a bra you are interested in to try on, and then adjust size from there. Step 2 is where I take suggestions.
I actually do work at VS and I'm sure I know a thing or two (though I will admit apart from the actual hands-on experience, I already knew quite a bit before working there) I've heard and seen horror stories from other VS stores, so I just learned not to trust many people with steps 1 or 3. LOL.0 -
I'm not sure about the D for D thing, in the most simplistic sense, a D means your bust measures 4 inches larger than your band. But I know they've done funky measurement methods in the past. I just go with the methods I know have worked for me, regardless of how I was "trained."maniacallaugh wrote: »azulvioleta6 wrote: »What you do NOT want to do is to go to a place like Victoria's Secret where the sizes are wonky and the sales associates don't know anything.
I hate that place; I truly do. Ignoring the whole "VS model v. healthy body image" argument that has come up so often, they just don't have anything for large girls. And I don't mean "plus size", I mean anything over a C. (As I understand it, you can find more in their online catelogue, but I've also heard their definition of a "D" isn't really a "D".)
I do have a thing for their "Love Spell" scented lotion, though.
The minimal size range is true though but I think they've gotten better at adding sizes. Nothing under 32 or over 38 in stores though. And for most collections, bands go up to D at the least. Thankfully 34DDD is carried in our store so I can get a discount on those bras, and then upgrade to different brands when I finally settle in on a size.0
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