“A Call To Boobs”
Okay, later in the week we will definitely be talking about the BFDudes, but for now, let’s help BFDiva Rebecka (and the rest of the girls, and their girls) with the age-old dilemma of finding a good bra, shall we? Take it away, Rebecka:
I am desperate to find a REALLY good bra, for the larger breast set but more importantly get some clarification! I had the idea of turning to you, my sister in boobies, when you posted that great site on your blog about the cute outfits you guys got. So I’m hoping you, your readers or any other fabulous resource you may have come across can send me in the right direction and maybe clarify some things along the way as well.
I’ve read and heard a billion times how to find your bra size. I’ve tried it and pretty consistently come up with a size that doesn’t match with what I have or what feels most comfortable wearing. Now a few weeks ago I recorded a documentary on the BBC called My Big Breasts and Me. Anyway the show made SO much sense. It followed 3 women all very naturally large breasted, E cup and up. They were all fairly averaged sized, one poor girl was 19 a size 4/6 and already a 30F - UGH. So the show said the MOST important parts about fitting your bra to you was to use the measurements as a guideline but follow some bigger rules of thumb.
1) No breast tissue spills out the top or the bottom of the bra
2) The front of the bra in between the breasts sits snugly against the chest
3) The under-wire sits against ribs not breast tissue underneath but even more importantly on the sides (under the arms) (which made sense but at the same time I feel like my breast tissue goes quite far onto the sides of my body)
4) The band of the bra in the back (where the clasp is) was even with the bottom of the bra in the front.Here’s where my dilemma starts, all this makes sense for me until you get to the band part. Right now I’m a 36DD and I feel like after a month of wearing a new bra, that’s it, the band starts to make it’s way up my back. Not so badly that it’s obvious or uncomfortable but according to the show this is very important with back issues.
Since I went from a D to a DD I started having back issues and I figured this might be why because a DD doesn’t seem all that huge to me (can you tell I live in the land of silicone). I tend to wear a lot of lower cut stuff and I hate when the bra peeks out not to mention I tend to feel like I’m being squished down when I wear some of the full figure styles (the ones that the cup covers more of the upper parts of the breast as well).
At this point the only bra’s that I have found to work for me based on those issues are the Secret Embrace Victoria Secret bras. They’re ok. The ones with the scalloped edges on the bottom can be uncomfortable and extremely itchy and I don’t always want that extra firmness and padding that comes with this style (sometimes it nice but not as a day to day bra). My bra doesn’t need to stand up on its own and i’d love to find one thats not so stiff. I also find that they don’t breathe very well at all and if you combine that with sensitive skin I end up walking down the street with my hands down my shirt itching like crazy. Now these are the bras that after a month I feel like the band starts to stretch so maybe the problem is not the size but that the VS bras are probably shite and that’s why they only last about a month before they start stretching out? But these work for now although I’m still searching for something better and for a style thats a bit more of a day to day, sheer or slight slight padding just to cover nipples peaking through.
I guess I’m curious as to what the rest of the women in this world find? If their problems are similar or if I’m just too big and I’m dreaming to even be thinking about Victoria Secret anymore. Is there a brand or company or someplace out there that sells bras that don’t feel or look like my grandma would wear. Is there something that still does it’s job but I can wear with some of my more plunging neck lines. And last but not least something that doesn’t have a shit load of padding because lets face it at a DD cup size I don’t need nor do I want to add anymore. I heard Wacol was good and have tried them once or twice with no real wow this is great factor but I figured I’d try again and just ordered a 34DDD just to see if that might help with riding up. I figured a larger cup size but smaller around the ribcage to stop the ride? Who knows if this will work but hey it’s worth a try. Let me know if you can point me in the right direction!
Me, I have always bought my bras from Cacique, and I love their new balconette bras, which are low cut enough to work under my many plunging neckline outfits—but they do have that sort of stand-up-on their own stiffness. I’ve also heard good things about Bravissimo (and had a great halter top with a built-in bra from them) but they are a UK company so shipping to the states is expensive. I don’t know how long a bra is “supposed” to last, but I tend to get new ones every three months or so.
One final note is that I have had a bra fitting at Nordstrom, but according to my friend La Wade, bra sizes vary by company and style as much as regular clothing sizes do. Here I always thought it was the one place where women’s clothing sizes remained consistent, but it turns out that is a BIG FAT LIE. So you might have to find a style you like and stick with it.
Let’s see what the rest of the BFDivas have to say about this all-important issue!
Posted by mo pie
I had the exact same problem, and I stumbled upon the Boobologist:
http://www.shopisabella.com/boobologist/default.asp
Best thing I ever did. Seriously. I thought I was a 40D, but with her help I figured out I’m a 36DD or 34DDD in most brands. With my new bras (which I bought at Gap Body), I no longer have the band riding up in back, and the straps no longer fall down.
Mo Pie is right, not all brands are the same, and you have to be prepared to try a whole mess of bras in your size range to make sure that you find the right fit. Also, bras do stretch out, so you always want to make sure that a new bra is snug enough to just clasp on the very first (outside) hook, so when it stretches you can use the next set of hooks.
Mo Pie is very right that sizes vary by manufacturer. Also, there are no standards above DD, so one manufacturer’s E cup is another’s G cup. It can make finding the right bra very frustrating, and require you to try on *lots* of bras. And I have yet to find any that work for me that are pretty.
I wear Wacoal’s Hidden Wire Minimizer — http://wacoal-america.com/viewdetail.html?table=bras&key=74
I am a 40G. They are expensive, but I figure that I have special-needs boobs. I have also found that I get a better fit and my bras stretch out less by having someone else hook the back instead of me hooking it in the front and turning it. I am lucky that my lovely wife will do this for me each morning.
The key, for me, was finding a manufacturer and style that looked and felt the best on me, and sticking with it. I’ve been wearing these bras (and only these bras) for years.
I’m going to be trying out Bravissimo in a couple of weeks when I go to London, but I’m somewhat doubtful –they don’t seem to have larger band sizes to match their larger cup sizes, at least from what I saw on their website. So I may be out of luck.
Yeah, finding the right size can be an absolute pain. Luckily for me, I don’t struggle too much - but I know how difficlut it can be from a friend of mine and my mum. My friend is really slim but is a cup size G (so often the bras are too large in the band) and my mum is a bigger lady so she often finds that the band sizes available are too small.
Anyway - they both live in Scandinavia (I am curently living in the UK) and when they have come to see me I have taken them both to Marks and Spencers for a free fitting and they have both found bras that fit, that are excellent value for money and in a style they like - my friend is in her 20s so the bras she likes are a bit different from the ones my mum like.
Anyway - to make a long story short - it is possible to find bras and even affordable ones but sometimes you have to struggle to find the one that is right for you!
And re Bravissimo - I know my friend has bought their stuff and has been quite pleased - although they are a bit expensive (esp compared to M&S!)
Happy hunting!
OH Welcome the world of “why did we invent these stupid things?”
I wear Victoria’s Secret too. The BEST bra I ever had was the VS Body by Victoria racer back…until they redesigned it with a bunch of liner and padding. I’m a freakin’ DD dont need padding!
As for the band issue. If you are wearing a back closure bra, try going down a band size (you might have to go up a cup size). Try a bra that fits when it’s hooked on the loosest setting, so as it stretches you can change the eye’s you use and make it tighter.
http://darthfox.livejournal.com/845495.html
best written post, and some great comments, on getting a bra that fits properly!
For the record, I am a size 20 (us) 22/24 UK, and am currently a HH cup size uk (K or an L in the US, I think?) and a 36 back. I was wearing a 38 and GG cups, because that’s what I always wore. Going down a band size and up cup sizes has really helped :)
I have had great success (at 34E and 32E at various times) with Fantasie and Freya bras. You can get them on Figleaves.com; they’re a little spendy, but seriously I love them so much. I never thought I could wear balconettes or plunge bras until I got a proper fitting and found these brands.
Does anyone else follow the rule of (a) measure around your chest (minus boobs) and add 5 for the band size and then (b) measure around the boobs, subtract band size, and calculate cup from there? If so, does it work for you?
What I hear from everyone is that the band riding up the back means it’s too big. That happens to me, but according to the “chest measurement plus 5″ rule, my band is actually too small.
I would go to a store (I went to Nordstrom as well) and be fitted. The women at the store (if it’s a good store) know the product and how each brand’s sizing runs. I bought a beautiful bra from Fantasie that fits perfectly however it was extremely expensive so now I only own one bra that fits properly, turns out I’m actually a 36J I thought that was a size only strippers could buy! I think Fantasie’s sizes are UK so their cup letters are different from US sizes but if you go and try them on and have the lady there help you, it makes all the difference in the world. Here I was walking around trying to wear a 46DDD!
I buy my (38G) bras online at http://www.figleaves.com or http://www.barenecessities.com.
I know online shopping is sort of a risk, but they have far more sizes and styles than any brick-and-mortar store and if the bras don’t fit, you can always return them. I haven’t had any trouble with returns or exchanges to either store.
I got a bra fitting at Nordstrom but it was essentially useless since they only had one bra brand in my size and it is a crazy stripper bra. (Pink see-through with orange ribbons.) Bras are one thing that it’s difficult to buy online because it seems like there’s so much variety. But stores NEVER carry my size. Not even Lane Bryant. GAH.
Also, that’s a good point on the outside vs. inside hooks on the bra strap, those of you who mentioned it!
Oh thank you soooo much everyone!!! There are some great ideas and I feel like I’m heading out (or online) to shop armed with some great ideas and new names to try. I love the idea of getting a smaller band size but using the outside hooks so when it stretches I still have room! It’s great to know I’m not alone in this constant battle! Mo Pie and her BFDivas are the best!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Nordstrom. It’s expensive as hell, but I always get something good that fits. Don’t go when they’re having a sale, since no one will have time to help you. Go on a Tuesday afternoon when nothing’s going on and ask for help right off. I don’t think it’s possible to buy a bra without help.
Great post! I always have so much trouble with bras and it never fails, if I do find a bra that is perfect, the next time I go to buy it, it’s either sold out or discontinued. Bra shopping is the bane of my existence.
” I’ve also heard good things about Bravissimo (and had a great halter top with a built-in bra from them) but they are a UK company so shipping to the states is expensive.”
Figleaves.com carries many of the same British brands and is a US-based company so the shipping is a lot cheaper (and return shipping is way easier, often free). They do not, however, have the strappy tops with integral bras. I’ve shelled out probably too much money buying three of those things, but they’re awesome.
Like the girl mentioned in Rebecka’s letter, I’m a size 4/6 and wear a 30G US/30F UK (I’m 30 and 5′0″ tall- it’s really not that bad, you get used to it). I think I was at least a DD when I was 19. I was making do with 34Ds on the smallest hook and with the straps cinched tight, which has left me with permanent dents in my collarbones. Now that I know my true size, I don’t have a choice about buying British bras nor do I have a choice about buying them online; US manufacturers do not make bras in that size. At all. Apparently if your cup size is over a C, you cannot possibly need a band size smaller than 34. *headdesk* Once in a blue moon I might find the right size at Nordstrom, but it’s a long drive for such a crapshoot. So online it is.
I love love love the Fantasie and Freya bras. So pretty and they fit really well. Panache- not so much. They tend to run really small. A size 30F in Panache (the size that fits in Freya/Fantasie) feels about two cup sizes too small. The wire sits up nice against my ribcage, but the cups always runneth over. I’ve also had luck with Le Mystere’s Dream Tisha (which I can find easily in a couple of stores here), mainly because the band is super tight. The 32 band fits perfectly. This is a great T-shirt bra and has held up really well for me- I’ve had one for over a year now.
Wow, that post didn’t look nearly as long as I was typing it out. Sorry!
Most of my boob-craft (which I’m still honing) was learned in Britain, where the venerable Rigby & Peller and the cheeky upstart Bravissimo both have the same basic advice: if you’ve got a hitch in your giddyap, bra-wise, you’re probably wearing too big a band and too small a cup. Adjust those ratios and see what happens.
As for the question of bras that start riding up after a month or so, you should be getting bras in a size that lets you wear in the middle row of hooks - that way as the fabric begins to loose tension with age, you can move to the smallest row of hooks and wear on, sista. Also, never wear a bra more than one day at a time (apparently gives the materials time to cool!) and when washing, try to hand wash or at very, very least use a ligere bag and the delicate / handwash cycle on your machine. And never, ever, EVER tumble-dry.
So there you go.
I’ve tried Bras from Bravissimo, and while they have some nice-looking styles that give me great support and shape, their tiny shoulder straps seriously hurt my shoulders. As in, dancing-in-Stilettos seriously. So seriously it’s a decision between looking good and enjoying myself, every time I put them on. (I don’t put them on very often) I do not understand why they make them so miniscule.
Oh wait, what do they say on their website? “As the back of the bra is too big the weight of your boobs pull the bra down causing the shoulder straps to dig in. We would advise to go down a back size.” Whenever I read bra fitting advice, the solution to ALL problems seems to be going down a band size and up a cup size. Well, sorry, but if I go any further down in band size, the soft tissue on my back will be so extremely compressed I fear necrosis. And if I go up in cup size, that leaves me with huge cups that wrinkle or, in case of padded cups, hardly touch my boobs.
But my back still rides up, my shoulder straps still dig in, and sometimes even the underwires are not sitting perfectly flat on my rib cage.
I AM A FREAK OF NATURE
The back strap riding up: I went for a fitting at an “Intimacy” store (in the Houston Galleria, but look to see if there’s one near you). I had been wearing my shoulder straps cinched up as tight as they went, but the lady immediately loosened them enough that the back strap would be parallel to the ground. PRESTO! That was the solution, along with buying a slightly snugger band size. So try that with the bras you have now, and you might be surprised.
I loooooovvee Wacoal’s bras. They’re the only bras where I feel that once I’ve established my size I can actually pick a bra off the rack and buy it without trying it on (I don’t often do that though, because I prefer to be cautious about bras). Their bras offer a lot of support and I recently found a wonderful strapless bra from them too that allowed me to finally wear some of the cute tops that less well-endowed women wear all the time.
Something I’ve found is quite often if you exceed the sizing in department stores, they’ll keep business cards of a store that specializes in extra large bras around. That’s how I got the name of the local boutique that carries…well I’m an H-cup so at least up to there. Other than that, well, you can order online but it’s always a risk. I’m more likely to do it with bathing suits, honestly, since those my local boutique does not carry other than in styles that look like they’re for people triple my age. And support isn’t as important in bathing suits since the water offers some support.
[Sorry if this duplicates - I've gotten error messages with it, but it never posted. I'm trying it without html in case that's the problem]
http://www.herroom.com/
I LOVE it. The majority of bras that really fit me are british (and they don’t often go above a 40 band size, which sucks, but bra extenders aren’t that horrible.) For the original questioner, I think that they’d be her best bet, since they have a lot of variety in style for the smaller band/larger cup folks.
See - cute!
http://www.herroom.com/Felina-7975-Victoria-Full-Glamour-Semi-Demi–Bra.shtml
Herroom has good return policies, though there’s not free shipping, so that’s an issue. They do offer measurement charts for each manufacturer, but I recently tried a bunch of new styles, and had to send them all back to get new sizes, since fit is so nefarious of an issue.
Last little bits of advice:
- try not to dry your bras in the dryer, if you’re doing that. The heat helps the elastic stretch out more over time, which could be contributing to your band issues.
- if you have any favorites and you’re not afraid to sew, try shortening the bands with a crapload of zigzag stitches. It’s not the most elegant solution, but it is thrifty!
- above all, try on more bras than you can possibly imagine, then try on some more. There *are* good bras out there!
My boobs have two different personalities with one side perky and the other kind of droopy… the best bra that i have found that lifts the long one with out hurting the perky one are the cotton Cacique bras. They are super comfy and don’t stretch out or pinch or anything and I’ve had them for almost a year now. I love them and my only complaint about them is that they aren’t prettier, but they don’t itch and in terms of bounce control they’re about a level or two below sports bra.
My best advice on bra shopping is to go to a department store’s lingerie department and try on every bra they carry in your size and sizes close to your size (ie I’m a 40D so I’ve tried 42D, 40C, 38D, 38DD, 42B, etc) and evaluate which size you can close on the middle hook and feels most comfortable and enables the most jumping. Then if it isn’t too much for your budget, buy it.
This bra: http://www.figleaves.com/us/product.asp?product_id=FE-4520 changed my life. Seriously. If you can afford $50 for a bra, I can’t recommend it highly enough. I would try a 34E in it (the band stretches out quite a bit, so if it’s snug on the largest hook, that’s a good fit).
Does anyone else follow the rule of (a) measure around your chest (minus boobs) and add 5 for the band size and then (b) measure around the boobs, subtract band size, and calculate cup from there? If so, does it work for you?
No, that rule is all wrong. I have no idea why people recommend it. I actually wouldn’t recommend measuring at all, just try on a bunch of bras until you find one that meets the guidelines in Rebecka’s post.
it is a crazy stripper bra. (Pink see-through with orange ribbons.
Haha, I think I have that bra. I rarely wear it though, because the band is too big (despite being the same size that normally fits me in that brand. You would think a 36″ band would be 36″ across all manufacturers and models, but noooo.)
oh my god I wrote a novel here. I hate being a thread whore so I decided to post it at my own site.
E Pluribus Boobie
I highly recommend a fitting. The is a shop in Dallas named “The Maddox Shop”. Everything they fit me in worked great. I haven’t been in years and haven’t found a bra that worked like theirs. Funny story. The little German lady that was “old” when I was fifteen and she fitted me– also helped me when I was 30. Mental note to self: must travel the 40 miles to buy bras
Basically, find a good bra store (i.e. a store that specializes in fitting bras, not a chain if possible) and get them to help you. I found a place that has super-expensive bras ($200 each) but it is totally worth it, because they don’t stretch/break in 3 months and they fit properly. The one I’m wearing today I bought almost a year ago & I’ve worn it probably 1/3 of the time since then. I love it - it is very comfortable, and it’s cute as well.
About the “rib cage measurement + 5″ rule - forget the +5. Just go with your rib cage measurement. The band will be hard to do up at first - you’ll only be able to do up the first set of hooks. That’s what’s supposed to happen.
Personally, I’ve tried buying bras over the internet, but they tend to be wasted money because they don’t fit properly. Find a local place that knows how to fit bras, and spend your money there.
I’ve also tried Wacoal. A lot of people have mentioned Fantasie, and even though they don’t sell online, they do link you to places nearby that sell their products. The website is http://fantasie.com/.
I am not very into clothing, but I went to a shop near where I live in New Jersey and the people there were wonderful (Lingerie by Susan). I had been trying to fit into Victoria’s Secret, which, considering I’m between a 38F and a 36G, was awful. I wanted to hide and never go out in public. Fantasie balcony bras literally CHANGED MY LIFE. I’ve been wearing them for years. They are a bit pricy but they last quite a while if you treat them right. Most people apparently have too small a cup size and too big a band size. It’s really incredible how finding the right bra makes such a difference.
Good luck, Rebecka!
Hi, ladies.
I have a lot of experience with this, as I’ve been loads of different sizes (all of them bigger than DDD), and had loads of bras. Right now I’m a 34J. My actual ribcage measurement is over 35″, but I still wear 34 bras, because once your boobs get to a certain weight, you need a tighter band to keep the weight distributed on your ribcage, and not pulling down your shoulders. I’ve never had back pain, except when I gained weight and was wearing the wrong sized bra. You know the band is tight enough because if you have the bra on, and you slide the straps off your shoulders, your boobs will stay in roughly the same place and position (only slight drooping).
I should note that I have a lot of really squishy back fat, which also necessitates a smaller band size. A close friend of mine, who is more solidly built than me, has a broader ribcage than me but wears the same band size. Her bras need to fit tightly, but not as fat-squishingly tight as mine.
Also, when you get into the big sizes, the brands fit really differently. My boobs are hangy and my shoulders are narrow, so Freya bras work really well for me. On the other hand, my friend is broader, more solid, and her boobs sit much higher than mine. She swears by Panache. We HATE each other’s brands.
My best advice is to get fitted at a specialty store, find what fits you best, then buy it online. Aside from the stores mentioned, you can usually find what you want on ebay, or in ebay stores like Belle Lingerie (and shipping’s usually cheaper). If you can’t get to a specialty store, good luck, I hope I’ve been able to help you a bit.
BTW, for those of you who need larger band sizes, Goddess brand may be a good option.
I also like the balconette bras but the regular one, not the plunging one. :)
I learned about Joy’s Scott’s new Butterfly bra - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57123.asp - a few weeks ago. It has an interesting design. I have not tried it but the premise seems realistic although I haven’t quite decided if they are what I would call attractive but that may be because of what I’m used to. There’s an image and video in the above link.
fayreform is a good brand. i’m not sure whether it’s an australia only brand or not though.
good luck.
I just went bra shopping (my wonderful mom took me because I’m a poor grad student) and got some great plus size bras by Playtex. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had a bra that fit me really well, and the ones I picked up at JC Penny’s are great; they have nice comfy straps and the band provides great coverage with no spillage. The cups provide great lift and support and make my 40C ladies look good. Two of the bras I got have straps that have a “comfort gel” inside. Having a bra that fits well has been a nice little confidence boost for me. Not to mention, I also got some cute undies and an awesome purse that day too. :)
I’m a 36DD and I’ve found some cute-but-not-too-expensive bras at JC Penny in their Ambrielle brand. The largest cup size they carry is DD, though. But for bras in pretty colors and sexier styles I like Frederick’s of Hollywood. The shop nearest me carries some styles up to a F cup.
I went bra shopping yesterday, so this post is well timed for me. I’m a 12E (AUsize) so most brands don’t stock in my size. I just have to learn which ones do, get myself fitted (Myer is great for that) and persevere.
I would recomend Berlei.
I don’t know how much use that will be outside of Australia.
If your buying off the internet anyway, try looking at some Australian brands. Aussie clothing manafactures tend to chase niche markets more because of the whole issolation thing.
I agree that the problem with your band is that it’s getting stretched out and riding up. Excellent suggestions above on preventing that, or just buy a band that seems a bit snugger to start. Try the 34’s!
I ALWAYS struggle finding bras and have many a time left a fitting room in tears because nothing works and I get so frustrated with my body. My size varies but generally somewhere around 34DDDD (sometimes called 34F) and if the bra is stretchy I can get away with a 34DDD.
VS doesn’t carry above a DD so I’ve given up on them (for awhile I was doing their bras in a 36DD but I’d always work my way out of the cups and the cut just isn’t comfortable for bigger girls). Frederick’s has some cute stuff, and as someone else mentioned they go up to an F but I haven’t found their stuff to be very comfortable and quality is just eh.
I just bought a bunch of new bras at Nordstrom - I’m loving them, for the first time in awhile! Definitely let the ladies who work the floor wherever you shop help you out as they can look at how the bras fit and recommend different brands/styles/sizes. Just be prepared for them to be all up in your business. :)
What’s worked for me:
Wacoal has some lace-based bras that offer a lot of support (read: don’t stand up on their own), are super comfy and cute to boot. But try them on as some of their styles have not worked for me at all.
Le Mystere (i bought this one recently: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2891003/0~2376776~2374327~6010810~6010819?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010819&P=1 ) which may not be to your taste because it has molded cups but one of the more comfy bras I’ve had.
As others mentioned Chantelle and Freya have pretty stuff too. There’s another brand called Harlequin that Nordstrom carries that has gorgeous pieces that didn’t work for me personally but I so wanted them to! But they come up to a size G. Some of Elle MacPherson’s bras comes in larger sizes. DKNY goes to a DD but I’ve found them to be generously cut and they have great balconette bras.
Keep on trying and good luck!
If anyone is in the L.A. area, I highly recommend The Creative Woman/The Wizard of Bras which is located just off the 210 East of Pasadena. The women there are wonderful and they’ll bring you boxes of bras to choose from once they figure out your size. They’ll also help you adjust them properly. I personally love the Prima Donna brand of bras as I wear a 38G. They’re certainly pricey but the fit and the way they last is absolutely worth it.
I don’t know if this has been mentioned before in the comments but hand-washing with a good lingerie wash is also crucial for preventing stretch issues. And a few minutes in a warm (not hot as you risk melting any netting) dryer every few months does help shrink things back into shape.
I can’t emphasise enough that you need to take the time to get a good fitting. That’s what Bravissimo does really well. Now that the pound is starting to drop in value against the US dollar, you might want to take yourself on an autumn holiday to England. It doesn’t have to be London - Bravissimo has branches in most big cities. When I was first measured by them a few years ago in the Newcastle branch, they took about 20-30 minutes with me, not only measuring me but also trying lots of different bras on me, since they know very well that there is variation in sizing. They ask you what you want in a bra (I just wanted a couple of comfortable ones in neutral colours and a good plunge bra for evening). I found them very responsive, and they have a good range of styles and sizes. If you want to go a bit cheaper in the UK, the department store chain Debenhams has a range of bras in larger than usual sizes, where you can get a basic seamless underwired bra for £16 (probably about $30 on current exchange rates).
Almost everyone I know who has been measured winds up going down a band size or two and up and cup size or more. I think that mainstream bra companies just don’t want to work out the architecture of larger cup sizes, so they stop at D or DD.
I agree with everyone who says “get a good fitting”, but I’ll add that department store fitters have only done so-so work for me. My shout-out is for Intimacy, whose fitters don’t measure, but eye you and feel you up (well, sort of) and whose expertise has indeed (warning: testimony ahead) changed my bosom life. And they have COLORS! And STYLES! And LACE! And things besides soon-to-be-dingy white! Love them, love them.
The catch, alas, is that they are NOT cheap–$50 right on up to ungodly. Nor, if you live rurally, are they close, or anything CLOSE to close. If you are young, rural, financially strapped, most of this advice is not going to help much; for 3/4 of my life to date, it wouldn’t have helped me, because I couldn’t get to those stores or afford what they had if I did. I can only say follow the wisdom of those who suggest going up on cup size, down on band size–it’s a very good rule of thumb–and do try on every large bra you see for the next year or so: I did find one well-fitting $17 cotton underwire bra at K-Mart, once upon a time. When you hit this jackpot, buy six (in the time it’ll take you to find it, you can probably save up for six.)
I’ve been a 42D (and it’s a tough size to find) for years & have done best with the Vanity Fair style that features the “X” twisted ribbon between the cups. Was a 44DD at my largest & the biggest problem (still is!) was finding a bra that didn’t stretch all over. Those stretch cups do NOTHING for anyone over a B; the weight of D and up boobs pulls at the cups & creates that icky saggy silhouette. The Vanity Fair line seems to understand this & makes non-stretch cups and only partially stretch (that little piece in the back) straps. Even if the bra fits, it doesn’t do any good if, by the end of the day, you can feel yourself sagging southward.
Have been pretty lucky at finding Vanity Fair & Olga (another line with pretty consistent sizing) at Ross & Marshall’s at VERY deep discounts.
I was a DD for years, now a DDD (since I had a kid) and in that size range there’s a Bali bra I *love* that has padded shoulders and seems to hold up well. It has seamless cups with sort of racing flames sewn into the outsides for extra lift. I’d give the style name but I shouldn’t take off my bra to look here in my cube. I paid $20/each for them a few months ago (A few years ago, post-baby, I went looking for them in DDD and they didn’t exist. Now they do!)
Go into a Penneys, Macy’s or Nordstrom’s and try them on - sometimes the cup shape is as important as the size, esp. if you’re not exaclty the same size on both sides. Any decent department store will have DD/DDDs.
The thing with the band (as a bunch of people have said) is that it’s the band holding up all that weight. So if you buy in a size where you can wear the middle or outside hooks, in a few months when it’s starting to stretch out from all that support work, you can move in a hook.
I was inspired by the book Stacked : a 32DDD Reports from the Front, to seek out an old-school joint where woman with beehives and smoky voices would keep bringing bras into the dressing room until they found the magic one. I asked around and was delighted to find such a place right in my city. I walked in a 40DD with most of the problems described above–walked out in a 40H (!) feeling like a new woman. There was a literal spring in my step, back stopped hurting, no more tugging, no more worrying about “double-bubble” in front. I stood up straighter and felt great. My magic bra was a Glamorise, and they do look pretty grandma but I get pink and blue ones so at least there’s that. Oh, and you could magically see I have a waist! I guess because they hadn’t really been hoisted up well before.
I will agree with all the comments about getting correctly fitted and taking the time to try on many bras to find the right one. I would give my size at the moment as a 34G but have bras that range in size from a 32H to 36FF. Also just because one style in a size fits doesn’t mean all styles in the same size from that manufacturer will fit. Cup shape is just as important as cup size. Personally I have a hard time getting a good fit with full cup bras and bras with a high front, but that is simply my individual shape. I can wear some of the most fabulous plunge and balconette style bras but have had the most awful time finding a sports style bra that goes close to fitting (even if they are the right size!).
I frequently go bra shopping, probably about once a month. I don’t always buy anything but if I find a good bra that fits at a good price I buy it. Most shops have a discount rack somewhere and I try to take notice of any sales, this way I can get the really good bras often at half price or below and now have a really great collection of bras.
In Queensland (Australia) I would recommend 2 shops to get fitted; in Brisbane “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and on the Gold Coast “Bras in Paradise”. The staff are excellent and will take the time to help you find the right bra. They carry mostly European brands, their prices for new release and full price items is high (usually around $100 for a bra), but they often have a discount section with bras as cheap as $5!
Also if you are not prepared to look after your bras they will not last regardless of how much they cost. If you don’t like hand washing (personally I never hand wash if I can get away with it!) always do up your bras put them in a lingerie bag and wash on the most gentle cycle your machine has. I never wash my bras in with another load. Always dry away from direct sunlight, UV is the quickest way to kill a bra especially in Australia. Never dry in a tumble dryer.
The more bras you own, the less frequently they will be worn and washed they will last for much longer. I would be horrified if I did not get at least 2 years out of a bra. I have a bra from Rigby and Peller which has been mended several times now but is still quite functional which I bought over 6 years ago. I have also taken in the bands of some of my older bras to keep them going for those days I don’t really want to leave the house, this way my newer bras get a break and will be good bras for longer.
As for brands, I love Freyer, but tend to only buy it on sale as $120 for a bra and $30 for the matching nickers is simply too much. Fayreform is pretty good too as they have small band sizes with larger cups and some very pretty designs, available at Myer and DJ’s. Panache does some lovely designs too though again I find them too much at full price. Also Fantasie do some really beautiful designs. These are probably my favourites but these are the ones that suit my particular boob shape, everyone is different hence the need to do lots of trying on.
Sorry for talking too much, this is a favourite topic.
The other important point is with the wrong underwear even the most expensive garment will look bad, while with really great underwear every thing will look so much better.
Nice to see that I’m not the only one who finds their bras at Penney’s.
I’ve been wearing the same model Penney’s bra exclusively for over 20 years; through major weight losses and gains, I’ve always gotten a good, affordable fit in cup, strap, and back band from this bra:
http://tinyurl.com/6c8vys
It has a wide band–it’s a 3-hook in smaller sizes and a 4-hook in larger.
But keep in mind it is not a particularly sexy bra, or good under revealing clothes.
I’m SOL, most online stores only have Goddess bras in my size, and those don’t fit me at all. I also need posture backed bras and wirefree bras with maximum coverage cups. I think I’m a G, but because I can’t shop for that in brick & mortar stores I’ll never know. Oh, also, I’ve never shopped anywhere that would let me try on a bra, I have to purchase it and throw it out if it doesn’t work because nobody takes returns. And joy of joys, I can’t, I mean literally cannot, afford to spend more than $15, ever, on anything. And $15 spent once every three months on non-food items is a major financial setback.
OK. I didn’t read every comment on here, so I apologize if this has already come up.
But what about those of us who have smallish backs and gigantic boobies? I wear a 34G, and it is impossible to find bras that a) fit well, b) are relatively cute and c) don’t cost more than my first car.
Plus size lines rarely have backs smaller than 36. And “regular” sizes rarely (if ever!) carry cups bigger than D or DD.
I have one bra. I was at Intimacy waiting for someone to get a fitting and happened to find it in a sale bin - the only one in that size in the sale bins. I only paid $28 or so, but it was originally $80-something.
It’s maroon, which means I have to layer white camis if I want to wear a light-colored shirt. I looked for the beige or white version online, but of course it was only available at full price. On the one or two sites that actually had my size in stock.
Why, because of something I can’t control, must I pay over $80 per bra when others can go into Macy’s or Target or somewhere and pay between $20 and $40. You can get 2 to 4 times as many bras as me for the same amount of money.
This is beyond a plus/not problem, because someone who’s a size 2 could have giant cans and have the exact same problem. In a world where we’re “supposed” to have big boobs and be skinny, why does the lingerie industry punish us for it? I mean, “skinny” isn’t a word I’d use to describe myself, but my back is relatively small and my boobs are big and the world is punishing me for it.
Liza - if you’re willing to pay for shipping, Bravissimo (mentioned above) does bras in your size. According to this online bra size converter, you are a 34H in UK sizes:
http://www.85b.org/bra_conv.php
Bravissimo has these bras in your size:
http://www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie?back=34&cup=h&numitems=24
It’s also worth checking figleaves.com - as someone else pointed out above, Bravissimo carry a lot ranges (e.g. Freya) that figleaves.com carry as well, so you might be able to avoid shipping charges that way.
I’m in the UK, a 36F or G (it seems to depend on the style) and would recommend Debenhams’ Gorgeous range. They last me about a year, aren’t too stiff or itchy, and actually fit properly. There’s a decent range of band sizes.
Used to get all my bras at Marks and Spencer, but became annoyed by the limited range of styles that went above D. Also, they are extremely variable in the way they fit, and I always seemed to have to try on every bra they did in about four sizes.
I have yet to try Bravissmo because of the aforementioned trying-on problem, but they are opening a bricks-and-mortar shop near me, so I intend to try them next time I need to.
I swear by Frederick’s of Hollywood. I’m at a 38 F right now. I discovered their bras when I shot up to a 40 G while nursing and couldn’t find decent nursing bras. Lo and behold, I found a deep plunge bra that was fairly supportive that I could slip in and out of for nursing and a more supportive style with a bit more coverage that worked beautifully. Pretty, supportive and only $28. I also like the Lilyette strapless in a 38 DD- comparable in priec, and I can find them at Kohl’s and JC Penney. Granted, the underwire on the strapless doesn’t sit flat against my breastbone, but hey- it’s a strapless that A- my tits fit into and B- actually holds them up.
hey Liza, I have a roommates who can sympathize — one is a 32E and one is a 32D, and a good friend who is a 34E, so I can one hundred percent sympathize with your problem. It’s stupid that so many women have to pay tons of money for bras when others can get them so cheap. We go bra shopping at the same specialty store. I have met women of all shapes and sizes there, and you are right — this is NOT just a plus size issue.
If you have a good specialty store nearby, those are best, but all of my friends SWEAR by Chantelle, because their bras don’t assume that since you have a big cup, your boobs are the same size as someone with a bigger band size. This is the bra that they all like best
http://www.herroom.com/Chantelle-2575-Essensia-T-shirt-Bra.shtml
but Chantelle makes a range. They are, of course, expensive, usually something around $60, but sometimes you can find them on sale.