This post has been updated January, 27, 2020.
Note, I purchased all these bras myself, but this post does contain Amazon affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
All women know the look.
One second, everything is fine.
Then maybe it’s a boisterous laugh, bending over to grab something, or you know, literally any movement at all.
*snap*
Time stops.
You know those medical miracle news stories where they show x-rays of dudes with nails in their heads that somehow missed every vital area, one day, that will be me.
Except instead of a nail to the face, you’ll see an x-ray of my chest cavity on the screen with half a u-shaped bra wire narrowly missing my beating human heart.
Wire snaps happen to the best of us, even more so when our bras are cheap, old, or ill fitting.
From 1989 to 2014, I was in an abusive relationship with my breasts.
At 8 bound them down with bandages, at 17 they hung below the table during strip poker, and at 28 they began to rest adorably in my arm pits when I lay down. I’ve spent over two decades hating them, cursing them, and stuffing them into ill-fitting pretty things.
I have really big, heavy, and saggy boobs.
Halter tops and tube tops were never an option. Thin strapped tank tops weren’t really doable. Heck, walking into a store and leaving with a bra that actually fit me just wasn’t a thing that ever happened.
My life has been full of a lot of fashion scenarios that just didn’t work out.
I’ve been measured in brick and mortar stores numerous times, always getting a different number but the same result: me stuffing my boobs into bras that didn’t fit.
Spilling over, oozing out the side, snapping wires; I was a mess.
All of this changed when I learned how to properly measure my breasts and invest in properly sized bras, and the perks of this include that I end up spending less money on pricier, well constructed bras that actually fit and last, and I could DIY this whole entire thing myself, in my own house.
That’s right, not in a small, poorly lit dressing room over the stupid bra I walked in wearing while the instrumental version of Good As Hell serenaded the frustrated girl with a measuring tape trying to pressure me into an infinity D sized bra.
I measured myself in 5 minutes while eating pie and watching Riverdale, and then ordered my bras from the internet, the way God intended.
How-To
A few years ago, I shared a really great how-to video disputing everything you thought you knew about bra sizing, and I’m standing here years later confidently saying, it was totally right.
You can watch the video in length for great discussion about how to properly fit yourself for a bra, but I’m going to break it down real quick below in three easy steps.
Okay, take your bra off and throw it in the fire.
(Just kidding, wait until your new bras come, then burn them in a fire surrounded by your best friends while you curse all men and howl at the moon.)
- Take a fabric measuring tape, put it around your rib cage where your bra band would sit, and exhale. Write down that number, it’s your band size. Mine is 38.
- Bend over at a 90 degree angle. Yup, your boobs should be dangling and you suddenly remember why you always wear a bra during doggy style. Wrap the measuring tape loosely around your back and dangling bust, and write that number down. Mine is 49.
- Now it’s time for some math. Take those two numbers and subtract them. (i.e. 49-38 = 11) Now take that number and check out the chart to determine your cup size.
Tip: Most online ordering is done using UK Sizing, which is way more consistent than US Sizing, if you can believe it.
*stares at you in womens jean*
All reputable bra sellers should stipulate whether they use US or UK sizing on their websites, so you may need to look around for it to be sure.
I am a 38H. AAAAAAAAAAA-CH.
Your first time ordering your correct bra size is terrifying. I mean, the size sounds cartoonishly huge, and goes against everything we have all been told about normal boob sizes.
I’m a 38 year old mom in Ohio, not a fetish porn category, amirite?
Narrator: She was not right.
Finding bras and figuring out my size and breast type has been a journey, and it’s easy to get discouraged when the first one you order doesn’t fit. Return it and keep trying.
This is something you wear everyday. It should be comfortable and supportive, and this is me giving you the permission you need to prioritize this care and purchase.
Now I’m going to show you some of my absolutely favorite bras, one that’s a big hot mess, and leave you with some must-have tips to start you on this journey. I may not have the perfect answers for you, but this is a great place to start.
Everyday Bras
Freya Women’s Starlight Side Support
This is my current fave. I wear it with almost everything right now, because it provides enough coverage that I’m never spilling out of it, and you don’t see the outline of it in any of my shirts.
Also, If you find yourself spilling out of the sides of a bra, lean forward and scoop all of that “armpit fat” forward into the cup, because chances are, it’s not just fat, it’s breast tissue.
This is a UK sized bra, I am wearing a 38H.
Curvy Kate Victory Balcony Bra
Curvy Kate was the first big-girl bra brand that I fell in love with, because it just got me. The cups fit great, the wire didn’t come up so high it dug into my armpits, and it was cute as hell.
I get a lot of lift from this bra, and absolutely no spillage. Sexy full-coverage bra say what?
I also highly recommend their swimwear. The bikini tops are sized like bras, this the the smartest brand ever created, everyone else can just go home.
This is a UK sized bra, I am wearing a 38H.
Glamorise Women’s Plus Size Front Close T-Back
Alright, two amazing things are happening here. First, front clasp bras are the tits. I love them, they are so easy to put on, and actually really hot to undo during sex, so there’s that.
But this bra also has a t-back which makes it perfect for racerback shirts, sure. But it’s also a wide enough t-back that it actually smooths out all my back lumps and it so incredibly comfortable.
Guys, I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but sometimes wearing racerback bras turns me into the Hulk. It’s like the pressure between my shoulders hits some nerve that makes me want to crawl out of my skin and murder people. This bra does none of that, so you are welcome, all of humanity, you’re safe for now.
I find the bands of this brand to fit small on me, so with some trial and error, I’ve landed on 40G being my perfect fit.
Curvy Kate Dreamcatcher Balcony Bra
The Dreamcatcher is one of the very first bras I purchased, and it remains a staple in my wardrobe. it’s very light, nude, and you don’t see the lace through my shirt fabric.
This balcony bra is what I wear with all my low-cut shirts because it gives me the best separation and cleavage. These big girls can uniboob like no other and need to be tamed on the regular.
This is a UK sized bra, I am wearing a 38H.
Curvy Kate Lifestyle Plunge https://amzn.to/2RTslsK
Oh girl, you know what this bra is, don’t you?
It’s my Lizzo “baby, I’m the whole damn meal” bra.
This bra is sheer but stretchy. It’s low cut and perfect for my v-neck obsession, but also really, really comfy. And it gives me absolutely zero side boob attitude.
This is a UK sized bra, I am wearing a 38H.
Sports Bras
Glamorise Double Layer Custom Control Sports Bra
I am going to feature these sports bras from highest to lowest impact. This Glamorise Double layer bra is hands-down the most supportive sports bra I’ve ever owned. This bra is wireless, and you can actually adjust how high you want the top cover to fit and lift you.
The pros of the bra are that I get almost no bounce from it, and it’s really easy to adjust. I primarily mountain bike, so I lean forward a lot. I hate spilling out the top of the bra, and that is never an issue here.
The cons are that because it’s wireless, I don’t have much separation, and the pressure of the support cover binds my boobs down kinda low and flat. But again, I gladly accept all of that for the support this thing gives me.
Again, These bands are small on me, I am wearing a 42G.
Livi Active High-Impact Sports Bra
The best part of this bra is that the straps are entirely adjustable, giving me lots of lift, and while I might not be looking for that while biking, I do like it while running on the field while coaching my soccer team. Also, the underwires provide separation, which means no swamp boobs, and that’s a perk for the people who hang out with me after the game.
I found this bra in-store at Lane Bryant, and it’s always an exciting adventure when us big-boobied ladies get to shop in person!
The is a US sized bra, and with some fitting room work, I determined a 42G fits best.
Torrid Lightly Lined Sports Bra
Alright listen, I love Torrid. I find loads of really cute clothes there, and their leggings are life. But lord do I struggle with their bras. I want to include them here because I know lots of people love Torrid bras, and they always recommend them to me, and trust me when I say, I’ve tried tons of them. This sports bra is the only one I haven’t returned.
First, this is a comfortable bra in that it’s light, soft, and doesn’t poke me anywhere or anything. However, I can do zero sports in this bra, because the anti-bounce support just isn’t there for me.
I have very long, heavy boobs, and the majority of the fat sits at the bottom of them. Torrid bras and bathing suits have very shallow cups, so they don’t work as well for me, at all. Things get really jiggling really fast in their bras, and that’s great for sex, but bad for yoga.
However, I do enjoy this bra, and wear it when I need something a little more sturdy than an everyday bra, but not anything that’s going to help me climb a mountain. I love this bra for theme parks, in fact, I call it my Disney bra because it whisks away moisture and keeps me supported hiking around a park, but also gives me great lift and a cute look under my tank top.
This is a US sized bra, but Torrid only fits up to an H cup, so 40H seems to be the best fit I can get there.
Sleep Bras
I know there are millions of women in this world that come home, take their bras off, and exhale. I am not one of them.
As much as I sometimes loath bras, I hate the sweaty, skin on skin stickiness I get from going braless, especially when I sleep.
So, while I don’t ditch my bras the second I get home, I do often change into a way more comfortable version.
The Genie bra is my absolutely favorite sleep bra. Yeah, there is zero shame in my Made-For-TV game, y’all. I grabbed one of these from the shelf while checking out at Walmart, and I’ve kept a drawer full of them ever since.
As far as wireless bras go, I actually get a bit of separation from them, and they are really soft and breathable.
Bonus: These make the perfect starter bras for tweens and teens who don’t need cups or underwires yet, my daughter loves hers!
I am wearing a size XL.
I was completely unaware how fun and soft these Cacique wireless bras were until I came across one on the clearance rack in Lane Bryant. Since then, I always look for them on sale, because they are so nice to slip into when I’m just not having it anymore with my underwires.
Which is, admittedly, often.
Cacique uses US sizing, I am wearing a 40G.
Third Love is so confusing to my soul. Hands down, they make the most comfortable bras I’ve ever, ever worn.
Seriously, it’s like being motor-boated by an angel.
The fabric is soft, the straps are heavenly, even the band feels amazing.
But, I just cannot get the lift I need from them, no matter that I do. I think the problem lies in the fact that I can’t get the straps adjusted as much as I need to, because the strap just doesn’t allow for you to have full access to the whole thing.
So, while I wouldn’t wear this out of the house, it is one of my most favorite bras to be a homebody in.
I am wearing a 36H.
Strapless Bras
Wacoal Plus Size Red Carpet Strapless
Best strapless bra I’ve ever owned, period, end of story.
It stays up, like, for real.
It’s smooth and you can’t see it under your clothes.
It doesn’t make your boobs a weird shape.
I love it like no other.
I am wearing a size 38G.
Curvy Kate Women’s Luxe Strapless
This strapless bra gives me lots of lift, and when I am wearing something with a tight bodice and thin straps, this Luxe strapless works great. It also has a bit of padding, a nice round shape that comes up higher on my boob than the Wacoal, and does stay up relatively well.
It does, however, show in looser shirts, and sometimes makes my boobs look a little weird.
This is a UK sized bra, I am wearing a 38H.
Brassy Bra Size DD-DDDD/ European G
Um.
That Facebook ad is a liar.
I ordered the largest size available in this “bra” and it held these jugs up for exactly 5 minutes, and I wasn’t sweaty, no lotion, nothing. It was comical.
I wish these things worked guys, and I will say, they are very soft, stretchy and comfortable to put on and remove, but nah. They don’t work for me.
Perhaps if I used two on each side? But honestly, you get one use out of these stick-ons, and they’re expensive, so I wasn’t about to waste them. I figure I’ll pass them on to someone with lighter boobs than my own.
Tips
Check your band. When trying on a bra, if you are hooking the clasp on the innermost (tightest) hook size right off the bat, get a smaller bra. Bras stretch, not shrink, so it will only get looser as time goes on, and you’ll have no way to make that band fit snugger.
When in doubt, size down. Again, bras stretch, so if you find yourself between band sizes, I prefer to go with the smaller band size, knowing eventually, it will stretch to what I need it to do.
Keep the proportion. Bands and cups are typically sized proportionately. So if you need to buy a bigger band but the cup fit fine, try going up a band size, but down one cup size.
For example, if the 38H I ordered is too tight around the band, I’ll try a 40G, instead. If the 38H is too loose, I’d try a 36HH.
Check the goring. If your bra gaps, and doesn’t lay flat against your sternum in the front, it’s not the right size. The goring should be against your skin, keeping those boobs in their cups and supported.
You got this! Don’t get discouraged. Just because one brand doesn’t work for you, doesn’t mean you’re doomed to never having a great bra. Keep trying until you find the brand that fits your body.
Final Thoughts:
As women, we experience virtually zero standard of sizing across any other form of fashion, why on Earth do we assume bras would be any different?
This is why it’s so hard to accept our correct (and often larger) bra measurements, because the systems we are used to are not accurate, but rather, available.
We are being fit into what is available to us in stores based on what society thinks is an appropriate size to offer, and we’ve accepted it because we’re afraid of being abnormal or large or different… when the fact is, I am not any of those things, and neither are you.
Not wanting to be a certain bra size is not the same as not being that size. Give it a try. I promise you, people are not going to guess what your bra size is in a well fitting bra, but they can absolutely tell what size you aren’t in a bra that doesn’t fit.
How do you find companies to shop from online? I am so tired of under boob spillage and top spillage. Basically crappy bra from Lane Bryant. Please any help will be appreciated.
How do you find companies to shop from online? I am so tired of under boob spillage and top spillage. Basically crappy bra from Lane Bryant. Please any help will be appreciated.
Do you take measurements with or without a bra on?
Take your bra off, you should be taking measurements without any clothes on. Finding companies has been trial and error. The brands I have featured above have worked well for me.
I went for it! I actually found a few cute ones with the 44 band size! Yay! I did change in one as you said that worked for you, and they didn’t actually have the 44 H….*Fingers crossed* Hoping the arrive before my trip, and they fit perfectly! Then I can spread the word to my momma…where you think I got these honkers? Seriously! Thanks Brittany!!
I love using this method for fitting! My daughter is just entering the world of boobs/TaTas. This is the method I tried to use for her, but I had forgotten to do the DANGLE! I’ll have to save that for when she trully deserves an embarrassing mom moment.
[…] boobs, boobs. As you know, I love me some good boob support, and I’ve written about proper boob measurement in the past. I wanted to share two really fantastic bra finds with you, because my boobs are crazy […]
[…] you’re a gal with a large chest, than I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check out THIS POST from the popular blog, Brittany Herself. A friend of mine swears by her bra-fitting methodology, […]
Came across this site from a pin on Pinterest. Great info and love the humour!Just one question. You mention that on subtracting 38 from 49 and getting 11 and then checking out the chart to check for cup size. I could be sounding totally retarded but could you also mention what chart you used?
Thanks!
ugh never mind I found the chart.Apparently it didnt load the first time :P
[…] at any lingerie shop. If you’d prefer to do it yourself, Brittany Herself has an EXCELLENT how-to on her blog. She also includes a super in-depth video in her post by Caty135, which I’ve also included at […]
I have been wearing a 38 B or C cup for years and by the measurements, I am really a 36 DD… I bought two bras that are the same to get used to my new bra. I do feel that the bra fits a bit tight being that it leave a red mark around me. Should I try going up a size band and down a cup size resulting in a 38D??? Any help provided would be super!!!
They say to always let the band be the tightest feature, because it stretches. Have you tried another brand? They all fit so differently. But if you want to stay in the current brand, you could size up once in the band and down a cup size.
I had a bra fitting done, and yes it fit the boobs great but it rubs at the edge of my armpit (extra side-boob area). Everyone I have tried does this.
Suggestions?
I have the same problem with a lot of bras. I’ve found balconets are good for less rubbing in that area. I have a small ribcage and the “root” of my breasts is really large. They just keep getting bigger, while I don’t. I’m a 32Gish. I haven’t been fitted lately.
My daughter would be like a 38A. Where can I find that size?
Hey there! I was scrolling through Pintrest and came across your bra fitting blog and sneered at it, actually. I have to be honest. I work at Victoria’s Secret and I have made it my personal mission to put every woman that I help in a bra that makes her feel comfortable, sexy and that gets the job–not only done–done right. And to me, that means making sure that her bra fits perfectly. And not just giving her one that kinda works. If our store doesn’t have her size or a bra that fits her perfectly, I don’t hesitate to recommend something else. Or, I even like to invite her back in when she has more time to literally play dress up in the fitting room and try things on until we find something that she really loves. I don’t make commission, I just made this vow because for so long I was put in bras that weren’t my correct fit, and by the end of the day would have terrible back aches and could not wait to tear the terrible boob strangulator off of me.
ANYWAY, so, I clicked on the link and read your advice and actually found it really quite handy! I really appreciate the post. I suppose I was so put off by it at first was sheer selfish self defense. So many times I get women that come in that refuse to take my recommendation and I can’t understand why. But I always tell them the same thing: “I’m not going to tell you what to and what not to wear. But I will suggest something that I believe you will be happy with and that fits your body best.”
Now, with that. I have a question…
About the “bend at a 90° angle and measure your bust” that way rather than in the upright position. I’m wondering…what if a woman has more low-hanging breasts? Wouldn’t that give for an inaccurate measure? So, what’s your opinion on how to measure that client? I just thought of my mother. Who had a C cup and if she were to bend over her breasts would sag significantly–forgive me mother for sharing this without your consent. Anyway. Let me know! And sorry for any typos. Typing this quickly on my phone!
I currently work for a plastic surgeon and surprisingly the correct way to measure the band size is to measure directly under the arm pit above the breasts. Then measure around the breast at the most protruding point and the difference is cup size. The band underneath almost never measures the correct inches to compare to actual bra size. That’s how plastic surgeons are trained to measure in medical school. Obviously bra shops aren’t being taugh to do it that way so it might not correlate but I thought you might find that interesting.
[…] Image c/o Brittany Herself […]
[…] Click here to read full article […]
Thank you for the blog, it made me giggle a lot and its good to know there are other women who have a love/hate relationship with their boobs. I just wanted to say that I used to spend a fortune on bras, I am E cup- depending which store I buy and I used to be (well still am) that my girlfriends can go shopping in all funs hops and get lots of lingerie and then there is me in the shops which clearly dont stock anything more than a D cup. SO obviously I have also had to pay a fortune on bras,,I’d rather spend it on something else. So I recently came across an online underwear outlet mybraoutlet and they have bras for $10. I ordered once and Was very happy, and ordered second time and still very pleased- the styles arent always the funkiest, but they are very comfy and do large cups at affordable prices. Maybe someone else can save their bra money on a nice top or lunch out instead :)
I went to one of the most expensive department stores where they have a woman measure and fit. It was a joke. I wash these so-called experts would learn the proper way to fit their clients for the proper fitting bra. I wish someone would open a business who will make bras to fit the individual after they have been properly measured.
I forgot to mention that department store was in San Francisco, California, you would think when a client has to pay such a high price they would learn the proper way to measure, and also have bras in the right size without having to use expanders. I will never return to that store.
[…] One of the most popular posts on this site is the post where I show you how to accurately measure your bra size, and then offer up a few of my favorites. If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend it, just click here. […]
Great advice! Have you ever found a good source for swimsuit tops??
Thank you so much for this! I am 5’6″ and 130 lbs. Up until I found this I had always bought 32A bras because that is what seemingly fit me best. I always wondered why the bands would become to loose so quick. One day I decided to go into Victoria’s Secret and have them measure me. They had told me that I was a 30A and had me try on a few different styles in that size. None of them really fit me well at all. Then I found this and my friend and I found this and measured ourselves. When I told her that the chart was saying that I am a DD she said there could be no way that I was bigger than she is. I let her convince me that I was still an A cup. So I bought a 28A from the Little Bea Company. WAY too small. After much trail and error and many people telling me that there is no way that I could be the bra size that I am because I don’t LOOK like the size that I am I have found out that I am a 28DD. Thank you soooo much for all of the great advice!
Hello there,
I read this post and other similar posts denoting this method for determining band and cup sizes. Previous to this, I have been measured incorrectly, gone off of the whole add 4″ to the band measurement and then try to fit your boob into a cup 2+ sizes too small. I used this method to see if I could find a bra that fit, but took the bust measurement standing with the measuring tape just touching over the fullest part and followed the directly under the bust measurement. I was tired of looking like something from Star Wars every time I put on a fitted t-shirt. I went from a “38 D” to a 34 G (UK sizing), 34 F (US sizing). I was extremely skeptical that my breasts were large enough to fit in those cups…..uh, no. Well, to my surprise, they did. One thing some of you ladies may not know/be doing is the scoop/lift method when putting on your bra. Sounds stupid, right. Yeah well, just try it and see. Put the straps over your shoulders, hook the band, bend over 90 degrees and cup your breast, scoop it into the cup……yes, even that side boob, and viola…..your cups should be full. I discovered this almost 3 weeks ago now and I not only fill out that G cup, but my breasts are more front than side now, so I know, know, know this works! Also, if you wear under-wire, it is supposed to rest under your breast. There should not be any breast tissue under that wire.
My dear, you are so very correct; big breasts are a specialty all to themselves. Mine get in my way all the time. I can’t see how much I weigh, not that I really want to, mind you, but, if I did…..and oh, excuse me button down shirt, pajama sets, one size fits all, um, no. No, one size does not fit all, scales have no reason to lie, and really? Really? No pajama sets, c’mon! Alight, ranting resting. I feel it. Thank you my large busted sister; thank you.
Choosing bras with a right size is important, not only for our comfort but also for our health. Wearing a bra with smaller size than your size will make you feel discomfort. Besides, it also can block the bloodstream around the bra band area.
[…] friend, Brittany Gibbons, wrote about this issue in much more depth and probably with more style and finess…. Everything about the measuring instructional video makes sense. It worked to size my daughter who […]
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