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.
Can I get an AMEN?! I have broken down and cried in bra fitting rooms because no one had sizes that fit me. I was out of their range, I was abnormal, and I felt like there was something wrong with me.
Now I have some bras that actually fit and it is a beautiful, beautiful thing. I wore a 36D in high school and when I bent over my boobs would fall out of my bra and I would have to tuck them back in. (Hint: your bra is probably not the right size if your BOOBS FALL OUT.) Turns out I was actually a 30F (30G when nursing. Hooray). Now, my boobs are shrunken and flatter and every Victoria’s Secret fitting attendant has eyeballed and measured me at a 32B. Everyone seems to think a D-cup measurement is so huge and anything above that is just enormous and out of reality. However, I am a 32DDD, and I definitely do not have porn-star boobs. But I do have two bras that fit now and that’s even better. ;)
Same here. I wore 34B for ever. After 2 kids I was measured and came out at 34DDD. I freaked out and called my mom and she didn’t even believe it LOL But sure enough, they fit.
My husband puts my bras on his head like a hat when I leave them lying around. He still doesn’t believe that my boobs fit in there. Until I actually put one on. Then he believes it ;)
I have been wearing a 38DD for the last 8 years. I am actually a 40G. Mind blown! On a side note, the last time I went to VS and had a fitting, they said I was a 34B. Fortunately, I don’t shop there anymore because I resent that a bra in a D cup is more expensive than the same bra in a C cup.
Is this true?? How have I missed this my whole life? I wear a 36 DD and have apparently never checked the prices on Cs at VS.
So glad you’ve found a bra you love!
I must be honest; when I’ve heard you mention your bra size on your blog in the past, I knew you could do so much better and find bras that would do your gorgeous figure so much more justice, but I feel like bras and boobs and sizes are so personal and I’m not one to give unsolicited advice. I feel like an a-hole for even saying this much, as though I’m criticizing :/
Suffice to say, I’m so happy for you that you’ve found the new, and IMO, proper way of bra fitting. I hope you’re as pleased with it as I have been. I converted from mainstream sizing to this method about a year or so ago and have such better fitting bras!
http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits is dedicated to proper bra fitting and was where I was first introduced to this method. I used to wear 36DDs and with my first attempt at sizing, landed in a 34F. Those were great for a few months until I realized I was quad-boobing over those, and that I needed a smaller band/bigger cup. I’m now comfortably wearing a 32G. And I have quite normal average-sized boobs for my frame. So don’t be surprised if you need a smaller band and bigger cup in the not-too-distant future.
For anyone thinking, woah! I’m not a porn star! I can’t possibly fit in a X size!, head on over to http://www.brabandproject.com/ which shows (tasteful) pics of real women in well-fitting bras. Talk about an eye-opener!
As an aside, I’ve been following your blog for several months now, and find you absolutely hilarious and refreshingly real.
For a couple of years I’ve been measured at a 40D, but it never felt right. The day you 1st posted this video I measured myself at 38DDD and decided to give that size a go. My boobs are happy now.
I’m a 34JJ and have been for a while now. My best fitting was at Nordstrom, they’ve always been right on the money. I wear mostly Panache and Freya. I’ve been dying to try curvy kate so I’m going to check them out now. I actually do buy quite a few of my bras on Amazon now because the prices are good. You can get some good deals at Nordstrom when they’re having a sale too. The other websites you mentioned are great I use them all the time.
[…] to this post, I’m a 30F. While I’ve always had difficulty getting a good fit, I’m having a […]
Okay…I’ve been obsessively reading your posts and find myself in awe reading what seems to be like it could have come from my own head. I have hesitating leaving any comments, because unfortunately, I do not have your amazing writing skills. Oddly enough, what you say seems to come from my head, yet when I write anything it sounds like my 6 year old could have read it. But anyways, I will get to the point.
The bra you have on in the first picture is the same bra I have been wearing for about 2 years. Does it still stab me in my misplaced used-to-be breast tissue armpit fat? Yes. It does. Sometimes I nickname it stabby. Stabbing it back doesn’t help. However, this has been the only bra I can tolerate, because it has far less stabbing qualities than even the $72 bra I used to wear. I used to wear a 40 D, and I accepted that. I was measured (post-baby) and measured as a 42 C. How insulting…increase in width and decrease in the important areas. I had been wearing only padded bras for years, mainly to hide my nipples, I’m always freezing. I have a small torso so the padded bras made me feel like I had torpedos under my chin. So I bought the cacique tshirt cotton bra and it worked.
They have now decided to discontinue a 42 C (I guess plus size means you have to at least be a D) .
So…I can’t find a replacement bra that doesn’t have padding, doesn’t stab me in my armpitunderarmfatusedtobeboobs, and doesn’t shove everything to my chin and that I can wear under my tshirt … Which is all I wear.
Any suggestions ??
Well I proved my point… Forgot to add ” been ” before “hesitating”
And I meant to type that my 6 year old could have written it rather than “read” it. We have been learning to read…but hasn’t learned to read my nonsense yet. Thankfully.
I don’t actually have a fabric measuring tape but it is on the top of my shopping list and I am so doing this tomorrow. Thank you x a million!!! xo
A fellow 38h representing. I go to Imtimacy once a year for a fitting and attitude adjustment. I highly recommend Prima Dinna bras. My everyday is the Madison. Best $150 you’ll ever spend.
The Curvy Kate Gia is my favorite bra!!!! I have always had larger boobs and a smaller frame with horribly fitting bras. I went to get fitted several times to be told I was a 32 DDD. In my real size, after measuring myself, thank you reddit abrathatfits, I’m a 30JJ or K depending on bra. Its mind boggling at first but Its sort of life changing. Boobs are happier, perkier and I believe firmer. Think women in larger sizes automatically get put into DDD, because they’re in nothing bigger right? Such a warped system when you really think about it. Hope this catches on and women spread the word. Manufacturers won’t add the appropriate sizes until there is more of a demand for well fitting bras.
I discovered Curvy Kate from this wonderful blog… totally recommend
http://fullerfigurefullerbust.com/
And, shop at brastop.com
Thank you so much for this! I’m am measuring myself when I get home tonight. The first thing I think, when I put my bra on every morning, is I can’t wait to get home tonight so I can take this blasted thing off. Guys are so damn lucky.
Besides the fitting bra, well, fitting, it’s looks a gazillion times prettier than the first, ill-fitting bra.
Thanks for being awesome you!
Well, hallelujah!! It’s a miracle you finally found the RIGHT bra! Hooray!!!
This was totally me until October 2013 when I had a breast reduction. It has changed my life and I highly recommend it. I’m more than happy to talk about it if you are interested.
Prior to that though, bras were my daily living hell. I was a 36J. Proper measurement is key and frankly most stores are just not well trained enough or equipped to fit women properly. Not to mention if you are anything over a DD cup the likelihood of finding a bra you can fit into is nil. I bought all my bras over the past years , prior to reduction, from a business called http://www.breakoutbras.com. The have a HUGE selection including nursing, great prices, always free shipping and usable reviews about each bra, like if it fits small or large, etc… They are seriously fantastic. Check them out.
I saw that video when you shared it before, did some other online research, and went to an upscale bra store and had an actual fitting all to discover that I am a 36 E/F (or D2 or DDD, depending on how the company does their sizing). HerRoom has been a treasure trove for larger-sized bras that don’t cost a fortune (they are always having great sales!), and I’ve even found some that have a relatively narrow back strap with only two hooks but are still supportive! Those are worth every penny.
So, I need HELP. I measured and the band is 34.5 and my boobs were 47. Do I round up? Do I round down? Is there even such a thing as a 35″ band? If I round down I would be a (UK) 34J. If I round up I would be a (UK) I’m not even sure? Do I round to 35 or to 36? Dear God!
I was told once to round down, because bra bands stretch over time, so if you are JUST a 34.5, I would go with 34 to try first.
That makes sense – I just ordered a 34HH Curvy Kate from Amazon. Holy crap balls though, saying that size outloud just SOUNDS insane. Overnighting that bad boy (thank you Prime!). You’re the bees knees Brittany (I’m not actually sure what that expression means, but I thinking it means super awesomely rad so I’m just leaving it)
You are wonderful and awesome and everything boob-a-licious for sharing this!!! My dear mom has always had lovely bazungas that she’s done some seriously frustrating battles with. I sent her this in hopes it will cheer her up. She was so sad after she saw my wedding pictures. Her boobs were doing some defiant feuding during that picture day. I was sad that they were causing her so much pain (both literally and figuratively.) You’re now my favorite person…anyone that makes my Mo happy makes me happy. xo
I’m a long standing member of the itty bitty titty committee….my husband affectionately refers to me as “A-cup”. I have been wearing a 32B forever but now I am mind blown. I just followed your instructions and came up with a 26F (US cup size). Could this be true???
Do I need to turn in my membership card or can I keep it for old time sake?
I saw this video about 8 months ago and it changed my life. VS had always measured me at a 34DD. They actually had the band size correct, but I knew that wasn’t fitting correctly so I bought a 36DD and was wearing that for awhile. Finally I found this video, and my boobs are much, much happier now in their new 34H home.
You, my friend, are a bra-genius. PLEASE do another post like this about pants!
Also shirts for busty girls.
Tanks….
Shorts that don’t make me hate my thighs….
……bathing suits.
Let’s be friends. ;)
My problem is I am a curvy girl…with a smaller bust. I buy all these shirts and dresses that fit my body but are ALWAYS too big in the bust area. Le sigh.
Bras always fit me weird – but I went ahead and followed the tutorial.
I measured 38FF. And went ahead and took the plunge as an experiment and ordered a bra! Let’s see how this goes!
THANK YOU!!! I have been trying and trying to find a bra that would fit me. I’m a little barrel chested with smallish boobs, so my rib cage always sticks out beyond my bust. The last time I was measured, I was told I was a 42B. Yeah, try finding THAT anywhere. And when I finally did find one….it still didn’t fit right. I’m trying this out and treating myself to new bras for Valentine’s Day!!
My gore never touches my sternum :( I want to try Panache bras! Love this video and want to share it with the world. All women need a good bra. Thanks for posting.
Check out http://www.herroom.com too. They have a survey you can take that asks things like the position of your breasts and if your sternum is prominent to help put you in a bra.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You don’t know how helpful this article is for me. New bras, here I come!
When you are measuring you breasts with your body at the 90-degree angle, where exactly do you place the measuring the tape? Would it be across the nipple area?
Yes, across the nipple area.
Try http://www.barenecessities.com as well.
And dear god I can’t believe Cacique sold you that bra. Was that their largest cup size? They are assholes for not telling you that they did not carry the right size for you.
http://www.HerRoom.com also has a great tool for helping you pick the right bras not only for your size but for the shape of your breasts: http://www.herroom.com/know-your-breasts/Questions.aspx. And their Universal Cup Size chart is AWESOME: http://www.herroom.com/universal-cup-size.aspx
When I’m in doubt about my bra sizing, I go to Nordstroms to get fitted.
Ok, I went ahead and ordered a 32FF, can’t wait to get it! I’m also going to Nordstrom today to try on some bras. I hope I can find some really pretty ones like the one in the video. Loved the video and this post!
Welp… I guess my 42D isn’t doing my 38I boobs any favors. Guess it’s time to do some shopping!
I am so glad I found this post (Pinterest really does have useful info on it!). I have never been professionally fitted, but have done fittings at home using information I have read on the internet about how to do a proper fitting. Unfortunately, I was still having a heck of a time finding a bra that fit the way I thought it should. I even tried out that new way of measuring that Jockey is offering. and using that still didn’t really seem to be quite right. The two bras that I bought after using their fit method, still didn’t had spillage and not enough support.
After not being happy with the Jockey bras, I decided to give Soma a whirl, but even using their sizing and fit guides, I wasn’t 100% happy with the way the bras fit. Of course, they seemed fine when I tried them on, only to find that after a day of wear it just didn’t seem right. I’ve spent so much money in the last two years on bras that I thought were the right size, I wish I could just return them all and start over. It looks like I’m also a 38 H, and have been wearing anything from a 40D to a 40DD. Some of my older bras are even a 42 band! No wonder I was constantly adjusting!
So I guess I just need to get over the fear of buying a gigantic cup and just feel better about the girls actually staying in place!
I checked out the Curvy Kate bras on Amazon, and might have to try at least one out! Does anyone happen to know of a good minimizer that fits well for larger boobies? Or will none of that matter if the bra fits right in the first place? I find that minimizing helps make certain articles of clothing fit and look better, but maybe it’s because all my bras just fit wrong.
Well, I’ve also always been unhappy with how new bras have fit. So, today during lunch I bought a fabric tape measure. Hopefully I’ll get a new one ordered tonight! Thank you!
Hey! That’s my video!
I’m so glad you found it helpful and that everyone here seems to be on their way to happy boobies. :) It really is amazing what a proper fit can do, not only for your silhouette and the way all your other clothes fit, but for your self esteem. My boobs used to literally fall out of my bra if I were to bend over at all, and it used to be so embarrassing having to adjust myself in public. I’m so happy to not be in those bras anymore.
I happen to believe that properly sized bras should be included in standard medical insurance. Well-made bras that are of acceptable quality are exceedingly cost prohibitive for a large part of the population.
Also, I’m truly sorry that ill fitting bras can make you dislike any part of your body.
And yes I too have worn insanely uncomfortable bras which were torture chambers on what I believe to be my size 38F breasts for most of my life.
Let’s just talk about how AMAZING your boobs look in the new bra!!! Supported, happy, and good. Yikes, I hope that didn’t sound like I was coming onto you :0).
Seriously though. So happy that you found the “one”!
I just saw your video and read your article of Happy Boobs and I wanted to thank you. Finally, I’ll found some bras that will fit me perfectly. I do not go shopping really often because I couldn’t find a comfortable bra and the workers were always telling me that it fits me and it’s normal, event if I wasn’t comfortable. So I just want to thank you. Last time, I went in La vie en rose and she measured me and told me I was a 32B. I could n’t breath and my boobs were overflowing. She told me it was normal and it’s the way bra should fit me. It’s seem that I’m a 28G. Now, it’s time to do some shopping. :)
Love this post! After I had my second child I had a proper fitting at a locally owned store and went from the 36DD Victoria’s Secret said I was to a 32F. The difference was amazing! Started buying bras online from Figleaves.com and now order all my bras from Herroom.com because shipping over $75 is free. Also, Herroom.com has a really great Know Your Breasts Bra Finder questionnaire you can take and the results give you tons of personalized information about what to look for in a bra beyond just finding the right size. They also sell swim suit tops in bra sizes and they are amazing! Fantasie is my favorite brand for both bras and swim suits.
I was also wearing awful-fitting bras with bad underwire and little support. I was finally fitted at a bra specialty shop and purchased a complicated and expensive bra I never really liked. However, my new knowledge about proper fit led me to a 34H or 36G (depending on my weight). I love Dillard’s Cabernet bras. They come in a million sizes and are often priced under $30 or two for $40. They aren’t the prettiest or sexiest, but they fit, are supportive, and are comfortable all day and all night.
When you bend forward, do you put the tape around your back and then bring it around to meet in front of your breasts?
Yes, around your back, across your nipples. You are measuring your circumference with all your breast tissues falling forward.
Thank you! I found a site called beautyfullbras.com..she carries all varieties of bras and the pricing is awesome! I don’t think I’ll ever order from anywhere else! She has all varieties of sizing too! I’m a 32k.
Thank you for this guide on bra fitting! I won’t even tell you my extremely small size….
But more importantly….there’s a sing-a-long version to Frozen????
I don’t know if this is the most accurate chart for little boobs. According to this I would be a 36D, but I’ve tried on 36C & 36D and my boobs definitely DO NOT fill out those cups. My not very full breasts barely fill out the B cups I currently wear. And there is no way I could go down a band size to 34 – I feel like that’s cutting off vital circulation. But I find it incredibly interesting that this is helpful to so many women with larger breasts!
I’m so excited. I just ordered my first Curvy Kate. I too have never had a proper fitting. I will have to see if I ordered the right band size though. I measured 39 1/2, so I ordered up because it was closer to 40 than 38. Thanks so much for posting. I plan to share it with all my gal pals.
Found out that i am a 34 J and 12 yr old daughter is a B cup cant believe that. WOW
This isn’t working for me :(. My rib cage measures 28 and around my chest while learning over 90 degrees is 32.5. The difference is 4.5 which says I am a D. However I wear B’s comfortably. A’s are too small but I don’t quite fill out the C’s. Hmf.
I’ve found many times that a store will measure you and tell you that your size is whatever is closest to the size they have in the store. I was measured once at a 32 D/DD. I went to a different store that same week and was told, “There is no way you are a 32 D/DD. You are clearly a 34D.” When I asked if I could try on a 32, a different salesperson told me that they don’t carry a 32D in any style.
Okay…I’m using these measurement guidelines to see if I really am a 32GG. I’ve been wearing a 36D for a while, and I knew it didn’t fit me correctly. I ordered four different bras in three different styles so I will have a wide range in my sample purchase to see how the new size fits.
You’re great. Thanks.
OMG Brittany.. hilarious, informative so so so girl friendly. Thank you so much. I gained a few sizes with my children anddd…. HAVEN’T WORN A BRA SINCE
OMG Brittany.. hilarious, informative so so so girl friendly. Thank you so much. I gained a few sizes with my children anddd…. HAVEN’T WORN A BRA SINCE hahahaha. Singlets all the way for me.. Needless to say I started out small… but I’ve never figured out the whole measurement thing. Being a rebellious girl all the way, I refuse to weight myself and there’s no way on earth I’m walking around with a wire sticking into one of my most important beautiful girl assets. :) So. THANK YOU for the much needed information. Thank you redditt, youtube and stumbleupon for leading me here… THANX A MILLION xxxooo
lol.. weigh myself that is!! :)