Bra Shopping is awful

[robinb]

There's a reason 80% of women wear the wrong bra size.

Someone "shared" this blog on Facebook. I thought it was interesting, so I saved it to my phone and used it to buy new bras. I went down a band size and up a cup size!

http://sameatschildren.tumblr.com/post/45962915522/do-it-now-guide-to-proper-bra-fit-and-measuring

The biggest hint I got out of it was the "swoop and scoop" so you get all the breast tissue into the cup where it belongs. The second biggest hint was to make sure the center gore of the band (between the cups) is flat against your chest. This is because the band does most of the supporting of your breasts. The last big hint was to fit on the last set of hooks which will allow you to tighten to the next set as the bra stretches.

And oh ... I wish my back looked as sexy as hers!

 

[Sparkly]

Now I know my size and know which style suits me best it's just a matter of finding the correct one in the store. I like the multiway bras but they never have my size in stock in white. Bright coloured ones are a pain with a light coloured top!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Ok,, ladies, I don't know if you have all seen or heard about the 2 women that do the show Double Divas, personally I haven't seen the show, but I have been to their store. It is in Kennesaw, Ga, but they have a website. Their associates can fit you properly, any size without even measuring you. they are trained properly on how to do this. I was shocked and in disbelief until I went to their store, I'm a believer now.


I didn't know they really made bras in the cup size I need. I did pay $52 for my bra, but it will be worth it when I get it broken in. I also bought a cami called a snug, it is truly one size fits all and it goes over your lacy bra to smooth out the lace.

The name of the store is LiviRae Lingerie/www.liviraelingerie.com

 

[Callie]

THIS!!

I totally agree! I normally love to shop, but ARG, hate shopping for bras & swimsuits!

Jeans would be third on my list with those stupid gaps at the back of the waist...

Yes! Except third on my list instead of jeans is shoe shopping. I have size 12 feet, that are VERY wide. Its frustrating!

 

[jen0610]

I hate bra/panty shopping so much I don't do it. I look like a homeless person under my clothes!! I can literally have a 100 outfit on with an over stretched, holes in the seam bra on underneath!

And taking my two teenage daughters out to find under clothes....forget about it! One would wear a sports bra under every outfit including dresses while the other wants to wear a leopard print push up under a white shirt! Aye, ye,ye! I need an IV bag with margaritas in it for that shopping trip!

Bras as an accessory with teens, I would love to smack the person(s) who came up with that idea. I swear at is the fad that I would love to see go bye-bye.

DD has a crap load of sports bra's but she wears a regular bra under it. It looks totally uncomfortable to me. But I looked at several of the other girls at the dance stuido and they were doing the same thing, so I guess I'll leave her alone about it.

Have you ever been to a Soma? My go to place for bras. They do a great job with fitting, lots of styles, great sales every now and then.

I wish Soma's carried a bra large enough. They just opened a store here and they have several that look nice, but needless to say, for a store that "caters" to larger sizes, they don't go large enough. I know that was the selling point for them getting space in the mall. They were filling a need for a place that the larger women could go to buy a good quality bra.

 

[hops&dreams]

I'm also small band, large cup (30FFF or G) and it's impossible to buy in stores. Even specialty bra stores usually have only 3-5 to choose from in stock. So, once measured, I go online to Figleaves.com. Sometimes I can buy a bra for under $20!!!

It is so wonderful to have a bra that you don't want to rip off as soon as you walk in the door!!!

 

[SueInBoston]

I follow this thread with envy as i have trouble filling 34A/B cups

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Oh, how I hate bra shopping. I am *ahem* well-endowed and it's really difficult for me to find a bra that doesn't look like you could carry two tons of coal in it. I don't like underwires, but need support. Push-up bras make me look like I'm wearing a floatation device. "Flattening bras" push my 'girls' into my armpits.

 

[carissa1970]

THIS!!

I totally agree! I normally love to shop, but ARG, hate shopping for bras & swimsuits!

Jeans would be third on my list with those stupid gaps at the back of the waist...

Lol! Every time I have to put on a belt, I think about getting some alterations done, but I never follow through. I hate that gap!

http://www.***********************/tickers/kwkz3p9ufbl3koi6.png

 

[carissa1970]

I follow this thread with envy as i have trouble filling 34A/B cups

Lol. It is like the curly haired people complaining that they want straight hair, and vice versa, isn't it?

http://www.***********************/tickers/kwkz3p9ufbl3koi6.png

 

[si-am]

The worst part about bra shopping is that the sizes are so inconsistent. I also have a small band size and larger cup size, and I'm pretty sure I'm now wearing the right sized bra, but only about half of them actually fit. Sometimes the band is too tight, sometimes the cups too small, or too large... It's a crapshoot!

I probably have about 4 different sizes in my collection right now and they all fit the same!

 

[bellanotte10]

Last time I had someone help me pick out a bra... She kept asking me if I was SURE I didn't want a push up.... Yes... I'm aware I look like I don't have anything.... But I'm actually a 36C and push-ups make me feel like my ****s are a new double chin.

Now I do it on my own. With no help from people insisting I need a push up

 

[capegirl]

The worst part about bra shopping is that the sizes are so inconsistent. I also have a small band size and larger cup size, and I'm pretty sure I'm now wearing the right sized bra, but only about half of them actually fit. Sometimes the band is too tight, sometimes the cups too small, or too large... It's a crapshoot!

I probably have about 4 different sizes in my collection right now and they all fit the same!

Yes, this is so true, the sizing is all over the place! I am presently on the bra quest of a lifetime. It used to be so easy, now the so called 'full coverage ' bras are cut so low I spill out of them. I've actually had to resort to Rhonda's Ahh Bras. I'm beside myself because I really wanted to get a couple of decent bras for vacation. Looks like Rhonda will be joining me at Disney.

 

[threeboysmom]

Thanks for the blog link, Robin! That was SOOOOO helpful!!

I buy my bras at VS, but I think their sizing is WAY off, although I admit, I've never shopped anywhere else for a bra. Based on their measurements, I should be a 34B, but not even CLOSE. During their semi-annual sale last week, I bought a slew of bras in 34C online (about a dozen of them). I'm still working my way through them, but so far every single one of them I've worn makes me feel smooshed. I've been at work now for an hour and I'm ready to rip this thing off me - don't think I'm going to last the entire day.

I know it mentioned in the blog that the front part should sit flat against your chest. The bottom of that front part does which makes me think the band size is correct at 34, but the top part is raised off me which has me to believe I'm still in the stinking wrong cup size. I think I actually need to go up another size to 34D!!! That's shocking for me, lol. I really do not look like what I'd picture as a D cup.

Are bra sizes changing??

 

[hops&dreams]

For those who are having a hard time with sizing - inconsistent sizing, odd size (small band, large cup) - try shopping in a place that sells EUROPEAN sized bras. They are much more consistent, supportive, and come in a wide variety of styles and choices - colors, with or without padding, underwire, pretty vs everyday functional.

The most widespread store that is known for their large selection is Nordstrom. They train the ladies who work in this department to properly measure and fit women for bras. (unlike VS - the lady there insisted that I was a 36B. I am a 30FFF or G. I tried on what she gave me and showed her, changed back into my own garments, talked to the manager and walked out). It has been my experience that the ladies at Nordstrom will measure you, give you a couple of sizes to try on, and go from there. They will gauge if you're spilling out of the cups, and know the brands well enough that they will make recommendations as to what styles/brands would fit you best based on where you carry your tissue. For example, I would LOVE to wear Panache bras - their tshirt bras look so wonderful! - but they just don't fit me correctly as I carry tissue rather high up toward my armpit. I will always bulge there in Panache bras because that's just how that brand makes their bras.

After I find some I like, I might buy 1 or 2 during their sale, but also go online to find a wider selection in the brands that I like, knowing what size I am. I have found figleaves.com, herroom.com, and barenecessities.com to be wonderful, in addition to nordstrom.com. Figleaves also carries supportive swimsuit tops that are built like bras - come in specific bra sizes and support like a bra. I've also gotten some killer deals on Figleaves - $12-16 on bras that normally go for $80-90.

Good luck Ladies, and I hope this was helpful!

 

[threeboysmom]

For those who are having a hard time with sizing - inconsistent sizing, odd size (small band, large cup) - try shopping in a place that sells EUROPEAN sized bras. They are much more consistent, supportive, and come in a wide variety of styles and choices - colors, with or without padding, underwire, pretty vs everyday functional.

The most widespread store that is known for their large selection is Nordstrom. They train the ladies who work in this department to properly measure and fit women for bras. (unlike VS - the lady there insisted that I was a 36B. I am a 30FFF or G. I tried on what she gave me and showed her, changed back into my own garments, talked to the manager and walked out). It has been my experience that the ladies at Nordstrom will measure you, give you a couple of sizes to try on, and go from there. They will gauge if you're spilling out of the cups, and know the brands well enough that they will make recommendations as to what styles/brands would fit you best based on where you carry your tissue. For example, I would LOVE to wear Panache bras - their tshirt bras look so wonderful! - but they just don't fit me correctly as I carry tissue rather high up toward my armpit. I will always bulge there in Panache bras because that's just how that brand makes their bras.

After I find some I like, I might buy 1 or 2 during their sale, but also go online to find a wider selection in the brands that I like, knowing what size I am. I have found figleaves.com, herroom.com, and barenecessities.com to be wonderful, in addition to nordstrom.com. Figleaves also carries supportive swimsuit tops that are built like bras - come in specific bra sizes and support like a bra. I've also gotten some killer deals on Figleaves - $12-16 on bras that normally go for $80-90.

Good luck Ladies, and I hope this was helpful!

That's a HUGE size difference!! Holey Moley!!

Looks like I need to schedule a day trip to Nordstrom so I can end this madness. I just ordered more bras online in a different size. Someone stop me, lol.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I hate bra shopping too. When I find a size and style that works, I buy as many as I can afford, 5-6 at a time, just so I don't have to go through it again soon.

You will also find that when you do this so you do not need to do it for a while when you go back to the store they have discontinued the style you like. I called Bali and complained once. They made this new Passion for comfort bra BUT if you wore a D you coudl only get it in white and beige. WHAT? So if you are a little bit big on top you don't need black or any other color to harmonize with your clothes. I called them and told them they were predjudice and it was not fair by doing what they did it sends the message if you are chunky or big on top, you do not want to look nice. SOOO ticked but the thing was the bras fit the best so I could not even boycott them!

Bottom line next season they made them in ALL colors but it did not take the bitter taste out of my mouth.

 

[Robinrs]

I follow this thread with envy as i have trouble filling 34A/B cups

Me too!! I haven't changed bra sizes since HIGH SCHOOL!! Except for pregnancies, I've always worn the same size... small!!

My sisters are the double divas and I hear them complain about the prices of bras, I buy what they call RUBBER BANDS, the Ahh Bra is my current favorite.

 

[Lanie]

I find that all of the sales peeps keep telling me I need to go up 2 cup sizes, it's ridiculous! I tried them once and I could fit my 2 ****s in 1 of the cups!

 

[pigletgirl]

You will also find that when you do this so you do not need to do it for a while when you go back to the store they have discontinued the style you like. I called Bali and complained once. They made this new Passion for comfort bra BUT if you wore a D you coudl only get it in white and beige. WHAT? So if you are a little bit big on top you don't need black or any other color to harmonize with your clothes. I called them and told them they were predjudice and it was not fair by doing what they did it sends the message if you are chunky or big on top, you do not want to look nice. SOOO ticked but the thing was the bras fit the best so I could not even boycott them!

Bottom line next season they made them in ALL colors but it did not take the bitter taste out of my mouth.

Have you tried Lane Bryant? I wore their bras during my pregnancy and they have all sorts of different styles and colors. The girls who work there are so nice.

It is hard having a full cup. V.S bras aren't nearly what they were, even 10 years ago. The majority of my bras come from Nordstrom. Those gals there are helpful as well.