Bras for busty women?

[dakcp2001]

I highly recommend going to an Intamcy if you have once near you for a proper fitting. They will have all sizes available to try in, but only carry high end brands. But once you know how the brands fit you can shop around. I spent about 100 per bra on 2 bras, they were the best bras I ever had. I now buy the same kind online. I shop at bare necesities dot com. Prima Donna are the BEST, but I also like elomi. You might just need to buy a bunch online and then try them on and return what doesn't fit. My sizing is different in different brands.

With such a large cup and small band, she can't buy cheaply bras ever. Get some good ones. Her back will appreciate it.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Nordstroms will likely have bras for her to try on. I wear a 32 large cup size (close to hers) and they had quite a few for me to try - and of various makes. In the end Wacoal gave me the best fit but it's definitely a YMMV. By the way, what they measured me at was NOT what I thought I was at.all. I was very skeptical when they brought bras in for me to try but they absolutely pegged my size.

Love Nordstroms for bras and fitting. Suspect Macys doesn't have nearly the range of sizes or expertise in fitting.

I suppose it just depends. Our Macy's has a huge lingerie department and the Nordstrom one is tiny. The bra fitters at both are well trained but even when we went to Nordstrom to bra shop with our 34 C's they had a very minimal selection, mostly padded bras, which were fine for my teenager but not what I wanted. I actually have the best luck at Kohl's but it's getting harder and harder to find unpadded bras anywhere.

 

[JillJAddisonn]

I think that online is the perfect advent for something like this. Though I would HIGHLY recommend buying one first because some places seem to have a very different idea of what specific measurements mean (which I think is really strange, but that is not what this thread is about).

 

[LJSquishy]

I highly recommend Nordstrom. They will have a nice selection of various brands and styles for her to try on in her size. Their employees are much more trained than VS employees or Macy's employees.

Chantelle is one of my favorite brands. She may be excited to see that Nordstrom even has "cute" bras in her size, not just plain ones. I have one that is hot pink with polka dots, one light yellow lace with embroidered flowers, a beautiful dark plum, along with the basics. Even the straps are pretty on a lot of them! Nordstrom will make sure the fit is perfect...and keep in mind, she may be a slightly different size in each brand depending on the style and fit.

 

[jbthi]

As I said in a previous post, Nordstrom is my favorite store to have a fitting and to purchase bras. After saying that, all Nordstroms are not equal. My favorite is in Indianapolis. My first Nordstrom fitting was at the Florida Mall in Orlando. I liked the fitter but I went back a couple of times more and was not impressed with them. Elomi is one of the less expensive at Nordstrom but it fits me better. I commented that I would like to try one of the more expensive ones that looked good (don't remember the brand) so she brought one to me but said she didn't think it would work. My bust is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom so a lot of them do not work for me. I have a couple of Wacoal that they sold me in Orlando that doesn't do well on me. Chantelle is my favorite after Elomi but I don't think the quality is there. I have trouble with the underwire lasting on them.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My daughter is a DDD and we had to get her a strapless bra for her wedding dress. We found this brand called Wacoal and they have sizes F, FF, G and H! She said it fit better than any bra she's ever tried and all the reviews were very good.
They are expensive but you usually have to pay $$ for a bra to get those bigger sizes and this brand was also on Oprah's list of favorite things several years ago.
Just google the name and you can find the places to order it. We found it in Macy's in a DDD in the store which is pretty unusual.

Love Wacoal...very comfy!

 

[TinkerBelled]

I'm also a big fan of Bare Necessities for my online purchases. They have a lot of great European bras. For some reason, the Europeans are ahead of the game in terms of fun bras in larger sizes. I had been really depressed about my choices until I found bras in England, and then I tracked down my favorite brands here. I occasionally still buy bras from Bravissimo (my favorite British lingerie shop) online, but it's harder to return them.

ETA: I just checked, and Bare Necessities has 389 bras in a 32F (of all sorts: tshirt, lingerie, sports, strapless, etc.). Once she gets properly sized, she should look online--lots of great stuff there.

 

[Jennasis]

Ooh NO. No fittings at Victoria Secret. They are the absolute worst.

 

[Straitlover]

Once she gets fitted, www.herroom.com has a good selection of bras for all sizes, too.

 

[dakcp2001]

Once she gets fitted, www.herroom.com has a good selection of bras for all sizes, too.

I had a very bad experience with them. I purchased a bra, and the first time I wore it the underwire poked out. When you looked closely, the seam was sewn incorrectly, a manufacturers defect. They refused to return it and sent me to the manufacturer. The manufacturer said I had to go through where I puchased it for a refund and they send it back as a defect. But her room wouldn't take it back cuz the tags were removed. So neither her room nor Fantasie would return my 87$. I refuse to do business with either if them. They also removed my honest review on their website about their return policy and not making good on defective bras.

Bare necessities has been super easy to shop with. They also have great cust service if you are questioning which style to go with or if you want to know how the sizing runs.

 

[Ephany]

I actually just had my first physical fitting in probably 20 years at Nordstroms this week. Last month I got really upset at the whole bra thing, especially how my back ALWAYS hurt. I came across this article about bra sizing and ended up reading a reddit forum that's all about how to properly fit a bra. I spent a day or two reading up on it and made my DH help me figure out what size I really am. There's some great tutorials and youtube videos online. I went from a 36C/D (which is what VS told me I was in college and obviously it never changes right? ) to something more like a 35/36H.

There's a Nordstrom Rack here and a lot of people recommended shopping there to find larger bras discounted. I spent an afternoon there trying different bras on and ended up with 2 that fit better but not perfect. A few weeks later, Nordstroms (not the Rack) opened so I went in and talked to the lady about what I liked/disliked about the Wachol bras I had bought a few weeks ago. After the fitting I ended up with a 34 as the 36 Wachols were a bit loose. The jury is still out on the style I chose but just by increasing my cup size and using the band to support instead of the straps, I feel SO much better. They're pricey, but now I have a much better idea of what to look for and I can shop online or at Nordstrom Rack for clearance and sale items.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still saving my PTO days and my pennies for a reduction but for the first time in years I don't come home practically crying in pain. The fitting was good, but as I had read up on the subject, I think the whole fitting process was a bit speedy. I definitely got the impression that the lady was there to help me, not just to make a sale. If I had come in with no clue at all, she would have talked more about band/cup size, proper care, proper fit etc... Also I have probably tried on a 100 different bras lately, ranging from 34DDD to a 36H. There are definite differences between brands and styles, so you really do have to try on a wide variety to find what works for you.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I actually just had my first physical fitting in probably 20 years at Nordstroms this week. Last month I got really upset at the whole bra thing, especially how my back ALWAYS hurt. I came across this article about bra sizing and ended up reading a reddit forum that's all about how to properly fit a bra. I spent a day or two reading up on it and made my DH help me figure out what size I really am. There's some great tutorials and youtube videos online. I went from a 36C/D (which is what VS told me I was in college and obviously it never changes right? ) to something more like a 35/36H.

There's a Nordstrom Rack here and a lot of people recommended shopping there to find larger bras discounted. I spent an afternoon there trying different bras on and ended up with 2 that fit better but not perfect. A few weeks later, Nordstroms (not the Rack) opened so I went in and talked to the lady about what I liked/disliked about the Wachol bras I had bought a few weeks ago. After the fitting I ended up with a 34 as the 36 Wachols were a bit loose. The jury is still out on the style I chose but just by increasing my cup size and using the band to support instead of the straps, I feel SO much better. They're pricey, but now I have a much better idea of what to look for and I can shop online or at Nordstrom Rack for clearance and sale items.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still saving my PTO days and my pennies for a reduction but for the first time in years I don't come home practically crying in pain. The fitting was good, but as I had read up on the subject, I think the whole fitting process was a bit speedy. I definitely got the impression that the lady was there to help me, not just to make a sale. If I had come in with no clue at all, she would have talked more about band/cup size, proper care, proper fit etc... Also I have probably tried on a 100 different bras lately, ranging from 34DDD to a 36H. There are definite differences between brands and styles, so you really do have to try on a wide variety to find what works for you.

Most insurance companies will cover a reduction if they are causing pain or other physical symptoms.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Most insurance companies will cover a reduction if they are causing pain or other physical symptoms.

A certain amount has to be removed for insurance to cover a reduction.

To go the back pain route, it must be documented for many years by different types of professionals and it has to be proven other avenues have been tried and failed before surgery.
Insurance companies have become very strict and stingy.

I just had a reduction last May. My insurance wouldnt cover it so I paid out of pocket. Even so, it was the best thing I ever did.

 

[pezheadmeg]

Another vote to find a small lingerie shop and go for a proper fitting. It will make a world of difference for her. I usually go once a year, buy a few bras then replenish online. My go to bra is a Dominique that I keep a drawer full of.

Fredrick's is great when you need an F cup last minute, it just kills me they don't carry full cups in the larger cups. I would be ecstatic to spend only $20 a bra.

 

[KPeterso]

I love Chantelle bras and like Wacoal a lot. I can get either of the brands at Nordstroms, and also get Wacoal at Macy's. Both provide a lot of support and go up to the larger sizes. if you do not see one on the sales floor at Nordstroms, just ask and they will check in the back. It seems there is a lot of stock in the back.

 

[Disney Doll]

A company called Glamorise makes bras in larger
Sizes as well.

 

[Lolsmum]

I'm also a big fan of Bare Necessities for my online purchases. They have a lot of great European bras. For some reason, the Europeans are ahead of the game in terms of fun bras in larger sizes. I had been really depressed about my choices until I found bras in England, and then I tracked down my favorite brands here. I occasionally still buy bras from Bravissimo (my favorite British lingerie shop) online, but it's harder to return them.

ETA: I just checked, and Bare Necessities has 389 bras in a 32F (of all sorts: tshirt, lingerie, sports, strapless, etc.). Once she gets properly sized, she should look online--lots of great stuff there.

I literally have Bravissimo open in another window right now. In England that is definitely my go to. I've sent so many friends there.

Bravissimo doesn't even pull out a measuring tape for a fitting, unless you somehow arrive with absolutely no clue. In fact, my best fittings have never involved a measurement. It's never going to be all bras in size X fit. The shape of the cup matters so much, bands can be stretchier or less stretchy, and some bras just plain don't work on some people. I currently own bras in everything from a 34F through a 38DD right now, all of which fit me. There is no substitute for trying them on.

 

[stsomewhere]

I'm also a big fan of Bare Necessities for my online purchases. They have a lot of great European bras. For some reason, the Europeans are ahead of the game in terms of fun bras in larger sizes. I had been really depressed about my choices until I found bras in England, and then I tracked down my favorite brands here. I occasionally still buy bras from Bravissimo (my favorite British lingerie shop) online, but it's harder to return them.

ETA: I just checked, and Bare Necessities has 389 bras in a 32F (of all sorts: tshirt, lingerie, sports, strapless, etc.). Once she gets properly sized, she should look online--lots of great stuff there.

I order bras and bikini tops here. It is great! I wear a 34 H.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

A certain amount has to be removed for insurance to cover a reduction.

To go the back pain route, it must be documented for many years by different types of professionals and it has to be proven other avenues have been tried and failed before surgery.
Insurance companies have become very strict and stingy.

I just had a reduction last May. My insurance wouldnt cover it so I paid out of pocket. Even so, it was the best thing I ever did.

Yep.

Luckily mine WAS covered, but it was not an easy process.

 

[mom2febgirls]

Thanks again! Nordstrom is having a Great Fit event this weekend so we'll be heading there to get measured