Ladies only! You're probably wearing the wrong size...

[kristilew]

I wish I could shop at VS, their stuff is so pretty and I wish I could shop at Penneys (good prices) but neither of them carry my size. The high letter and small band size I wear is pretty much a specialty item (and I'm both too big and too small for Lane Bryant).

And let's not get started on swimsuits...

agnes!

agnes!, I have had a similar problem. Very small band and relatively large cups. Add in to that the age-40 side chub, and I was miserable! They don't make small band bras that are also smoothers and supporters.

I'd taken to buying a larger band, smaller cup (every size up you go in band, you go down a cup, I learned, and vice versa), then doing alterations on the band to make it fit my tiny, but still "well insulated" rib cage.

THEN, Maidenform came out with the new Total Solutions bra. For around $25! It comes in small band sizes! The small bands come with D's and DD's! The bands are wide and don't cut into the chub. Plus, the padding is "age appropriate" and puts the girls back front and center. DH is so happy, both because of the cleavage and perky factor, and because I am no longer tugging, adjusting, and most importantly, no longer whining.

And, OP, I've been "fitted" at very expensive stores, but the best fitting I ever had was from a little old lady at Dillards. Who knew?

 

[redlight]

THEN, Maidenform came out with the new Total Solutions bra. For around $25! It comes in small band sizes! The small bands come with D's and DD's! The bands are wide and don't cut into the chub. Plus, the padding is "age appropriate" and puts the girls back front and center. DH is so happy, both because of the cleavage and perky factor, and because I am no longer tugging, adjusting, and most importantly, no longer whining

Thanks for the tip!

 

[turkeymama]

I got fitted at a Playtex outlet, not far from my home. Same story for me, smaller band size and much larger cup size. The bra I had been wearing was a band size too big and 2 cups sizes too small. To make matters worse, I'm short so any sagging was making me look fat. I was shocked. A good, properly fitted bra can make almost any clothing look good and it also made me look a few pounds lighter.

 

[agnes!]

agnes!, I have had a similar problem. Very small band and relatively large cups. Add in to that the age-40 side chub, and I was miserable! They don't make small band bras that are also smoothers and supporters.

I'd taken to buying a larger band, smaller cup (every size up you go in band, you go down a cup, I learned, and vice versa), then doing alterations on the band to make it fit my tiny, but still "well insulated" rib cage.

THEN, Maidenform came out with the new Total Solutions bra. For around $25! It comes in small band sizes! The small bands come with D's and DD's! ...

I wish, the small band size sounds good but my letters come at least about 5 or so beyond that...
agnes!

 

[IDoDis]

I can never find my true size in any high-end department stores. Believe me, I've been to them all. It's very depressing. I usually settle for a size that isn't quite right, but is as close as I can get. The world thinks it's so wonderful to have a small band size and large cups, but I feel like I've been cursed since I was 13.

 

[Kirby]

I'm the opposite of a lot of you. I need a larger band size but smaller cup, size B. It's hard to find them. I've thought of going into Lane Bryant but haven't yet. The bras I wear seem to fit okay but I'm always open to trying something new as long as they are wireless which really limits me.

 

[kristilew]

I wish, the small band size sounds good but my letters come at least about 5 or so beyond that...
agnes!

Oh, I'm sorry! Sounds like maybe the alteration thing would be best for you. Or maybe we should all send a link to this thread to bra makers....kind of like a petition. Please, please, help us!

 

[golfgal]

I see people all the time and think "they would look so much better if they had a good bra". It is amazing what a good bra can do-lift the girls where they belong mostly. Too many people are spilling out over the top and bottom of their bras. If your bra is uncomfortable, it doesn't fit. I worked in a lingerie department for a few years.

 

[Monte Cristo]

Where's that "This thread is worthless without pictures" banner when you really need it....

 

[agnes!]

I wish, the small band size sounds good but my letters come at least about 5 or so beyond that...
agnes!

Oh, I'm sorry! Sounds like maybe the alteration thing would be best for you. Or maybe we should all send a link to this thread to bra makers....kind of like a petition. Please, please, help us!

I don't have a problem any more finding nice, pretty bras that actually (gasp!) fit since I found 'a la mode' in Annapolis, my new favorite store *ever*. If anyone out there is looking for a bra and you're not local to the DC/Baltimore area they did start out as an online retailer so you can always check out their website.

agnes!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I agree...Dillards does the best sizing. I actually got a new bra last month..the Spanx Brallelujah...it's amazing!! I am not that large..by a long shot, but they do support you and give a bit of a lift. also, they are soooo comfy!!!! I used the Wacoal brand before, I like them, but I love the Spanx!!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I have to say that I'm skeptical that I even have a particular size! My grandmother was a lingerie saleswoman for most of her life, so she fitted me for years. After she retired, though, I tried other places...numerous other places...

So let's see, it seems that I'm a 36D, 36C, 34DD, 42B, and the kicker...46AAA! (Do they even make that size???) My mother wears a band size 40, so I tried one of hers just to see if it truly did fit, and it didn't even touch my skin on the tightest hooks I found one particular Bali style that fits well in a 36C, and I do have one "special" Wacoal one that fits like a dream (wish they weren't so expensive, though).

 

[kristilew]

I agree...Dillards does the best sizing. I actually got a new bra last month..the Spanx Brallelujah...it's amazing!! I am not that large..by a long shot, but they do support you and give a bit of a lift. also, they are soooo comfy!!!! I used the Wacoal brand before, I like them, but I love the Spanx!!

Yes, I like these too, especially under tighter tee shirts, since they are so smooth across the back. But I've found that the bands stretch over time, and end up being too big - I've had to take them in after awhile. Now they're sort of my Saturday around the house bras

 

[pigletgirl]

I'm a 34B officially.

Its amazing what a good bra does! None of the bad ugly lines.

 

[golfgal]

One thing to keep in mind is that bras are just like every other piece of clothing, different manufactures, different styles will fit differently so a Bali bra in a 36C won't fit the same as an Olga bra in a 36C.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I suppose we're blessed out here in the land of the **** jobs.

We have:

http://wizardofbras.com/


I was very leery of going. I've been fitted a few times, starting at age 17 (where the lady said I needed more lift for a youthful figure!) and it always went poorly.

But here, ah! The Wizard of Bras is staffed with little old ladies who do nothing but fit bras. I was tucked, measured, adjusted, re-measured, and was taught how to put on each bra I purchased.

My little old lady even had me try on the same bra three times, each with different shoulder adjustments to show me (and so I could feel) what a difference a few centimeters made in that region.

I need to go back as I've gained some weight and my then-perfect bras don't fit any longer.

 

[phorsenuf]

I suppose we're blessed out here in the land of the **** jobs.

We have:

http://wizardofbras.com/


I was very leery of going. I've been fitted a few times, starting at age 17 (where the lady said I needed more lift for a youthful figure!) and it always went poorly.

But here, ah! The Wizard of Bras is staffed with little old ladies who do nothing but fit bras. I was tucked, measured, adjusted, re-measured, and was taught how to put on each bra I purchased.

My little old lady even had me try on the same bra three times, each with different shoulder adjustments to show me (and so I could feel) what a difference a few centimeters made in that region.

I need to go back as I've gained some weight and my then-perfect bras don't fit any longer.

So what's the proper way to put them on?

 

[bunny213]

I've never been for a fitting....do you have to get totally undressed?
I know...I know....you'd think at my age I wouldn't have to ask..
Barb

 

[denisem]

So what's the proper way to put them on?

Put it on, bend over and shake 'em in!

 

[ratherbeatdisney]

sorry for the intrusion ! im a guy, but i had to comment. I used to work for a womens clothing catalog company a few years ago, we had a bra manufacturer come by once and give a product demo, the told us that when they do surveys and measure women almost 60% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, most of them are not even close to the correct size!! go get fitted by a professional, your shoulders and back will thank you !! just thought i would share that info....