Bra fitting help » Fit help for thin, small-busted woman.
Victoria's Secret » Pout Lined Demi (257-349) » 32C 32:3
Issue resolved
As mentioned, I've ordered a bra in a size which hopefully will suit me better. So I have a good starting point for a good fitting bra. Thanks again for the advice!
Original problem
This is one of the better fitting bras I own. It is 32C, demi cup by VS, but it runs small compared to most of their bras. I mostly own 32B bras, in various brands, but CK bras fit me better than most.
The bands are always too big, but I can get by with 32 on the smallest hook when new. By "get by", I mean the cups don't slide off because the band is so loose. I'm realizing my cups don't fit me as well as I thought either, because they give me armpit fat (which I don't have w/out the bra) and the center gore often pushes off my chest. I have a few bras where the cups seem like they'd be okay if only the band was not so loose. Maybe it's a style issue & not a size one...
I measure 27" underbust, 32" across my bust, and 7.5" per breast. Advice on sizing?
What looks wrong in this photo? I admit, it mostly looks okay to me except the armpit fat.
FYI, I'm tallish & thin - 5'8, 120ish lbs, US dress size 2. I'm not flat or busty. My boobs seem "wide", so that cups can seem too narrow, but then gap on top (?). My boobs aren't saggy, but they start kind of low on my chest (maybe because I am tallish?).
My biggest complaint with bras, outside of poor sizing ranges, is that they are never flattering to small boobs and/or have too much padding for small sizes.
Thanks for any help!
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EDIT:
Thanks again for your help guys. I ordered a Mark & Spencer balconette style, soft cup bra in 28DD to start.
After closer examination, I realized my bras were really bad fits all around. When I scooped the "armpit fat" back into the cup of the pictured bra above, I got quadra-boobs. When the band is pulled down into place, I can pinch an inch of excess length, at least. So it's a size issue for sure...
I'm pleased to find a lot of bras in these sizes (28DD, 30D, etc) online for very reasonable prices, albeit most are in the UK, but many UK sites will ship free to the US (such as asos.com - weeee!).
I was looking at a site in another language similar to this one, but it is more established & has more users, and as such, more smaller busted women. It was helpful to look at women wearing these sizes, as it reinforced they are not "large". I knew that logically, but there was a small part of me still feeling silly about ordering DD bras. I also read this blog about "the Bra Matrix" that was totally hilarious & spot-on with its observations and advice. So I'm onboard with my new bra size, whatever it turns out to be
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Suggestions (5)
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5
helpful
If you're wearing a 32C and you're fastening it on the tightest hook, you're better off going down a band size (or maybe 2) down, and up a cup size (or 2). Since you're 27 inches around the ribcage, I'd try a 28 band size first with cup sizes DD, E and compare the fit. From there, you can judge whether or not you need to try a different size. The band should feel firm, but you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers under the band, and the cups should fully enclose the breasts with no extra fabric or digging in (don't forget to scoop the breast tissue into the cups after fastening the bra!). It's a trial and error process of finding your bra size, but I think it's the best way.
As for the armpit fat, it would suggest the cups are too small. If you try a bra with a better fitting band size, you'll know for sure.
I hope this helps!
Updated on January 7, 2012 Flag this
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3
helpful
Gab has good suggestions regarding sizing, a 28DD or E sounds like a good place for you to start. For comparison, my underbust measurement is 26"-27", and a 28 band usually works well. Your "armpit fat" and "center gore pushing off" mean your cup size is not completely containing your breast tissue, so going up at least one cup size should eliminate that. I'll also mention that, based on your picture and body description, demi cup styles, look like a great choice for your frame/shape, but of course you'll know what works best for you.
Many local lingerie boutiques carry at least a few bras with 28" and 30" bands in various cup sizes, so they would likely (hopefully) have a good range of sizes for you to try in person. I've very recently been going through this bra resizing process as well. It can be a pain if you discover you're a size most stores don't stock, but it's completely worth it once you find bras that actually fit. You'll probably find that, once you get in your correct size, even unpadded or unlined bras are quite flattering. Good luck!
Updated on January 7, 2012 Flag this
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2
helpful
Hello Catseye,
the other users posted some very good general advice yet, so I'll talk details now:I'm a 27" (if measured very narrow) too, and I'm comfortable with 28 or 30 bands. If the 27 are measured loose around your body, I'd try 28 first, otherwise I'd start of with 30 bands.
Sizing somewhere around 28DD or 30D.I'd stay away from fullcups which aren't very flattering for smaller breasts most of the time.
You could try brands like Cleo by Panache, e.g. Juna, Sadie, Eleanor, Lucy (colour berry fits best most girls, Masquerade Rhea, Masquerade Capella, Curvy Kate Showgirl Series.
I found out that Boux Avenue caters a wide range for smaller bust too, attention, the bands come very loose! I'd order a 32C. I couldn't even close the 30 bands.Very nice too are the polish brands Samanta, Ewa Michalak and Only Her.
In general I'd look for balconette bras with wide wires and more or less stay away from plunge bras until you found your right size. Otherwise you may not know why the bra doesn't fit - is it the shape or the size? Plunges are always a bit difficult in our range.
You could have a look at my bras in bratabase too, I'm a similar size (about one cup bigger) and I think similar shape.
I hope this was helps!
Updated on January 8, 2012 Flag this
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2
helpfulHi Catseye, Like the other respondents, i would suggest you start by trying on bras with a smaller band size. Since you are measuring 27" underbust I would be looking at a 28 back size, and because you are going down 2 back sizes, you need to go up 2 cup sizes to compensate. Your armpit fat is indicative of a cup size that's too small, so you should be looking at going up a further cup size.
So I would suggest you try on a 28E first, in a balconnet style and see how it goes. If you want a comparison, try also a 28DD and 30DD. A balconnet is probably best for you because of the shape of your breasts.
Please don't be alarmed at the suggestion of you trying on a DD or E cup, a lot of people think that a DD or E cup is huge, but it isn't big at all on a 28 or 30 back. Also it takes a short time to get used to a firmer band if you have always worn a bra which is too loose on the band.
If you were in the UK, I would suggest you go into someplace like Bravissimo to be fitted, they are really helpful, but I'm thinking you might be in the USA?
Updated on January 8, 2012 Flag this
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No problem!
You should also have a look at UK sites like Bravissimo and BraStop, check out the brands like Freya, Panache and the like, and then check to see if there are any boutiques in your area which stock these brands. From what I hear, UK manufacturers are more clued up particularly when it comes to small chested women with cup sizes above a D than their US counterparts.
Good luck, and happy hunting! :-)
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I'd give figleaves a try as well. They have a US site so shipping should be faster your way too. http://www.figleaves.com/us/home.asp
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There's a great shop on the outskirts of LA, in Monrovia - it's called Creative Woman - The Wizard of Bras. They will definitely carry British lingerie and a full size range.
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@sakura
Thanks! I have not heard of that shop, and it's close enough for me to check out someday.
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0
helpfulIf your ribcage measures 27", I suggest you try a 30 band or a 28 band even. Especially if you're fairly bony, then the band doesn't have much flesh to squish into! For some, being bony means that you need an even tighter band. Other people find that their uninsulated ribcage needs a looser band.
Anyway, look into 30D/C or 28DD/D, which should help solve the issues you list. I think CK has 30 bands.
Updated on January 9, 2012 Flag this
Thanks for all of the suggestions! Yes, I live in the US, in a rural area, with just the usual chain stores nearby. However, I am close enough to Los Angeles to drive there & shop now & then. Next time I shop in LA I will check out some boutiques with more sizing options. It's good to have a general idea of sizing to start with though, in case I want to try some from online shops.