Bra fitting help » Totally wrong. Need a better starting point.

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Faded Glory » Unknown Model » 36C 36:3

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  So, to start: how did you come up with 34DDD/E? Did you use one of the calculators from this website? If so, that's a good start.

  Two good calculators: http://instacalc.com/7453 will give you a ratio so you kinda know if you tend to be full on bottom or top. That matters for bra shape.

  For size: http://sophisticatedpair.com/bracalculator.htm or http://bustyresources.wikia.com/wiki/How-to_determine_bra_size#

  My immediate reaction is that you have soft, pendulous boobs so I would stay away from molded "T-shirt" type cups for now. Look for a 3-part cup. Why? Because soft breasts tend to "flow" to the bottom of molded cups (which you can see your boobs are doing in the photo). If you can, try Chantelle or Wacoal or Freya in the size you come up with using those calculators.

  Put the wire into the bottom crease and see how the band feels. A well-fitting band will feel VERY snug to begin with if you are not used to one!

  Updated on August 2, 2013 Flag this

  
  

  • Thank you! Yep, definitely pendulous and soft! I can't find the calculator I used before but it was just like the bustyresources (subtract band number from fullest part number for cup). Thanks for the recommendations; before I started reading about this stuff I just figured a molded cup was what I needed BECAUSE of how soft they are. I was always afraid that the non-molded ones wouldn't hold anything up, but I'm learning that's not so.

    And none of the bras I currently own want to STAY in the bottom crease... Again, thanks so much. I'm finally feeling a little less nervous about blind-buying a new bra.

  • If the band doesn't want to stay in the crease, it's too big. Got that? Because it could be wrong! (I'm not trying to confuse you, really).

    I suggested Chantelle but I can't wear them because they don't fit the root of my boobs (I too have soft pendulous breasts but different than yours). What happens is the wires are too narrow (maybe) or the cup is too angled by the inner part of my breasts, so the size and weight of my breasts pushes the bra down. I am close-set, so I need a bra that gives me room in the cup in the middle. This is hard to explain until you've tried some bras and worn them and figured them out.

    But you're built somewhat differently so Chantelle might work for you (and might be easier to find if you are in the US). So as you try on a bra, don't be rushed (note: I should take my own advice!) Does it feel like your boobs want to push it down? Find a different style or brand. Raise your arms. If the band stays put, you have a better idea of band size (but some brands have little quality control, so read up on styles and brands here).

    Type in wide-set and see what you find on this site. I'm short so I need bras that don't come up too high under the armpits. Some short people like to feel contained there and some feel too contained.

    So--go try on some bras and let us know!

  • One more question: is a balconette the same as a 3 part cup? They look...similar to me but mqybe theres a difference?

  • Sometimes. Usually. But a 3-part can mean full-cup as well.

    You'll find some of the terms mean what the mfg wants them to mean. I have no idea what a balcony is vs. a balconette, for instance. And a Freya or Fantasie plunge might not be the same as a Natori plunge. For instance, there is no way, in theory, I can wear a plunge without, well, plunging out. But I can wear SOME Fantasie plunges.

  • RG I'm pretty sure that calculator is to help you determine your root width and projection, as I see no ratios there that will help for full on top and full on bottom.

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  34E (UK) looks like it could be a good starting point. Perhaps it's your illfitting bra but it also looks like you have fairly soft and shallow breasts. I recommend trying out half cups like Curvy Kate Showgirl bras (Thrill Me, Tease Me, Fleurty, Entice), Masquerade half cups (Arquette, Orla, Antoinette) (in both 34E and 36DD because they run small in the band, which might not be as comfortable for you), the Cleo Juna and Maddie (and similar cuts), and Freya half cups (which you might want to try in 32F as well because they run loose in the band).

  Updated on August 2, 2013 Flag this

  

  Jillsas

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  63 bras

  
  

  • They're definitely soft. I'm not sure if they're shallow? I want to say yes, but I don't quite have a handle on what exactly that means. Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to put them on my "to try" list right now!

  • Shallow means that you don't have a lot of projection. You might have the same volume of breast tissue as someone else, but it actually covers less area on their ribcage and sticks out more whereas yours covers more ribcage area but doesn't stick out as far.

    I only suggested that you might be shallow because you only seem to have only a little bit more projection than you should in a bra that small.

  • Right, thats what I thought but I wasnt sure. And that's part of why ive been wearing the wrong size for years. I figured "they dont really stick out, they can't be that big." And its only gotten worse since having kids.

    Yeah, when I lean parallel to the floor and measure the fullest part around I get 42 inches, but standing up straight is 38. So...what do I look for? Less cup depth? Longer wire? Just look for recommendations for shallow boobs?

  • If those are your measurements, I'm inclined to think that 34DD - 34G (UK) is the size range that you're looking at (which I get it, is huge, that's 5 whole sizes). That being said, I think you're likely closer to 34DD or 34E just by looking (though I could be wrong).

    You're looking for wider wires and less depth for the best shape and support. I named a couple in my original post, which are all good for shallow breasts.

    Another one that works on some people (and I think will work on you) is the Cleo Lucy. It has a wider center gore (so it can provide more center support to prevent the spillage of your soft tissue and also it fits the space between your breasts better probably). The Cleo Lori is also coming out soon, and that's the same shape as the Lucy if that appeals to you.

    Here's a good list: http://www.venusianglow.com/2012/09/small-breasts-with-broad-base.html

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  I would look for a style that has a fairly high center gore to help keep your breast tissue inside the bra - in a plunge style like you're wearing in the photo you might find that your soft breasts fall out the center of the bra when you bend over.

  I would also look for a style that has a square neck (balcony/balconette) and doesn't come up too high at the sides as your breasts are not full up high on your chest.

  Some suggestions: (I've mostly picked Panache tried-and-true staples here because their wires are med to wide). These models also tend to fit true to size so if you can nail your correct size in one of these models you should be able to carry that over to a wide range of brands and bras.

  Panache Tango Ii Balconette (3251)
  Panache Jasmine (6951)
  Cleo Lucy (5851)
  Panache Melody Balconette (6051)

  You may also see success with Curvy Kate as I hear their underwires are wide, but I've never tried these on so can't advise which styles are good starting points!
  

  Updated on August 3, 2013 Flag this

  
  

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