Bra fitting help » Shallow breasts - does this bra fit me? Or should I look for something better?
Victoria's Secret » Unknown Model » 38DDD 38:6
Issue resolved
Thank you! Problem solved. I went to "A Revelation in Fit" up in Oakland, and they fitted me. Turns out that while this bra isn't too awful, I get my best fit in a 40E, in the polish brands (or a DD if the cups run big). Unfortunately, every single bra that fit me was over 90$. So I think final judgement on this bra is that it is slightly too small in the cup, and the band is too loose... but it will do until I am able to actually afford a $100 bra. And since I am going back to actually buy a bra in July, the store may have more stock by then, too.
Original problem
I'm really not sure whether or not my new bra fits me. It is a Victoria's Secret Perfect Coverage (unpadded, moulded cup) in 38DDD. I know that the band fits alright, and this bra fits much better than the ones in a vastly incorrect (38C) size did, but I don't know whether I should be looking for something even better.
Only obvious fit issues from my newbie POV:
1. Straps are slightly to far apart, and tend to twist oddly and make the cup gap slightly b/c of it.
2. My boobs seem to fit alright when I first scoop them in place, and for a bit of vigorous movement while testing it. But somehow during the day, they manage to slide partially out of the cups on the sides, so I keep having to re-adjust. I have no idea how/why this is happening.
Any ideas? Are there any obvious problems that I haven't noticed?
Thanks!
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Suggestions (2)
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helpfulThe fit issues you mention are largely sufficient to declare that the bra doesn't fit you well--no need to look any further. Boobs trying to climb out on their own and straps that are too far apart and twist on themselves indicate this is a design that is not comfortable for you.
I take it you're in the US? 38DDD, aka 38F, is pretty easy to find in your average Nordstrom's or lingerie store. (I'd leave Victoria's Secret alone for now since they don't have a very good track record in terms of training their fitters, whose main job is to make you buy a bra no matter how it really fits--you can come back to them later after you've become more knowledgeable yourself and know what features to look for in a bra.)
I'd look first for unpadded seamed cups since these make it so much easier to see where the breast is in the cup and how much support you're really getting. Try on bras with more narrow set straps and at least one vertical seam.
Updated on June 7, 2014 Flag this
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t_maia has a good explanation above of the reasons why this could be happening.
Re: sizes, there are discrepancies between sizing systems. I don't know of any brands that use the progression C, D, DD, DDD, F, although they may be out there. Many British brands will do D, DD, E, F (they don't label things DDD) so in a British brand like Panache for example, yes, you might want to try an E to begin with rather than an F. Most US department stores will use the progression C, D, DD, DDD, G (meaning that DD is equivalent to an E, and DDD is equivalent to an F). British E cups are typically converted to a US F cup. British brands also use double letters from F on up (F, FF, G, GG and so on) although it's unlikely you'll be trying many bras in the FF+ size range unless you find a model that runs very small in the cups.
This can be very hard to keep track of if you are new to it so I recommend printing out a little conversion chart to go shopping, as well as a list of brands which use UK sizing, and check all the labels in store. Unfortunately I have found that sales staff are sometimes lacking in knowledge about the existence of different sizing systems, even in the big department stores that stock both British brands and others (French ones like Chantelle, American brands, etc.)
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helpfulSliding out of the cups indicates that the wires are not the ideal shape for you, either too wide or too narrow. Also looking at the cup I suspect that the shape of the cup is not quite right for your breasts. The cup seems to be meant for a shape that is slightly more projected. It is a decent wearable fit, but nothing that makes me go hurray.
Wendybiens' advice to go to Nordstrom or a local lingerie boutique is good.
If this is not an option, you could also try Lane Bryant. While they suffer from similar problems as VS, I know they have some bras that work on a shallow shape in your size. Being made for plus-size women, the bras are shaped differently, they are made for plus-size bodies. In contrast the VS bra you got is made for a slim woman with a large ribcage, resulting in your issues with the straps.
Seamed bras to try would be Cleo Lucy, Cleo Marcie and sistercuts, Masquerade Orla.
Updated on June 7, 2014 Flag this
Well, the straps fit a little bit better now that I converted it to racerback mode, but they still aren't quite ideal.
Also, I'm not a 38F. To my understanding, DDD=E, not F. I tried on a 38F recently, and it was definitely too loose in the cup; they were all wrinkled and odd looking.
I much prefer unpadded bras, but I don't really like seamed cups. My breasts are shallow and pointy, and so far, I have really had trouble finding a seamed bra that doesn't give them a REALLY odd shape.
My big problem here is that aside from the strap placement, I have no idea WHY it doesn't fit. The underwires feel good, and look like they are in approximately the right place. The gore tacks. The band fits right, and my larger breast fills the cup out just about perfectly once I scoop&swoop. So I have no idea why my boobs keep escaping. It is frustrating.