Bra fitting help » should I be wearing a smaller band?

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Wacoal » Lace Finesse T-shirt Bra (853201) » 32DDD 32:6

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Suggestions (3)

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  The numbers don't add up. If your comfortable measurment is 73 and the bra stretches only to 71 there is no way that you would think this bra is to loose in the band, if anything, it would be uncomfortably tight.
  Just from looking at you, I think you are a true 28 band. However, going by the size of your breasts I don't think you *need* a 28 band - I think you could get enough support in a 30
  Band and possibly be more comfy. But if you have a chance, try them out both.
  32 is too big.

  Also, please try this bra on the tightest set of hooks. What happens to the cups? Do they cut in? If so, try a bigger cupsize.
  My new default starting bra I would reccommend to almost anyone is panache Envy. Hard to miss with that one. So a bandsize should be 30, and the cup arround f , +\- a cupsize depending how this bra behaves on tighter setting.

  Updated on January 14, 2014 Flag this

  
  

  • Hi Vee, I noticed that the numbers didn't make sense too, when I measured the bra. I'm going to remeasure them now and update what I find.
    When I tighten the band to the tightest hook I don't notice any changes in the way the cups cut me (or rather don't cut me). At it's tightest the underwire is pressing somewhat uncomfortably against my ribs - but like I responded to the other suggestions, I feel like everything feels tight compared to how loosely I was wearing the band. It also was pitching under my armpit at its tightest. I don't know what all that means. I think I;ll just need to figure out the most comfortable band length over some time.

  • Vee I think the measurement of the bra was close, maybe its a little longer; but you're right, I think I was overestimating what I find "comfortable". When I just measured myself again I was coming up with something more like 71/72.

    This might sound dumb (scratch that, definitely sounds dumb) but...a 32DDD...is supposed to have a band length of 32? Is that what that means? Even if my measuring is a bit off, it's certainly not 32. Dunno, just wondering

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    well you should wear whatever you find supportive and comfy. mANY women here that go by "+0" which means they don't add inches to their bandsize - so if you measure 32 inches (or the equivalent of in centimeters), you wear a 32 band.
    But there are also women who advoC0ATE +2 - so if you measure 32, you wear a 34. This usually works for breasts that aren't too heavy.
    Some women even subtract inches like -2. This is common with women who have a little extra padding on their torso.
    Anyway, no rule is written in stone, but most of us use +0 and +2, and you will have a had time finding a +4 advocate here.
    Your numbers make you a true 28 band.
    And if you prefer looser bands try a 30 :)

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  humm...

  To me, your bra don't look necessarly too loose.
  In a bra that fit me, I can pull away my bra band a lot more far than what you are doing here. I think the important thing is not to respect the rule "no more than two fingers under the band". The rule "does the bra stay in place when you move ?" is a lot more accurate. (I have a similar body shape as you (with boobs a bit smaller, and ribcage a bit more flufy and muscular), with close ribcage mesurments ).

  So, does your bra stay in place when you move and when you live your life ?
  If yes, you don't need a tighter band.
  If it doesn't, you need an other bra, maybe with a tighter band, maybe with bigger cups, maybe with a different cup shape, or underwires or something else... If the band ride up (I mean, really ride up, not "staying in place but seems to ride up"), try a smaller band. If the band don't ride up, but the cups feels weird, you should look for an other cup shape.

  I think your bra fits you quite well (if it stay in place). And it looks practical and pretty. But I am not sure it is the best shape for you, in the futur, you can try a cup with the top more horizontal, more open, with one or two vertical seams. I would try sizes 30 and 32.
  If you want to buy online, I am thinking of the Cleo Juna, Cleo Marcie, Freya half cups (padded with 2 vertical seams), (and the Panache Envy Vee already suggested). Try to find a store with free shipping and returns, so if they don't fit, you don't loose money. Maybe they have thoses bras at nordstrom, so you don't need to buy online !

  Updated on January 15, 2014 Flag this

  

  Galactica

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  29 bras

  
  

  • Thanks for the help Galactica :) I'm wearing the bra now to see how the band holds up. And thank you for the shape suggestions, I will check them out. I think I chose this cut because it's what I've always had. Clearly I need to explore a bit more!

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  In short: Yes, you need a tighter band.

  Long explanation: Considering that the band is not parallel to the floor on the loosest hook while brand new, it's definitely too large. The band should hold 80-90% of your breast weight, so if you have to tighten the straps to feel support and the band rides up in the back, it's definitely too loose (and will become even more loose over time). Wacoal (on their website at least) goes from a 28D-46HH. Sadly, anything above a DDD is in the UK only, but Nordstrom should hold other brands that go above a DDD cup in store and online. I would definitely recommend a 30 band or even a 28 considering that your "comfortable" is a 29 inches and your "tight" is 25 inches. Of course, as you go down in the band, you need to go up in the cup. Don't sell yourself short and buy "ok" bras in a 32 band just to try to save money! Invest in a more proper size. Buy overseas if you have to, or look for small, local bra boutiques that hold companies like Freya if there are any around you.

  I've been wearing the wrong size for forever (32B when I'm really a 28E/26F) and I'm in the U.S. as well, but I'm finally buying some cheaper bras from the UK. The worst part is the waiting and just hoping that they will fit right and I won't have to many any returns! But if you can find a local bra seller, or even Nordstrom, that offers a larger selection of non-American bra sizes, then you can try them on in store. If money is an issue, at least you will know which ones fit and you can buy them online usually on sale!

  If you're having issues with cups coming back and cutting in at the top (I have this same problem), either the cup is too small or the shape is not right. I have shallow-wide breasts, so I have thin tissue that goes up to my collar bone, so even if I don't fill out the bottom of a bra, it can still cut into the top of my breast because the top isn't "open" enough for me. Try balconette or half-cup style.

  I could only give a slight recommendation for your size, because every company is a bit different and even the brands within that company can have differences in their band, cup size, and cup shape. Style is just as important as fit. In Wacoal, I would recommend starting with a 30G (for some reason they jump from DDD to G and completely forget about e-ff). In Freya Deco, I would suggest trying a 30F, maybe even 28FF if you like really tight bands. It depends on what's comfortable and what feels the most supportive. Try different cup shapes as well.

  I hope this helps! This is the first time I've given advice on Bratabase before, but I've definitely done my research.
  ~Slava-Zone

  Updated on January 14, 2014 Flag this

  
  

  • 4

    I disagree. Most people don't have perfect posture, but as a trained singer I can tell by looking that the band would actually be angled down if she stood up with correct posture. You can see riding up primarily in the back where it would make an upside down U shape if it were too loose. Additionally, some brands angle their bands upwards so that even in a too tight band it will look angled up from the side. If she can only fit three fingers without pulling away, on most that would almost certainly be too tight. Some 32 bands just run really tight. Remember to focus on comfort and fit over tests and measurements, because as I'm sure you have already realized bra fitting is an art where science can be assist and is not the end all and be all, rather than strictly science.

    I agree with your recommendations, but I would include 32/70 bands in companies that run tight (like Parfait and Panache). I would only suggest 28 bands for used bras and ones that run loose (like Freya and Curvy Kate).

  • Slava-Zone Thanks for much for answering so quickly! I wish it was easier for me to get my hands on a Wacoal 30G just to see for myself. It's hard for me to tell what tightness I'm comfortable with since I've been wearing bras too loose for so long. Might mean back to the drawing board...like you said I don't want to spend more money on the wrong fit. Out of curiosity as a US buyer, what websites do you use most? I only know of herroom.com and brastop.com.

  • Thanks Jillsas! I see what you mean about the band...with correct posture it is more parallel and only slightly riding up (if at all). I can stretch the bra about 2 inches away from my ribs pretty easily. Again, I've been wearing a loose bra for so long I'm not sure how tight to go. But like you've pointed out, it's what's comfortable for me. Thank you for telling me which bands run tighter and looser too, I had no idea about that.

  • meggles2888 I know exactly what you mean; I haven't been able to try any 28Es on so I've just been purchasing online recently and hoping that they'll fit when they get to me! I used eBay and Brastop, and plan on purchasing one here on Bratabase soon from someone else in the U.S.

    I compiled a list of resources for my sewing class, because although we are all Apparel Design majors, they didn't know ANYTHING about bra fitting! Here's a list of great brands and places to purchase:

    •Amazon or Ebay – Can find many sizes on both the U.S. and UK website.
    •Bare Necessities – (U.S. website) Occasionally has sales, but always excludes 28 bands in the sales. Expensive in comparison to purchasing in the UK and paying for shipping.
    •Braologie – (Singapore?) By far the best fitting bra I’ve ever worn. A CUSTOME MADE bra for only $58, including shipping! Free shipping if they get the size wrong; they’ll work with you until it fits exactly to your body.
    •BraStop/LoveBras – (UK website) Has awesome deals/sales all the time.
    •Ewa Michalak – (Poland) Largest size range I’ve ever seen. They are made-to-order and can go down to a 20 band and up to an M cup.
    •Figleaves – has U.S. currency, but money is sent to UK and bras are sent out from UK.
    •Freshpair – (U.S. website) Offers a wide variety but similar prices to Bare Necessities.
    •Freya, Cleo, Curvy Kate, Masquerade – (brands, not stores) HUGE size range! UK companies.
    •Herroom - has U.S. currency, but money is sent to UK and bras are sent out from UK
    •Nordstrom – Offers a lot of companies and a large size range. Sadly, they don’t offer 28 bands online but I’ve seen a few in-store.
    •Local small specialty bra shops usually hold a larger size range than the average U.S. store.
    •Wacoal – good for 30A-D. Below 30 and above DDD is from their UK stock.

    I hope that list is a good starting point for you! :) And of course, you can always find bras listed here on Bratabase. I also recommend checking the measurements on this website before purchasing.

  • Slava-Zone Awesome list! I just ordered a bunch that were on sale at Figleaves. Thanks for all your help

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