Bra fitting help » cup bottom too small? underwire too narrow?
Bras N Things » French Riviera Lace Full Cup Bra (001770) » 12D 34:4
Issue resolved
Thanks for all the hints guys! Trying some other bras on has helped confirm that I'm a 10E/10F and very shallow.
Original problem
After 3 years of being essentially bra-free or wearing sports bra-type bras (which of course never fit in both cups and band), I had to accept that I should start wearing a proper bra again. So I am starting from scratch!
Unfortunately in NZ there is no Nordstrom-type shops or bra specialty stores (Bras n Things is the VS equivalent), so I don't have the luxury of a real fitting. :/
This is a 12D/34D. It feels pretty good compared to previous bras (which were prob the wrong size
), though the wires dig into my sternum and the cups feel vaguely "off". I suspect I could actually size down to a 10/32 band. I tried the 12DD on in-store and it felt good (perhaps even "better"), though I could not fill out the cup volume through the middle/top. As you can see in the one picture, I can fit my finger between the upper part of the underwire and the lower part of my breast. Does this mean the cup size is too small or the underwire is too narrow? I think I have broad-based breasts (they almost connect in the middle and go almost to my armpit on the side), and are also splayed. I have well-developed pec muscles, so that gives them a steady slope from the clavicle to the nipple, but I don't think they're particularly shallow as the breast tissue starts around the armpit area. But then again, if my base is so wide and I can't fill out the cup, maybe that makes them shallow?
I'm really not sure what style bras I should be looking for, so any help is greatly appreciated! any suggestions for broad-based breasts? I am keen for seamed bras that will hopefully better mould to my breast shape.
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Suggestions (3)
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helpful
From your pictures your breasts look to be very shallow. So not much projection, more flat chest.
You look as though you cannot fill out the 12D size at both the top and bottom of the cups. However, at the same time the underwire doesn't look like it is going back far enough on the sides.
This may mean you need to find bras with wider underwire but shallow cups. It also probably means that this bra is just not right for you as it is too big in a few areas yet not wide enough in another.It's hard to tell as that bra just doesn't look like its right for you at all. If I were you I would take some time to go into Bras n Things (if that is all that is available to you) and try on some different styles and maybe try some 10D bras for comparison. You may find that size 10 bras are not wide enough in the underwire. If you don't feel that the store offers good fit advice just sneak some photos of the bras you are trying in the fitting room and we can try to help you on here.
Finding bras that work for your shape may take a little work as there are so many styles out there. Just a thought... I'm wondering if the new bonds range might work for you. Sorry I can't be more helpful
Good Luck on your journey.Updated on September 26, 2014 Flag this
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helpful
I agree...wide and shallow shape. I have the same although a little bigger cup size.
Some bras I've tried and have seemed to work : Freya Marvel, Parfait by Affinitas Charlotte, Tutti Rouge Liliana and Bravissimo Rococo Charm.
Others have reported that Caio Bella and b.temp'td have worked.
Updated on September 26, 2014 Flag this
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Thanks for the confirmation of wide and shallow! I feel like it is giving me a place to start.
And super thank you for "tried and confirmed" suggestions of good bras for this shape. Hopefully Bendon lingerie will have some wider cup options so I can find a good beginning size point for ordering the bras you suggested!
I was wondering if as a wide/shallow shape your bust/underbust calculation is pretty similar to the cup size estimations (so long as the cups are built for wide/shallow breasts)? My underbust is 32/33, with an overbust of 39ish. So would you suggest for me to start around a 32E or F in a wide underwire style, or something smaller?
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You're welcome!
For me, the calculator over on /r/abrathatfits was more accurate than the calculator on this site since it was so hard to find the end of my roots. It uses the leaning & lying measurements, in addition to the overbust. It does appear 32E or 32F would be a good place to start - in the right styles. Smaller would probably just give you too narrow wires and overspill in the armpit region. It really depends on the fit of the bra. As you try on bras, note them and take a look at the widths on Bratabase to get a good idea of the wire width that you need. It's very helpful.
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helpfulThe Australia brand Evollove is really good for wide and shallow shapes, almost across the board. From what I've seen, they tend to run a band and cup size small.
Updated on October 26, 2014 Flag this
Thank you for the insight! I was looking at the different breast shapes thought perhaps I was shallow, but then I started second-guessing. So it is great to have someone help identify the shape for me :)
There is a Bendon lingerie shop that sells at least a few different brands other than the shop brand (such as Elle Macphearson). So I plan to head there later this week and tell the salesperson I am "wide and shallow" and cross my fingers she will know what I'm talking about!