Bra fitting help » Down band size and up cup size? Or just bad bra?
Curvation » Back Smoother Underwire (5304570) » 42DDD 42:6
So here's my latest venture into the world of well-fitting bras. Or, in this case, a terrible-fitting bra. As you can see, it's way too small in the cups and possibly way too big in the band. I'm most comfortable at a 42 band, but maybe I need to go down to 40? Or maybe the band on this particular bra is just way too stretchy?
Most calculators I've used put me at a 42DDD/E or F or a 40F/G. However, I've always had pendulous breasts, and ever since I lost a lot of weight, the problem has only gotten worse. They're also quite wide set, so I need something that can lift and push them more toward the center.
Obviously, I have no idea what I'm doing and desperately need help. Should I try a 42DDD in another brand? Move up to a 42F? Or go down a band and try that in an E or F?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
EDIT: Adding some stats to help:
I can fit 3 fingers, maybe 4, between my breasts, but a gore wide enough for 4 fingers feels like it might dig into the breast tissue on either side. So maybe I'm at about a 3.5 finger mark.
Roots are wide and splayed naturally, but U-shaped when supported. Nipples are pretty well centered, though maybe very, very slightly splayed.
I think I have short roots? I really struggle with figuring this one out, but I do tend to get gaping or wrinkling in full cups. This could also just be an issue with poor fit, though.
I think my breasts might be shallow. They're well projected when supported in a bra that fits reasonably well, but they're pendulous and very droopy when unsupported.
The breast tissue is itself is very soft and squishy, so I tend to move it around to conform to a bra rather than try to find a bra that fits me. That's why I'm here. I'm in dire need of help with that one.
EDIT 2: Thanks to some fantastic suggestions, I've decided to try the Elomi Caitlyn in 42F. I'll report back when it gets here. Thank you ladies so much!
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Suggestions (3)
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I don't know that this bra in any size will fit you. From my perspective, you need more center and immediate projection than this design can offer. By the way, I'm quite jealous you have space between your breasts. It is my unrelenting fit issue in every wired bra: "gore is too wide."
Because it is difficult to determine your shape in a molded cup, please read this: http://thepetitecollegiate.com/2016/04/21/photo-glossary-bra-fitting-and-breast-shape/ When you view this blog, how would you describe your breasts? Let us know what you determine. This may help us narrow the list of choices to a few that are most likely to fit.
I'm certain we'll be able to identify a bra with more center projection that will fit you well.
Updated on April 1, 2017 Flag this
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Giggle. I don't know that any of my current friends would want to see me perform that party trick. Oh dear. Thanks for the laugh.
How do you like your bands? Tight, firm, loose?
Are you wanting a lined or unlined cup? Unlined will be a bit easier for me to make recommendations for a rapidly available model. Lined cups may require a Polish manufacturer. Some can be purchased through Amazon/Ebay/Other Eden Website and may arrive within 2 weeks. Others are special order.
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No worries! I have to laugh about all this. Otherwise I'll never stop crying/screaming/generally raging at my genetics. :)
I used to like my bands loose, but I've learned that's not actually the way bras are supposed to work (I'm a recent convert from the "but don't the straps just pull everything up and into place?" school of thought). So now I'm looking for firm bands. If I have to go tight, I will, but I'd prefer to keep it at a comfortably snug 42 inches.
If I can find an unlined bra that actually supports and gets me into a decent shape, that's awesome. I have a feeling I might be stuck with lined ones though, which sucks because I'm also not well off and can't afford to drop $100 on a bra (hence the Walmart clearance rack experiment).
Here's a weird puzzle for you. About 3 years ago, I went to Lane Bryant on my first round of the "I'm totally wearing the wrong size bra!" tour. They were having a BOGO sale, so I bought two Caciques, one t-shirt and one demi boost. The woman there measured me and said I was a 44D, which was what I was actually wearing at the time, so both bras I purchased were 44D. I have to really tighten up the t-shirt bra, and the cups gape like mad in the top, and the band sits too low because it's too big. The demi is fun to wear around now and then when I just feel like being a jiggly, way-out-there drama queen (and it's nice to see what my boobs would look like if puberty had been kinder to me and let them grow OUT instead of DOWN, but alas...).
So somehow, I've gone from a 44D to a 42....DD? DDD? F? 40F? 40G? At least I didn't lose weight from my boobs, I guess, but man. This is all very complicated.
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cupandahalf Boob Goddess, we need you :-) :-)
Because you have short roots, I'm leaning toward Curvy Kate Ellace, but cupandahalf will have better-informed suggestions.
I want to send you toward Wacoal Halo, but there is virtually no data in your range. For a Wacoal, it has good center projection in 32G, and the stretch lace effortlessly accommodates a wide variety of sizes. The immediate projection is good, too. They can be purchased via Amazon with free returns and re-sourced on Ebay for roughly $20. Curvy Kate are often discounted when the seller resides in the UK. I prefer Belle Lingerie and Lingerie Outlet over Brastop. In fact, I will not shop at Brastop anymore: 4 return parcels never arrived. In 300+ bra purchases, Brastop is the only vendor I do not recommend.
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Ok. First, you aren't shallow and this bra is, so even sizing up in the cup might not work for you. But have hope! You are going to get some great bras.
My first question is, when you take that bra off you will see wire marks in your armpits. Do you think they are wider than your breast tissue or just right? That will tell me what brands to recommend.
Problems I note with this bra: cups aren't big enough so the gore gapes. Bra slides down because it's not got enough room at the bottom of the cup. With regards to the band, this is just a stretchy model, lots of back smoothers are to not cut in to the back. You are probably a 42 in most brands looking at your measurements.
If the wires are right, probably the best brands for you would be Elomi and related brands (Wacoal, Goddess, etc). If the wires are too wide and that tissue in your armpits is just fluff (mine is just fluff) then depending on the width I would recommend Sculptresse all the way to Comexim (I might even have a bra for you if you're narrow enough).
My best guess at your size would be somewhere in the 42F range (UK sizing so 42:7) but it's hard to tell in a padded model like this.
Once we get your roots figured out I would be happy to scour the internet. There are some good deals in your size!
Updated on April 1, 2017 Flag this
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Hi there, and thanks! I never know if I'm shallow or not because my breasts *are* projected when they're in a decent bra, but when left on their own they spread out and droop. A lot.
I tried on the bra again and looked, and the wire seems to be about in the right place. I have some squishiness under my arms that I think is migrated breast tissue because apparently I've *never* worn a bra that fits well. It might also just be extra fluff, but it seems to be connected directly to my breasts. I try to catch it when I swoop and scoop, and that usually does the trick. Of course, that then makes me bigger than the cup size I'm trying...sigh. Is there a good way to tell the difference between extra breast tissue and just plain ol' flab?
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It will float in water. :-) Sometimes a bath helps identify the tissue :-) Also, the tissue tends to be a bit more fibrous/spongy in texture.
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Hmm. In that case, assuming this is possible, I think it might be a little of both. I think much of it is actual breast tissue because I get a noticeable difference in how my breasts are shaped when I remember to swoop and scoop, but I think there's also just some good ol' fashioned chub there too.
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After some research, I decided I try the Elomi Caitlyn. Found a fabulous deal on one on eBay. It's plain white, but if it fits, then I can venture into the prettier colors. :) Thank you so much for your help, and I'll report back when it gets here. Thank you!
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If you do have wide roots you're going to really like it I bet.
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Wow. I've never seen that site before, but that's SO helpful. Thank you so much! And yep, I've pretty much written off Curvation. I only got that one because it was on clearance at Walmart and I thought, "Well, I might as well try..." It was a disaster, obviously, and they don't go above DDD. Bah.
So on to the site. Here are my findings:
I can fit 3 fingers, maybe 4, between my breasts, but a gore wide enough for 4 fingers feels like it might dig into the breast tissue on either side. So maybe I'm at about a 3.5 finger mark.
Roots are splayed naturally, but U-shaped when supported. Nipples are pretty well centered, though maybe very, very slightly splayed.
Wide roots, including what I believe to be migrated tissue under my arms from, well, never wearing a bra that fits. Sigh.
I think I have short roots? I really struggle with figuring this one out, but the description on that page says there's frequent "gaping or wrinkling in full cups or moulded bras," which might be true of me. But I also can't find a bra that actually fits, so that might not necessarily be true.
Might be shallow? When supported, they're really well projected. I have a Cacique demi that I wear sometimes (even though I now think it doesn't fit) and it makes me look like I'm about to put my own eyes out. Left to their own devices, though, they tend to look a little...flat.
And yep, very pendulous breasts. As mentioned on that page, calculators overestimate my size sometimes. One tried to tell me once I'm an H cup and that is definitely not the case.
Soft tissue. Very soft and squishy, and yep, I do have the issue stated of falling out the center of plunge bras. Good news is that I can more or less squish the girls into whatever shape I want depending on the bra. Cool party trick, I guess.