Bra adventures » Bra sizing and fit

• Welcome to Bratabase.

  I have read from a German bra blog that the fitting service of Change Lingerie has a very instable quality. I also had this service once in their local store in Cologne and I've even purchased two bras. But later I found they are both too wide and shallow for me and it was also too late to return. So I think learning about bra fitting by yourself can be a better choice, especially when there's no bra fitting studios near you. Then use PayPal free return service to try different brands from worldwide :)

• Those bras might be just minimizers so that's why they make your breasts look smaller and push them to your armpits. Some brands just won't work for certain people. Try out something different

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• I have a couple 28F bras listed right now for $30 with shipping included.
  https://www.bratabase.com/listings/dndvv/
  https://www.bratabase.com/listings/dndvt/

  For sports bras, I've seen a couple Panache in 28E and 28F on Poshmark for around $25-$30 if you don't mind slightly used condition!

• Seeing as you're in the U.S. (and I presume your sibling is too?): Breakout Bras always has very low prices comparatively and also has tons of sales, combined with a points system as you buy more bras (I think the top reward you can get is 30% off your order). Whether you could get a bra in this size for less than $30 from BoB....eh, maybe if you get really lucky. Otherwise, like dtane18 said, you can either get used bras from Bratabase or Poshmark for relatively cheap.

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3 comments

• You can find reviews from all users for The Little Bra Company here:
  https://www.bratabase.com/browse/the-little-bra-company/reviews/

  Additionally, you can check the measurements for the sizes you're interested like this: https://www.bratabase.com/browse/the-little-bra-company/size-range/32C/measurements/

  Sadly, there aren't any entries yet in size 36B yet :-/

• They might be using the +4 method. What size do you get here and/or the A Bra That Fits calculator?

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• I'm a different size range (34E UK). I am center full and close set, and the narrower gores in both Comexim and EM are so much nicer. In EM I have to sister size in some bands to a 36/80. With Comexim I'm trying having the straps moved in and the cup height lowered. We'll see how it goes!

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• Are you thinking of going with a 3HC or a plunge? I personally wear a 60HH/65H in plunges, but wear a 60J/65HH in 3HC. I wear about a 28FF/30F, but right now am a bit smaller in volume and fullness and I can still wear my 60J 3HCs/60HH plunges without any gaping.

  The plunges are very slightly more narrow than the half cups, and they are more projected. I have soft tissue that forms to the bra, so I can wear either 3HC or plunges. The 3HC make you look rounded but not as projected from the side (profile).

  I just did my measurements yesterday, so if you look at my homepage, you can compare my measurements to yours. I am more FOB with some pseudo ptosis very little upper tissue, bit of centre fullness, and short narrow roots.

  I do find that moving straps in and lowering the gore/cup makes the cup fit a touch smaller too. I'd wait to hear what Joanna says too before you order and then take your best gamble. Maybe try emailing her again?

• Wilderness1 Thanks for your help! I'm looking into getting some plunges. I have a 65H Ingrid that fits well in the cups, but the cup height is too tall, straps too wide, and band slightly loose.

  How do you feel about the fit for 3HC? I've seen a few people saying they're not great for FOB shapes, but they seem to fit you very well based on your Bratabase reviews! I've been avoiding them, because I wasn't sure if they would work with my FOB shape and less upper fullness after losing weight.

  My email to Joanna a week ago was the second time emailing for clarifications with the same questions, so I'm unsure if I should reach out again. I fear spamming her, but I also really want to place this order asap since shipping times take long.

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• It looks like a difference based on the cut of the bra band design. The Ewa Michalak Bm Bibi Beżowa Perła (533) has a thicker band that allows for that extra row.

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5 comments

• Do you mean "skin" folds/breast tissue in the armpit area?
  I'm really fussy about my breast tissue being fully contained on the sides, so I pull my bra up, scoop and swoop ALL the breast tissue on the sides, in the armpit area, underneath and in the center, and tighten the straps. Maybe try doing that?
  If it doesn't solve this problem it's likely that she needs cups with more immediate projection

• I think that you have discovered the problem on your own! The empty fabric at the wire indicates more projection is needed as previously indicated. I am sure that there is more appropriate language but I think of the breast tissue as being kinked in that armpit area - folded as you say. The breast tissue is not being supported where it needs it, but is being pushed up but not in a good way. Look for bras with more projection. Lots of people here look for that quality in a bra so there are lots of reviews!

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• Bravissimo ones! they have quite a few nice pieces

• martka00 which you find nice? :O
  I did not recommend them since they are not in the lower price range. Also I did not like their Bravissimo Padded Sleep Bra (NW265) bra.

  Maybe look for non wired bra in chain store - I have some stretchy once from C&A they don't give much support but keep my boobs contained. They look like those Ahh bras.

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• Hello! Sorry to hear you haven't found your perfect fit yet :\
  Have you ever used a band 34 that suited you in Panache?
  I did a comparison of the bras you tried: http://bra.pe/COvy/. They all stretch to around 90cm, except the Imogen, which is indeed bigger, like you experienced.
  By comparing other similar bras from Panache, 3 out of 4 also measure up to 90cm stretched: http://bra.pe/COvz/. This seems to be the standard for them in the 34 band.
  If you don't feel comfortable in those bands, then yeah! I think it would be a good bet to try the 32 one :)

• I have 34J Andorra which is too small in the cup but the band is very snug. Slightly too snug. I have it in beige and navy. The cups are much too small so can't really try it on other than testing the band. I tried a black Jasmine which was too snug (Bought it in a black print in 36 which is too big tho lol).

  Corrine is supposed to be based on tango and Amelie on Jasmine&Envy. So maybe 34 in those are ok, because they are black.. but then because they are new they could have the same fate as Imogen..

  It's such a gamble!

  Meanwhile I really love Bravissimo's bands because they are TTS , but their cup depth is all over the place and is another yolo-purchase because of that.

  I'm in bra-prison hehe.

  Also that's a really cool tool, I didn't know there was one!

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• I think that depends on how heavy your breasts are, as the longer band will be less supportive. 28 bands are already hard enough to find and I find the UK ones seem to be more like 30 bands. You might be able to wear them but on the tightest hook, and thus the lifespan of the bra is shorter. If you can find one that is easily returnable, it might be worth looking into.

• Certain Cleo's had pretty firm bands that worked well for me. I just measured a Cleo Minnie that has been worn a lot and compared it to the Cleo Asher that has been worn a couple of times and the Asher stretches out 2" longer.

  Out of desperation I've been wearing the Panache Jasmine and Envy. They stretch out faster, start sliding down on me and cause backaches. I can't tighten them beyond the 1st hook because they feel like I have a very tight rubber band digging into my rib cage.

  Also, how does one know when a band is no longer supportive? For me it's when it's no longer supportive on the outside hook. Hooking in the middle hurts but I keep thinking I'm giving up too soon. Hooking the bottom hook in the middle hook and the top hook on the outside has given me some longevity but eventually quits working.

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• I’d say my standards are slightly lower. It still has to fit, be comfortable and function. Last year I was strapped for time before my vacation and ended up having to settle for an ill fitting black Curvy Kate bikini top. The brand is just not for me. I had to swap out wires just to make it doable, it’s gone now because the whole thing sucked so bad. It didn’t matter what size I would have tried it was a bad match. That was a 32FF and was still tight in the band. I also purchased a white Freya Swimwear bikini top and it was much better, but not perfect. I still have it and plan to wear it. I purchased that in size 30FF and got the best fit due to the wide wires. This year I purchased a Comexim black bikini top, size 30GG/65J my usual Comexim size. The wires were actually too narrow and the band on the bigger side, I could have sized down in the band and up in the cup. But once I bent the wires out the cups fit perfect. So I can live with the slightly larger band. I can always take it in as it’s an easy fix. I’d say because I don’t wear it every day I’m not as picky on how perfect the fit is. As long as it functions comfortably, it’s good to go. I haven’t tried Freya bottoms in a long time. But I do remember having to size down one size to get the best fit. I usually get my bikini bottoms from Target and then buy a top from someplace that offers cup sizes tops. I just make sure I get my top from someplace I can easily return or exchange if I have to.

• I don’t try to look for the same thing at all when I order swimwear. If I get bra sized ones, I noticed that when it gets wet, a 32” band size can feel somewhat loose, so now I try to look for bands in 30” size or get bikinis with adjustable tie bands. I really love the triangle style, no padding, but sometimes I can’t find a print I like or the cups are too small. But this style is easier for me to find since I can get away with a regular Large size with strap ties.

  Other style I like a lot is the strapless style because of no tan lines, but ever since I found out my new bra size, I’ve not been happy with any I’ve tried.

  I purchased one recently that’s like a crop top style (it reminds me of a rash guard but sleeveless, I need to update pictures here if it) and I have yet to wear it, but it gives coverage and looks sporty which I like.

  I only have one bikini with wires 32E - Freya Swim » Jungle Fever Plunge (5842) and this one fits well, but the band could be tighter when wet.

  I also don’t like full coverage bottoms when in “bikini” style, I like a cheeky look more. However I also like the “shorty” look too which is super full coverage, so go figure, lol. I don’t think I added measurements of the Freya bottoms I tried, but I have pictures on my Freya bikini reviews. Next time I would size down for sure and instead of buying M I would buy a S size.

  I love the prints Freya puts out the most every wear and its nice that they have different styles of tops and bottoms with the same print so you can pick which one you like. For cheaper options I like Target to try on in store (their sizing is not consistent, and it was a huge failure ordering online).

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• Your daughter is lucky to have a sweet mom who knows where to look for good advice for her :)

• veggiechic Thank you. I’m hopeful I will be successful in finding her something that makes her feel amazing. :)

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6 comments

• The BM cut is an Ewa Michalak specific cut that other brands don't make.

• Sorry Wilderness1, I meant, do I pick any other bm bra from Ewa Michalak? I can’t get La Gloria but I can get a Bibi

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6 comments

• i have the 55HH - Comexim » Eve Full Cup Bra (46) and the cut and fit of the cup is just like that of their padded plunges. it's my favorite bra right now, it gives the same shape, and the support is almost as good as the padded bra.

  i had a 55HH - Comexim » Musetta Balcony Bra (299) and the cup shape was the same as their padded plunges too, but it ran definitely small in the cups

  i've never tried an Ewa soft cup bra though.

• yogurt Thank you so much for the info! I had my eye on a Comexim Whimsy Floral Stretch Lace Non-Padded Underwire Bra, so I just ordered it! I hope it fits like my other much loved Comexim padded plunge bras.

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16 comments

• I ordered a 65HH Queen of Hearts with the Valentine’s Day sale but am still waiting on it. That said, I used the measurements from here and decided to go with the 65 instead of 70. The two I have from Black Friday are 70 (Hot Chocolate and Triss). Don’t know if that helps.

• I bought two about a year ago and the bands only stretched to about 26 inches.

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4 comments

• Welcome to bratabase. I hope that you become more acquainted with bras and how they fit your body. For folks here to make well-intentioned recommendations and observations, measurements of bras/yourself and pictures are very necessary! Have a look at the "fitting help" section and how the better posting are structured. Start with what you think is your best fitting bra. Unfortunately, the poster has to put some work into it to get meaningful feed-back! Good luck.

• Envy is a tall bra, and Marcie is an open bra best for full on top shapes. Envy and Jasmine are both pretty deep at the apex. If you have soft and pendulous full on bottom tissue, you will sink into the bottom of the cups and by the time you’re at the top of the cups, you will have run out of tissue. This is a factor in both the pointy aspect and loose fabric on top aspect. Jasmine and Envy fit pretty similarly, so if one fits, the other one is likely to.

  However, have you tried the 28FF/G in the bras mentioned? It might just give you the extra band tension you need.

  I would definitely suggest adding the bras to the database and measure, then post pictures for a fit check. But my initial thoughts are shape mismatch. Also, recommendations on new users can be a bit vague until it learns more about what fits and does not fit.

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• Sculptresse only goes down to a 36 band so that’s out.

  For Panache look at Alyssa, Arla, possibly Corinne and Lois, and Tango might work for you in this size.

• Panache has a three hook count for GG+ bras generally.

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• Crazy! I'm in the exact same boat (as in similar starting size and ending size) except that I am almost 3 months post-op. Replying so that I remember to post later.
  In short, good news is that reduced breasts are shallower, that is wider and taller than not surgically altered breasts. That means that your narrow roots might not be a problem anymore. Bad news is deswellling may not bring you to a smaller size. ABTF calculator had me at 34FF/34G 2 weeks post op and at 34G/GG 2 months post-op. Only difference is I initially felt more comfortable in a 36 band. Advice: not to invest in too many bras as things may still change/fluctuate quite a bit.

• Yay twinsies! That is crazy! That is a rare size to start with, and having same end result is even more crazy.
  I am 2.5 weeks post op.
  Have you started to wear wired bras yet? I am going to start with a 36 band for sure, I was so glad that started with 38 band post op bra .
  I also ordered a size 3 Enell Lite bra to start with. It is similarly constructed as the post op bras, so I think I use that as the middle step . Later it can serve me as sports bra for light - medium impact activities.
  Thanks for the reply , not I a, going to stalk tour posts, lol.

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• Comexim half cups are probably your best bet. Typically the recommendation is to size up a cup and a band size (so 28:6) for Comexim. You can compare half cup measurements in this size to the bra that fits you best now and see if that seems right.

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