1
May 15, 2023
Since my illness started in 2013 I have gained a lot of weight, and haven't had a proper bra. I have made do with ill fitting sports bras supplemented with band extenders. As I am in bed most of the time and only rarely go out it hasn't mattered much.
Today I finally used the Reddit A Bra That Fits calculator. My measurements (inches) were:
UNDERBUST
Loose: 40
Snug: 39
Tight: 37.5
BUST
Standing: 52
Leaning: 56
Lying: 54
The calculator gave me the size 38K
At first I was quite shocked at the 38, as I feared it would be too tight and I wouldn't have the strength to fasten the band at the back. But I did the test of trying on an old bra with the cups to the back hanging down, and found my current 40 bands had some wriggle room. I can always resort to band extenders while they are new.
I was thinking of writing a post on Reddit for further advice, particularly as very little of their wiki and other notes applies to plus sized people and bra shopping. But while browsing around I stumbled on a Bravissimo bra model I recognised from before my illness, bought in 2012 (Bravissimo Alana). Even though I remember not liking the bra much, the familiarity gave me confidence. I had actually got the idea Bravissimo doesn't cater to any plus sizes at all, so this was a pleasant surprise. I later realised this Bravissimo bra is one of only a small number that go up to my size, and is listed on the ABTF list of recommendations. I am right on the border of some of the largest sizes available, and the 38 will give me more options than going up to a 40.
I set myself up a shopping basket with sizes (This bra is universally said to run small in the cup, so I went for larger sizes):
38KK, 38L, 40K, 40KK, 40L
After a little more clicking about I took the plunge and paid for this basket. Feels a bit hasty and I'd prefer to research more. But also with illness and often not being well enough to do things it can be better to get things done and out of the way quickly, as I will actually never have the energy to do more thorough research.
I'm hoping at least one and even better a few of these bras will fit adequately, and more importantly I will have some data to use for future researches. Bravissimo continues to have its very good return policy, even including return labels in the box and refunding the postage cost if I send them all back.
I wonder whether I will be able to embark on a full bra researching journey, or whether one of these bras will be just about liveable so I will stick with that. I'm also a bit fearful that all these bras will be far too small and I'll be in a more difficult position of being too large for mainstream bras.
Filed under Bras ups and downs
I wish you the best of luck! I hope this all works out for you. Remember, though, your bra journey is about YOU and what makes you the most comfortable. Never be afraid to decide that something just isn't for you, even if it, in theory, 'fits' or is the 'proper' way of going about things. :)