Bra fitting help » Very wide set and shallow (32A depth), with a larger root base (32C base).
Ongossamer » Mesh Bump It Bra W/ Lace (013650) » 36A 36:1
This bra has the correct spacing and root/base size IF I get a larger band in a small cup size. I sewed the band shorter (and it's already stretched out because I can't find a replacement).
I 'technically' measure a 32A. But bras with the correct band length (32) have no cup sizes that will fit (due to ratio). 32A & B cups are spaced too close together, and 32B & C cups protrude too much (tons of extra gappy space).
I'm looking for a bra that has a C root, A depth, and extra wide-spaced. Bonus points if there's no major padding. I'm like 2 pancakes on a griddle. Please help!
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Suggestions (4)
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helpfulWhat are your measurements? I'm struggling to see how you are measuring at a 32A with your bust size as this 32C equivalent isn't looking too big to me. A really good shallow and widely spaced bra is the Natori Feathers but I'm not entirely convinced that's what you need without more information
Updated on January 30, 2019 Flag this
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I should add, the 32 band is what was recommended to me both times I visited a professional lingerie store (not VS or Nordstroms). I don't understand how my measurements add up to that, either.
The math for my measurements often adds up to 32B, but like I said...way the heck too gappy, and too close together. The bra pictured is padded, so it makes me look more protruding than I am. I haven't found one that isn't, where sewing the band shorter is a workable solution. -
Try The Little Bra Company? I haven't used them myself, but all the product photos and photos of them on here make them look really wide and shallow.
If you add your measurements on here, including breast perimeter, it could better help you and us both to find a cup shape and depth that would lead you in the right direction. :) Just go to the top of the page to the three lines, click on "my measurements," and then "enter new measurements." Then those measurements will appear side-by-side to the measurements of the bras you add and on fit suggestions like these, so we can all compare. Hopefully that makes sense. :)
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I think a 30C/D might be better for you, I'm reasonably sure the looseness of the 32 band is contributing to the extra space - the cups aren't correctly held to your body. I'm more confident in my initial suggestion of the Natori Feathers Contour Plunge Bra (730023) in both 30C and D. I agree that breast perimeter might be helpful in your case too.
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“My breasts are less than the depth of most A cups.”
Just try to remember that there’s no such thing as an A cup or B cup...cup size is not static, does not quantify a specific volume of tissue, and does not exist without a band size. A 36A is a totally different volume than a 32A. An A cup is basically a 1” difference between your over bust and under bust, so to be a 32A, your under bust would be 32” (give or take half an inch to an inch in either direction that would be rounded up or down to 32”) and an over bust of 33”. Your snug is 28.5” but even if you rounded to 30” (your loose measure), your over bust is 3” difference, putting you in a 30C. Or a 28D if you were to fit with your snug measure. You might find better proportions in a different bra size.
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I'm aware that every band size A cup is different. There is only so much space to write out our problem in the post.
And I'm flatter than most A cups of any band size I have tried on. I stand by that sentence.
The problem with 28, 30, and 32 band sized cups is that the roots are tiny, close together, and highly protruding. I have a wide set, shallow, and large root. This is the real crux of my problem; not that I don't know the ratio of cups. I didn't explain my prior knowledge because I'm in the midst of experts.
But definitely thank you! All that is valuable and true information. -
No problem. I was just trying to clarify the sentence that I quoted from your earlier comment as I was not sure if you were aware of that or not... it sounded like maybe it was information that you might not be aware of. And based on the measurements, sounded like maybe a different size would fix the problem. Apologies if my comment came out harsher than intended.
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Have you tried a different shape cup ? These deep plunge bra are not the best for smaller chested ladies. They are more designed to squeeze everything into the centre to create cleavage or more cleavage.
If you have very little to squish together (meant in the nicest way) it creates fit problems.
I think it’s recommended somewhere that wide root shallow breasts get a better fit with “half cup bras” the one I can think of is Freya Patsy.
Think I’ve spelt that right and another is Fauve Josephine hope I’m remembering correctly.
They are both discontinued but are sometimes available on eBay don’t know where you are but Debenhams do a lovely half or lower cup tee shirt bra. Although this style bra has wide apart straps they are still closer together than plunge style that only has a bit of ribbon or fabric keeping the cups together.
Might you do better with that little bit more support and uplift.
Maybe a 30 c or d would be good based on your measurements (in Freya). -
Pompomfarm oooh, good suggestion to the OP! Yes, I wonder if a demi or half cup would fit better than a deep plunge!
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Ok bra friends, I finally figured out how to add my measurements into the system. Sorry that took so long; hectic week. I threw the suggestions into my airtable base and realized I need more information. Feel free to peek but I don't think it will help you help me: (https://airtable.com/shrlsmDYLBcXsrOxS)
Replies:
Slava-Zone I already tried The Little Bra company; they are one of those who told me I'm a 32B. I tried on all the 32A-C bras, and they were *all* too gappyin the cups. 32A&B had roots too small and dug in. It was a fail, but then again I didn't try on smaller bands/larger cups (at their recommendation). I've used up all my free returns online for them. So I'd need to be pretty sure the next time I order (and not listen to them for sizing, I guess).
Pompomfarm I found several bras called Freya Patsy, that look different. I found zero bras called Fauve Josephine (any other guesses?)@all - hugsforyourjugs Calluna Sonya thelittleone
--I'm making a list of all the bras to try, but before I start buying, I'd love some restatements of 1) which sizes 2) in which bra brand, to try first. I'm a little confused, sorry. You guys are gems for helping me even this much.
--How do you ladies handle the initial cost of buying several bras online that may or may not fit? That could bankrupt me fast, so I'm guessing you have a system?
--Last but not least, is there any way to change my username on this account? I realized this username is quite public for me, so everyone I know who googles for my forum comments is gonna get undies shots. **slaps forehead** I'm feeling rather foolish.Thank you!
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Patsy half cup is the one that was suggested to try. The plunge balconette will be a mismatch. I will have a look at the link you provided in a bit.
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Darn about The Little Bra company, by the pictures they looked shallow! Maybe trying a 30 band would pull the cups closer to the body? But maybe just the wrong shape.
And a silly question if you already do, but I have to ask: do you make sure to lean forward and scoop and swoop when you put the bras on? It may seem unecessary at a smaller size, but it really does pull everything forward from the armpits, tissue you may not realize you have! It makes sure the cups are pushed up all the way and underwires off tissue on the sides. And if you do scoop, but the tissue escapes to the armpits again, another good idicator that the band isn't tight enough to keep the underwires anchored behind the breasts. (If you already knew that and do scoop, apologies; I don't know what you do and don't know!)
As for suggestions, Betsy Johnson, B.tempt'd by Wacoal, and Calvin Klein all worked for me when I first started my bra fitting journey. Looking at their 30D and 32C selections, they seem pretty wide and shallow on many models. I would really recommend starting to try 30 bands, as many 32 start at a relaxed measurement of 24" and strerch well beyond 32", which won't give underwires "spring" to pull them wide and close to your body. You really want a band maxing out closer to your relaxed measurement. :)
Sorry for long reply, it's late where I am and I'm half asleep! Haha
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OH my goodness, I just remembered, Boux Avenue Chloe balconettes were really wide and shallow when i first tried the brand!! Their bands run TIGHT at first, but stretch quickly, so I'd get a 30 band and an extender to use for a while until it breaks in. :)
And Tutti Rouge was quite wide. Their wires seemed flexible too, so even if they cups were technically slightly too deep, having a tight band pulled the wires more wide. It resulted in cups laying smoothly in front, and wires just a bit too wide on the sides. (This was like 5 years ago, check non discontinued bras now) -
Mishqueen I don't order online so i can't help you there. Fortunately for me, my favorite and best fitting bra can bought locally in standard matrix sizes.
I'm guessing you'd probably do well in a 30 C-D if you can find cups wide enough. The 36's are going to be way to big in the band.
A few I can think of:
Calvin Klein - Seductive Comfort Customized lift
Aerie - Sunnie Stretch lightly lined, Happy unlined Demi
Betsy Johnson - Retro Glamour Demi
Change Lingerie seems to also run widethere have been a few posts over the years dealing with wide/shallow fit issues. One post I was able to find is linked below, within the post are other links to good resources.
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I personally suggested the 30C-D in Natori Feathers, however looking at your pics again I suspect that even the D may not be deep enough for you and you may do better in a slightly deeper bra, something like a Cleo Koko in 30D.
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As for strategy for buying and trying...Amazon Prime can be a girl's best friend. Before I learned that I had to go for Polish bras, I would order 3 or 4 bras at a time from Amazon. Akways choosing the ones with Prime- shipping is free. Return shipping is free. You're never out any money ;)
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Thank you Calluna , Slava-Zone , thelittleone , hugsforyourjugs , and AprilGoulding !
I can see this will take me a little longer than I thought. :) Thank you for your patience with me, I'll update as I figure things out. You guys are the best.My first step is to get to a walkin store that sells 28 and 30 band sizes. I need to get that figured out. Do you have any suggestions of common chains that carry those? The closest professional lingerie store is an hour and a half away, so that's hopefully my plan B, not plan A.
April, I'm all over that! I'm getting some terrible colors, but that's ok! I still have a lot to hunt down, but so far I'm finding a bra in each desired size. **crosses fingers**
I had some b.temptd's come in with a 32 band (from an order before I understood to go tighter). They all felt insanely snug, yet I could streeeeetch the back out so clearly I was mis-sized at 32. Imma keep on keepin' on! I'm going to have to get used to it.
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helpfulHow about Cleo Jude? As far as I can tell, it's shallow with wide wires and widely spaced cups. Maybe someone who's had it can chime in. I believe I read that people ofter size up a cup with this one.
Updated on January 29, 2019 Flag this
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Sonya I'd *love* to hear from someone who has tried it! Until then, I'll try to track one down to try on. Thank you!
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Have you tried a VS Wireless Body by Victoria? It is very shallow and wide. I have it in 32C, i haven't put up measurements yet but the cup width is 6.5" and very shallow, almost flat. if you got it in a 32B or even 32A it might still be wide enough for you with even less projection.
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Ahhh, i wish there were a way that could work out, but alas...VS and I are not friends. Not even frenemy status. It's sad, really.
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Mishqueen , too bad. I'm also wide root and shallow so I can empathize with your struggles.
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helpfulI would love to see you trying on 28D's or 30C's before deciding root dimensions and bra needs. Once you are in this size you may find that your understanding, perception, and actual breast size will shift. I have similar measurements and a similar experience with trying too large bands in A cups to try and accommodate my breast tissue. I recall walking into a lingerie store and saying that I would be happy to try on 34 bands so that my breasts would not hurt from narrow cup widths and too small cups that squished me down. Daftness! I too find that The Little bra Company are too small as they do not offer large enough cups in the small bands. That is OK as the bras are a bit boring!
Swoop and scoop into a bra that fits provides amazing results. I always thought that I was flat as a pancake but it turns out that I am not when in the right band size with a cup large enough to accommodate all the breast. Another thing that I had to learn was to place the band (that initially felt waaayy to tight) in the right spot on my torso so that the wire was in my inter-mammary fold. What the heck is that!? This did wonders for supporting and cupping all my breast tissue where it needed to be.
This site is great for buying cheap bras to see what works. Don't buy too many at first as I found that I needed to learn a few things about my body and bra construction before I could make more intelligent choices on bra selection. I have also found that alterations are a Godsend to save a bra from a bad fit. There is not tons of choice in this size and darts and a band shortening work well.
Good luck with your bra hunting!
Updated on February 4, 2019 Flag this
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Thank you jazzypants !
I do scoop and sweep, but nothing stays put in the bras I own now (duh me, they are all altered 36's or 38's haha). As for my intermammary fold, the tissue is so flat there, there seems to be two folds. I suspect one is the real start of my tissue and is very low, and the other is where my bras slide up and 'sort of' catch a spot and stay there. I know I am constantly pulling down my bras to get comfortable, and the tissue under my underwires gets very sore. So I just need to figure out how to get it to stay down. ;)I think I will walk into a store and put on a 28 band before I go any further. Do you know what brick-and-mortar would have that size band?
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I would suggest a locally owned bra boutique that offers a wide range of sizes. They all advertise small bands and cups, but I find that they do not all deliver. If you have to travel, phoning before hand can give you an idea of what they have in 28 and 30 bands in CDE cups. I have also found that asking the assisting staff if the cup width and gore height is a good fit can help them to guide you in finding a bra that works for you. This is the bra construction and body education that is so important.
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Unfortunately, the closest pro lingerie store is an hour and a half away. That would postpone my bra hunt for possibly months. :'(
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Same here. Good luck with other options then if a road trip is not on the horizon.
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Thank you for checking, hugsforyourjugs
Underbust:
30" just barely loose
28.5" snug
27" supertight, break the tape, breathing out
Bust naked:
33" standing and lying down
33.5" leaning over, pendulous
Take into consideration that my ribcage is actually bigger at the breast level than the underbust level, so that's part of the tape difference. My breasts are less than the depth of most A cups. I look like an extremely small breasted person, but have never found a small breasted bra that fit at all, due to the spacing and underwire circumference problem.