bra size

[redbird]

I decided recently that I wanted to be measured for a bra, mostly because I haven't been in a couple of years and body shapes do change. The Macy's web page told me mainly that it doesn't play well with Firefox; Nordstrom's explicitly said they provide this service. OK, Nordstrom's it is. (They're about a block from each other within the same mall in Bellevue.)

The process, as they do it, is pretty straightforward: I took my shirt off (keeping my bra on), the measurer wrapped a measuring tape around my chest just below my breasts, announced "36," and took her best guess at cup size.

I expressed surprise at that number, but said OK, get me a bra to try on. We had discussed my preferences, and it transpired that they had exactly one non-underwire style. So that simplified this stage of the process.

She handed me a 36D bra (I've been wearing 40C) and left so I could try it on. That didn't take long, because I couldn't fasten the strap closed. She seemed surprised, but agreed to go get me a 38. That sort of fit, in that I could fasten it, and it seems to provide more support than the 40, but it felt tight at the back, as if the muscles there were doing something they're not used to. She said that bras tend to stretch a little when worn; when I asked, that turned out to be after 5-7 wearings. When I asked, she said that yes, some bra straps have are stretchier than others, and offered to bring me a few underwire styles to try. One of those was slightly better across my back, but the cups fit wrong, even if I wanted an underwire.

As a side note, I picked up the measuring tape while I was waiting for bras to try on. Either the store's measuring tape has stretched by a lot, or the measurement of the circumference of that part of my torso was correct, but still not useful for fitting a bra.

After trying on a few bras, and giving the 38DD a second try, I explained that I wasn't spending $60 on a bra that I wasn't sure fit right, thanks anyhow. (Even if bras were returnable in general, I would feel weird about wearing something half a dozen times and then returning it for fit, and that feels like a high price anyhow.)

My next step, I think, is to try on 38D or 38DD bras at other stores, looking for a better fit and, ideally, a better price. Macy's and JC Penney are close enough to my apartment that I might be able to get there in the morning and avoid the Christmas rush; anything downtown will probably have to wait until January. Fortunately, the bras I have now will do for a bit longer, even if I do decide to replace them all.

I am also wondering whether the apparent change in bra size affects my shirt size: if I understand this correctly, my bust is the same size around as it was a few years ago, but it now sticks out more from my rib cage. I don't mind wearing my shirts loose, so I won't be throwing things away, but there's something to be said for wearing the right size. Assuming that the right size exists; I'm still dealing with the combination of broad shoulders, large breasts, and short arms.

Comments

[giandujakiss]

Now you make me wonder if I should try a professional fitting - even if I don't go with the results. Hmm... I kind of do need new bras. And it's funny how dramatically different my shape is depending on the bra I use - I have different tops that I know to wear with particular bras, because the top looks better or worse depending on bra shape.

[(Anonymous)]

Recently a friend told me about two places for custom-fit bras. Unfortunately, this was in the context of a trip she made to New York.

I realize this is pretty lousy timing, but if you're interested in the pointer I can certainly send it your way.

[randomness]

Aaargh. Recent anonymous comment was me.

[rmc28]

My best experience with bra fittings has been Rigby & Peller, who have stores in London and Cambridge (and possibly other places). They don't use a tape measure, they fit "by eye" i.e. they look at the bra you are wearing, and get a bra they reckon will fit. They'll also try adjusting the bra you have on to help it fit better.

They fitted me well for maternity and nursing bras, and did a reasonable job with a sports bra, although they were hampered by the fact they "don't stock sports bras over 38 inches" which annoyed me from the fat-but-fit point of view, but anyway. I walked out with a sports bra that fit. I've been able to get additional bras that fit off ebay with a good size as a basis.

[redbird]

I had an unsatisfactory experience with a "we fit by eye" place in New York; I don't know whether there are any such in Seattle, and don't get to Britain very often. (If I did, I might try Rigby and Peller on the basis of your recommendation, as someone I have a connection to, whereas the other place was mentioned in a newspaper article.)

[kate-schaefer.livejournal.com]

I think the best fitters in the Seattle area are at Zovo in the University Village shopping mall (http://www.uvillage.com/zovo-lingerie/). They carry lovely high-end bras in large sizes. I only shop there about once a year or so, since I'm not really in the market for lovely bras right now.

[daharyn.livejournal.com]

I hope you don't mind me mentioning it, but you might want to try having yourself re-fit at a store that specializes solely in intimates? You're under no obligation to buy, and they tend to be very knowledgeable about styles that might suit the shape of your body. I left my last appointment not only with an adjusted size but a better sense of what cup styles will work best under my clothes, given the shape of my upper body. I've since taken that knowledge and leveraged it at a lower price point.

[fritzkat.livejournal.com]

I will second this suggestion. Having tried to get sized at general mall stores like Sears, I find that "guessing at the right cup size" happens more often than not and I end up incredibly frustrated. These stores also tend to want to sell you what they have in stock, not necessarily what works best for you.

I was regularly squishing myself into a 38DD or so until I got properly fitted (at a bra speciality store) and discovered that I was a 34H and with these new bras I don't hurt anywhere near as much when walking or going up or down stairs. The bras I ended up getting were pricey, but well worth the joys of having the girls where they are supposed to be rather than flattened under my armpits.

The folks at the specialty store measured both my bust as well as the under bust btw.

[fritzkat.livejournal.com]

Oh, just for the record, LaSenza and it's ilk do NOT count as "bra speciality stores" mostly because their sizes stop at C cups or padded D cups. Nothing larger for us, erm, better endowed folks means they get stumped and shrug a lot (ask me how I know this) *le sigh*.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

This is why I get annoyed when friends of comparatively small and easy-to-find bra sizes chirp blithely about how it's as simple as getting measured: no, not hardly.

[saoba.livejournal.com]

I will Nth the suggestion to look for a bra shop. The prices at my local bra pusher are higher than department stores- but a properly fitted bra lasts me longer, makes my clothes fit better and doesn't hurt to wear.

Win!

IME across several states and various bra specialty shops the fitter will not just measure you. They'll consider your preferences and use their knowledge of the different cuts/manufacturers to find something that works for you. And they aren't wedded to the idea that the tape says you wear a 36G and may be able to say 'In this line, in this style, maybe you'd be better going up to a 38 band.'

I have been a D cup or more since 6th grade. I could weep to think of the money I spent over the past four decades on bras that weren't the right size.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

Basic tip. Measure your rib cage under the bust, then take 2 inches off that measurement and that is the bra size for most bras. Cup is trickier but the key thing is not spilling over at the sides or top.

[redbird]

Thanks, but I've already noted that mine seems to mean adding two inches to the measurement. No way am I a 34-anything.

[fritzkat.livejournal.com]

You might be surprised once fitted properly. A lot of ppl add to the band size because the cup size is too small. The boobs have to go somewhere and if the cup isn't big enough, they'll spill into the band and give you boob underarm bulges (and discomfort and, and, and...)

[redbird]

The only things I am sure of at this point are that I am not a 36-anything, and that the store I went to the other day didn't have a bra that fits me properly. Also, it's December, which makes "wait a while and wear the bras I have now" seem like a good short-term choice.

Taking two inches off the measurement would give 34. If I cannot bring the two ends of the 36-inch band together in order to fasten them, I think I can safely assume I wouldn't be able to do so on a 34 either.

[nellorat.livejournal.com]

You might want to send away for a measurement kit from Jockey Bra: http://www.jockey.com/jockeybra/story

I saw an infomercial about their system & was very excited. The measuring kit is not really free, but it's $20 that you get off your order. Alas, they only go to the chest size below mine, so I never got around to doing the cup measuring. On the positive side, the customer service rep was wonderfully competent and nice about refunding my $20 & said it might be out in larger sizes soon. Their shape-centered system really does seem to make more sense than A B C D. I think they even say that you get underwire support without underwires.