Bra Wars

[Brightness]

Okay, in the spirit to love and embrace my breasts, I embarked on what I call "THE BRA WARS--QUEST FOR THE PERFECT FIT".

I've been guilty for a while of stuffing my breasts into certain sizes & styles of bras just so I didn't have to go to 3 eye-and-hook bras BUT I've been successful in finding what I consider to be the perfect fit just short of having a custom made bra.

Even using the bra-fitting measurement guidelines, you don't get a true indicator of your actual fit so for most women's it a tedious process of trying your bras on and twisting and bending over to see if you have "spillage" out the top.

I think this is one of the most common methods to determine bra size:

To get your band size- Use a soft tape measure, measure all the way around your body, placing the tape measure right beneath your breast. Add five to the number, rounding up if necessary to the next even number. Example: If you measured 36, add 5 to get 41 add 1 to make it even 42.

Next Step the cup- while wearing a bra measure completely around the fullest part of your bust (across the nipples) without pulling tight. Make sure the tape measure goes around your entire back. Subtract the number from your band size, example 42 (band) – 39 (bust) = 3.

The result will indicate your cup size based on the following guide:
0 = AA, 1 = A, 2 = B, 3 = C, 4 = D, 5 = DD, 6 = DDD


If I use that method I come up with me needing to wear a 42 AA.......WTF?!?!?!? Any time I've used this I have come nowhere near what I need to be wearing.

One breast is a full/almost over-full D and the other is closer to DD, so in some bras I'm able to wear D-cup and others DD-cup. I was so ecstatic a couple years back that Victoria's Secret's made DD's with slim straps that every semi-annual sale I buy up all the DD's I can find.

So, I religiously shop for underwear even if I don't need it because I don't ever want to be without these particular manufacturers or bra styles. Everytime I hit the malls, I do a walk-through to see if there's anything I can purchase.

So, from now on, I pledge to accommodate my breast fully and comfortably but remain stylish and ultra-sexy in the process.

I was just curious how other women buy their bras if they are "lopsided" like me. Do you accommodate your fuller breast or your smaller breast?

[mystkev]

Hmmm not lopsided, but I think it would be best to accomodate the larger one.

The standard way to measure bra size has always seemed to work for me.

The problem that I have is that the support in these bras aren't that great. The three hook ones end up making my breasts feel even heavier causing my back to hurt. The non industrial ones usually make them look droopy. I think my issue might be in the strap, either they are too long or too short. I guess I need to start adjusting them.

[Pamalicious]

I have pretty even breast but my problem is the straps as well. I HATE underwire with a passion and I swear I actually probably wear a 40C instead of a 38C - it depends on the cut of the bra etc.

I think I always have my straps wrong so the weight is mis distributed. My mom bought me the best bras - except they are hospital white, lol So I wear them to work - (they don't deserve my good drawers, lol)

I have a bra that technically is to small, but I wear it for cleavage, lol

ahh the joys of being a woman, lol

[Brightness]

Hmmm, I thought the body wasn't exactly symmetrical for most people, one hand differs from the other, just like feet can different in shoe size.

Well, I noticed the size difference after very careful analyzation and trying on a lot of bra styles.

The satin stretch bras and the ones with higher lycra content accommodate most breasts better than pre-shaped ones. With some brands a pre-shaped DD-cup will pucker on one breast and comfortably on the other one.

As far as straps, they tend to loosen during the day and with movement even if you have them set where you think they work best. I was always told that the proper height level for the breast is midway between the top of the shoulder and the elbow. More one way or the other and you have problems.

I also hand wash all my bras and hang dry them so they do not lose their shape or elasticity from heat in the washer or dryer.

Another thing I've tried to do more consistently is to put my bra on correctly. The proper way as I learned was to put the straps over each shoulder, lean forward slightly while placing each breast separately into the cups, make adjustments and then fasten in the back and then raise up to check your breast placement. Adjustments shouldn't be made with a snapped closed bra, unhook and make adjustments then re-fasten.

Now that above method takes a little bit of time but believe it or not, you tend to get a better fit vs. just shoving your breasts into the cups while upright or leaning back and shifting your breasts to make adjustment while the bra is fastened.

LOL........I told ya'll I was on a quest for knowledge with this thing.

[MsNeena]

Peace.
Being the 40 DD that I am... ;)
It seems like I have that same problem with one side fitting better than the other too.... lopsided LOL. But it seems like I feel the need to buy the DD's because the D's only fit good on one side, and the other side still needs room. And I prefer ones that stretch and give the breastststs room to move around. I have to have straps with cushion in them, bcuz I can't stand for my shoulders to hurt at the end of the day. In my line of work, I am on my feet throughout the day. I need support!!

Victoria's catalogue has good full-figured bras sometimes. It just depends on what you're looking for. I've been satisfied with what I've ordered from there in the past.

And yes, Brightness, leaning forward to put on your bra is the best way to get the fit right. Unless you a member of the I.B.T.C. (the "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" ) :upto: then you can just throw your bra on any kind of way! LOL

[Andre98]

That I like the sizes I'm seeing so far....

Did a Hush sista lose one of her bras?

[FoxEMomma]

U may want to try to get sized for free at victoria secrets.

I find their bras to be the most comfortable ones ever.

[akanke]

MsNeena , I am a 40DD sometimes depending on the cut 40DDD too. I must have good straps and the right cup size in order for eliminate that lopsided feel. But I do have trouble with certain style, for instance, lace in the front (my breast tries to roll out), strapless or thin straps and bras w/o underwire. For these special considerations, I have to see a corsetiere. Brightness, you are correct about the proper height level for the breast – this also helps with your overall posture.

[FoxEMomma]

Damn,
Some of ya'll got some big ones.
Let me sit my 34B ass down.

[akanke]

Got it honestly plus I am only 4 feet 11 inches. Yes, I see a reduction in my near future.

[FoxEMomma]

Got it honestly plus I am only 4 feet 11 inches. Yes, I see a reduction in my near future.


Can u reduct some my way?
A sista could stand to use some Ds

[Juicey1]

I am a 40DD myself. My left breast is larger than the right. I could probably get away with a 40D if both breast were the size of the right one.

Pam, I also hate underwire with a passion. I hate that the ends of it dig in under my arms. I have some beautiful underwire bras and very seldom wear them. I have been buying the Playtex 18 hour bras. They are ok, but they don't come in the pretty colors. They only come in white, biege, black, and I found a pink one. I would love to have a bra in a deep red or forest green, or navy blue with matching panties with plenty of support. Just because I need support, doesn't mean I have to stick to the colors of white, black, and biege.

[seductive_tee]

Damn,
Some of ya'll got some big ones.
Let me sit my 34B ass down.

I'm right beside ya.
All i want is a C cup, just to grow a little.

[dns70]

Thank you all for this...thank you all so very, very much...

[SeaDuceme2]

I too became a soldier of the Bra War a year ago When CL and I went to have a real breast measurment. I had been buying the the smaller cup size. I knew one was bigger than the other, but damn a whole cup size different.

I'm not happy about buying the larger cup size as its hard enough trying to find any bra's over the 42DD mark anyway. I wont even go there about the cost!


I'm going for my reduction consultation in Feb. I'm happy to donate.

[Andre98]

Say it ain't so Sea! :banit
I guess I'll scratch you off the list of people to try to talk my wife out of it.
I understand the back pain issues and all, but lawdy.. we spouse men are gonna have to have a memorial service or something to mourn the loss. :(