Horsebeckz99 wrote:
kdow wrote:
findlaydropout wrote:
Oh my gosh Nanne. Can I ask... Do you look like barbie (not meant to be offensive)? My sister and I were in a victorias secret once and she found a 32DD and we decided we would like to meet this woman she can not exist...

Actually, most people wear bra band sizes which are far too large. If I was wearing a properly fit bra (as opposed to what was on sale and fits okay) I'd be a 32 FF or so. And I'm not shaped like Barbie. image

I always heard it was the other way. Most people are wearing bras that are too small.

Technically, it's cups too small, band too large. This is perpetuated by places like Victoria's Secret, who trains their fitters to fit you into the range they carry if at all possible. (Also, many department stores do the same thing.) This means they apply the up a band size/down a cup size trick (or vice versa) to get you into a bra which kind of fits, but isn't as supportive as a properly fitting bra would be. So for example I frequently wear 36 DD because it's relatively easy to find, but I get MUCH better support if I track down one actually in my proper sizing, which is a smaller band and larger cup.

The band *needs* to be pretty snug for the bra to be properly supportive. If it's riding up or sliding around all over the place, it's too big. Plus, the band WILL stretch out as you wear the bra, particularly if you machine wash them, because that's hard on the elastic. For that reason, you should buy a bra which fits you fastened on the 'largest' band setting (the hooks on the very end of the band.) As the band stretches, you then have two more sets of hooks to use to tighten it up. (If you know you're very hard on your bras- for example they often stretch out on you really fast- it may actually be worth buying a bra which is a bit too small in the band, and buying an extender so it fits until you've worn it in, provided it fits properly in the cups and the wires lie flat and don't poke or dig in.)

The whole bra sizing system is really pretty frustrating, because it tries to reduce breasts to a very limited range of measurements, when in fact there are also considerations like the natural shape of the breast, position on the rib cage, etc. which will drastically change which bras in terms of manufacturer and style actually fit properly. (This is why my bra collection tends to have multiples of the same bra in different colors- when I find one that fits right, I buy a couple.)

Also, every so often you should take a moment to check the fit of your bras- breast size can change with weight loss, time of the month or other hormone changes, etc.

*removes bra fitting evangelist hat*