There is a shop near me that custom-measures and fits bras. Most of their business is in specialty bras like maternity, athletic and post-mastectomy, but they’ll fit anyone and will special-order. They’re expensive, but when I get the dough, I’m doing it.
Robin
I used to go to a place that custom fits. They took a bra that fit everywhere but in the underwire (stuck me in the underarm) and took the wire out, flipped it around and put it back in. PERFECT.
Try it. It really works. And, I don’t get middle boob stick out of the wires.
I haven’t been able to wear a non-wire bra since I was 10. TEN. Sigh.
Title 9 rocks! I haven’t bought everyday bras there, but they have the best sports bras. No where else have I been able to find properly sized (as opposed to S,M,L,XL) sports bras. It’s not easy finding a sports bra that I can run in or do taekwondo in without bouncing all over the place. I was able to purchase 3 different style sports bras in 38DD from them…their sizes run true and they are comfortable. The have tons of sizes.
Quite true. And if this thread is any indication, female Dopers are, on average, quite well-endowed. More so than the general population.
This intrigues me. Greatly.
I don’t like underwires (I’m wary of arming my boobs), but they do make the girls look perky. Problem is, I wear a 44B or a 44C, depending on which online calculator I want to believe, and it’s damn hard to find decent bras for under $20 for a fat chick with small tatas. Hanes doesn’t even make them in that size. I usually buy a 38C and attach extenders to the clasp.
It’s a conspiracy by the so-called custom bra industry. I’m a weird size in bras. A 34 (because right now I’m fatter than my “supposed to be” size or 6-8) DDD. As you know, but some may not, the number measurement is measured under the breasts around your ribcage. When I’m not a fat cow my bra-size is a 31.5 DDD (yeah, AS IF, try finding that one). A DDD can rarely be found even in expensive places. And if you get lucky enough to find it, the band size usually starts at a 38 or 40.
Here’s where they get ya Broomstick. Any brasize and type you want is available “custom sized”. But you have to be fitted at some fancy pants place like Nordstrom’s and they cost an arm and a leg (they start at about $75 bucks for ones that fit correctly).
Or, you can get the right size, but it’s a playtex that makes your boobs look like torpedoes and has that hideous seam in the middle.
I actually found a custom bra sewing site online a few years back, a Canadian based group IIRC, as soon as I find it again, I’ll send you the link if you’re interested in making your own. I’m going to start, because I’m so sick of my size never being there.
There is only one place I’ve found that has reasonably priced, attractive bras that fit. A Bali factory discount store in Corsicana, TX, and one outside of Vegas (can’t remember the name, but it’s that place they’re always mentioning on CSI, where the “real” people live).
Maybe it’s because of my shape or the climate I live in, but most of the bras I’ve noticed on the linked to pages look horribly confining. I even checked out Victorias Secret (even though their bras fit me terribly) and even their demi-cups were mostly decidedly not what I would consider demi-cup.
Maybe my girlies like to breath, but covering them up that much is so darn confining, hot and stuffy the thought just makes me cringe. I’m not athletic at all so I don’t tend to get jostled around, but it would be nice to find a nice, wide set, demi-cup that wasn’t padded to high heavens.
I did like some of the panties at the Natori site though, thanks for the link. 
Since when did Bali start making such atrocious bras? I remember loving that brand about 15 years ago and they were by far the prettiest ones around. Now? Eesh!
It does seem like it used to be easier to find attractive basic bras that you could wear under most clothes. Now they seem to be either Battle ready, completely too decorated to be able to be worn under anything other than a fur coat or specifically designed for t-shirts. Was the art of making a pretty, functional bra lost somewhere in the 90’s?
Nordstrom’s has a very nice and large selection of bigger sizes that are pretty. I think they must specialize in bigger sizes because they have a bigger section of full-figured bras than they do A-B-C.
If you go to their web site, you will see that they offer bras from sizes 32A to 52I.
For example, here and here are two gorgeous full-figured bras by Chantelle.
Chantelle, Wacoal, Le Mystere, and Fantasie are all brands that make really pretty and very well-made full-figured bras. Now, they are expensive, but I think it’s because they are so well-made. If you take a look at these up close in the store, they are completely different than the crap you see at Victoria’s Secret. You can really see the quality. For something as important as a bra that you wear every day and where comfort is crucial, I think a bra is one thing that is worth spending more on for quality. And, the better quality bras last longer than the cheap ones, so it’s a good investment too.
I know what you mean… Here is a nice bra that I have has that is seamless in the cups, made out of a thin, sheer, stretchy lace, and is (what I would consider to be) demi cup, by DKNY. The linked page shows it in blue, but they have it in all sorts of other colors too.
Aha! I found it, (funny, last time I did a search it wasn’t there).
Those are quite nice. 
There are some Nordstrom’s in the metro Detroit area but they didn’t come (around me, at least) until pretty recently, so I hadn’t thought of going to them for bra shopping. Heck, I hardly think of going to them because they’re mostly at malls I don’t go to. But now I have somewhere else I can go!
I have two bras from Panache (one is a built in bra with camisole and is AWESOME) and one from either Freya or Fantasie. The brands you mention are carried at Bra-vo and I <3 them. I’m just glad I have more than one store I can go to, now. Thanks!
Just a quick caveat, they’re great, they’ll do a custom private fitting and everything. And then, the bra you got fitted for starts at approximately $75. Each.
Right. I mentioned in my first post that where I go to, $50 is considered damn cheap for a single bra. I’m used to (unfortunately) paying about $70 for a bra. At least now I finally have a real job* and can afford them more easily. Although, if I have to pay out the ass for a bra, at least mine do great work and make the girls look fantastic. 
Just a fast little addition - I fucking hate underwires too. Who the fuck came up with them…only a masochist or a man who doesn’t wear bras.
Gotta fly but I had to put my two cents in. Down with underwires!
Tell me about it.
Heh…
I have a good job, and I STILL think paying that kind of money for a bra is ridiculous. Especially when, in the past, I’ve been lucky enough to find perfectly good, well-fitting bras at outlet factories for a great deal less.
It’s the principle of the thing. I could understand if it couldn’t be done without those kinds of prices, but it can (now I wish I’d have bought 50 of those dang Bali bras instead of only 10…sniff sniff!).
For the time being I buy the DDDs (if I can find them) with the too big band and take them in on the sewing machine. I REFUSE to spend good money on something I know can be done at a reasonable price.
Excuse me for a bit of a hijack…but…
What really sucks, is that according most of the websites that have been mentioned in this thread, including Victoria’s Secret, I am a 38 AA. Yeah, I am sure I could find that. Silly me, I have been wearing a 34C all these years (no clue how I would keep the boobs from falling out of the bottom of a 38 band).
Does the “measure your ribcage and add 5” technique work for anybody ???
Nope. I have no idea why they tell you to add 5"; the band size would be far too big that way!
That’s probably why so many women wear the wrong size bra… they’re following the directions that are completely wrong!
I’m very good at determining bra-sizes. Let me know if you would like my assistance, and I’ll be happy to give you a hand.
The problem is, though, in the long run, you’re going to spend more money buying shitty bras that fall apart in a day, rather than spending the money for ones that last. I’m sorry about your situation, but you didn’t explain that in the op.
Besides, you can always buy them online, if you can. Go first to try them on at the store, then get home and order them. Save up, if you have to. It’s worth it in the end. Or, you can watch for sales and coupons in the paper. Shop the clearance racks at Penny’s or Macy’s. I got mine for like, 30 dollars all together, I think. Or maybe 40.