Yet another girlie thread - bra sizes!

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m thinking that I need a couple new sports bras, so I surf around a bit looking for some good ones. I find a recomendation for Enell bras, so I check out their Web site. OK, they’re not the prettiest bras, but if they work that’s all I care about.

I go look at the sizing chart. In normal bras, I typically wear a 34C or 36C. But wait, let’s look at those measurements. According to them, their sports bra size 0 fits women of the size 32DDD, 34C, 34D, and 36C. Bust measurements are 34-37", rib measurements are 29-31". That doesn’t sound right, so I get out the trusty ol’ measuring tape. Yup, ribs still 34" around. Boobs measure in at 40" - same as always. I even have Mr. Athena double check the measurements, to his great pleasure.

So according to Enell’s site, I take a size 2 Enell bra, which translates to 36DDD(!), 38C, 38D, 40C.

I go to a different site next. According to this site, I wear a size 39A. Um, yeah. I’ve never even seen a size 39A bra. And trust me, I’m not an A cup. Furthermore, how’d I get from 36DDD to 39A in a couple clicks of the mouse button?

Then I check this site. They dont’ even HAVE a category for 34" ribs. OK, we’ll estimate - I’m either a 36 or 38 according to them. Lessee… 40 inch boobs, that’s a… D cup if I go 36, and a B cup if I go 38. Closer, but still, the difference between 36D and 38B is pretty big, if you’ve ever looked at bras.

I’ve decided to just give up, and not wear bras anymore. That’ll make running a bit tougher, but the whole bra size thing is just too complicated for me.

2

Yeah, bra sizing is super weird. Measure under the breasts and add 5 inches etc. etc. etc. WTF? I have found that the best method is simply trial and error–try on different sizes until you find one that fits. Unfortunately, that means that bra shopping takes forever and a day. Fortunately, I’ve found a bra that works for me. Unfortunately, it is a hideous grandma bra and only comes in white and beige. Fortunately, it’s a popular Playtex style, and is unlikely to be discontinued any time soon.

After I weaned the Beansprout, my breasts got so engorged and huge that I felt like I had footballs on my chest. Just for giggles, I decided to measure and see what my bra size was. I was a 40H! :eek: Things are going back to normal now.

3

I predict this thread will have 1000 views and 25 replies.

Oh, and I wouldn’t go without. Sounds to me like you could knock your jaw out while running. :smiley:

4

Good for you ! :wink:

Sports bras always puzzled me, because I’m sure our ancestors were just as endowed as we were yet probably had no trouble running around without knocking themselves out :stuck_out_tongue:

5

When I was running (I really need to start up again) I just opted for the sports brassieres that gave me the uniboob look. It was annoying as hell but, hey, it worked.

I sometimes found these contraptions hard to take off by myself, too. Mr. Tech had to help me on numereous occasions.

I’m a 36D, for what it’s worth. There was no way in hell I was running sans some sort of support.

6

To Quote myself in a Rant Against the Machine to hijack a Pit rant on women’s pants sizes:

God, I was on a tear that day.
FTR, I hate bra shopping. I’d rather give birth and have an episiotomy than bra shop any day.

7

I can recommend going into one of those shops with salespersons. Once you get over the embarrasment of a strange lady coming into the cubicle and adjusting some strap on your shoulder or looking critically if your nipples still aligne, they’re great.

In the shop I’ve been to, the (elderly, very ladylike) saleswomen knew all the stock by heart. I was out of the shop again in 20 minutes, with the bra I’m going to buy and buy again for the next five years.

8

I agree that the whole bra sizing thing is weird. What happens is, an A cup is not always the same size. It depends on the band size. 40A, 38B, 36C, 34D, 32DD, etc, all have the same cup size. Or, 38A, 36B, 34C, 32D. All the same volume.

Sounds weird but if you go to a store and compare, you’ll find that the volume of of the cups really are all the same.

That being said, a lot of sizing charts are completely innaccurate anyway. Also, just because you’ve been wearing a certain size for ages, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right size. This past winter I went to a shop and someone help me. I almost had an anyeurism when I found out what my real bra size was. But now I know what I’m actually supposed to bearing, my bras fit better than I ever expected! It’s amazing the difference it makes. It totally sucked to have the lady popping in out, seeing me in my skivvies (NO one had ever seen me that way before!), jiggling the back strap to get it to sit right, tsking over how it looked. Nightmare. But I’d recommend it if you’re having trouble buying a bra. It’s only about 30 minutes worth of torture.

9

I have 26’’ ribs and 36’’ bust…making me a 30E, using the add 4 for even, A=+0, B=+1 rule.

30E fit, but so do 30F and some 30DD.

For me it’s the back size which is most important. Being fairly tiny, I need a tight-fitting back strap to give me support, and short shoulder straps because I’m short (5’)
Having cups which don’t let the girls escape is the main thing though!

10

Just the thread I needed, I went bra shopping today.

Last time I went I had a great salesgirl. I tried on about 50 or so bras and found four I liked, then checked the prices and we have two bras, still $100+.

This time, same store, different sales person. Tried on 8 bras, none of them I’m crazy about, bought one that was acceptable.

Then I went to Victoria’s Secrets. Ususally I find nothing that works for me there, I’m a 38D and need support, strangely, this time I found a bra. I had a salesgirl that convinced me to try on a few styles that I would never had picked and one of them worked, so I bought two.

I’m not a built like a twig and need my boobs up and out for all the slimming effect I can get. The bras I bought are not the cute pretty ones. I can’t find support in cute and pretty. Why can’t us bigger girls have pretty and cute. Would it cost that much more to pretty up supporting bras?

I did find some great panties though…

11

Sometimes I think I’m the only small girl on the dope.

If I wore a bra, it’d be around a 34-B. I might also be happy with one of those “not quite a b” bras.

12

HA! If I fit into an A cup I celebrate! :frowning:

Oh well, at least they don’t bounce when I run. shrug

Trouble is, Women are supposed to be “hourglass”, but I’ve only got the bottom half curviness. Eh.

13

Different sports bra manufacturers have their own sizing charts, just like normal clothing manufacturers. It’s a horrid conspiracy. I just go to a sports/outdoor store like REI where they have a wide array of job tops. Some of the brands have a “range” chart, which is helpful, but I find that I still have to try them on (and slightly cringing at the fact that who knows how many other women have also done this with this article of clothing).

Again, it’s a horrid conspiracy. Even worse, unless you are hipless, pants don’t fit right half the time. Then again, I’m shaped like a duck.

14

I loathe bra shopping too. I’m a 34D or DD, but I’m otherwise a really short and small person, so nothing fits. Either the cups are too small and I spill out the sides (which looks terrible), or the straps are too long even when adjusted to the max (this is an even bigger problem with sports bras).

As others have said, the only nice fitting bras available to the bigger busted are all either a) ugly, b) underwire, or c) both. I for one cannot stand underwires. They pinch and dig. I think it would be easier if I was a 36 or 38D, because very few bras come in 34D. Certainly no sexy ones.

Anyone ever check out Frederick’s of Hollywood? There isn’t one around here, but I imagine they probably cater to all types. You’d think someone would make cute bras for all those silicon boobed skinny women, that I could fit in (even though mine, sadly, are real)?

15

Sheesh. I thought I had problems. I’m considered a Plus size - way too much woman for most men. My biggest beef is for larger busted women - they make the darned things too wide - 4, count 'em 4 hooks in back. ICK! And what’s with pushing them to the side so they try to get under my arms? They’re not particularly cold at any time, I don’t need them cuddled under there! The other problem is finding one without underwires. Why do men design the bras (no apostrophe)? Most men have never and will never wear one, so how do they know what’s comfortable?

As to sports bras - depending on your age, they may not be the most beneficial. A friend in her mid to late 40’s was told by her doctor she needed to quit wearing them, as they don’t provide enough support - love that gravity.

There’s my 2 cents . . .

16

:smiley: Marty Feldman-ish, oh Shirley Ujest thank you for the laugh, have tears in me eyes.

As for the OP, I hear ya. I’m a 36DD, not so hard to find until it comes to sportsbras. I run everyday, going sans…is just asking for trouble. Drivers around here are bad enough without the extra distraction(s) :wink: .

BUT! I must add, at least American bras are have size coordiantes, Italian bras come in a numerical size only. size 1 = 32A, 32B size 2 = 32C, 34B etc. etc. Thank Og for online shopping._ :smiley:

17

Rubystreak, I was getting ready to post, But you have said, word for word, what I was going to… I hear ya, sister! I am 34D/DD, but a small person. It’s as if bra manufacturers figure you are either very tiny all the way round, or big all the way round. Like you, if I get a cup size that fits, the straps are too long.

One sports bra company that makes a decent, but still not-quite-roomy enough, bra is Champion. After each washing, before drying, before drying, I stick my fist in the cup area and stretch it out. After a bit, it fits better. Having to do this makes me muy cranky, though. Grrrr!

18

I’m a 40 or a 42DD, depending upon which bras I choose… Ugh. First of all, those damned underwires will, I’m convinced, be the death of me. They always pop out on the outside, though, so maybe I’m safe.

As for the nipple issue: I have to push myself around in my wheelchair all day, so my breasts shift around & my nipples wind up pointing in all sorts of directions. Also, the back of the bra tends to ride up. I was fitted professionally a number of years ago, but I’ve not been re-fitted since - it’s such a pain in the ass!

I won’t get into the utter lack of variety in terms of style & color except to wonder why the women who need support the most get the least choice when it comes to style and color. Grrrr, indeed.

19

Bra-shopping’s the worst…except maybe for bathing suit shopping. I’ve never been able to find a bikini top that fits so much as 2/3 of a given tit into a cup, let alone something normal looking that fits.

I’ve been in D cups since I was in sixth grade, wear a 38DD or so now, and have a meduim build. (I’m 39-30-38, 5’8" and 145 lbs). I’m seventeen, and virtually NO misses tops/dresses fit because of the whole “well-developed breasts” issue. I don’t need plus sizes–the time I bought something that was has tons of extra material…I just have big boobs slightly disproportionate to the rest of my frame.

And the bras themselves…ugh. I want a bra that, like Suisaidh said, doesn’t have four hook and eye closures up the back, and isn’t a medicinal ace bandage color, and doesn’t look it was designed with senior-citizen women of the fifties in mind. It takes a lot of scouting around to find something big enough that’s still attractive looking (that I don’t fall out of/doesn’t subdivide my tits into fourths). Most things look as if they were designed to trap and contain a breast, then either seperate them as far as possible, (which gives each breast a horrible coned shape), or push them both into an oversized siamese-boob. And elelle, I hear you on that strap issue…mine are always jacked as short as they’ll go. And I haven’t had bras that didn’t have underwires poking at my armpits since I was thirteen.

Whether they’re big or they’re little, sometimes tits just suck. Which ties in with their intended function I guess, but still.

20

Is there a bra size where you don’t have some sort of problem with the selection? I hate running around the underwear section trying to find a bra for my little missles that doesn’t involve five pounds of padding. (Then, of course, you wash it, and the pads get folded and creased, and you have strange lines down the middle of your boobs - ugh, don’t get me started.)

My high school cheerleading coach used to swear that running without a sports bra could lead to horrible problems later in life. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it seems safer to strap 'em down anyway.