The bra thread, or: *~*~Your bosom and you ~*~*

[Deleted]

Ok you incredible bitches, everyone is sick of 94261293761 threads about bras and boob sizes so bookmark this bitch and stop making new ones.
Oh and if you want to tag me to ask me a question, its fucksticklegit with the @ before it.

Watch the video, read the post, ask questions here if they're not already covered. Do not assume you are a special and unique snowflake and start a whole new thread asking something that will probably be covered in this post or can be easily answered here. I will just post a link directing you to this thread. And probably a gif.

WATCH THIS




The biggest myth when it comes to bras and measuring for them, is that D cups and up must mean GIGUNDO TITTIES! The problem with that is, cup size alone is not enough of an indicator of breast volume! Cup size and band size are codependent!
This illustrates it really well:



Take a look at that shit! Mind blowing, right? So if one more of you says "THERE'S NO WAY I AM A 32G! MY BOOBS AREN'T THAT BIG!! THIS IS A LIIIIIE!!" I will smack you upside the freaking head. Throw the myth out the damn window and just try this shit. Seriously. Don't forget to "swoop n' scoop" your boobs into your cups because it makes ALLLLLLL the difference.


This link does a great job of explaining the correct way to measure, has some troubleshooting tips/insight, as well as a US/UK size conversion chart. I highly suggest reading it:

www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/rh26h/is_getting_fitted_for_a_bra_as_humiliating_as_it/c469bi0


Now for some common questions and comments:

I measured myself using this method, and my band size is an odd number. What should I doooo??

Round to the nearest even number. If you get a measurement of 31, round up to 32. If you get 28.5, I would try rounding down to a 28 but you might also want to try some 30's as well.

Herroom.com has a great little survey to find out what kind of bras will suit your breast shape as well as other breast characteristics. VERY HELPFUL!!
www.herroom.com/know-your-breasts/Questions.aspx


I've heard that you are supposed to buy a bra that fits on the last clasp (the one that would make it biggest) so you can move to the smaller clasps as the band elastic stretches out.

Yes! The whole point of having more than one column of clasps is so that as it stretches with wear, you can move inward to tighten and compensate to get longer wear out of the bra.


One of my boobs is a lot larger than the other. AM I A FREAK OF NATURE?! HOW DO I DEAL WITH THIS??

No one has perfectly symmetrical (natural) breasts! Much like balls, boobs tend to always have one larger, some more so than others. If one of your breasts is a cup size or more larger than the other, buy your bras fit to the larger breast and use an insert in the smaller breast's cup to fill it out.


I measured myself using this method and the band size I got is smaller than what I'm wearing now. That seems like it would be really uncomfortable!??!

No, dingus. It is highly likely the band size you wear now is too big and giving you improper support. You are supposed to receive the majority of support from your bra's band, NOT the straps. Also, measuring this way you will likely receive a new (larger) cup size, which compensates and will actually be far more comfortable than you think. Your band should be TIGHT. Not cutting off circulation tight, but you should not be able to pull it away from your body very far. Your new bras might be a little more uncomfortable at first because you're so used to wearing the wrong size, but they should not be PAINFUL.

Ohemgeeeee apparently I am supposed to be wearing 38H! Where am I supposed to find this size bra since no one carries this shit!!??

Nordstrom/Nordstrom rack are notoriously good at carrying a variety of sizes and being really helpful. If you have one near you I highly suggest going there, or order online. Soma stores are usually decent too if you've got one. Some online sites that carry an array of sizes and have good reps:
Barenecessities.com
Soma.com
Figleaves.com
LaneBryant.com
Herroom.com
Brastop.com

*recommendations*:

Jun 24, 2013 18:52:37 GMT -5 candreco said:

(heart)

And also, www.leadinglady.com has very nice nursing bras/tanks and what looks like a decent selection of larger cup sizes, though mostly in the higher band sizes, in regular bras.

Ok fuckstick, if so many of us thought we were A/B/C cups and we're really F/G/H cups, why don't more stores sell these sizes??

Many reasons, some of which include the fact that stores stock product based on past sales. So if 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra sizes, usually B/C cups, the stores are going to stock those sizes most because of past sales info. Also, they probably don't know WTF about correct sizing either. DOWN WITH THE MAN!

 
Ughhhh Trying on bras is harrrrd. Can't I just look at some chart and magically KNOW which one will fit me??

GTFO. Seriously, you can measure all day long and still a bra in your "correct size" might not work for you. Why? Because bras are not all made the same, there is variation in sizing depending on brand and line of bra, everyone's breast tissue/fat is dispersed differently, style of bra does different things for your boobs, etc etc etc ad nauseum.

You have to try shit on to find what works for you and your boobs. All that being said, this isn't an exact science. Depending on where the majority of your breast tissue and fat lay, how broad your back is, if you've breastfed, etc it just might not be spot on for you. However, the majority of people who have actually tried measuring this way and physically tried on bras in the resulting size, say it is amazing and they've never had a bra fit so well. At the very least you can get an idea of what you should be looking for in a bra.


Here's a quick trouble shooting list:



Breasts spill over cup either on the tops or out the sides (like into the armpit area)?
The cup is too small, go up a cup size.

Bra cup is wrinkly?
Either the cup is too big or the style of the
cup isn't suited to your breast shape (i.e. the cup is shaped to
compliment a woman with upper pole fullness and you're more of a lower
pole kinda gal).

Underwires are digging into your sides/armpits or aren't flush against your ribs?
Cup size too small, go up a cup.

Band too tight?
Increase band size.

Band rides up in the back? (i.e. curves towards your neck, not
parallel with the floor?)
The band is too big, go down a band size.

Gore doesn't tack? (the center of the cups, where the underwires
form a little bridge of sorts isn't touching your torso?)
Cup size is
too small, go up a size.

Straps painfully digging in?
Loosen the straps to a two-finger
tightness. Band is possibly too large; size band down.

Do your breasts sag?
Then you were using the straps to over
support them. You most likely need a tighter band.

US/UK Size Conversion Chart:

[cleo29]

That was a lot to read. lol And once again, I am reminding myself to get over to Nordstom to get fitted again.

Oh and if people are looking for a great bra, I love my Natori bras. The fabrics are really soft and comfortable, they create a really nice shape and are comfortable. Oh and they hold up really well.

[sake]

just wondering... do you work somewhere where this is your job, or do you just magically KNOW all of this stuff that NONE of us have ever seemed to grasp. As my husband would say "did we just miss this day in girl school?"

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 18:46:36 GMT -5 sake said:

just wondering... do you work somewhere where this is your job, or do you just magically KNOW all of this stuff that NONE of us have ever seemed to grasp. As my husband would say "did we just miss this day in girl school?"

Like I mentioned in at least three previous threads, I used to work for Lane Bryant long ago and was taught the most common INCORRECT way to measure for bras. I no longer work there or in any form of retail. I work in medical claims and am in school to become a nurse.

As for how I know this? I do my research. I like to know shit and found this video which I realized made a lot of sense (I'd always thought it was weird to measure for a bra, while wearing one already). I tried it out on myself, my mom, and some friends and its made a world of difference for everyone.

I don't have some MAGICAL BRA KNOWLEDGE passed down through the ages. I just read a lot.

[candreco]

(heart)

And also, www.leadinglady.com has very nice nursing bras/tanks and what looks like a decent selection of larger cup sizes, though mostly in the higher band sizes, in regular bras.

[thatgirl2478]

LOVE YOU!

[LeggsBenedict]

that's really long. i need to start a recap thread.

[missajane]

This is a great roundup of info!  I do so love talking about boobs.  Mine are fantastic 90% of the time.  I only hate where they lipo'd my side boob.

[wambam]

ALL HAIL FUCKSTICK, QUEEN OF THE TOTS

[LeggsBenedict]

Jun 24, 2013 18:53:27 GMT -5 wambam said:

ALL HAIL FUCKSTICK, QUEEN OF THE TOTS

lol

[montereybride]

/parking random response here so I can come back later.

[sake]

Jun 24, 2013 18:52:02 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

Jun 24, 2013 18:46:36 GMT -5 sake said:

just wondering... do you work somewhere where this is your job, or do you just magically KNOW all of this stuff that NONE of us have ever seemed to grasp. As my husband would say "did we just miss this day in girl school?"

Like I mentioned in at least three previous threads, I used to work for Lane Bryant long ago and was taught the most common INCORRECT way to measure for bras. I no longer work there or in any form of retail. I work in medical claims and am in school to become a nurse.

As for how I know this? I do my research. I like to know shit and found this video which I realized made a lot of sense (I'd always thought it was weird to measure for a bra, while wearing one already). I tried it out on myself, my mom, and some friends and its made a world of difference for everyone.

I don't have some MAGICAL BRA KNOWLEDGE passed down through the ages. I just read a lot.

I have barely skimmed the million previous threads, b/c I just wasn't that interested in reading 1200 posts about bras. Sorry for asking something that had already been stated. 

I'm glad you have this knowledge though, b/c obviously it was a needed asset to ML!

[Saint Monica]

I'm afraid if I do it fuckstick style that I will be smaller than I think

[wambam]

Jun 24, 2013 18:56:02 GMT -5 kooshball said:

(and stop going to Victoria's Secret)

App like

[jigsy]

I love you

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 18:54:24 GMT -5 Saint Monica said:

I'm afraid if I do it fuckstick style that I will be smaller than I think

Firstly: "Oh and if you want to tag me to ask me a question, its fucksticklegit with the @ before it."

Secondly: JUST FUCKING TRY ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT AKFABSNLJGDF:GH 

Being "smaller" than you think doesnt necessarily make you "smaller" than you think! Look at the picture that explains cup/band ratio.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

MY TITS ARE SO FANTASTIC LOOKING, LISTEN TO HER

*forcibly smashes boobs against fuckstick's face*

[LeggsBenedict]

HEY WAIT I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

According to the internet, a little bit of alone time in front of a mirror and my measuring tape, I need to go down in band size 2-4 inches. I am worried this will totally squeeze my back fat in terrible, obvious ways. will scoop and swoop take care of that? do I need to find a smoothing bra? HALP ME QUEEN OF THE TOTS.

don't kill me if I missed this while skimming.

ETA I DIDN'T TAG YOU. @fucksticklegit 
this is why i can't find a job. I don't follow directions.

[PennyCandy]

Jun 24, 2013 18:54:24 GMT -5 Saint Monica said:

I'm afraid if I do it fuckstick style that I will be smaller than I think

I thought I was a member of the itty bitty titty committee. Yeah, not so much. By not so much, I mean two cup sizes bigger. Try it.

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 18:59:34 GMT -5 LeggsBenedict said:

HEY WAIT I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

According to the internet, a little bit of alone time in front of a mirror and my measuring tape, I need to go down in band size 2-4 inches. I am worried this will totally squeeze my back fat in terrible, obvious ways. will scoop and swoop take care of that? do I need to find a smoothing bra? HALP ME QUEEN OF THE TOTS.

don't kill me if I missed this while skimming.

ETA I DIDN'T TAG YOU. @fucksticklegit 
this is why i can't find a job. I don't follow directions.

Did your cup size go up in relation to the band size going down? If so, then that + swoop n' scoop = more room for breast tissue so that your band can do it's job and not squish your back fat into oblivion.

I also have a fatty backside, so I stick to bras with wider bands which usually have 3 or 4 clasps. They offer more coverage to keep the backfat in check.

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 18:53:27 GMT -5 wambam said:

ALL HAIL FUCKSTICK, QUEEN OF THE TOTS

[wambam]

Jun 24, 2013 19:05:01 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

Jun 24, 2013 18:53:27 GMT -5 wambam said:

ALL HAIL FUCKSTICK, QUEEN OF THE TOTS

/dead

[moolarkey]

Can you post her chart? It cuts off the last 3 inches - 14", 15", 16" and some people might need it on here. I haven't done the measurement yet but plan to. I"m thinking I'm probably in the 9 to 10" but you never know.

[goaskalice]

(heart)

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 18:54:07 GMT -5 montereybride said:

/parking random response here so I can come back later.

I'm quoting you to make sure you DO come back later. Your hooters will thank you.

[Deleted]

Bless you @fucksticklegit. I'm so going to measure myself tonight because I'm pretty sure none of my bras for correctly.

[LeggsBenedict]

my cup size did go up. swoop and scoop and a wider band, got it!

is it better to do the method where you measure yourself 3 ways and average it out? bending, laying and ..... standing I think? can you tell I only kind of paid attention to the bra threads?

[Deleted]

I don't have a fabric measuring tape. Can I use string and then measure it against a regular measuring tape?

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

I almost forgot I said I was taking before and afters.

Before: 36D, awful old bra.


After: 34F. WHEE! 10 years and 2 babies GONE.


I have a sunburn. I admit that I AM AN ADULT AND I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, JACKASSES.

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 19:11:55 GMT -5 LeggsBenedict said:

my cup size did go up. swoop and scoop and a wider band, got it!

is it better to do the method where you measure yourself 3 ways and average it out? bending, laying and ..... standing I think? can you tell I only kind of paid attention to the bra threads?

If you have lost a lot of weight or breastfed, its recommended to try all 3 and average.

If neither of those things, standing up straight and bending forward should be fine, but feel free to try all 3 for shits and giggles.