A lot of 3FC ladies have been extremely helpful when it comes to all my bra projects so I wanted to pass on some of the results (and hopefully this can be helpful to many here too!).

Awhile back myself and some other bloggers decided we want to bring about awareness when it comes to bra sizing/fit, especially in the smaller bands so we created the Bra Band Project. Basically, we asked women who needed 30 band bras or smaller to submit photos of themselves and we created a flickr album to bring about awareness and also show that women of ALL sizes and ALL ages could need small bra back sizes (for instance, I needed a 30 band when I was at the top end of an overweight BMI). You can seem my post here discussing it more with links to the photos.

The other project that many, many 3FC ladies helped out with (thank you sooooooo much!) was my Underbust Survey (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5). Wherein I discussed size ranges in bras by BMI and found that actually many plus-sized women need smaller bra bands and larger cup sizes (but that there were certainly some who need larger bra bands, especially at the high end).

Anyway, I just wanted to thank all the ladies here for being supportive and putting up with my bra fanaticism. I just feel so passionately about it and I think women really need supportive bras (especially after weight loss) not only for their body image but also for health reason (well fitting sports bras obviously being one of them!).

What a great project! As a 38G I am so glad when I see women who know their proper bra size!

Thanks! I definitely agree, it really makes a difference in terms of support.

This is definitely something i'm dealing with... I wear 34D in VS, but my ribcage is 29"... so loose bra bands are something I've sort of just accepted in my life.

I don't know whether I'm willing to spend over $50 on a bra at this point in my life. What brand should I go to for a well-fitting, right-sized sleek nude T-shirt bra for a reasonable amount of money?

Check Ebay and Figleaves.com. I've never spent more than $30 on a bra and I'm a 30G!

First, stop shopping at VS! Go to a small bra boutique and get fitted by a professional. Not all well fitting bras are expensive. Granted I pay $70 for mine, but I need it and they are a staple of my wardrobe. Once you know your true size and what brands fit, you can look for them on line or just buy 1 or 2.

You've helped so many women here! YOU deserve a round of applause!

All of you who are 30 bands and under should submit your pictures to the bra band project! (Mine is there; see if you can find it ) It's really eye-opening to see the different ADULT body shapes represented in a so-called junior's size.


lackadaisy - Cheap bras in smaller band + bigger cup sizes can be found (I've never paid more than $25, even with shipping!) It just requires a little hunting for coupons and sales.

Alternatively you can take the bras you have and take in the band. Running has a post on her blog about it and I've done it before myself (although a little differently). I'm actually taking in a bunch of bands tonight when I get home from the gym! My 30 band bras are just slightly too big :/

I never had trouble finding bras that fit me in Australia. I was an E cup but very small band size, probably a 32-34 here (the sizes are different there).

But here it's so hard to find them. I thought it would be easier here being a much bigger country and all.

The only reason I wear a bra is so my nipples don't indent my clothes. I hate when they make bras that are too thin in the nipple area, or when I'm looking for a cute bra that doesn't have extra padding or push up- I don't want my breasts to be larger nor do I need them to be pushed up higher, nor pushed together. The adhesive and stick ons aren't bad but are not cute.

I'm not sure of your size? But some materials do a lot better than others. If you're worried about your nippled showing up avoid stretchy bras like the plague!!

Padded bras are the easiest fix for this but if you don't like them don't worry there are a lot of other great options out there too! If Curvy Kates fit you they have a very strong mesh material in their cups that's not stretchy and really works well to prevent nip slips. The cups themselves (for the non-padded ones) seem to give a more natural breast shape instead of the pushed up look (their padded ones do the exact opposite and give a very pushed-up shape for comparison).

If you need help with bras/sizing let me know.

I'm not sure where you are in NC but there is a really amazing store (And I know they have a larger selection and the fitters are AWESOME) in NC: http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/ Even if you aren't nearby it might be worth it to get in contact with them because I'm sure they'd be able to help you out finding something nearby or could order something for you too.

sontaikle
Ah, thanks so much! Honestly, I'm just happy when women start wearing the correct bra size!

lackadaisy if you're thinking of doing bra alterations read this first: http://braslessinbrasil.blogspot.com...terations.html Basically, everything I've learned after doing it multiple times.

Also, like sontaikle said there are definitely affordable bras out there! I highly recommend brastop (they have great sales and offer free or half price international shipping about once/month), figleaves has much lower shipping costs and lots of sales items (if you do buy there it would be great if you did so through my blog, then I earn a small commission but seriously NO pressure, I'd much rather have women in well fitting bras than anything else), ebay UK does a lot of worldwide shipping and also has great deals.

I'd suggest starting with either 30 or 28 bands. Since you're wearing a 34D right now 30E or 28F would be good starting places BUT you might find that you need to go up a lot of cup sizes! Often time really big bands can disguise fit problems so cups appear to fit when in reality their much too small. So if you can it might be worth it to try 30E, 30F and possibly even 30FF (and then return whatever doesn't fit).

Oh, for a good nude T-shirt bra there are a few options in your size:
- Curvy Kate's Daily Boost :http://www.brastop.com/SetDetails.aspx?setId=3695 (the cups run a bit small so I'd try this in a 30F or 30FF for you)
- Fantasie Smooth T-shirt bra: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/30-32-34-Band...-/140491914563 (cups run big so go for a 30E or 30F)
- Panache Porcelain: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Panache-Bra-3...-/150813407216
- Panache Cleo http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PANACHE-CLEO-...-/251005423711 (LOVE Cleo in general, haven't tried this because it doesn't come in my size, though)
- Freya Deco: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Freya-Deco-Mo...-/130682707517 (runs big so go with 30E or 30F... comes in nude just not shown in that picture)
- Parfait Affinitas Jeanie: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Affinitas-Par...-/290688691030 (heard AMAZING things about this brand and it's a US brand so slightly cheaper, haven't tried it only because they don't carry my size)

I swear we need to start a "runningfromfat Saved My Boobs" fan club. Thank you for all you've done to help people on the board get into properly fitted bras. My Ewa Michalaks have changed my life!

I used to have this problem too until I found DIMRS. They are medical grade reusable silicone nipple covers - basically flesh toned silicone petals that go over your nipples. You can wear them underneath any bra and they totally prevent your nipples from poking through your bra/shirts. I have had mine for at least 1 year now - same pair. I just remove them before bed, rinse them in warm water and gentle soap, and dry them with a towel or let them air dry overnight. I actually bought mine on ebay. I think they sell them on Amazon too.

Thank you, runningfromfat, for all the great bra advice! You have helped me too.

Thanks so much Blueberries and guacamole! It makes me so happy that you love your bras!

Blueberries, did you see my post today? http://braslessinbrasil.blogspot.com...-ordering.html You can now place orders for Ewa Michalak bras through The Big Bra Bar (UK based), which means returns are easier and shipping is probably cheaper (they do other bands besides just the 26/28 too so basically you could order whatever bras you want from them and they'll send them to you world wide!).