It's not as big as it sounds. I know you hear things like 36C or something is average, but I really believe the average women should be in a smaller band size and a bigger cup than we are used to. When you're out and about, notice how many women have bras riding up in back. Sometimes it's most of them. That means they're aren't being supported and need a smaller band. And when you go down in band size, you go up in cup size, because it's all just relative. The C in a 42C is a very different size from the C in a 32C.

Sometimes the bras are riding up in back because of a band size that is too large...and other times the bra might have fit ONCE, but it is worn out. The elastic/stretch components in the bra have been worn out from too many washings and wearings. A good bra, if you wear it a couple times a week, and hand wash/line dry it-should only last 6-8 months.

That is currently my problem, too. I lost quite a few inches in chest (I think 4 1/2") but somehow my bra size did not change much, other than it looks I am half way between C and D (depending on each specific bra).

Also, am I the only who has one boob [significantly] bigger than the other?

"I feel your pain, hun.
Same with dress shopping.
There's only been 1 time in my life when I didn't have to wear a stiff, uncomfortable 24-hook corsette-style girdle bra with a dress. And the dress had a laceup back so I couldn't breathe anyways lol

Last time I went bra shopping at JC Pennies, the little Asian woman who was assisting me laughed at me and said I should just leave."

OMG that is the most horrible thing ever!

Noo tomato you're in good ocmpany!

I'm bumping this thread up. I wear a 44D & my problem is that my boobs must be funny shaped. They always fit the bottom of the cup, but the top of the cup is all saggy. In the past, I always solved this by buying a demi cup. Body by Victoria Demi was my favorite. Now I'm way to big for VS. Does anyone else have this problem & if so, what are your favorite bras?

I have the reverse problem--No store thinks the big women would have small boobs--I a 40-42 and a A cup. It's just my luck that the only thing that doesn't get fat on my when I gain weight is my boobs. Sigh! Well, when I get to my goal weight, I should be able to buy the bras off the rack. It only gives me more motivation.

Amy--Sorry my post wasn't more help to you--if I could, I'd trade you boobs

I used to be a bra fitter... and I can tell you I have seen it ALL. ALLLLLLLLL...

And I used to do EVERYTHING in my power to fit a woman in the RIGHT bra for HER. And I could do that 99% of the time. (Honestly, the toughest to fit were women who had augmentations -- european bras tend to be better for augmented breasts, btw).

A my Top-10(+1) tips that might be helpful for everyone.

#1 most important thing... ALWAYS... is get your band size right. This is the MOST important thing about your bra. It's what does the supporting -- NOT the cup. You can measure yourself at home if it's more comfortable for you. Fold over the measuring tape at 5 inches and then measure. Pull the tape snugly, but not TIGHT just below your breasts. THAT is your band measurement. Cup size is secondary and fairly arbitrary depending on the brand. The band should NEVER cut into you. and it should NOT ride up your back (too big of a band size). It should also fit on the middle clasp...

#2 -- DON'T be afraid of underwire! If a bra fits you correctly, it will not dig into you. The underwire should come up toward the middle of your armpit. (amazingly, if you see the new VS ad for their new miracle bra, you'll notice the bra does not FIT her AT ALL because you can see how the underwire on the side comes up about two inches away from her airmpit, and she's spilling over the cup)

#3 -- Don't be afraid of a little "lining." If you're larger, it WILL NOT make you appear larger... but it does help shape and lift a little and is good for "modesty." Lined is not the same as PADDING.

#4 -- try on SEVERAL different types of bras. Try a full coverage, a demi-cup, lacy (except when you're wearing t-shirts!), not lacy, lined, unlined (though, please refer to #3). Try something new and don't get stuck in the mindset of wearing a bra style you're most familiar with... You could surprise yourself.

#5 -- You should NEVER have quad boobs. EVER. If you're large -- find a more full-coverage cup that smooths you out. Your boobs should not be split in half by a too-small cup. EVER.

#6 -- Once you get your band size right, go ahead and try on bras with the same band size and different cup sizes. It varies -- stupid bra manufacturers.

#7 -- Another reason bra manufacturers are stupid is that you can actually go down a band-size and up a cup size and the bra will generally fit the same. (For example, a 38B fits almost exactly as a 36C... a 38C same as a 36D, etc...) So if you're having problems finding the right size, go ahead and try this trick... but I would only suggest doing it for ONE SIZE difference..

#8 -- Minimizer bras can work wonders for very large breasts. Just be sure you can breathe in them!

#9 -- Don't freak out over brands. If a bra fits well, it doesn't matter. (honestly, the selection at places like Kohls is INCREDIBLE)

#10 -- I know it's been mentioned before but Playtex makes "Nearly" bras to fit all of you who are "in between" sizes.

#11 -- If you have one breast larger than the other, don't be too ashamed to wear "chicken cutlet" inserts to help balance you out. Or find a bra with removable padding -- you can keep the padding in one and take it out of the other. Don't be embarrassed about the "cutlet" no one will see it -- and anyone who would see it has seen your breasts anyway...


The right bra will make all the difference in the world... It will make you appear thiner, make you stand up more straight and you won't be chomping at the bit to get home to take off your bra at the end of the day.

If any of you have questions, PLEASE don't hesitate to PM me. I went through a ton of training, and AGAIN have seen it ALLLLLL. NOTHING surprises me. If you have a problem, I PROBABLY have a solution or some suggestions.

Good luck ladies... we're all in it together... but I have faith that there is a bra for EVERYONE out there.

36F. Seriously. NO-ONE makes a 36F.

I can't buy sports bras (except for a very few) that will hold my floppy, post-children and weight loss suckers in and not let them flap around. If I find a bra that fits well and is comfortable (again, most regular shops tell me "sorry, they only make this style up to a D in your size") I buy half a dozen pairs, because I am never sure when I will find something that fits again.

As for sales, forget it. I don't think I've ever bought a nice, well-fitting bra on sale. There's a new specialty shop here that opened last year, and they have some lovely stuff. They don't have anything under a D cup. But the price! They start at about $95! I can't be doing that.

The great American boob swap.

If the top half of your cup is saggy, it sounds like you are wearing a cup size too large. Try a few 44C size bras on. It should fill out the cup, and make the breasts look more lifted.

Check out the JMS site here, and scroll to the bottom. They sell the specialty line of Glamorise bras, called Glamorise AB. They are plus sized bras MADE for A & B cups. They are all under $30!!!!

Here is the eBay page for 36F...there are some nice Glamorize sports bras on there, too:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

Here is the page on eBay for 36DDD, which is the same thing as F (and DD is the same as E) :

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_dmp...=36F&_osacat=0


There are a LOT of choices there, you just aren't going to find them on the rack at most stores. (My mom is also a 36DDD/36F...)

kukristen, thanks for all those great bra buying tips. I'm on the hunt for a new one as soon as I can get to the stores by myself. My band size is getting too big so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can find one that fits nicely.

I'm a 50 B (more like an A 1/2) and have yet to find the holy grail of bras that I like. Out of all the women in my family, my older sister got the Ds while the rest of us cower in the A-B corner.

I think everyones right boob is SLIGHTY bigger , But i also have the same problem after i lost some weight my boobs shrunk From a D but they are not a C yet , Very frustrating