Ok so recently I bought new bras, I used to be a 38D now I'm down to 36D (I carry most of my weight in the lower part of my body) awesome, I'm happy about that.

But I just bought the bras without trying them on, I expected that if I was a D before I would be a D still, maybe even have a little bit smaller boobs. Nope. My cup spilleth over. Not enough to warrant returning them, but enough to notice when there isn't a shrt covering it.

Why did my boobs get bigger? Is it simply less area for them to "spread out" with the smaller band size?

Lucky you!
My boobs only get smaller when I lose weight. Although that is a miracle in itself, seeing at I am an H I can easily stand to lose some! Sadly my girls look "deflated" (I hope that makes sense) lol.

The only thing I can think of other then the band size giving the girls less room to roam is maybe the shoulder straps? I know when my shoulder straps are a little to tight my boobs get the "sausage roll" going on.

I used to work at victoria's secret and the way the measurements work is the width around just above or below your bust is your band size and then a letter for every inch you are bigger around your bust versus your band size. So it sounds like you shrunk around but the size of your boobs stayed the same (thus needing a double d rather than just the d). I hope that makes sense. There was also a slightly different formula for plus size but can't remember what it was.

I'm a 38b which sucks in finding anything cute. I will rejoice the day I can fit into a 36c (assuming my boobs don't shrink :/)

Are you sure they actually got bigger? Cup size is usually determined by bust measurement less band measurement. So, in theory, if your band got smaller and your bust didn't, it may push you into the DD range.

This is just my understanding but I'm sure someone with more expertise can chime in.

Hmm, perhaps they didn't grow, just stayed the same. Either way, I'll take it! I'm sure my fiancé will be overjoyed to hear that I am now a DD

Cup size is relative to band size. So your 38D bra would carry the same breast volume as a 36DD. So your boobs stayed the same size but you lost weight around them, which is still awesome. It would make them look a bit bigger anyway if the rest of you is shrinking. I was a 30E for a while but now I'm a 30DD.. it caught up to me eventually and I don't even really have boobs.

Ditto to Leila. I have boobage now....32F...but I do not look big! The letter is just the difference between the ribcage and bust measurement.

I have no idea but I wish my boobs would grow lol

36DD is almost the exact same size as 38D.

I'm a 34 DD and a 36 D is too small in the bust/too loose in the band.

I don't think that means they grew- the cup size in a 38 D is usually a bit smaller than a 36D. Try holding them up next to each other. Here's some info: http://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Your-Bra-Size

"However, what many people do not realize is that cup sizes are in proportion to the band size, so a D cup, for example, is not the same size in every bra. A 32D is the same size as a 34C or 36B, but on a smaller frame."

Also, you might have moved from a full coverage bra to a demi bra. That would mean the full would push them in more and make it seem like they're not actually too big for the cup.

I wish my boobs would grow! lol I only have a B cup... I don't want to be huge or anything but a C would be nice...

Same here. I'm a 32F, but I don't look big, just in proportion, even though I'm petite.

lol i hate you all (well not really cuz i can jump up and down without a bra with ease)Im a 36B

yup, ditto on the bust /ribcage measurements.

i find that i have to keep a variety of bras kicking around- and it depends on "how ribby" i am (so bloat/hydration etc) on a given day. some days my 36DDs are ready to just..exit the building and I need to wear a 34 D- other days, I have spillage OUT of the very same 36DD. Seriously, I go through this several times a week lol