HImom, the calculator you linked to agrees with most of the more recent ones I’ve seen, in not adding 4-5 inches to the band size before calculating the difference between the two measurements. Adding those inches would always give me a size that didn’t remotely fit (the band size would be too big and the cup size too small), while this calculation seems to work for me. I’m not very adventurous, so after I found something in Target’s house brand a number of years ago that fit me, I have simply been ordering them online, and getting new ones when they wear out – if it ain’t broke, etc. I’ve never been fitted in person, because I think my nervousness might be apparent. Even though I realize that the fitters probably wouldn’t divine my history, and probably couldn’t care less even if they did,
The fitter was very reluctant for me to try a smaller band size, but once I did, the band seemed to fit better and not ride up in the back.
I specifically asked what she had in a wider back and side panels but it doesn’t seem they have anything, or she never brought me any in any case. She muttered something about these ones with narrower bands being “cuter” than “industrial bras” with wider straps and back and sides. I guess one promotes the inventory they’ve got.
When I get fitted (usually during their big January sale,) the gal puts her two fingers under the back band and tells me it’s good- but then adds that if I feel it’s off, the end choice is really about what I feel. I try to get what seems right not just in the store, but what will work over time (all elastic stretches, over time.) My older bras will ride up in the back a bit, which is (seems to me) a matter of the weight you’re carrying in the cup. I also hate when straps fall down over your shoulders. That seems to be a matter of how the backs of the straps are placed. I do find the newer the bra, the better the overall way it works.
My girls are just enough different sizes that often one cup fits fine but the other is either loose and wrinkly, or I’m overflowing. I won’t wear the molded cups for that reason; I need a bra where the cups have some elasticity within them to fit the one side and stretch a bit on the other. My bras are 36DD and 38D; different companies and styles fit differently. I may pop into Nordstrom Rack when I’m in the area next week.
Nordstrom’s Rack in Honolulu had quite s lot of 38s last time I was there. Sadly, there isn’t much in 32G or 34DD or DDD. I think that I’m probably a 32G or 34DDD but would be willing to try other options.
I have decided the bras I bought at the boutique really doesn’t fit me properly and will go back with D to trade the one that I have never worn (and still has its tags) for something for D. She has a hard time finding good-fitting bras as well. She’s my 0 or 00 and very petite, under 100 pounds and 5’ 2.5"
My D has purchased bras at Intimacy several times, and in a few cases they actually did alterations to make sure the fit properly. Their employees are trained experts. You’ll never get that kind of attention and service at a department store. And don’t go for bargain brands–you wear a bra every day, and the proper fit can make a huge difference in your appearance. It’s worth the investment in a quality product.
We have no Intimacy stores. I have been to both of our stores that advertise bra fittings–Nordstrom and an independent boutique. The stock is limited at both locations and neither mentioned alterations.
HImom, you may need to wait until you are on the mainland.
Yea, but when I am traveling, I don’t like to devote a ton of time and energy to lingerie shopping. Maybe I will go to LA and visit D and she and I can treat ourselves to a good evaluation and some nice things. She’s petite and has her own challenges with fitting, especially since many stores don’t even carry a small enough band size.
This video is very informative and quite entertaining as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf2LSpTH2mY
Great video 
Thx.
How tight should the band be? I’ve worn 36 my entire life; the back doesn’t ride up. I went for a professional fitting and she recommended 32. OMG-I like oxygen too! No way I could’ve functioned in that.
Does anyone have a recommendation for bras for extremely low set breasts? Also very wide. This means they are under my arms and have extra back and side fat 
I have been fitted with 34 for quite a while. The 32 is pretty uncomfortable but the 34 rides up. I have seen and read about some people who modify their bras to tighten the bands or make them less stretchy.
I would be curious to see what I might fit in a lingerie shop like Janette’s Bras in Pasadena, where they start at D and are said to specialize in fold with small band sizes.
Woman physician here. I skipped most posts but feel the need to offer advice. Breast reduction surgery sounds indicated for health reasons. Insurance companies do pay for this. At least one poster has had it and you should pm her. My experience in the OR as the anesthesiologist allowed me to see the effects of too much weight on the shoulders. No bra can take away the excess weight and what it does to your upper body. The women who had it done wish they hadn’t waited. I understand why the teen had her reduction mammoplasty- benefits outweighed any nipple sensitivity loss. Do not fear surgery. Do not fear loss of cup size. You can enjoy a still above average bosom size without the problems of too much tissue.
PS- I have had the opposite bra finding problem. Manufacturers seem to not realize small busted women with broad backs need appropriate sizes available, especially when cup sizes get bigger for any letter as the bra size increases- bra extenders make straps slip off the shoulders more often.
So much easier to be average in everything- physically and intellectually and…
I don’t and have not had shoulder or back pain. I don’t understand why I’d want surgery because honestly I’m ok, only frustrated at the limited bra selection in my size (now that I’m getting closer to figuring out the true size). I agree that if I was having shoulder or back pain AND good bras couldn’t fix this, I would contemplate surgery, @wis75. Thanks for your suggestion.
I admit hunting for bras is not s top priority for me. Maybe I will go back to our local bra boutique and give them another try, now that I’ve decided a 34 band is too loose and the 32 band (which they tried to fit me in) really IS better. I can trade back my unworn with tags 34ddd and get a 32 in the correct cup size.
Any suggestions for high impact sports bras for full figures? My D wears a 34DDD. We found a bra from Bare Necessities that fits very well, but she still bounces too much when she runs. There is another bra sold by Roadrunner that work OK, but that one’s not that great either. She currently has very serious chafing (oozing and bleeding) on her breasts due to cross country training, so this is urgent! And yes, we know about Body Glide.
Is there a bra boutique near where you/she lives so she can get fitted for something good? Sounds awful that she’s having oozing and bleeding. So sorry to read/hear. I’m trying to find everyday stuff before I start looking for sports stuff. Is it possible that she’s really a small band size and a bigger cup size? It seems a ton of us are in too big band sizes, which does NOT give adequate support. I’m finding that to my surprise I fit 32G better than 34DDD. Have her measure her underbust and see what that number is. Mine is 30 and the 32 band initally felt tight but now feels fine and is better. Is there a Nordstrom’s near you so she can try on what they might have in her size for high impact? They seem to have more of the small band, high cup sizes than other stores around here (if there are no lingerie boutiques near you)–they definitely have more inventory than Macy’s.
I am by no means a large-breasted woman, but I have heard that some gals solve the problem by wearing two sports bras at the same time.
TheGFG- have you looked at Athleta? My equestrian jumping D is a similar size and she has found sports bras at Athleta that work for her.
The bra fitters at Nordstrom vary. You might find a great one or end up with one that is just fair. I do agree that a larger Nordstrom has a good selection of small band but large cups. When my D was a 32DD we had good luck at Nordstom Rack. She has grown since and we recently went to a local lingerie boutique. The woman fitting her was really kind. She also was aware of the costs and tried to fit her in something that wasn’t astronomical in price. The best part was that after my D felt so much better about herself. The right bra took 10 lbs off her look. The same boutique also had a good selection for small breasted women.
HiMom- I know several women who have been fitted at Sara’s in the San Fernando Valley area of LA.
I have heard of wearing up to 3 sports bras at the same time. I’d imagine this is very uncomfortable. For yoga (low impact), I’d just wear a tight (probably wrong sized) cotton bra with no underwire.
As soon as I get properly fitted for good everyday bras, I plan to also get some good sports bras. The one the Nordstrom’s salesclerk offered me was torture to put in and I can’t imagine how I could ever move in it (pretty sure it was the wrong size).
The key to a good sports bra in a larger cup size is to be sure to be properly fitted instead of S, M, L, XL. Those generic bras might provide some level of support for less endowed but REALLY bad for folks with bigger bosoms and small chests.