<p>My oldest is quite petite, except for her bra size. I believe she is something like a 28 DDD. She has been special ordering bras online without much luck & is suffering quite a bit with back pain.</p>
<p>I am not quite so small in the rib cage as she, and although I did have a breast reduction about 12 years ago, I didn’t really have back pain.</p>
<p>She is still in grad school, & I don’t know how good her ins is, a reduction doesn’t seem to be something she is considering at the moment.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone knew about Nordstroms selection these days? Or any other ideas?</p>
<p>ek, Have you checked Zovo in University Village? It’s an independent lingerie store that specializes in carrying a large range of sizes and in proper bra fit. Prices are comparable to Nordstrom (i.e, not cheap!) but they do carry some brands that I haven’t seen elsewhere. I hate shopping for bras but found Zovo to be a nice place to shop, with helpful fitters.</p>
<p>Ek, when she comes for a visit, take her to Zovo in the U Village. The girls who work there know bra business well, and they usually have some hard to find sizes and brands in stock. She can get fitted and later she can buy her bras at HerRoom, Fig Leaves, Bare Neccessities, etc.</p>
<p>zipyourlips, great minds do think alike! :)</p>
<p>Bras are expensive- but better to find something that fits, than to be in pain.
Since she is a teacher/in grad school, I think she also spends a lot of time hunched over her laptop grading/writing papers, which doesn’t help.</p>
<p>I sent her some exercises I thought should help & suggested that she find a PT.</p>
<p>I don’t think she will be coming up for a visit for a while but thanks for the suggestion!</p>
<p>Ek, Freya and Panache are some of the brands that make bras in your D’s size. I think Nordstrom carries these, too, but they might have to special order her sizes. Many online places do not allow returns of sale bras, so she needs to find a style and size that fits her well, and then she can shop sales with confidence that she is not gambling. Your D also have to realize that lacy, frilly thin straps will never work for her. Her bras will have wider straps and bands (with 3, not 1 hook). Another option for her might be a sports bra, like the Lululemon’s Tata Tamer style (which looks like a real bra, and not like a Kevlar reinforced tank top).</p>
<p>Just a note: a (just picking a random size here) 34D bra from one company will not fit the same as a 34D in another company. They all use slightly different models. </p>
<p>Also, I have had the experience of trying on a size and then trying on that same size and that same brand in another style and it did not fit properly. My point is that it is very difficult to guess correctly when buying via mail order. A bra has to have a very specific fit (unlike say a shirt). I’d only buy a bra via mail order if it could be returned due to improper fit. </p>
<p>If she is ever in NJ, I can highly recommend a shop that will fit her properly.</p>
<p>I’ve always been a strange size, too. Currently 34DD, but was 28DDD until I had my first kid. Definitely have her try on different sizes and styles because they will all be different and what fits in one brand might be another size altogether in another brand. When she finds one that fits and supports, buy many! I can’t stand any sag or bounce, so fit is hugely important to me and in my old age, I’ve come to accept that sometimes I will have to have the straps shortened in things like sports bras or fancier than everyday bras. THat was a particular problem for me – straps so long that I might as well have been braless. Found a very good seamstress who helps me out.</p>
<p>I have two friends whose daughters had breast reductions done during college–neither were overweight, both were pretty serious students, and their out-of-proportion bust lines caused them a lot of angst, both from unwanted type of male attention and the difficulty of finding clothes that fit them appropriately. They are both 27 now, and are thrilled to have had the surgery.</p>
<p>I sure would have liked to have had a reduction done in high school- but then I wouldn’t have been able to nurse my kids- which was very important to me.
It is a lot easier to find things that fit now though.:)</p>
<p>I would try to find out what Dolly Parton does. I’m serious. Many years ago a large-breasted friend on mine in Texas found out and loved whatever bra it was. She goes to my dentist (Dolly). If I run into her, I’ll ask!</p>
<p>Have her get measured…by someone old and experienced. Preferably at a small shop where that is their business, their only business. I’ve read that a HUGE percentage of women wear the wrong size. The right fit and the right bra will help so much.</p>
<p>Second the recommendation for a good independent bra shop. Petticoat Fair in Austin, TX is the best I’ve been to – their fitters don’t just measure you, but also have you try the bra on and tell you whether it fits. Makes all the difference in the world.</p>
but thanks for the suggestion!</p>