PSA: the last bra info you'll ever need

[anotheranon]

How to measure and size 'em, some of the better brands, cuts, etc.. The comments include info about how to fit small and large busts, nursing bras, and even uneven sized breasts. Alas, nothing about post-mastectomy, but I read the comments last night - there might be something there now.

I reiterate the key point of the post: get measured now and again whenever you experience significant weight change (+ or - 10 lbs or more) or have a baby. I would even argue for a refit if you start working out your upper body in any substantial way, as the pectoral and shoulder muscles can affect band size (IMHO).

Also I enthusiastically second (third? fourth? I lost track) Bitch PhD's accolades for Wacoal - I've been consistently impressed with the construction and endurance of these particular bras. But even when you can't spring for the ex$pen$ive stuff, knowing your size is half the battle.

Comments

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

*nods*

Oh, I'm wearing the right size, and as close to the right style as I can afford. The Wacoal sounds nummy - maybe when i'm employed again.

[seamstrix.livejournal.com]

Excellent basic information on how to choose a bra. I'm fairly well-endowed but since my shoulders are also very broad I don't look as busty as I am. I only really notice when I'm trying to buy button front blouses or get suit coats to fit without gaping strangely, then it gets unaesthetic. I'm a 36D if anyone is keeping track. ;-)

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Amen to all of that ... especially the re-measuring yourself once in a while to make sure you're the size you think you are (as somebody who has gone from 34A to 38C over two decades, I can REALLY vouch for the importance of the measuring thing). The right size equals a bra so comfy that you forget you're wearing it; of course you know from my own past bra rants that I'm a big fan of that level of comfort. ***grin***

[skill-grl.livejournal.com]

That other post is really to fixed on the idea that band size "doesn't change." I'm down one or two band sizes (sometimes 3) from what I needed when I weighed 235. When I get down to 165 (it was 2 yrs ago, I've got to get back), I'm 2-3 band sizes smaller than what I am now.

Yes, my cup size shifts some, but not much. I stay proportionally about the same until about 170. Then, I started losing real size in my cup.

So, I think that that post is geared towards very average weight people.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Another thought is that the author is writing mostly from a perspective of pregnancy-related weight gain - perhaps the distribution is different than with regular weight gain.

It also occurs to me that size can be affected by breast spacing - i.e., some of us have breasts close together, others far apart.

So perhaps, this isn't the ULTIMATE bra post, but just a jumping off point!

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Another thought is that the author is writing mostly from a perspective of pregnancy-related weight gain - perhaps the distribution is different than with regular weight gain.

It also occurs to me that size can be affected by breast spacing - i.e., some of us have breasts close together, others far apart.

So perhaps, this isn't the ULTIMATE bra post, but just a jumping off point!

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

Speaking from the pregnancy weight gain perspective -- weight is distributed differently when pregnant. At least, for me. My breasts and belly grew, and everything else stayed about the same.

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

The spacing thing is probably my biggest fit issue ... I find that many bras have the cups/underwires too far apart. Ultimately the best solution is to try on as many different makes and models as possible, buy the one that seems to be best, wear it for a full day, and then race back to the store and buy as many of its twins as possible if it's a good'un. Because the company WILL automatically discontinue that particular bra the second you discover it. :p

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

> I would even argue for a refit if you start working out your upper body
> in any substantial way, as the pectoral and shoulder muscles can affect
> band size (IMHO).

I've known a of couple women who ran into exactly that situation once they started working out, mainly due to the pecs. Working the upper back will also have the same effect, but in a much more dramatic way because the lats are so much larger than the pecs. Even a slight increase in lat mass translates to a relatively large increase in chest tape measurement.

Wacoal, Warner's

[(Anonymous)]

I couldn't resist responding to this one! I too LOVE Wacoal - love love love them. Loehmann's sometimes has them for much less than the big-box stores do, so I recommend snooping around there for them. Also I love Warner's, which unfortunately seems to have really tapered off production in past few years. I am a weird size, 38B, which is hard to find. I haven't gained weight but somehow my band size changed from 36 to 38, maybe cos of doing arm weights as you mentioned. Lately I've resorted to wearing alot of those stretchy cotton tank tops w/ built in shelf bra. Costco carries the best ones for cheap. They also keep you warm in winter. Viva la comfort! :) :) Good luck bra-hunting ;)

-Lydia