Girls, let's talk...

Okay. So. I'm having a (very minor) trauma this week.  I don't know if it's a product of getting older, or if I've truly been wearing the wrong bra size virtually ALL MY LIFE.

*cough*

I've always, always had problems with bra straps falling off my shoulders. After child no. 2 was born, the chest that came with pregnancy never completely went away, so I've had the added joy (?) of dealing with "girls" that are A) in my way all the time, necessitating that I wear the napkin on my chest and not my lap, and B) falling out of either the top or the bottom of my bra.

I need new bras and after trying on every combination of band size and cup size (34B to 36C) I finally went into a Victoria's Secret and got myself measured by a professional.

I'm a THIRTY FOUR D.

(Resounding thud as jaw hits floor)

When did this happen!!?? D CUP? What. The. Heck. What happened to my nice, manageable, 34Bs??

Hubby, of course, was not sympathetic to my trauma. Men. Hmph.

Ladies, I can't stress enough what a difference the right size makes! And straps that don't fall down - what a concept!

Here's how you can measure yourself: Keeping the tape parallel to the floor, measure just under "the girls". That's your band size. Now measure around the girls. Each inch of difference between that and your under-bust measurement is a cup size. Example: 32 inches under bust; 34 inches bust. You're a 32B. Now, I really can't get the average size 32 bra even hooked, so I went up to a 34. It's still tighter than I'm used to, but that's why my girls never stay where they're supposed to!

(End of rant/lesson/bra fitting)

Carolan,

I saw a tv show at one point that stated most women do not know their true bra size and that you should get measured every couple of years because "the girls" grow and/or shrink.  Though I haven't ever gone to get measured now I think i will try and get rid of all the ones I have purchased and just sit there and rot.

Thanks. Tess

hahaha,

I know what you mean, I had a really similar experience at VS when I had a strapless bra question and the next thing I knew the lady was measuring me. I also went from a B to a D- I even told her, well, I can't be a D- I'm wearing a B. And she said something like that may be what you're wearing, but there is no way that is your size. I actually had to get a bunch of new bras, because once I tried on the right size, they were sooooooooooooooooo comfortable. I'm trying to get my Mom to go too, but she isnt' convinced yet, maybe I'll show her this thread!

Another indicator that you are wearing the wrong size is having indents in your shoulders where the straps are.  We are not supposed to have indents if the bra fits properly.

The problem is bras themselves are not standardized and I have found that I am still adjusting a little with both sizes to get the best fit.

Now if only stores would realise we need pretty  bras for those with a nice (ahem) set of girls.  Nothing more irritates me to go into the likes of V...Secret to be presented with piles and piles of A and B cups but nothing for a DD.  I mean if you have an A cup you don't need a bra in the same way as someone with DD.

I'll stop ranting now,

bigted

The nice thing about VS (at least the one I went to) is they give you a big box of your size in a variety of styles to try on, and no pressure to buy. In fact you can often find better deals and web-only sales at the online store.

Even if you know your size, you still have to try everything on because no two 34Ds are alike. Last night I went into Kohl's (a department store) and went into the dressing room with, literally, 20 different bras. I came out with ONE that fit me perfectly. It took me over an hour of trying on, adjusting straps, narrowing down, trying on the "maybe" pile once again, to get that one bra that fit.

At least now I know that demi bras don't work on me. The straps are set too wide apart. And push-up bras? ROFL I look like a Dolly Parton wannabe. Uh, no thanks.

bigted, I hear you about the lack of pretty ones. Invariably, the ones that fit me best aren't the pretty, lacy ones. The choices are white, beige and black. At least this time the style I came out with had one in my size in hot pink, which of course I grabbed! (Along with the requisite white, beige and black).

I didn't get a strapless one this time around, but I hear that when you buy a strapless bra, you may need to go up a band size and down a cup size. Or maybe it was the other way around. Anyway, you may wear a different size in a strapless.

Okay, about a year ago I was having pain in my breasts, so I went to my gynecologist, (a man), who found nothing wrong and suggested my bra might be too small.  Ha, "too small, what do men  know", except for the ups and downs of pregnancy I have always been a 34C! On a whim I went to a specialized lingerie store called "Wizard of Bras" Lingerie, (Yes that is the name of the store, and the owner drives a car with the license plate "BRAMAN")  I know sounds like a Seinfeld episode, but I swear it is true!...  Anyway, the owner's daughter takes one look at me, and declares that I am a 32DD, (what?) puts me into an (expensive) 32DD bra, and the change was amazing.  Form-fitting and uplifting without being "push up", it was an epiphany, and made the girls look much younger than their true age.  So to pay for just two of these (Chantelle) bras I had to refinance my house, (okay that part is not true), but they were expensive, but worth it.  ....So if your travels take you to Northern NJ, a visit to the Wizard of Bra's is recommended.

that Braman thing is HILARIOUS, it is really exactly like a Seinfeld

Carolan,

You made me giggle when I finally understood what you meant by 'the girls', is it an American term.

In the UK we have various terms for body parts and bodily functions however, as an indvidual I tend to stick with the actual name just as I have taught my 6 year old son.  

During my visit to the US in '94 I can't remember whether it was the subject of sex or nudity that was frowned upon.   Although there is a certain amount of censorship on T.V. in the UK I'm not sure that we are as concerned over here.   I certainly tend to call a spade a spade and will discuss most things in a general way.   Nudity is not something that offends me either but that may be me rather than my nationality.

Thanks for the giggle, it's like learning a new language.

Dozey.

postscript...

I am a 34B and yet my eldest sister is a 34HH/J - can you believe it?

Dozey, you're so right about the prudishness (is that a word) over here in the US. In fact it's kind of schizophrenic how we use sex to sell everything under the sun, but consider it impolite to talk frankly about sex openly! Sheesh.

On my first trip across the pond, though, some UK friends of mine warned me to refer to my waist-strapped purse as a "bum bag" and NOT a "fanny pack"! LOL 

Classic!

I am "blessed" as well!  The bra hunt is no fun down here in FL, and nevermind swimsuits!  I'd just like to find good support that doesn't have 4 or 5 hooks in the back - NO KIDDING! 

I've thought about it a long time, and I decided that in light of my current financial situation, I should rent my rack out to people on holiday or who are going to parties- they make lovely cocktail tables- I can stand and eat AND have two free hands!

...Wizard of Bras, eh?  I LOVE IT!

[[cocktail tables]]

ROFL!! I can't tell you how many times I've been tempted to park my wine glass between "the girls" so I have a hand free for eating.

I feel the pain!  I had a breast reduction at only 17 years old, and I weighed only 140 pounds.  Now I am once again 140 pounds, (need to lose 10), and I need surgery again.  The girls came back when I got pregnant 3 years ago, and never left.  My dr. says I proably only need to lose 5 pounds, b/c the other 5 are in my breasts and I can't get rid of them w/out surgery!  This time, I'm going to a B cup in case they grow again, I hopefully won't come all the way back to my Double D's!!!

- Kati

haaahahahahaha Renee, that is completely hilarious

Oh gosh carolan that's right, I remember my visit across the pond and 'Fanny pack' giving us a giggle.

At one time the British were known for their stiff upper lip.   I on the other hand will discuss anything in general and have no issues with nudity and that certainly goes for the younger British generation.   However, there is a difference between taste and vulgarity and public and private.   

I believe that as a visitor to another country we have to repect that country's culture even if they are themselves hipocritical (that is not directed at the US).

If the British weather was warmer I would vote for clothing to be banned so we all appeared equal and could not be judged.   I'd love to not have to worry about VPL, not being as stylish as the next person, making a fashion faux pas and not having the right outfit available for a last minute invitation.

Bring on nudity - let it all hang out - make an old man happy.

Sorry, I'm feeling emancipated at the thought - yippee! burn the bra!

p.s. I couldn't rest a thimble on mine never mind a wine glass, I'm afraid I was at the back of the queue with my mum when breasts were being handed out however, my eldest sister got everybodies and is more than happy with them.

It's sad/funny, but I've used them as the catch-all utility shelf when I can't grip things (I've kept keys, cards, money, notes, paper, dippy cups for dessing- my goddaughter...).  On a similar note, I explain that they allow me to wear really ugly shoes, since I neve see my feet. 

June, larger breasts are overrated, unless you like confusing infants and the general male population.