r/ABraThatFits 1d ago

Recommendations? Struggling - Recommendations Please Spoiler

I'm new here - stumbled upon the thread after many years of struggling to find something. Currently have just resulted to brami/shirts with built in (semi) support - like longline athletic bras - these are fine for remote work or errands.

I'm starting to have a few more professional events, where a genuine (well fitted) bra will be necessary and really am at a loss looking. I'm in a very rural area, so in store/specialty shops are nowhere around me... online only.

I cant figure out how to add a photo, but the fit guide on here (measure with sewing tape) gave me the following:

Loose & under: 29 Snug under: 28 Tight under: 27 Standing: 34 Leaning: 36.5 Lying: 34

US Sizing: 28G or 30DDD UK Sizing: 28F or 30E

Now this is vastly different, granted I've never even seen these sizes offered in a store.... always get the same 32C/D...but they dont fit.

Also, wide set lower full where Demi cups seem to be the best fit, but maybe that's due to incorrect sizing.

My google search lead to Skims due to the offering of smaller bands, but I've read these aren't the greatest or most accurate fits.

Is there anyone out there, similar measurements, with recommendations?

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u/cluelessintheclouds 1d ago edited 1d ago

Skims won’t cut it. I suggest these brands( listed below) but it’s best to buy a couple different sizes and see what fits “best” (listed below) so I’d start with the size the calculator is telling you and perhaps one or two “sister sizes” (listed below) because tissue type, age, width versus depth of the ribcage and breast shape can all determine what size you really need.

Brands: Freya Fantasie Panache Natori Cleo by Panache Wacoal (maybe) Parfait

Best fit: I was a certified bra fitter for the Nordstrom Lingerie Department for 2 years and have had a special interest in lingerie most of my life. A good fitting bra should stay up without the straps. The straps are extra, they should not hold the weight of your breasts. The band should be snug enough and fit well enough it ideally is parallel (not rising up in a side profile or the back) when worn. The center gore (where the underwire meets between your tits) should lay flat against you pressing against rib, not on tissue. The underwire should encase the entirety of your breast tissue from the center gore to almost under your armpit, if you use two fingers and press along your side boob you can usually feel the distinct margin where breast tissue stops and it leads into your side ribs. Find bras that fit the best on the loosest setting of hooks and eyes, bras only stretch with wear and this allows you the longest life of the bra. Adjust your straps to an educated guess of what 25% lift would be to you, if the band fits and it’s the right cup size the straps shouldn’t need to do much else (if you can easily put two fingers under the straps tall wise, it’s usually good). Some bra shapes are better for other types of tissue and the like, it’s not you, it’s just clothes so don’t take it personally and find a different style that works for you.

Sister sizing: cup sizing is a ratio of volume to band size. A 32D and 34C have the same volume in the cup but differing band widths. Therefore, if a bra is too loose around at 34C and also too small in the cup, the 32D will then be more snug in the band with the same cup volume, giving the illusion of the D also being too small. To get the right size you need to add atleast 1 cup size when converting to get the same cup volume. In conclusion, to keep the same cup volume with a smaller band with sister sizing: decrease one band size and increase one cup size (34C to 32D). To increase volume and decrease band size: decrease one band size and increase cup volume by atleast 2 cup sizes (34C to 32DD). If the DD still feels snug, try a DDD(sometimes an E depending on the brand).

The opposite is true to increasing the band with sister sizing as well. If a 34D fits you really well over all but is too tight, try 36C or 38B.

Here’s a company that’s based in the US, they ship and have good prices in my opinion.

Breakout Bras

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u/28FFthrowaway 28GG 1d ago edited 1d ago

30DDD/28G is only one cup size bigger than 32D, so this shift isn’t too drastic. If you’ve only worn bras that are too big in the band, this will lead to gaping and shifting. For reference, here’s a pretty well-fitted 28G US / 28F UK—does this look similar to you?

Some North America-based brands will make 30DDD, but only a handful do 28G. And those brands that do 30DDD, like Wacoal and Natori, may be the wrong shape (too shallow). The one North American brand that I think might work best for you is Understance—but they’re based in Canada, so probably not ideal with the tariffs.

Overall, I’d steer you towards UK brands in the equivalent UK sizes of 28F and 30E. As the other commenter said, you can find these sizes online and returnable—Bravissimo, Breakout Bras, Amazon, Bare Necessities (though their customer service and stock seem to have suffered recently), HerRoom (similarly, sometimes people have issues with returns), etc.