Bra fittings

[Janet Bern]

I am in NJ and responded to a CD asking about her fear of having a bra fitting
I have usually gone in drab to shops when they open
or around dinner time when the traffic is slow. I have had
the best SAs in Maidenform, Bali outlets, Jockey and Soma.
Understand also if you are size 44 or over you cant beat the
service at Lane Bryant.
As long as they don't have a crowd (usually when they open at 10AM or dinner time)
the SAs are always great in all the stores. Assume you are not the first CD ever to buy a bra
and act naturally like you do it all the time.
I have used Maidenform often at Jackson outlets
and Jersey Shore Premium outlets for Jockey, Bali, Maidenform and Soma..They are near me.
I always wear my bra and breastforms under a light jacket, 40C or 42B.
I go to the bra section and start looking, I usually have a reason like
longer shoulder straps, in between cup sizes , and when they ask if they can help
Just say you are looking for (fill in the blanks)
You will be amazed at how quickly they want to help you.
Occasionally you may find a rookie that is surprise men wear bras but they learn fast when we buy them.
Hope this helps,

[Ralitsa]

This is something I've never done, and probably ought to one of these days. I normally just get a 38B and go with it. Although if it's really cute and has matching panties I've been known to take a 36B (which is so much easier to find) and then use a back extender.
Right now though, I have so many bras that I really can't justify buying more. Luckily I don't need to justify it, I only need to be able to pay for it!

[Joan Grey]

I've been to a few of the same stores, Janet, but always in full drab. If I may just ask a side question about forms, do just rely on the bra's support or do you use adhesive?

[Janet Bern]

I don't use adhesive,, quality forms work great with any good bra

[Trudy]

I've been a Soma girl for years and Janet is right. Soma boutiques will fit you professionally and without issue at any time. They generally prefer you make an appointment however the SA's there are all polite, professional, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend all of you have a proper fitting, a well fitting bra is a girl's best friend at times.

[Janice]

I normally just get a 38B and go with it. Although if it's really cute and has matching panties I've been known to take a 36B (which is so much easier to find) and then use a back extender.

Ralista - By using a back extender you do not get the proper fit of your bras as the cups would be too close together. I would suggest that you maybe measure yourself to get a bra that is not too tight which needs an extender.
General rule is to measure under the breast tissue on your chest and add 4 in (if even) and 5 in if odd.
I measure just nearly 37 in around the ribs so my size would be a slightly tight 40 or a slack 42 dependeing on the material and manufacturer.

[Ralitsa]

well you're right about that Janice, but what if it's really cute with matching panties and they don't have my correct size????
sometimes a girl has to endure a little discomfort when it's really cute and you just have to have it. Don't even try to tell me that you have never bought clothes that weren't quite the right size, but you had to have them anyway!

[Diana Michelle]

Don't even try to tell me that you have never bought clothes that weren't quite the right size, but you had to have them anyway!

What woman doesn't have at least one item in her closet like that? The dress that you are going to lose that 5 lbs. to get into? Never tried buying a bra that wasn't the right size for me. Besides I have always been told that the actual cup volume on a 36B (my size) is the same as a 34C or a 38A So girls if you go down a band size you should go up a cup size or vice versa.

[Heather W]

Had a bra fitting a while ago at a Maidenform outlet and was treated very well. It was obvious I wasn't the first girl they had fitted because along with helping my find the proper size they also pointed out the bras that would work best with forms. Now that I am on hormones I am looking forward to my first "real" fitting. Not too much yet, I am probably just a 34AA right now but hopefully soon I will be really needing a bra and a fitting.

[Janet Bern]

Heather, Try a set of small breastforms and for a while wear a 34 B bra
It is really fun to have the breasts

[Kim D.]

I had a fitting at a local Bali outlet probably 3 years or so ago. Like most my body has changed, put on a few pounds, so I figured maybe it was time. Last week I got dressed up, attached my forms and went back to the same store. I started looking at bras and the SA asked if she could help me so I asked if she could do a fitting. She said certainly and showed me to the fitting room.

She was professional and very helpful. Yes my weight gain has translated to a larger band size although I did end up losing a cup size. I went from a 38DD to a 40D. She showed me several bras preferred by us "fuller figured" ladies and I ended up buying 4 bras of different styles to try. As I paid for my purchases, I bought some panties as well as some pantyhose at the same time, she told me they had a few girls like me as customers and told me to come back anytime. I definitely will as it was nice to be treated so well and welcomed as a customer.

For those of you girls who have never had a fitting I highly recommend one. A well fitting bra is a girl's best friend, especially for us older full figure girls.

[Janet Bern]

This should be a great lesson to those of you who are embarrassed to ask for a bra fitting.
I am sure that nearly every SA has been instructed as to how to fit a man for a bra.
I do find Bali. maidenform and soma outlets are great for us.

[Karen Ski]

Having been on hormones over 10 years I am fortunate to have breasts to fit into a bra. Granted they are not large, just 36A, but still there is a tremendous difference between forms and breast tissue. To those of us who need a bra and wear them day in and day out a comfortable a nd well fitting bra is a necessity. I went to a Maidenform outlet many years ago for a fitting and was treated great. Last year I was shopping at Dillards and they were having a fitting event so I figured why not. Well although they hadn't grown the fitter took her time with me and explained different styles and the advantages of an underwire bra.

For all of you, with breasts or not, I highly recommend a fitting to find that right bra for you. A properly fitting bra is a thing of joy.