bra

[Sarah T]

My bras feel a bit tight, is this normal or do I just hace wrong size.

[Carol Ann]

I would say you need to go up a size on the band size

[DanielleM]

Sizing bras is very hard. If I measure around under my boobs.. 38 inches. I find my most comfortable band size is 42. And they make bra/band extenders.

[Virginia]

Most if not all bras have three sets of eye-hooks and you should "target" the middle set for proper sizing. Also properly adjusting the straps can make a difference. Of course there are wide bands four or five sets of hook and eye and front closure and sports bras and shelf bras, minimuizer, padded, wired and no wire. There are a lot of "factions" to take into account. Actually proper sizing is more complicated than it may appear. It is recommended that you take three measurements, one around the top of the breast, one around the middle and one under the breast. Also cup size is very important. One point is you don't want your breasts entering a room 30 seconds before you do! You don't want "spillage" and you don't want to not be able to "fill" the cup. Read up on proper sizing and take your measurements and also, what I have found is you get what you pay for. There are bras out there for $5.99 to $ 70 - $90 but the better ones will fit and "hold up" better.

[Eileen (SO)]

If you look at on-line or catalog sizing charts, you'll see how to measure the band size. Keep in mind that a male torso has more muscle mass than the average female, especially toward the upper chest. As Daniell found out, the charts are not made for a male body.

A good fitting bra should feel like a good friend. Giving support when you need it and not be annoying all day long.

Eileen

[Davita]

I forget where the other discussion about bras is. There I simply said that your boy suit size is a pretty good guess for your bra size.

[KimberlyS]

Sarah the best solution is to get fitted for a bra from a professional.

[Nature Gal (SO)]

My SO was lucky that my bras came very close to fitting him, which made it fairly easy to figure out his size. I know he found instructions of how to choose the correct size breast form, and he seems to have chosen well. Actually, he's been quite excited going through my clothing, and even some I had packed away in the garage - favorites that will fit again if only I lose a few pounds, LOL. It's fun to watch him light up each time he discovers something new!

[Eileen (SO)]

Us too, Nature Gal! Our size difference is mainly in height. No diet will fix that. Now that he can order what fits 'her' best, my things are left alone, thank you very much.

Eileen

[Nature Gal (SO)]

Us too, Nature Gal! Our size difference is mainly in height. No diet will fix that. Now that he can order what fits 'her' best, my things are left alone, thank you very much.

Eileen

We are close in size too, but through the hips of course he is much smaller and fits into some things that no longer fit me. It makes me a bit sad to see some dresses that I used to LOVE and can no longer wear. Oh well, at least they're being appreciated by him now.

[Eileen (SO)]

Most if not all bras have three sets of eye-hooks and you should "target" the middle set for proper sizing.

My Dear Virginia, as a most frugal Scot descendant, I shoot for the first line of hooks, all bras stretch out over time. Why not take full advantage of two more adjustments instead of just one?

The number of clasps depends on cup size. An A or B cup will have only one or two hook and eye clasps. The larger cup sizes will have more clasps to deal with.

Eileen

[SilverLady(SO)]

An A or B cup will have only one or two hook and eye clasps.

Not quite true.

The better brands will offer 3 hook-and-eye clasps in all cup sizes, while the cheaper brands may only offer 1 or 2 - especially the ones with narrow bands marketed for younger girls/women.

FWIW, as a teen many years ago I was an A, as an adult I've become a B . . . . and I've had both cheap and 'better' bras in both sizes.

I prefer the 'better' bras because I'm worth it.


- SL

[Eileen (SO)]

Thanks for the correction, SL. Keep in mind I've only seen A cup bras in catalogs and dim memories from Grade School.

The occasional dresser doesn't need to buy expensive bras but they do need to offer proper support. Cost does not always mean quality. The 'better' bras go on sale just as often.

Eileen

[Robyn]

A good bra ended up being a tricky purchase for me. Although my SO's selection provided me with a good starting point they didn't quite conceal the breast forms properly. I was adamant about a particular style (which was silly of me) so I ended up going through six different purchases before I found the right one. However, the exercise of returning them turned out to be a good experience in dealing with feminine articles while dressed as a male in public.

My SO and I returned to Kohls the day after Christmas with three bras in hand. The return line was ridiculously long so she went about shopping while I waited in line. I reached the front of the line, and my SO was nowhere to be found so I shyly approached the counter all by myself. The young girl dumped my bag, the three bras poured out onto the counter and with a grin on my face I jokingly said "well this is awkward, isn't it". The young girl laughed, it totally broke the ice, and returning the feminine undergarments dressed as a man wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as I imaged it was going to be.

Anyway, I ended up finding the perfect bra, a $38 Bali (on sale for $24). Note: it's a 40D and it has four hooks with three different positions for the band.

[Virginia]

I have also found that when using forms and you pick a "wireless" bra, granted it may look "sexier" but there are other things that seem to come into play, like, dare I say it, even with forms, sag, so if you chose a wireless model, you really need to try it with different outfits to see how it performs. I have also found that when you wear forms, a full - coverage bra seems to work best, the shelf-bra and demi-bra were not made to "support" forms and the larger the forms the more you need "complete support." I have to admit that I do like the prettier, full coverage bras. There are some nice ones with front closure that I love too! (sales pitch) see Bare Necessities, website. No I do not work for them or get commission but they have a wide variety of the nicer bras.

Just a mention of "long line" bras. I had a very nice, front closure long line - did not work for me! It rolled up from the bottom all the time. I am in good shape and it still had that tendency. It looked sexy, but that tell-tale "roll" at the rib cage was just not acceptable.

Remember again ladies, when the going gets tough the tough go (bra) shopping!

Virginia