To 'D' or double 'D', that is the question...

[Brianna]

Well, if it's not perfectly clear from the subject, I am seeking opinions about breast size.

Obviously I'm the one who will be sporting them around town so I do get the final decision but any helpful comments are welcome.

In my post introducing myself I mentioned several experiences I have had on my journey. Today I added another that is significant. But that will have to wait a few moments (doesn't it just annoy the heck out of you when someone does that?)

I alluded to breast size in that message but didn't mention exactly what the size was. I went to a local shop specializing in crossdressing. One of the store clerks suggested that I looked like I would wear a 44D. I mentioned that I had been purchasing bras from local thrift stores to try them on for size. Never had I even considered something so... LARGE. Somewhat amazed and imagining the trouble I might encounter turning corners, (you should know I fully intended to install signs indicating a wide load,) I left and promptly purchased a bra in size 44D. Wearing it, it was comfortable but I just didn't think I was that BIG.

As I said previously in my post In the beginning there was Bryan... I mentioned that I had to postpone all of my efforts in this arena because I moved back home. So all this time I have been thinking of that set of 44Ds. I wasn't sure I was up for the challenge but I fully intended to give it my best shot.

Today, (Now I'm back to the significant experience. Aren't you glad you have all this history? The story would have been pretty meaningless without it. Don't you agree?) I decided to call a local lingerie shop that specializes in fitting bras. I called a couple times because at first I was getting the answering machine. Fortunately they had the good sense to mention their store hours and if the answering machine picked up they were helping a customer. Finally I called and spoke with a real live person. I asked her at first if they carried girdles, (I really need to get these love handles under control.) She indicated they did but nothing really heavy duty like I think I will need. Then I asked if they worked at all with crossdressers. She indicated her partner was not for it but she has worked with a few after hours by appointment. I explained that I wanted to be fitted by a professional and get her opinion of what size bra fit correctly and what size would be proportiniate. She said she would be at the shop late and if I wanted to stop by she could measure me and figure this out.

I had an appointment to meet with the other members of the Board of Directors of my HOA to discuss the budget. Hmmm... discuss the boring old budget or go get fitted for a bra. Sorry guys, take care of the budget without me.

So off to the shop I go. She let me in and we went to the back to the dressing rooms. Off came the shirt and T shirt I was wearing (I'm glad I shaved what little hair I have on my chest this morning. A girl just never knows, does she?) I measured 39 inches, (Which I already knew because I have my own measuring tape.) She went and got a 38 DD. She helped me get it on and then she got some of the cheaper mastectomy forms that are not silicone. Oh well, they filled the cup and gave me an idea of how it would look. After the 38 DD, she got a 38 D for me to try on. She didn't have any breast forms for the 38 D so she improvised by using some shoulder pads, (useful little things, aren't they?) She felt either would work for me. Now I need to make a decision.

What do you think? Is bigger better? Or is a 38 D big enough. Just for your information here are my stats:

6'0" tall, 39-37-41, 200#

I look forward to the day when I can say that I am 38-34-41... that's the goal. Perhaps with a corset I will achieve 39-32-41.

So, what do you think?

By the way, I will simply say that there is a huge difference between a bra purchased at a lingerie shop and one you pull off the rack at K-Mart or Wal-Mart. The price is substantially more but you can see the quality of the garment in the band and straps. They are wider than cheaper bras and are designed to hold the weight of the breast without 4 hooks. In fact, the bras I tried on had only two hooks. The person I spoke with was also not impressed with seamless cup bras. She felt it flattens out the breast. Just thought I would add this knowledge I obtained today.

[Lorna]

D ought to do the trick, girl! I'm a C, and I'm not even a small girl!

[Beauty]

I'm a C cup too (forms), but I wouldn't mind being a small B.

Beauty

[Erica Shade]

Although bigger seems to be better, I would go for the smaller of the two. Bigger may help get you read real quick. Your body type should determine what size you are. I believe most women fall between size B and C, not D or even DD. But if thats the look you're looking for, go for it.

Nuff Luv,

Erica Shde

[Honey(SO)]

My husband has pretty much the same size stats as you and he looks very proportioned in a 40C. I am surprised if you measured a 39 that they did not have you try a 40 you usually go up not down when measuring for a bra. You don't want it so tight that it leaves marks. By the way the forms he uses are D cup but fill the C cups of the bras very well. He was trying to stuff hisself into 38 and they are just a tad too tight he is much happier with the 40.
Honey

[S. Lisa Smith]

If you have broad shoulders, then a larger size balances better, Remember that everything should be in proportion. I'm about 5'9" and 185+ in this picture. I have broad shoulders and a big rib cage. My Veronica 2 gives me pretty wide hips, bigger than my shoulders and I'm a 40 D+. Sometimes I wish I had gone with the smaller forms. YMMV

[RikkiOfLA]

Which looked better to you when you tried them both on?

You're the final judge, after all.

[Virginia]

Lisa, the young lady from Virginia Beach, said proportion is the best approach. I agree. She and I are about the same size and I think most of my sisters would agree, first you don't want to attract undue attention. A lot of guys are "breast men." When they see a "nice rack" they tend to become even more interested, which could become that "unwanted" attention. Second you don't want to be {sluttish - is that a word?) anyway you know what I mean. Most GG's unless they are professional strippers or what ever that have these hugh mammeries tried and hide them. If you choose the larger production then take this advise. Stand-up, walk proud, exude confidence and you will be OK.
Love,
Deborah

[Brianna]

Hi... thank you all for your input and support. I truly appreciate it.

It appears that everyone who voted felt smaller is better. I noticed a couple comments that referred to being 'read.' I am not familiar with this term but I interpretted it to mean that a.) it would draw attention and b.) people would determine quickly that I was a crossdresser. Was I close?

Yesterday I was busy until about 1:00 p.m. I left my bra over at my friends house the night before (I was showing it to her. She wasn't entirely thrilled that I had nicer bras than she does.) Anyway, I went and picked up my 38 D bra and off I went to purchase my breast forms fully intending to buy breast forms that might be a bit on the plus side.

I had tried some on before so I knew pretty much what to expect. At least in terms of trying them on.

I will not relate the entire experience in this post. I have somewhere to be in a couple hours and I need to get ready to go. I found that the triangular breast forms didn't seem to fit me that well. I have pretty broad shoulders and it was as if they appeared out of somewhere on my chest in an unnatural way. They didn't contour up towards the shoulder like natural breasts do. The teardrop shape worked much better for me.

I will simply say that I was not satisfied with the look achieved by the 38D so I went larger. The larger breast forms contoured into my natural chest far better than the smaller ones. I guess you would say that my look will be buxom.

I may discover n time, as it appears many of you have discovered, that smaller is more natural and I may choose then to get smaller forms. I will remember you told me so if that happens. For now, I went with something larger to look more proportionate.

I don't anticipate dressing and going out in public for the foreseeable future so it really won't draw too much attention.

Thanks to those of you who posted. I appreciate your comments.

Brianna

[Beauty]

Hi Brianna,

You're welcome! We're all happy if you are!

Beauty