Bra size suck...

[vanishingwoman]

Right, this happened quite a while ago when I was still living in the States but I still think it's relevant (I was 18, which I think explains my going along with her stupid bra suggestion). Although if I'm not meant to post old stories here let me know

Comments

[tsu]

A vast majority of American stores simply do not know how to measure bras. Places like Victoria's Secret still follow the old OLD rule of adding four inches to the measured band size, which is horribly outdated (by like sixty+ years) and doesn't work at all with the way modern bras are made. Other places measure over the top of your cleavage, under your armpit... and I'm still not sure wtf the logic on THAT is. It's so amazingly stupid.

Most women in the US are wearing the wrong bra size due to improper fitting by poorly (or just flat incorrectly) trained staff, and it's a huge contributor to back problems as well as leading to saggy breasts due to lack of proper support. It's really frustrating- I'm a 32H, and the only place I can shop for bras is Nordstrom, who are actually pretty amazing at bra fitting, and have a somewhat reasonable selection of European bras.

[avec_bonheur]

as well as leading to saggy breasts due to lack of proper support

But aren't breasts supposed to become saggy with age? After all, bras are a social invention -- we don't technically need them.

/is nit-picking

[madamearnoux]

After all, bras are a social invention -- we don't technically need them.

o_O

You're more than welcome to not wear one then.

I'd rather strap one on and not feel the constant (painful) weight of my breasts dragging me down.

[sailorgarnet]

so much this.

[coldestwinterx]

i don't think VS actually carries any F sizes, let alone FFs. i used to work there a million years ago and the biggest size i remember is 40DD

[ljmydayaway]

I went to a VS recently, looking for a 34B bra, and they didn't have any. :C

[mirhanda]

Seconding Frederick's of Hollywood. I had the best fitting of my life at a Frederick's, the lady who worked there took remarkable care and sold me a gorgeous bra that worked under almost everything I wore. (It was black so I couldn't wear it under white clothes.)

[surrey_sucks]

But the idea remains that "small boobs are A cups, and small people have small boobs" or "breasts larger than a C cup are indicative of being plus sized, or having had plastic surgery."

LOL. This is so utterly ridiculous. I guess my boobs must be fake, because I have big boobs and am a small person.

I don't know much about VS, but they only stock up to C cups? What the hell?

[x_twinkle_x]

I have never had good service from M&S though, they don't know how to measure bras either. I was told I was 28B and that they didn't have anything in my size and to check the kids section. The woman was so condescending and insensitive it made me cry. I go to Debenhams now, they look at you and just keep trying bras until they get the perfect fit instead of stuffing you into one that doesn't by just relying on the tape measure alone. Last time I went, the girl just looked at me and told me I'm a 30D, plenty of lovely bras in that size too! I'd definitely recommend Debenhams OP!

[vanishingwoman]

Really? Maybe I'm just insanely lucky with my M&S lol. They are super helpful and they always have really pretty bras in my size ^^ But that sounds awful what she did to you!!!! :( Urgh...people are so dumb sometimes.

The only issue I have with Debenhams is the price. I'm a starving grad student so trying to buy bras in my size is a financial nightmare. A lot of my friends buy theirs from places like New Look, H&M, Primark, etc. where bras are cheaper, or even in M&S where there are cheaper styles of bras for smaller sizes, but I'm looking at £17-£18 a bra at my size (cheapest) and that...is food for two weeks lol. So I'm struggling through with the four bras I have that fit me somewhat correctly and hoping to GOD my boobs don't decide to grow/shrink again. :p

When I have a job I'm def. treating myself to a whole new underwear wardrobe though...possibly from Debenhams because some of their silky stuff...*sigh* so pretty ^^

[alacarta_renata]

Have you tried finding the bra you want and then looking for it on Amazon or some other discounted online retailer like that?

[x_twinkle_x]

Oh man tell me about it! I'm a dancer so I've just treated myself to two decent bras from Debenhams, I'm totally skint now but I've got a show in two weeks where I'm playing a burlesque dancer and otherwise it would be boobs akimbo. I usually get measured at Debenhams and buy cheaper bras elsewhere.

[sleepywarlord]

Man. My friend has a tiny frame, and she always gets this disbelief from the sales person that omg no way you have a huge cup size! You're totally a B, not a DD! She relents, shows her the B cup on, and then the sales person finally admits, perhaps the person who owns them knows what size she has!

I personally don't even bother with sales associates at all because of similar reasons like this. They insist they know better than I (and trying on a new style, I'm willing to be fitted for it, but).. I know what I am looking for, and what will be uncomfortable.