Bras- Absolutely Desperate for Help! :(

[estx1987_sale]

Hi everyone! I am so desperate for some bra help. Right now, my 40DD/42DD bras from Fredricks of Hollywood are too big (not to mention they are all so worn out!) They lift away from my chest, and the straps fall down. My problem area is my back, as I have some back fat that I like my bras to "hug," this way my back looks smooth. If i tighten the

Comments

[univacgrl]

Bra shopping is so freaking frustrating for all of those reasons!

I've heard that the best place to get a fitting is either at Nordstroms or a local independent lingerie shop, and then spend a few hours trying on a whole bunch of bras that might fit.

The only other thing I can think of is to pick up some bra back extenders from a sewing supply store and take them shopping with you. They can help if you find a bra you like that fits in the cups but is tight in the back. The ones at sewing stores are usually cheaper than the ones sold in lingerie stores (and usually have more hook options, too.)

Good luck!

[philstar22]

I have such a hard time finding bras that fit. My issue is underwire. I loath it because it is always poking me. But it is hard to find bras that have enough support without wire.

Bras in general just suck. It takes forever to find good ones. I've had decent luck with Macy's in terms of finding ones that fit to my liking, though they don't carry too many in my size.

[amandaindetroit]

Getting fitted at Nordstrom has been the best experience for me - the training for bra fitters is a lot more rigorous.

I used to wear too large of a band size because I wanted to avoid back bulge, but the band rides up when it's too big, which means less support. I've since accepted that I have back bulge, and I think it looks better to have a well-fitting bra with some back bulge than seeing lines of a bra that doesn't fit right or is uncomfortable. If I'm wearing something tight where the back is more easily seen, I can wear a high waist shaper that tucks under the bra line. Wearing a fitted cami under what I'm wearing has helped too.

I've heard Spanx bras do a good job of smoothing out the back? I'm way outside of their size range so I can't say from personal experience, but if you find your proper size, maybe you could try one?

Good luck!

[kakugori]

First off, let me recommend this:
http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/quick

Yes, it's reddit. Just trust me here, it's a great resource for bra fitting. Also, this:
http://www.breakoutbras.com/sizingI 100% recommend grabbing a measuring tape and fitting yourself, rather than relying on a store to do so. There are a huge, huge range of bra sizes beyond what most US manufacturers produce - even Lane Bryant's size range doesn't near cover enough. I order my bras online, from places like Breakout Bras, Her Room, Figleaves, Bare Necessities, Ewa Michalak, Bra Stop or Bravissimo

[mi_nion]

Totally agree with this recommendation. Soma has great bras, but they are pricey. However I have had good experience with Woman Within bras. Just sort through to the ones that say back fat smoothing. They are also really easy with returns.

Personally I dislike Victoria Secret bras. I find that they tend to size up for some reason.

[kakugori]

VS is pretty terrible all around. They're notorious for trying to make people fit their bras, rather than finding bras to fit the person, including sizing wrong and encouraging "sister sizing" (going up to a too-big band to get the cup to sorta fit) to make sales. Would not send someone there, even if they do fit "standard"* 32-34-36 B-DD sizing.

*I have complaints with this, clearly.

I forgot to mention that One Stop Plus is another place to find bras, and they do a buy 3 get a $25 coupon thing. Unfortunately, their "full beauty" "designer" bras never go on sale, and all those tempting 30 and 40% off coupons that I seem to get every-single-day don't apply. :/

[mi_nion]

OneStopPlus and/or WomenWithin have a bra club as well. I forget the specifics, but I think it's buy 3 get one free, or one free after 12. I do occasionally find their bras on clearance.

[miauminx]

I've found the best and only place I've had a proper legit bra fitting has been a local independent lingerie store that specialized in large sizes
(there is only one in my city)

[mi_nion]

THIS! But they are few and far between theses days. On the other hand there is one in NYC that was often featured on What Not To Wear.

Did a bit of googling. It's Linda the bra lady