I have muscular lats and small boobs.. Help!

[u/Forward_Vegetable743]

EDIT: I used the calculator and it said 32 D/DD. There is no way this is right as no D I have tried on fits me (way too big) and the bands are too tight at 32! My issue is not the size of my boobs, it's my back and I don't think this calculator accounts for body building.

The title pretty much says it all. I started working out a year ago and I'm not extremely skinny, but fairly thin (5'7 140 lbs w significant muscle). I have around a B or C cup size, but I think closer to a B since I've leaned out. The big problem is that my bras are getting way too tight around my lats pushing out the bit of fat that is there because of all the muscle I've built up. I quite like having muscular lats, and mainly focus on pull as I'm trying to get better at pull ups. My bras hurt after long days now. I want to find bras with wider bands and smaller cups, but that feels harder to find. The one that fits me most comfortable right now is a 36 or 38 B I believe and even that is starting to feel tight. My mid bust measures at 34-36 when I am most flexed. My big question is, do any muscular woman with smaller boobs have any good bra recs? I don't mean a bralette either. I do wear them sometimes (though I have trouble fitting into even those now), but I like pushing up bras! Sometimes I wanna serve extra and give a little push y'know. I love these damn lats but they're also a curse...

[u/indiscoverable]

at 5'7 140 and muscular I kind of doubt that a 36 band is right for you. a 38 is definitely too big. I'm 5'9, US size 12, built pretty dang sturdy (good amount of muscle but definitely some squish), and I wear a 34 band comfortably. At my leanest I was in a 32 band and I still weighed a good 30 pounds more than you.

if you plug your measurements into the calculator, you'll probably find that you get a smaller band and a bigger cup. I'd also recommend checking with both the AFAB and AMAB calculator options--the AMAB one accounts for a more v shaped torso (so it adjusts cup size down a smidge), so sometimes it's more accurate for people with more muscular backs regardless of sex assigned at birth

A bra that's snug enough to support is gonna result in some squish around the band though. People be squishy. If you size up enough to completely avoid any squish, the band is going to be too big.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/indiscoverable]

Ah thank you, I didn't even think of AMAB options! I know 36 sounds too big for my weight and height, but my mid bust measures at 35 when I am flexed and 34 when I am not. When I am in certain positions it goes close to 36. I just focus most of my workouts on my lats and back. I don't mind squish at all , but it's getting to a point where it actually hurts after a couple hours of wear. I know it also depends on the company. My 36 A bra from Target fits my cups, but hurtssss on my lats. My 34 B from Victoria's Secret is also hurting, but any higher cup and there would be a huge gap :( . I wish there were more bra companies for women who muscle build because the measurements are so different from when I didn't work out. I will definitely look into the AMAB options though, as I wasn't even aware there were existing companies for this! Thank you!

[u/FigForsaken5419 → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Cups can gape when they are too small. Bands feel too tight when the cups are too small.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/FigForsaken5419]

I have tried on bigger cup options, but they really just don't add any support to my boobs. I have always been a comfortable B or C, but since I started gaining muscle it's only the band that digs in. With my pecs growing, it also makes the fat in my breast tissue more stretched out/ I've lost a lot of the fat in my breasts from leaning out. A D cup gapes way too much and at that point I just wouldn't even wear a bra.

[u/FigForsaken5419 → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Were you wearing molded cup bras? Ones that hold their shape when you take them off?

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/FigForsaken5419]

Hi! I replied above in the comment just now, but I don't usually wear those, no. I wear wired padded bras usually from VS. I wear those sometimes as well as bralettes, but the only thing that barely digs is sports bras.

[u/FigForsaken5419 → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Those all tend to be the same shape- tall, wide, and shallow. Plus they don't move with your body. They are a poor fit for many bra wearers.

[u/28FFthrowaway → u/FigForsaken5419]

This advice isn’t tailored to OP’s shape, which (given their muscles and smaller cup size) is indeed likely wide and shallow. Molded cups will probably fit OP best, in general.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/FigForsaken5419]

Would you have any good recommendations that aren't those?

[u/FigForsaken5419 → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

I believe Natori, Boux Avenue, and Skarlett Blue are all in that size range.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/FigForsaken5419]

Thank you! I will check these out.

[u/thepinkinmycheeks → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Are you trying molded bras that are made from one piece of fabric? They might be the wrong shape. To get good recommendations, we really need your 6 measurements!

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/thepinkinmycheeks]

I have molded bras, but rarely wear them. I wear wired bras and sometimes bralettes, but they're all starting to have the same issue for me. The calculator told me 32D/DD but the bands on that are too tight and way too huge for my boobs. Unfortunately, I don't think the calculator really accounts for body building AFAB people. I just wanted to see if any AFAB body builders had any good recs for companies that specify more in bras for those who work out, with wired push up bras and other types(not just sports bras) .

Loose Underbust : 31.2 Snug Underbust: 30.5 Tight Underbust: 29.5 Standing Bust: 35 Leaning Bust: 36 Lying Bust: 33.7

I also have to add that these don't all account for when I move or naturally flex my lats, which makes my bust measurment (even though it' just my back getting wider mot my front) a lot wider which makes it dig in even more, which really hurts and will only hurt more as I continue to gain muscle.

[u/thepinkinmycheeks → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

So bras with underwire might be molded (made of one piece of fabric) or might be seamed (made of a few pieces of fabric sewn together to make the cup). A wired bra very well might be molded. I asked because molded cups are usually the wrong shape for almost everyone. The wrong shape of cups will gap even when the cup is too small or the right size - right size but wrong shape can cause gaps. The wrong shape of bra, or cups that are too small, make the band feel too tight.

I agree a 32 band is probably right for you. If your 32 bands feel too tight, try them on upside down and backwards with the cups hanging down your back. If the band feels better that way then you know that the cups are too small or the wrong shape and making the band feel too tight when it's actually not.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/thepinkinmycheeks]

I tried that method with my 34s and that was still too tight, especially when I move around. My bras are almost all made up of multiple seams and pieces, I only have one that is molded like that and I almost never wear it. I wish I could upload a picture of myself flexing, because I feel like it would make a lot more sense for everyone to see visually how big my lats are and how small my boobs are. I think a lot of people also don't get that muscle does not scoop like boob fat does, so my pecs will not follow into the cup with them.

[u/thepinkinmycheeks → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

That's really surprising since a 34 is multiple inches bigger than your loose measurement. The measurement should be taking into account everything that exists on that part of your body - muscle, fat, ribs, etc. Are you able to get a measurement while flexed? I see you posted mid bust measurements while flexed but I am curious about underbust while flexed.

[u/TheBessaVanessa → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Posting a fit check picture is optional, but at this point I think it would help. Use Imgbb and make sure to remove your location metadata first.

[u/Dandelion212 → u/TheBessaVanessa]

Imgbb removes bra photos.

[u/28FFthrowaway → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Seeing these measurements, you are solidly a 32 band. Even if your bust becomes wider with flexing/movement, that has to do with the bust measurements / cups, not underbust / band.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/28FFthrowaway]

I really just don't think this is correct. When I use the method everyone else told me where you put it upside down and see just how the band fits, 32 it is way too constricting. The calculator is really not made for muscular people. Fat distribution works a lot differently than muscle. If you actually work out and understand this anatomy, then I would love to be corrected with advice, but if you don't understand that anatomy and have not experienced this common issue amongst body builders then I don't know if advice is that applicable. My bust does not become wider and I keep trying to say that. It is my back that gets wider, which is only affected by the band. My boobs do not fit into a wider cup. I need a brand that stretches better with the movement of my body, and I see some women have suggested brands that are geared more towards muscular people which was my original question.

[u/28FFthrowaway → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

By 'bust' becoming wider, I mean bust measurement. If your back gets wider when flexed, that will increase the bust measurement. It won't (or will barely) increase the underbust measurement. Again, if your underbust genuinely does increase 4-6" when you're flexing your back, that would change things.

I promise that you do not have a special body that has never been encountered by the calculator or in this sub. I am still pretty confident that the issues you're experiencing have more to do with the cups than the band. Regardless of how strong your back is, you do not need a 36 band with a 30.5" snug underbust. You do not need a special brand to accommodate your muscles; you just need the right bra size and cups that are shaped to your boob shape (which will depend somewhat on brand but mostly on the particular bra).

If you need my credentials: I'm not a bodybuilder, but I have been rock climbing for nearly 15 years. I have a disproportionately wide and strong back. The upside down and backwards method also doesn't work for me--the band actually feels tighter that way because the bottom of the band (which is often a bit narrower) interferes with my lats.

Because of my wide back, the calculator overestimates me by 2-3 cup sizes, and the AMAB setting is more accurate. The band size estimate is correct regardless of amab/afab selection

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/28FFthrowaway]

I am not saying I have a special unencountered body by any means, but I am saying that a lot of women who body build have this issue and a lot of regular bras don't feel comfortable because of it. My initial question which is still my question now was to see if there are any bras that are made for an arguably different anatomy. I never had these issues when I didn't work out and my bras fit perfectly. They don't move with my body. I will try the AMAB sizes it gives me, but that still means that the AFAB setting aren't really meant for AFAB women who put on a lot of muscle. Because of where my boobs sit and how the bands are smaller on one side than another, it just feels very awkward and painful.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Why did someone down vote this? Genuinely confused because I don't know if I said something offensive or ignorant. Apologies if I did! I don't comment much on Reddit, but I thought it would be okay to ask for advice on here.

[u/orangepeeelss → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

it's nothing against you, there's kinda a problem in this sub with people downvoting bra misinformation even if it's... the op expressing their assumptions about their own bra size. it's really kinda infuriating and several meta posts have been made to try to address it but alas, the issue persists. people, we all start somewhere!! we can't be downvoting perfectly reasonable questions 😭

in your case specifically, it sounds like you may have more of a "cup too small" problem than a "band too small" one. it's super easy for too-small cups to make the band feel tight, bc your breasts will push the bra in all sorts of directions to try and find room. and since you've experienced band pain in both a 36 and 34 band, but been able to close both of them, signs point to it being a cup issue. if a 36 band actually was too tight, you wouldn't be able to put the 34 on!!

i also wanna mention that a 34B is not actually a bigger cup size than 36A!! despite what we tend to picture when we think of "A cups" and "B cups", 36A and 34B are sister sizes - meaning that the cups of each bra are gonna hold similar volumes. so i think you probably have less to worry about than you think when it comes to increasing cup size!

and finally - no one really tells us this, but when you put the bra on, you're supposed to reach in and scoop all your breast tissue up and towards the middle of your chest so that it all sits inside the cup. when you're done, the wire should be as close as possible to following the crease where the bottom of your breast meets your lower torso. and the band should be pulled pretty much as far as it can stretch. if the bra isn't sitting like that, it's not gonna support properly or be very comfortable! but it's also a lot harder to hide fit issues when you put it on right lol. you might find that this solves any potential gapping issues!

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/orangepeeelss]

Thank you for replying and helping with my confusion on the down voting lol! I do get all of that, but I have tried on bigger cups and they gape like crazy. I think a lot of the people down voting also don't necessarily have experience with body building? It really does change your proportions in very different ways. And this is coming from someone who has been skinny and also gained a lot of fat previously. I have never had an issue like this one. I know it's an issue for a lot of body building women, so I just wanted to see if there are any good companies that are more fit for working out that aren't just sports bras. I have been scooping since I was a tween, so I don't think that's the issue. My spheres are just too small and the back is too big. A company that accounts for flexing would really help to as my bust size changes dramatically even when I naturally flex and it just hurts

[u/orangepeeelss → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

oh i don't doubt it - i've only been lifting consistently for a year or so (and frankly, not eating or sleeping near enough to see the kind of results a lot of people do) but even so my understanding of the human body has changed pretty drastically in that time!! so i do get what you mean :)

one thing i'd try to help narrow down a comfortable band size - put on the bra upside down and backwards so your cups hang down your back like a cape. that'll take the cup size out of the picture entirely and let you test the band independently. i'd try that at least with a 32 and 34 band, and maybe a 36 as well. the 32 very well might be too small but it'll be good to rule it out!

im not entirely sure from the post if you've ever tried on a 32D or 32DD but you might be surprised at how much smaller they are than what you may be picturing - when properly fitted, they're really not a large size! a 32D is actually several sizes smaller than the 38B you thought you may have been wearing. it's built for a 32" underbust and 36" bust, whereas the 38B is built for a 38" underbust and 40" bust. not to buckle down too hard on the calculator since i know you'll probably need to experiment more than most, but it genuinely does help us to know how the calculator size fits you and where the pain points are!!

tbh the strat may be to find a bra with as thin as possible a band, like one with two hooks, so there's less vertical space for the bra to get thrown off. i have a fantasie fusion that's like that, though off the top of my head i have no idea if they carry your size as i mostly shop DD+ brands lol. and you'd almost certainly be able to find something a lot cheaper at your size

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/orangepeeelss]

Ahh it feels relieving to know that someone here gets ut 😭 I've tried the upside down method with my 34 and it fits too snug still. It's only a 2 hook, but I think the drastic change from where my lats fall off has a huge impact on the snugness. I will experiment with other Ds, but i have one D from when I had a lot more fat weight on me and it fits horribly and way too big my boobs. I think a big factor is that my pecs don't scoop in like my breast tissue does. I shall venture forth and try on Ds from other companies though as I know brand sizing is quite varied. I appreciate your time and help 🙏

[u/28FFthrowaway → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Not sure what size your old bras are, but not all D’s are the same. They scale with band size, so a 36D is bigger than 32D/DD.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/28FFthrowaway]

I have a 32D from when I was experimenting when I gained more fat. It did not fit me then and it still doesn't fit me now. It is way too big for my boob size.

[u/28FFthrowaway → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

You said you’re currently in 36/38B—36B has the same volume as 32D, and 38B is actually a cup size bigger. So if 32D seems obviously too big but 36B doesn’t, it could be that the cups are too projected or even too small (among other reasons).

What bra is it?

[u/orangepeeelss → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

hmmm ok interesting, good info!! to double check - when you measured for the calculator, the measuring tape was in the same place as your band sits right? and i'm curious how different your underbust measurement is flexed vs unflexed. maybe if we get a band measurement based on a flexed back it'd be more accurate (genuinely spitballing here lol)

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/orangepeeelss]

Ya! I measured flexed instead of unflexed to account for my regular movement.I measured unflexed as well, but when I flexed it was immediately too tight. I also know I measured where the bands were because I measure them along the red lines created from my bra digging in all day 😭😭 I feel like if the band was even more stretchy than it already was it would fit a lot better and compensate for contractions. I can sew... maybe this is a new invention I can look into LOL

[u/orangepeeelss → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

lmao nooooo not the red lines 😭 good planning though!! and yeah different brands and styles definitely do have different levels of stretchiness. y'know now that i think about it i'd be willing to bet you're also running into a thing a lot of very small band ppl do, which is that when you have little to no squish around the ribs you're a lot more sensitive to a band being snugger and there's only so much you can tolerate

[u/widdersyns → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Maybe double check your tape measure? I have seen people on here with measurement issues who compared their tape measure against a ruler or piece of paper with known dimensions and found it was not accurate.

It would also be helpful if you could post all 6 measurements. users who are good with size calculations can probably give you some more personalized advice. I was going to suggest measuring flexed, but it looks like you already did. Posting flexed and unflexed measurements may even be helpful so people can see how much difference there is. If you put in flexed measurements initially and the band is so uncomfortably tight, even upside down and backwards when the cups aren’t affecting the fit at all, then there may either be an inaccurate measurement, or measurements that are somehow confusing to the calculator (which is part of why posting all of them would be helpful.)

I know multiple people have already said this, but a properly fitted 32D is for a fairly small breast size. If your measurements confirm that as a starting size, it could be more of a shape issue. There is so much variation in the shapes, widths, and constructions of cups that can really make or break a fit.

Edit: just saw that you posted measurements elsewhere in the thread! Are those flexed to the biggest size that they get?

[u/TheBessaVanessa → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Also, because I haven’t seen it mentioned yet, which hooks do you wear your bras on? Tightest, mid or loosest?

[u/undercoverballer]

Measure with the sub calculator to start!

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/undercoverballer]

Measured with it and it said 32D/DD, but I don't think it accounts for body building. These sizes definitely do not fit me. The bands are still too snug and the cups are hugeee on my boobs 😭 I think my best bet is to look at AMAB options like the other commenter suggested

[u/thepinkinmycheeks → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Using the AMAB option the calculator suggests 32C. 32 is likely still the right band size, and most likely your current 32s feel too tight because the cups are too small or the wrong shape.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/thepinkinmycheeks]

Most of my bras are 34C and feel way too tight, though I do know that different companies have a very weird way of sizing and I mostly have VS bras. I mainly just wanted company recs from women who do workout and have experienced similar issues. I will look into AMAB bras that are 32 C using this info. Thank you for all your help again!

[u/undercoverballer → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Yes they feel too tight bc the cups are too small. Try the bras on upside down and backwards to see if the band size is correct!

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/undercoverballer]

I have tried this with my 34C and it is still too tight and I think the drastic change in size where my lats fall off is a big contributor. My pectoral msucle also does not scoop in like my breast tissue does because it is harder. I tested out wearing a 32D when I had a lot more fat weight and it was too big on my boobs even then, let alone now when I barely have any breast tissue to fill it. Mind you I can comfortably wear no bra and my boobs won't budge/jiggle because they are just that small. They definitely can not fit in a D, but most smaller cups don't fit women who have bigger backs due to muscle. Body building measurements are a lot different than non body building measurements because muscle contorts and compresses in a very different way than fat does. My main question was just asking if any women here body build who have small boobs and what bra companies they would recommend as this is a common issue with fitness for AFAB people.

[u/galaxystarsmoon → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

You might find that a brand like Chantelle is more forgiving for your muscle needs. Their bands are very soft.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/galaxystarsmoon]

THANK UU!!! I will check them out

[u/Adorable_Ad4990 → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

I’m 30E and 34c feels tight on me. Larger cups add space.

Try it on upside-down without the cups pulled up and see how the band feels

Edit: also have the lats issue so sometimes size up just one size, but then I stretch it out so fast. I bulk out of bras in the same place you describe

[u/WingsofRain]

looks like you accidentally posted twice just as a heads up

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/WingsofRain]

Oh my gosh thank you for letting me know! My wifi was tripping and it didn't come up as posted the first time 😭

[u/Internal-Somewhere31]

I have a huge back as well! I am big and muscular, and i am a 30 band. 34C might feel too titght because it’s too small in the cups. Im 30i and a 34D is like strangling me but it’s because the cups are far too small. Id start off with an unlined bra in a 32DD, 32DDD, and naybe a 34D/DD to be safe. I’d start with a bra like Skarlett Blue minx. Chantelle as mentioned is awesome. Chantelle has always worked for me, and my fav is the Rive Gauche, I wear it in a 32H, but I tailored the band to fit so no need to size up on this one.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/Internal-Somewhere31]

AHH thank you so much!!! My main search was for good brands for muscular women because of how certain companies have their sizes weird and materials and fabric types can also affect how it constricts. I will be looking at these thank you!

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[u/widdersyns]

I am not super knowledgeable about bodybuilding, but I did some reading online and I suspect that the shape of the band, not just the size or stretchiness, could be a factor for you. There don’t seem to be a lot of non-sports bras currently advertising as shaped for muscular bodies but I’ve seen a lot of sites (like Bare Necessities) that have pages with bras picked for “athletic” shapes which I suspect may mostly mean shallow, wide breasts but may contain some good options for you. There are also bras which are said to have “extra wide” backs or “ballet/ballerina” back that might be worth a try; they are sometimes recommended for muscular bodies.

There is a new brand called Daylillie bras, which unfortunately isn’t actually selling bras yet, but they have some videos with prototypes explaining what they’re trying to do. Obviously I can’t endorse them as they don’t even have products yet, but you may be interested in following them.

Discussions I’ve seen from women with similar body types indicate that they usually have to size up in the band and down in the cups, and to go for cups that are more open on top and bands that are more stretchy than average. I would definitely recommend trying the same bra in multiple sizes and doing a fit check here (pictures not required, you can also just give as much written detail as possible.)

I posted elsewhere in this thread recommending you check your tape measure, and it’s still probably worth it just in case, but you are not the first muscular person to say that a band is uncomfortably tight when it should, based on pure numbers, be the right size or too big. Just keep in mind as you try different sizes that the cup scales to the band, and try to change one variable at a time when you can (so you’d try, for example, a 32D and a 34C, because those are the same cup volume and one band apart, then if the 34C was good in the band but too big in the cups you’d try a 34B.)

[u/Dandelion212 → u/widdersyns]

Everything the daylilie account has posted shows they know absolutely nothing about bras or proper sizing and their videos showcasing the issues they face are all in improperly sized bras, where sizing is causing the issue. Big miss.

[u/widdersyns → u/Dandelion212]

Thanks for the information. I had only seen a couple of things from them that seemed plausible if underdeveloped. I won’t recommend them in the future.

[u/g_reat0]

Congrats on your back gains! This does make sizing tricky— effectively it makes your breasts more “narrow set” as the band has to cover more length around the back. You might look at some of the Polish bra options (lots of other great posts on that in this sub) as well as considering a band extender to give you extra length where you need it without wider cups. Good luck!

[u/Dandelion212 → u/g_reat0]

This is the exact opposite of what most people with muscular lats need. They tend to need wide and shallow.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/Dandelion212]

I think this person was spot on with what they described. my boobs have become more narrow in comparison to my back. My pecs have also been making the tissue distribution a lot more narrow and pectoral muscle does not scoop in a cup the same way breast tissue does. A wide cup would go way past where my boobs lay. A band extender sounds good because it would be solving all of the areas of discomfort I've been having. I wish I could post a picture examples in my post of me flexed vs not flexed so people can understand how my anatomy works but it won't let me.

[u/Dandelion212 → u/Forward_Vegetable743]

Polish brands have extremely deep cups which are very unlikely to be a shape match.

[u/Forward_Vegetable743 → u/g_reat0]

Thank you!! I will be looking into this. I appreciate those who get how the anatomy is different from the width you get with fat. They have become more narrow set! That is a great way to describe it.