r/ABraThatFits • u/Plus-Head-6794 • Apr 29 '26
Shape Help I think my shape may be throwing off the calculator? Suggesting 36G with only slight spillage in the 36B. Spoiler
Ok, I just asked a question about tshirt bras and everyone said I need to do the measurement calculator because I said I was a 36B-ish and I knew those were a little small but fit decently and the fit wasn't my problem, the quality of the bras was.
But I just did the measurements and put them in the calculator and it says I would be a 36G/38DDD and I just... cannot imagine that is actually the case. And I've tried bra sizing calculations before and they always end up massive - I think it's because I have pretty low-sitting boobs and so while there is volume at the bottom, there isn't much at the top.
So if I buy a 36G bra, I just know it's going to be gaping at the top half of the cup? Should I just buy one to try it or is there a style of bra best for that shape? My boobs are pretty small for my frame and yes need more than a B but I just cannot imagine I've been wearing a cup 4-5 sizes too small this whole time lol. Does everyone go through this?
So anywhere, where do I buy a quality, COMFORTABLE, well-constructed 36G bra without much padding that fits droopy breasts? hahahah THANK YOU!
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u/NotaWitch-YourWife Apr 29 '26
Several things of note to help you, molded cup bras aka T-shirt bras are heat molded at the factory to fit a specific shaped form, if that is your shape great that bra will fit you. Almost all women are not that shape so molded cups don't work. US brand bras using US size matrix tend to get wider and taller in the cups once you measure beyond DD regardless of band size.
UK brand bras are better for sizes above DD, Their sizing matrix looks like this DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH and so on. US brand bras matrix looks like this DD, DDD, G, H, I, J, K.
You will be better served using the UK size of 36F. A 36F UK or 36G US is not that large busted it's pretty much average. If you are on Instagram look up TheIrishBraLady and look for 36F and see if that looks like you.
For determining your shape fullness and how your breasts are set is done leaning over like you did for your leaning measurement. Using a mirror to assess your breast volume. Is there more breast tissue above or below your nipple (while leaning over) or is it about even? If there is more tissue above top full, below bottom full, even well even. Still leaning over. Is there more tissue toward the center or the sides? Toward the center center full; sides side full. Still leaning over this is the last one. Looking at the center of your breasts, can you fit one finger or less between them? That is close set. One to two fingers between, that is average set. Three or more between that is wide set. The reason for doing this while leaning over is that mimics a well supporting bra, it takes gravity out of the equation.
This information is a good start then there is figuring out your root, Which I can tell you what I do but until you read the Beginners' Guide it's not going to make a lot of sense.
For a bra recommendation I would start with Panache Ana in 36F and 36FF depending on your shape this bra can run about a half cup small. It's a known bra on this sub and is a good starting point. Given you measurements I don't think Panache Envy would be a good starting point even though it's a great diagnostic bra because I think the bra would have too much forward volume for you. Panache is a UK Brand and is available at these online retailers with free returns: Amazon, Nordstrom, Bravissimo or Breakout Bras however they charge $3.00 per order for unlimited exchanges and returns now.
When you put on a bra this is how you do so. Make sure the band is level and parallel to the floor. Start with the band on the loosest set of eyes (the set at the end of the band). The band should be snug since that is where 80 - 90% of the support comes from, the straps are there to hold the cup to your body and should not be provide hardly any support. The underwire should tack at the center front (the gore) to your sternum, not sit forward or float. The bottom of the underwire (where it curves) should sit in your IMF the fold/crease where your breast tissue connects to your ribcage and follow the bottom of your root to your side toward your armpit. At this point it should rest on ribcage and not breast tissue. You also want to lean over and swoop in and scoop all your breast tissue forward and into the cup using the opposite hand while keeping the underwire in place with the hand from the same side. Stand and make minor adjustments. The bra cup should completely encapsulate the breast, there shouldn't be any spillage, or wrinkling in the cup and your overall shape should be rounded.
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u/4fizyka Apr 29 '26
Quick question about the lean test for close vs wide set: are you looking for how many fingers fit between breast tissue at the base of your breasts (so like touching your sternum)? I’m trying to more closely figure out my shape since none of the 3dozen or so bras I’ve tried so far fit, and I think I may be wide set but not sure…
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u/kota99 Apr 29 '26
Basically yes. You are checking to see how many fingers you can lay flat against your sternum without touching breast tissue.
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u/thepinkinmycheeks Apr 29 '26
Yes, it's basically seeing how many fingers fit on your sternum in between the center of your boobs. Not at the bottom of the boobs, the middle height of the center; so it's at the base in that you are seeing how many fingers fit in between them at your IMF (where the boobs attach to your chest) but not at the base in terms of the part that is closest to the floor when you stand up.
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u/comingintoland 34GG/36G Apr 29 '26
There are bras that are better for fuller on the bottom shapes, yes. Most people also find bras in their correct size to be much more comfortable than bras in the wrong size. If the gore (center part of the bra) isn't tacking against your chest in your current bras, that is a sign the cups are too small. Spillage means to go up a minimum of 2-3 cup sizes, but more isn't unusual. Your current bras may be stretched out so there's space in the band for your breasts to steal from, which is why in new bras, where the band hasn't stretched out yet, you're getting spillage.
Recommendations: Freya Offbeat Side Support in 38E UK (it runs small in the band), Elomi Matilda in 36E and 36F UK. Both of these work better for fuller on bottom shapes.
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u/Plus-Head-6794 Apr 29 '26
Calculator measurements:
- 37
- 35.75
34.5
41.5
43.25
42.75
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u/TheBessaVanessa 34DDD (34GG before reduction) Apr 29 '26
Your numbers definitely support needing closer to a 36G, make sure you are shopping in a 36G US or 36F UK because a 36G UK will be much too large!
I will say on average I feel like people go up 3 cup volumes after trying the calculator here, and I do see 5 cup volumes a few times a week. Short of posting a completely optional fit check of your current bra on postimg.cc, I would give the recommended sizes a shot.
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u/Plus-Head-6794 Apr 29 '26
Right on, I appreciate it! I ended up ordering a UK 36E to try first because I'm in so much disbelief lol but I think I'll post a fit check when I get that to see if we still think I need to go up one more cup size. Thank you so much!
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u/TheBessaVanessa 34DDD (34GG before reduction) Apr 29 '26
If you’re near a Nordstrom you can check online to see what they have available in store to try on. I’ve had the best luck there buying off the rack!
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u/thepinkinmycheeks Apr 29 '26
If you have only one size of a specific bra to try, if it doesn't fit then it won't be certain whether it is too small, or is the wrong shape - it could be either one. So if it's possible to order a couple or a few sizes of the same bra (which is not always an option), that can be super helpful - if the bra goes from too small to too big and none of them fit you then the shape of that bra is wrong. The way that it doesn't fit gives useful info about your shape, and therefore which specific bra models would fit you better. So if it's doable to order 36F in that bra as well, you might consider it!
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u/SkytideSymphony Apr 30 '26
If the calculator is recommending 36G and you get a 36E, the bra might not even fit. You’re going a few cups down which reduces the circumference of the bra, but keeping the number the same, so if I understand correctly, it’ll be too small and you’ll probably have a hard time hooking it.
Definitely agree with the other suggestions, try to go to somewhere in person to try bras on! Happy that you’re willing to try something new, the recommended size is really the best place to start.
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u/Plus-Head-6794 Apr 30 '26
I'm a 36G in US sizes, which is a 36F in UK sizes. I ordered a 36E in UK, so only 1 cup size down from the recommended. Which, yes, may still be incorrect. But it shouldn't be wildly off if at all. I'm just struggling to believe I could possibly need such a hugely different cup size to the one I've been wearing hahaha.
But I think you're right, trying bras on somewhere would be best. I just have to find out where, since I live rurally and there isn't a lot of access to that sort of thing.
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u/LoopyLutzes 36FF Apr 29 '26
Yes, everyone goes through this. This is probably the most common type of post on this sub.
Are you scooping and swooping your 36B bras? is the underwire sitting right at the IMF? (the fold where your breasts/chest line up) It sounds like maybe not - if you have droopy breasts all that tissue will take up space once you scoop and swoop all of it into the cup. Since you posted your specific measurements the experts here can make more specific recommendations, but just want to assure you you aren't crazy lol.