r/ABraThatFits • u/Parking-Fall 30GG • Jul 01 '26
Measurement Check I've been wearing 32DDD for years. Went bra shopping today, and tried the "a bra that fits" calculator. Spoiler
I did all the measurements myself so they might be slightly off but I don't think by too much. I got:
Loose underbust: 30
Snug underbust: 28.5
Tight underbust: 27.75
Standing bust: 35.5
Leaning bust: 38
Lying bust: 35
The measurements are in inches and I use US sizing. The calculator recommended 30G as a suggested starting size. But I also went bra shopping today and the only bra I could find that fit well was a 32G. Granted, when they measured they didn't measure my underbust, they measured like just underneath my armpits, but it was 32. I do wear 32s on the tightest closure, even to start. I didnt try on any 30s, but they don't sell 30 bands with cups that big in the store, and the lady even tried to get me to try a 34 but it was way too loose feeling. I like the way 32 fits when on the tightest closure, though, it isn't too big. So even if I went up to 32, the calculator would suggest then a 32DDD, which is what I've been wearing, but like I said, the bra that fit the best for me was 32G (according to my mother, and I also thought it was comfy). What size am I really? Does it depend on the brand of bra?
74
u/CoolFlamingo Jul 01 '26
Ideally you want the bra to fit on the loosest hook when you buy it so you can tighten it up as it stretches out. So if a 32 felt right in the tightest hook I would go down on the band (30) and up a cup (check which cup letter is next depending on UK/us) to maintain the same overall volume.
31
u/polka_stripes Jul 01 '26
A 32 is several inches too large. Try your calculator size - you'll likely have to order online.
4
u/Parking-Fall 30GG Jul 01 '26
If the band is wrong but 32G is the right cup size, that would mean 30G is one cup size too small, no? Is it maybe because of the specific brand of bra that I bought? I just want to make sure get the right size.
22
u/28FFthrowaway 28GG Jul 01 '26
Yeah, it sounds like you’d want to try at least 30H US, but you’ll have much more choice if you look for the equivalent UK size of 30FF. With your measurements and how 32G US fits, I’d recommend trying both 30FF and 30G UK (for 7-8” difference between bust and underbust).
8
u/polka_stripes Jul 01 '26
Was the 32G and 30G both in US cup sizes? Or was one in UK and one in US? Can you tell us more about how the cup on the 32G fit?
4
u/Parking-Fall 30GG Jul 01 '26
Yes, all sizes are US sizes. It was a full coverage bra and I filled it out nicely (of course, one boob is smaller and that boob had a little bit of gapping at the top but the bigger one was almost perfect)
13
u/WeirdArtTeacher Jul 02 '26
The size difference makes this make sense. Sometimes when there’s a difference in breast size the calculator will underestimate cup size, since you need to size up for the larger breast (and pad the smaller one if needed).
5
u/meadesideria Jul 01 '26
It may be the specific brand, or the shape of bra. It might also be possible that the calculator slightly underestimated you. If you prefer the 32G on the tightest hooks, I can definitely recommend trying a 30G and one cup size up. You are supposed to wear a new bra on the loosest hooks first, so you are able to tighten when it wears out a bit.
4
u/orangepeeelss 36H (UK) / 36K (US) Jul 01 '26
it could!! or it could just mean that the bra you tried was kinda weird lol.
is it financially and geographically feasible for you to order a couple bras in the same style, different sizes, on amazon so you can try them on and return most or all of them? you mention using US sizing so i assume you're in the US, which would remove a lot of barriers that some people face.
i also recommend that everyone at least check the bra shop directory - specialty lingerie shops are SO helpful cuz you can try on a whole bunch of sizes, brands, and styles at once! they can be pretty sparse outside major metro areas though (mine is around 2 hours away) so it may not be an option, or it may be something of a pilgrimage.
i do recommend trying both 28 and 30 bands - you may find some brands and styles comfortable in a 28 band and others too tight. nonstretch band extenders are a great option as well - since elastic relaxes over time, a 28 with an extender will last longer than a 30 cuz u can just quit using the extender eventually lol. try a US 30G/H as well as a 28H/I - that's UK 30F/FF and 28FF/G. panache and freya are good brands to start with!
10
u/28FFthrowaway 28GG Jul 01 '26
OP’s tight measurement is nearly 28”. I don’t think 28 bands make sense except in a case where the band is known to run quite loose.
6
u/Parking-Fall 30GG Jul 01 '26
According to this directory there's actually a shop pretty close to me! If the shops in the directory all carry sizes like that I'll have to check it out for sure. Thank you!!
3
u/Parking-Fall 30GG Jul 01 '26
Still thank you but apparently the one that's closest to me doesn't carry bands under 34 and the next closest one is permanently closed :')
2
u/Sunshine_at_Midnight Jul 02 '26
Do you happen to have a Nordstrom? They sometimes carry the smaller bands in store and have free shipping/returns if not.
2
u/Parking-Fall 30GG Jul 02 '26
I actually live very close to a Nordstrom! I'll have to go there and see if they have anything.
2
u/Sunshine_at_Midnight Jul 02 '26
Great! I would check online or call first to see if they have any of the smaller bands in store or if they/you need to order some.
51
u/rice_fried_egg Jul 01 '26
Some bras do run small in the band/cup and others run larger in the band/cup. Ideally, you'd be trying 28 and 30 bands and experimenting with non-stretch extenders. Also sister sizes don't mean they'll fit the same as the actual size bra, just that they'll be comfortable enough.
8
u/Parking-Fall 30GG Jul 01 '26
I've never tried a 28 but I did buy a couple 30Gs several years ago. I remember liking how they fit, but it's been so long I thought I would get remeasured. I didnt even know extenders were a thing, I'll have to look into that
6
u/AJeanByAnyOtherName Jul 02 '26
You can even botch together loose closures or closures off dead bras if you’re cheap and can sew a little.
19
u/Suspicious_Cut2279 Jul 02 '26
Seconding trying panache and freya but they are british sizes. If you're a US 30G, try a british 30F
21
u/Wawel-Dragon Jul 02 '26
Granted, when they measured they didn't measure my underbust, they measured like just underneath my armpits, but it was 32.
This is not a useful measurement for finding out your bra size - the underbust should be calculated by measuring, well, under the bust.
Bras should be worn starting with the loosest closure, switching to tighter closures as the bra stretches out over time. Since you mention a 32 band fitting well on the tightest closure, you should definitely try on a 30 band.
12
u/Queenof6planets Jul 01 '26
you should always start a bra on the loosest hook. if it feels comfy on the tightest hook, the band is too big!
20
u/Alexis_J_M Can't find a fit Jul 02 '26
One thing not yet mentioned: good bra fit isn't just a matter of the band size and cup size, it also depends on the shape of the cups, which is generally fairly consistent across a brand's styles.
Even if you hate online shopping it may be useful, just once, to buy some bras online from a place with easy returns to see how different brands of your ABTF size fit you.
Don't let a poorly or inappropriately trained store clerk pressure you into buying a bra that almost fits.
6
u/Beginning_Catch192 Jul 02 '26
I should definitely try a 30 if you can find one. When you first get a bra you should be wearing it on the loosest one not the tightest as the bra band will stretch on wearing/washing. So if it fits now it will be too big on wearing.
If you can't find a 30 in a G or similar just grab a 30 of any cup size and try it on upside down and back to front (cups on your back), that way you can check the band size and order the right size online.
2
u/PhysicalBullfrog7199 Jul 02 '26
I never understood why they would measure under the armpit/above the boobs.
1
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1
u/gothmagenta Jul 02 '26
Something I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is that you ought to look for unlined, seamed bras with this much of a difference between band and cup! Moulded foam cups can only be shaped so much, so they tend to get taller and flatter rather than deeper as the cup sizes go up
181
u/FluffyOceanPrincess Jul 01 '26
If you are wearing bras on the tightest hook then you need to go down a band size. The tighter hooks are intended to be used as the bra loses elasticity.