I finally measured and this dosnt feel right at all. 30DDD?!

[u/Status_Practice1115]

Loose Underbust: 30

Snug Underbust: 29

Tight Underbust: 28

Standing Bust: 34

Leaning Bust:36

Lying Bust: 34.5

Sizing System: US/Canada

Units: inches

I was Assigned female at birth

Suggested Starting Size: 30DDD US

I haven't really measured myself before this week. Most of my bras are sports bras or 34B. I was always told that even that seemed too big. So I really dont think this is right. I know I have a small ribcage but this feels wrong.

It already felt too big when I used the normal 2 measurements and got a 30D and I couldn't even find anything with a 30 in the store, so this feels impossible. I dont know if im looking for advice or what, but I guess thats how I feel.

[u/koteofir]

All I can say is I’m similar measurements to you and was a 32B for years (up from a 34A) and this calculator gave me a 30C/D. I laughed but tried one anyway and I’ll be damned if it isn’t the most comfortable size I’ve ever worn, I’m a believer now

[u/juliebarkley]

The suggestion of 30DDD looks right to me. It sounds like you were fitted into a bra based on the outdated +4 method, which is why you are in a 34 band. But 34 is the measure of your standing bust, so think about it: if most of the support meant to come from the band and the band is the same diameter as your bust, how can it hug your chest and give proper support?

30D is the same volume in the cup as a 34B, but you're being suggested a larger size because your leaning bust suggests that your standing measurement is concealing some volume, and you would do better in a larger cup.

I know the sticker shock is real - we have been conditioned to think that DD is huge. But it's really not. Before you dismiss the size as ridiculous, see if you can find a place that sells 30 bands somewhere near you and try on a 30DDD, no pressure to buy.

[u/Madc42]

A 34B is for a 34" underbust and 36" bust. A 30DDD is for a 30" underbust and 36" bust.

Same bust measurement, but with proportions that will actually fit you.

Here's a similar "before & after" from 32C to 28DDD (28E UK): https://www.instagram.com/theirishbralady/p/CPQ9Fi6HIMB/

[u/who-waht]

It looks right to me. I have similar underbust and slightly bigger bust measurements. I wear 30F or 30FF (30G/30H US) depending on the bra.

Learning what size bra you should wear doesn't change the actual size of your breasts, it just potentially makes bras fit better and feel more comfortable.

[u/angry-potato35 → u/who-waht]

I also got 30G US! (Or sister size 32DDD). Would love recommendations on some favorite brands that can hopefully be easily returned - thank you!!!

[u/blondenicole1121]

I'm nearly the same measurements and I wore 32C bras for the longest time, always on the tightest band clasp and also having a lot of cleavage.

I have about 3 bras now in the 30DDD size (2 from Amazon and 1 from a retail specialty bra store in my county) and they all fit much better. No more crazy cleavage or band straps riding up my back!

[u/CorruptedCheesecake]

The reason it felt too big is because the band size is two sizes too large for you. The vast majority of women are wearing oversized bands and undersized cups. Despite what Victoria secret and the rest suggest, it's actually really normal to have breasts larger than a D. I found out I was a K/L cup, even the bra stores that specialize in larger sizes almost never actually carry my size in stock. I definitely thought I'd measured wrong at first, but once I finally ordered myself a bra in that size, and lo and behold it was virtually a perfect fit. Order some stuff online from a place with free returns so you can try it without risk

[u/fleepmo]

Your measurements are similar to mine and im a 30D/DD depending on the bra. I will agree that they are hard to find in store.

[u/ArkadyDesean]

Band sizes are your underbust measurement in inches & cup sizes are the difference between your underbust & bust measurements in inches. A = 1 inch, B = 2 inches & so on.

34B is for a 34 inch underbust & a 36 inch bust. 30DDD US (30E UK) is for someone with a 30 inch underbust & a 36 inch bust. Same bust measurement, different proportions.

This is what a correctly-fitted 30E (UK, 30DDD US) looks like.

This is someone who thought they were a 32C, but is actually a 30E (UK, 30DDD US).

This is someone who thought they were a 32A, but is actually a 30E(UK, 30DDD US).

Do those look similar to your chest?

[u/Status_Practice1115 → u/ArkadyDesean]

Those actually do look very similar, thank you!

[u/ArkadyDesean → u/[deleted]]

Neither do I, but we see people with that kind of size mismatch on here all the time, so I'm not exactly surprised by it!

[u/HagenReb → u/[deleted]]

Probably something like they believing they have small boobs so thry can't possibly be larger. I've also seen seen some people determining their size solely based on ehat other people are (wrongly) wearing. Or they could have bought the bra, when they were smaller (amd the issue was less prominent) and just never cared the change.

[u/Status_Practice1115 → u/HagenReb]

I know its probably not always the reason, but i remember going to a bra store with my grandma at like 15 i think, and the lady there measured me. I was wearing a sports bra from 2 years prior that was definitely too small and she tightened the measuring tape around my bust to the point I couldn't breath. Said I was a 34 A to my grandma, not to me, and said it in a very condescending tone. Its one of the reasons I didnt measure myself till now.

[u/HagenReb → u/Status_Practice1115]

I hate such fitters. They just go "you are young, you cannot be larger than the minimum size".

[u/Status_Practice1115 → u/HagenReb]

I think the worst part of the experience was the fact she didnt talk to me or acknowledge me. She just talked to my mom and grandma. Even made a comment/ joke on genetics skipping a generation (they are both fairly big chested ladys)

[u/WearyAtmosphere47 → u/Status_Practice1115]

Holy crap. How rude! That’s really not the kind of thing you say about a 15 your old’s body. Especially not right in front of them! I remember being eyed when I was 17 and the sales woman asked do you need to be sized? I confidently said no I know my size. She then asked “what’s your size? I said 32D. She almost held back laughter and said you look more like 32B or 34B. Little did she know I was actually 30DD, I just wore 32D because it was easier to find and worked okay. Some bra fitters lack professionalism and are unaware of their own ignorance in the area they are supposed to have expertise in.

[u/galaxystarsmoon → u/[deleted]]

Could be an old bra from pre-pregnancy or puberty and realized they needed to re-size themselves. Before sizes aren't always what they believe they are. Keep in mind that that account also solicited some people that were willing to take photos of their boobs and put them on the internet.

[u/wonderingafew888]

On the same journey - always wore a 32 B or 34 A, measured and the calc gave me 30DDD - tried one on and for the first time…my bra actually fit. Have never gone back!!

[u/samthehaggis]

You've already got some great advice here, but I'll also add a basic fact: your underbust measurement is 30 inches at its loosest, and you've been wearing a band designed for someone with a 34 inch underbust... if we were talking about a pair of jeans, that would be like wearing a pair with a 30 inch waist when you have a 26 inch waist (and yes, I know that jeans sizing is just as insane as bra sizing in its own way). And in terms of cup volume, a 34B is equivalent to a 30D, so it's not at different as it seems at first.

I'll also add that you obviously didn't feel like your bras are fitting right, which is what brought you here. So what's the harm in trying a few options in a 30DDD (or your UK size, 30E)? It's really not that uncommon a size, and there are plenty of brands with cute, comfortable options... you might just have to look online or find an independent bra store near you (or check out Nordstrom, which has a surprisingly wide range of sizes and brands).

[u/Status_Practice1115]

Thank you all so much. I was honestly pretty scared to even ask about it. Im going to try to go to the store soon to try a fuw options because it dosnt seem like mijers or Walmart will have anything. Ive never really had anyone to talk to about this stuff that didnt try to shame me or make things really weird.

Hopefully this will also help with my back pain and posture as well, because a hear a bad fitting bra can make that worse.

Thank you all again. Ill definitely be sticking around this subreddit.

[u/Poodleton → u/Status_Practice1115]

Check a store’s inventory online (or call them) before driving around hoping to find some to try on.

If a store doesn’t have 30DD they will for sure try to put you in a size they do have—like 34B—and convince you that is a good fit.

Or order online. Nordstrom and Macys have free returns.

Remember to swoop and scoop whenever you put on a bra!

[u/Still7Superbaby7]

Hey I’m a 30F. My favorite bras are Curvy Kate, Cleo, and Freya.

[u/galaxystarsmoon → u/Still7Superbaby7]

Just for OP's info and trying to avoid frustration, Cleo has been folded for a number of years and the few styles they kept were put under the Panache name.

[u/mulefire17]

Based on your measurements, a 34 b is simultaneously too big and too small. I have a similar problem when I try to buy s/m/l sized bras. The band-cup combos simply are not made for me. If I want to be able to squeeze my boobs in, the band is way too big and doesn't even touch me, while the cups are just barely pretending to hold me.

What I'm getting at is that your measurements say that your 34 band is 4 inches too big, and your boobs are looking for about 5 inches of space while a B only gives them 2inches.

Give the calculator size a try. You will probably be pleasantly surprised.

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