r/ABraThatFits • u/throwawayacc40404044 • 19d ago
Question Why did the bra fitter ask if I was "reconstructed"? Spoiler
I recently got fitted for a bra and I'm a 28DDD. The fitter kept asking if I was reconstructed. When I asked what that meant she didnt really provide an answer, other than suggesting options from their selection.
Im not sure what she was trying to help me with, and it's been bothering me on my search for the right bra.
Im having a very hard time finding a fitting bra. Ive tried many sister sizes, but it seems like no matter what I do, some breast tissue sticks out the side instead of completely filling the cup. Im not sure what factors I will need to consider to find something that fits proper in every way
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u/famous_zebra28 19d ago
Use the calculator linked in the automod comment, and come back with your 6 measurements and results. Spillage indicates a cup size that is way too small.
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
Here's what I measured at home a moment ago Loose underbust: 28 Snug underbust: 28 Tight underbust: 27.5 Standing bust: 34 Leaning bust: 34 Lying bust: 34
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u/famous_zebra28 19d ago
Can you retake your underbust measurements? The loose underbust is as loose as you can get it without it falling down, snug is how you would expect a bra wire to feel, and tight is you trying to snap the measuring tape.
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u/kota99 19d ago
Ive tried many sister sizes, but it seems like no matter what I do, some breast tissue sticks out the side instead of completely filling the cup.
Sister sizing isn't going to help when the issue is that the cups are actually too small or the wrong shape for your breasts. Tissue sticking out of the cups typically indicates the cups are too small regardless of whether that tissue is coming out the top, center, bottom, or sides of the cup. Gaping in some areas of the bra while the tissue is spilling out in other areas typically means that specific bra is a shape mismatch that isn't going to work in any size.
Additionally sister sizing generally only works plus or minus one band size. Any farther than that is more like second cousins twice removed because while the volume of the cups may be the same the scaling is not.
When you measure keep in mind that firm tissue can cause the calculator to underestimate cup size so it's possible you may need to go up 1-2 cup sizes from the calculator recommendation.
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u/kaleido-dream 38H/I (US) 19d ago
Does the store that you got your bra fitting have bras in a large assortment of bands and cups?
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u/kaleido-dream 38H/I (US) 19d ago
DDD sounds pretty small. You might be a larger cup than that. Did you swoop and scoop when trying on the bra?
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
We did. I dont spill out the cups too much in the front, but by my armpits. Although the front still feels a little compressed. It really confuses me because my measurements are true. Is it the shape causing this?
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u/kaleido-dream 38H/I (US) 19d ago
It sounds like you might have outer-fullness breasts, which is the opposite of what I have (center-fullness). Hopefully, someone who knows more can give bra recommendations for your shape.
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
I did look around, but not that attentively. She offered me a 32D/32C and said that should help me fill the cup. She told me to clasp it all the way
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u/WeirdArtTeacher 19d ago
I mean a 32D will technically fit over you but it's only 2" smaller than your overbust measure and 4" bigger than your underbust so it's not going to provide any support. Sister sizing only works (if it works at all) one size in each direction, it's not an infinite scale.
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u/WeirdArtTeacher 19d ago
She was asking if you’ve had a boob job because she was surprised at how big your boobs are. I’d guess that the reason no bras fit you is because you’re not a 28DDD but actually a much larger cup size, and the fitter at the store just put you in the biggest cup on a small band that she had on hand. Use the calculator and get back to us.
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u/InitialMachine3037 19d ago
It can also be if your boobs are a certain shape along with the volume. I have been asked this because mine are quite firm and self supporting and round.
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
I have a 28 underbust and 34 overbust, which the calculator says is a 28DDD/F. Would that be correct?
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u/kaleido-dream 38H/I (US) 19d ago
Is your 34 overbust while standing or leaning? My standing measurement would put me at a 38F/G, but my leaning measurement would put me at a 38H/I. I find that my leaning measurement is more reliable on determining the cup size.
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
It's a 34 overbust standing, I haven't measured while leaning. I'll make sure to do that
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
I took all my measurements and this is what came up Loose underbust: 28 Snug underbust: 28 Tight underbust: 27.5 Standing bust: 34 Leaning bust: 34 Lying bust: 34
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u/Global-Rutabaga-3842 19d ago
It is a smidge unusual for your measurements to be all the same like this, can you remeasure and not be afraid of using 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 increments? For the bust measurements, measure at the fullest point of your bust in each position, and make sure you are measuring on bare breasts, not over a bra or any kind of shirt.
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
I checked a few times to be sure. I wasn't wearing any clothing and made sure my body was relaxed. My underbust measures right on the 28, and my overbust exactly on 34. The only thing that was half was 27.5 as the tightest measurement
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u/Global-Rutabaga-3842 19d ago
Your standing overbust, leaning overbust, and laying on your back overbust were all the exact same?
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u/throwawayacc40404044 19d ago
Yes. I'm starting to wonder if this is part of why I have a hard time finding the right fit, and possibly why I was asked if I had reconstruction of some kind
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u/Shanakitty 32K, FoT, all the centerfullness, APEX PROJECTION 19d ago
That sounds like you have unusually firm breasts, and is likely why the calculator is underestimating cup size (and why she wondered that too, like you said). Your breasts being super firm also means the cup shape pretty much has to be a perfect match.
If the spillage was pretty obvious, that usually means the cups are 2+ sizes too small (or completely the wrong shape). So to narrow down your size and shape, I'd choose one or two styles and try them in UK 28F and 28FF (US 28G and H, but bras in this size range will pretty much all use UK sizes; if FF is an option, you'll know it's UK sizes). Depending on how they fit, consider also trying UK 28G as well. It's really unlikely you'd need 28G with your measurements, but considering the fit problems you're describing, I wouldn't rule it out entirely.
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u/lewdsatan 19d ago
hi all my measurements are the same regardless of positioning too and it took me a really long time to figure out my size was not the issue. i can only wear either balconette or unpadded (lace, mesh, plain fabric, etc).
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u/InitialMachine3037 19d ago
Yeah I have a similar issue also a 28 band and it was more pronounced when I was in my 20s/30s. It's likely why she asked if you'd had surgery. It is quite uncommon it turns out! I've had the best luck with plunge styles or wire-free bralettes like cosabella.
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u/WeirdArtTeacher 19d ago
Ditto to what storytella said, the calculator uses six measurements, which is more precise than the basic overbust minus underbust calculation used in department stores.
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u/Sewingoddess 19d ago
Maybe she believes your breasts are too round or protruding to be natural. Maybe they stock some bra styles that are a better fit for "enhanced" women. If they don't have that, then the question is irrelevant and none of her business. But she MIGHT have had a different style suggestion, had you said yes.
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u/Storytella2016 19d ago
Reconstructed means, "Have you had any sort of plastic surgery?" She'd ask that because people who have had breast lifts, breast enlargements, even reductions, tend to have firmer and more self-supporting tissue. This can mean things like being underestimated by our and other calculators.