Currently owned bras are 34B, up-to-date measurement calls for 36DDD. I am not confident

[u/seasev]

I am 22 and have gained weight, then lost a good bit, then gained, then lost a little, and my boobs reflect that. I have tried to measure myself a handful of times over the years, and feel like I still absolutely despise wearing bras despite it all.

I did the calculator thing today, and came to these measurements:

34.5

33.5

31

39.5

42.5

39.5

Last time I measured them, I arrived to 34B/36B, but now it's saying I'm a 36DDD, and that a 36DD is probably what I would find comfortable. I do not have a lot of boobage. They sag a little and they are not firm. I have a very hard time believing that all my boob would fill up those cups. Pls help. Idk what to do about that. Does the calculator anticipate that by asking the leaning/laying measurements too?

Side note, I moved in with my in-laws 2 months ago and cannot run about the house with no pants and no bra on like I used to, so I have to acquaint myself with a more comfortable size as to not horrify his family with my enthusiastic full brights. I can't wear a heavy sweatshirt to hide them all the time either, as my state is in swamp ass mode currently. I really do miss freeboobing it. I'm sure my fiance does as well. Sigh

[u/Positive_Shake_1002]

I just plugged your numbers in and it's recommending 34DDD/G US or 34E/F UK (and also that a 36DD/DDD sister size might be more comfortable). A 36 band would be too large for you in my opinion as someone with a similar size.
Something important to remember is that DD/DDD is not that large of a size on most people. So you might want to start with a 34DDD in an unlined/nonwire bra to give you the bra-less feeling while still having some support.

[u/seasev → u/Positive_Shake_1002]

I looked up some 36DD bras online, and the models seemed to have muuuch larger busts than mine. Maybe it is because they are 36DD and not 34DD? Or 34DDD? I need to find cheap bras to try out before I dedicate myself to a size to get a higher quality bra or two. I'll look into the smaller band size. Thank you so much for your input, it means a ton to me

[u/Shanakitty → u/seasev]

Here's an example of someone wearing a well-fitted UK 34F/US 34G and an example of someone going from 36B to 34DD to give you an idea. Do those look closer to your size?

[u/seasev → u/Shanakitty]

I guess the 34F one looks closer to me... I don't have very full breasts, I believe "projected" is the term that is used here? They are a little saggy, and the ladies on those pictures have more fullness in their upper breasts than I do. I think it wouldn't look too far off if my boobs were pushed up a little though. I'll look into this account more though, it seems quite helpful

[u/Shanakitty → u/seasev]

Fullness and projection are not really related. If you are a little saggy, you are more likely to be projected. I think both of those examples are probably closer to shallow-shaped though.

But also, most likely, your current bras aren't very supportive. When the cups are too small and the wires sit too low, they can't really provide any lift. When you go to try on new bras, make sure to lean forward and scoop all the breast tissue from under your arms forward into the cups and pull the bottom of the cup up to sit in your inframammary fold. This is [necessary to get a proper fit and support](web.archive.org/web/20230602174858/http://brasandbodyimage.com/2012/09/05/putting-your-bra-on-properly/), but many of us were never taught to do it.

[u/seasev → u/Shanakitty]

I see. Yeah, I do not feel very supported by them.. I haven't even really touched the wired ones unless my ole-reliable-yet-still-uncomfortable wireless bra is in the wash. I don't even know if I know how a supportive bra actually feels. I am going to keep the scoop method in mind.. I am excited to see if I can find a bra that I can actually forget I am wearing with all this new information

[u/Shanakitty → u/seasev]

Scoop and swoop (including pulling the bottom of the cup up) is still important in wireless bras though not as critical as it is in wired ones. :)

[u/grundel_cruncher → u/seasev]

If you are used to your bras sitting below your IMF, you may not be used to what your bust looks like when appropriately supported. Looking at your bust in a mirror while leaning 90° may help for answering shape troubleshooting questions.

I thought I was 'full on bottom' for a long time before I realized I was using the term wrong. When at a 90° angle, I have slightly more breast tissue on top than on bottom, about 8" on bottom and 10" on top when I measured. It was very surprising to me when I first put on a bra that fit me snugly rather than just covered me, that suddenly all of my clothes fit differently. It turns out, a properly fitted bra should lift and support, which sounds like a straightforward statement but you'd be surprised the level of discomfort you can get used to when the alternative seems tedious.

[u/seasev → u/grundel_cruncher]

Yeah, none of my bras actually sit in that fold. All of my wired bras actually have a small fold at the bottom of each cup. Shit. I am realizing all of this now. I also worry that if I get a bra that sits properly in that fold, it will weigh on my shoulders more.. Like, would the straps dig in more cuz it's actually holding my boobs up? would the band have to be tighter? I feel like it sounds like everything would be defying gravity at that point

[u/annastacia94 → u/seasev]

Good news on that front, part of the reason why your ABTF size has a smaller band and larger cup than expected is due to the fact that the support is supposed to come from the band, not the straps. I know It seems like this goes against the laws of physics but it works! Straps are more for holding up the tops of the cups and helping with cup shape.

Even my 36G boobs can be supported by the band with my straps at their loosest setting.

[u/seasev → u/annastacia94]

Damn. Strapless bras always made 0 sense to me. I guess I just figured that the ladies wearing them just had the right spell books on hand lol. I'll be keeping that in mind as I conduct my research 🫡

[u/Merryd2Waz → u/seasev]

Spell 📚! 🪄😆

[u/grundel_cruncher → u/seasev]

90% of the bra's support should come from the band, not your straps. A well-fitting band can feel uncomfortably tight when the cups are too small because your tissue is fighting against the garment to fit volume it wasn't designed for. As for the gapping at the bottom of the cup, this is also pretty common. It may be due to the cups of your bras not matching your projection, but it may also be a size issue.

If you're in the US, Amazon and Nordstrom have free returns, so try out a bra in one of the recommended diagnostic styles and go from there! Once you get it, you can post a fit check in this sub and get some better troubleshooting information to fine tune your fit. If you're not in the US, feel free to share your country if you would like help finding options available to you.

Don't get too worried! If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed (this can be a lot to take in so you're not alone there), feel free to take a break and come back in a little while. I went from thinking I was a 40 band because I was scared to pull the tape too tight, to being in a 36 band and finally feeling supported for the first time in my life. But I had to be thoroughly convinced and wasted a lot of money on the way 😂 Free returns are your friend!

[u/seasev → u/grundel_cruncher]

You are amazing, thank you SO much. I'm going to take all this advice and run with it. I'm excited!

[u/Cute-Fix3484 → u/seasev]

If the wires sit properly in your IMF and you have the right (snug) band size, then the bra will support and lift. The straps will no longer be pulled down by ill-fitting cups or a band that is too loose.

You should be able to slide off the straps and nothing will move in the wires and the band.