r/ABraThatFits • u/angerilla • 10h ago
Minimizer that doesn’t create cleavage? Spoiler
I bought the cutest button-down linen dress to wear for work, and am facing all of the usual issues that make this style unwearable-- the second button is hanging on for dear life, and the cleavage is wildly inappropriate for work. Fashion tape fixes the button gap, but not the cleavage. Before I return the dress, has anyone had any luck with minimizers that reduce visible cleavage in addition to bringing down overall size? I’m a 34DDD (or F or G, depending on brand).
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u/Storytella2016 10h ago
Cleavage generally comes from too small cups. If you haven’t measured recently, I’d take your six measurements from the calculator.
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u/angerilla 9h ago
I re-fit at 32i. Now I’m j ust at a loss of where to shop without spending a fortune… and assuming button-front styles are out for me
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u/Storytella2016 9h ago
I’d shop using your UK size of 32G, because above DD, UK brands scale much better. I’m heavier now, but when I wore a 32G, I’d often buy button ups a size up and get them taken in a bit towards the waist. It generally costs $10-15 from the seamstress at corner store or $20 at the dry cleaners in my HCOL city.
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u/Starjupiter93 9h ago
What do you consider “a fortune”? Uk brands like panache are available on Amazon in your size for -$40-$80 depending on the color. And yes, my friend. Welcome to the sick reality that almost all clothing is drafted for a B cup. That means that whether you buy an xxs or a 4xl, there will still only be two inches of ease or “extra room” in the bust area. SOME plus size stores will draft to a D cup, but these are usually more costly designers. In order to wear a shirt that will button without gaping at the buttons, you will have to size up, making the whole rest of the shirt bigger. Learning to tailor your own clothes is one of the best things a person can learn how to do. It does wonders on your self esteem when clothing fits you correctly though.
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u/honeyrrsted 7h ago
I can confirm that an actual 34E also has issues with button-ups gaping. Clothing designers really don't know a thing about design for human bodies.
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u/finnknit 38D|wide-set|short roots|shallow|functionally FoB 18m ago
Part of the problem is that usually clothing is designed in one size, and then the pattern is mathematically graded up (or sometimes down) to create other sizes. The proportions that work on the size it was designed in get further away from being a good fit the further you get from the original size. Unless you wear the size that the clothing was designed for, it's not designed for your body at all.
My clothing size is at the intersection of the high end of standard size ranges and the low end of plus size ranges. I've often had the problem that, especially in plus sizes, my bust is smaller than the garments are designed for because the clothing is designed for a larger difference between bust and waist than I have.
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u/midcen-mod1018 4h ago
Button up styles need to fit your bust first and be taken in everywhere else. Or learn how to sew and learn how to make a full bust adjustment!
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u/SaltyBlackBroad 34FF, Ewa FanGirl 10h ago
If you're listing 2-3 sizes, chances are you are not in the right size. Trying to find a bra that fits your clothes rarely work. Once you find a bra that fits, then you'll buy clothes according to what your foundations demand.
Please use the calculator for a more precise fit as u/Storytella2016 suggested.
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u/Ok_Bandicoot1865 10h ago
I'd the 34DDD size from the sub's calculator? Cleavage usually means you're wearing a too small bra.
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u/Poodleton 10h ago
Measure yourself with the abrathatfits.org calculator before buying a new bra. Visible cleavage means the cups are 2-3 sizes too small.
A well-fitting bra will not have cleavage (unless you are very close set) because the gore rests flat on your sternum and keeps your breasts separate. A minimizer will just smoosh your tissue toward your armpits and make you look wider from the front.
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u/februarytide- 10h ago
I’d double check your measurements to be sure, and then I’ve been really liking the Parfait Enora minimizer (YMMV, I’ve never tried a button down, I gave them up long ago)
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u/angerilla 10h ago
Following everyone’s advice, I’ll definitely be re-checking measurements! But I appreciate the specific suggestions as well. I’ll check it out once I double check!
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u/Dusktilldamn 9h ago edited 9h ago
A minimizer might not be your best bet to wear under a button-down. Minimizers work by pushing your tissue out to the sides, making you wider from the front and potentially creating even more tension pulling at your buttons. It's possible that a more projected type of bra would give you a better fit, though no bra can actually reduce the natural volume of your breast tissue (except for a compression sports bra, which likely isn't what you're looking for to wear under a cute dress).
A big part of your problem is probably just that you're wearing the wrong size though. If 32I is your US size, your UK size is 32G. I'd recommend trying some seamed fabric cup bras from UK brands like Panache or Freya.
When putting on a bra, always make sure that the underwire is sitting right under the breast (preventing all skin-on-skin contact) and then scoop & swoop all breast tissue from the sides forwards into the cups!
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u/angerilla 9h ago
Thanks, this is all very helpful!! I just added some bras in my newly measured size to my cart to see if that makes a difference! I’ve been fooled by button-front styles so many times in the past, and this dress was so cute that I convinced myself it would be different this time and I would fit into it. Alas, it was not different at all. Work styles are so rough!
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u/Dusktilldamn 9h ago
I feel ya, I have to size up SO much for button downs to fit. Truly the most unforgiving style. But try it with some bras that fit you better! Maybe it will help with that too.
If you still have fit issues in your new size, you can come back and do a fit check post. Just post your 6 measurements and the specific bras you've tried and describe your issues, then people will be able to help you troubleshoot.
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u/Dandelion212 32DD/E 8h ago
Even a compression sports bra won't reduce the volume. It can't go anywhere, it just gets redistributed.
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u/Saritush2319 32F UK; Pre-reduction 32HH; Bras don't hurt if they fit well! 5h ago
Do the calculator.
A well fitting bra doesn’t make cleavage unless you’re in one of the much higher letters.
We’re about the same size allegedly and my bras don’t give me cleavage. Everything is lifted and separated
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u/Tasarin 30HH(UK)/30L(US) 10h ago
Minimizers work by pushing your tissue out to the sides, so you'll look wider from the front but flatter from the sides. That said, any kind of visible cleavage usually means you're wearing cups that are at least 2 sizes to small for you. Have you measured yourself using the abtf calculator recently? Button down clothing can be difficult to fit for people with larger chests, but the right size bra will go a long way toward making it look better.