Purchasing the right breast forms

[Jennifer8]

I am looking to purchase a set of breast forms and wanted some advice on what to buy. 

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Jennifer,

Not having had to go that way, I'm not sure whether I'd have the right advice. However there is one piece of advice I can give you, and it appears to be a common problem.

Just ensure you get an appropriate size. I could quite honesty say that approx 95% of women who use these, buy them way too large and it's the first thing that will reduce your passability; if that is important to you.

If having a disproportional set of breasts are not a problem, well just go for it.

Huggs
Catherine

[Jennifer8]

Hi Catherine,

Yes, it is important to me to look good and look natural. I think your advice is very good. Now, what is too large?  I am a large person chest is 42, so I was thinking a C cup, what is your thoughts?

Kisses, Jennifer

[Jamiep]

Hi Jennifer8,

Here is a website that I have purchased several pairs from.

http://www.thebreastformstore.ca/#ad-image-3

For your 42" chest you won't want a small size, probably more medium to large. Silicone breastforms start around $150. If you aren't sure you want to put out that much money first off, there are some night sleep forms at $50 fabric covered foam. There is a roll on adhesive that will hold them to your chest. Forms are also available on Amazon or Ebay. The Breast Form store is near Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.

Hope this helps get you started.
Hugs
Jamie

[judithlynn]

Hi Jennifer8;

I am like you having a broad back -42" and although I have B Cup breasts they are on the small size. This has made finding bras quite difficult. I thus went to a specialist Corsetiere and they ordered a pair of Amoena breast forms to fit me. They were a bit pricey by Australia standards, but are of superb quality, feel and in my bra look 100% natural.

I can heartily recommend them:

They have stockists all over the world:

Se their Web Site:http://www.amoena.com/au/Products/Breastforms/

My advice is go to one of their stockists, get a fitting and then get them to order the right one your size.

The good thing about the Amoena ones are they look good, feel natural and will grow with you providing perfect shape 100% of the time.

Hugs

JudithLynn

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Jennifer,

Yes, it is important to me to look good and look natural...........  Now, what is too large?  I am a large person chest is 42, so I was thinking a C cup, what is your thoughts?

Roughly speaking, and depending where you measured that 42"; an inch over that 42 will equate to an A cup, 2" a B cup and 3" a C cup.

Whatever you do, don't buy online unless you can return/refund. So before you buy. get a bra and fill it with anything to the various sizes I've mentioned. Put a top on and look at the results in a mirror. This should give some idea of what size cup you are looking for. If that's not practical, get a professional bra fitting, but make sure you see the final results in a mirror. That's how people are going to see you. Looking down on your breasts will give you a false perspective.

I personally would err on the side of less is more. The more petite you look the better you come across. Unless you are looking for employment with "Hooters" You want people looking in your eyes, not fixated on your breasts.

Enjoy the experience

Huggs
Catherine

[SophiaA]

Hi Jennifer,

Finally a subject I know something about! I've got at least 4 sets, and they reflect my selection criteria of wanting to pass over time. Firstly, I've always ended up too small. With large shoulders I think you need some volume, so I'd recommend D cups. In saying this, my C cups get warn the most and this is what I sleep in. A set of A cups are fun and I wear these all the time to the shops to stay in touch with my female self, without nipples they also work well inside the padded panties to shape my bum.

The B cups were thrown out in a purge moment, but they were useless. Limited shape. So starting with C cups, I felt the need to go to Ds, a common problem for a lot of women I think!

Since this is your first set, go for C cups but you will want a larger set to fill out.

A word of warning, they are addictive and for me took me deeper into femine mode. Also, I wear a diamond engagement ring, which tore the implants. Some silicon sealant coated overtop of the cut seemed to fix it.

Also, big size on the top equals bottom as well. So the bigger you go the more padding you need on the hips. This is why I'd stop at D's, shoulders are a bit hidden but I can stay slender, which is my female objective.

Sophia

[Lyric]

One thing I've found is that there don't seem to be as many choices for off the rack clothes if you have a particularly large bust. My band size is 32 and I can wear a size 10 dress, but  my shoulders are somewhat wide. I can look good in most anything if I'm up to a C cup, but if I have a D cup bust not everything fits/looks as good. A C cup is about optimal size for me to have an overall feminine look, though.

You might get a bra and play around in front of the mirror a bit, stuffing it until you determine your best size. Once things start to look right, measure and see what bra size you are. I agree with Catherine, though, about going too bit. Anyone with any subtle masculine visual indicators at all is going to seem drag queenish with an overlarge bust.

~ Lyric ~

[KaylaW]

This is a question I've had for a long time.  Being married I haven't been able to explore this but now that I'm separated (for good) I know that pretty soon I'm going to be buying some forms.  For me, I want something that is natural looking as well and I'm thinking the size 10's are what I'm going to need but never been correctly measured. 

I'm a large frame gurl, haha, I'm chubby!!  I've got a 42C bra that fits me pretty well and I'd been using balloons filled with water to around 1.5lbs each.  I probably need a 42D or DD actually but having to keep everything hidden and only being able to be Kayla when I was alone for extended periods of time has kept me from doing much experimenting (not any more).  My wife left a 38DD here, it fits but it is rather tight, so I'm thinking maybe 42 is still the right way to fly since it seems comfortable but without C size forms, I don't know how "correct" they look on me.  I guess it's a matter of either finding a shop that will measure me, even though I'm a guy OR to buy different size bra's until I find the one that fits me the best, correct?

It's too bad there isn't a place locally that I could go and just try forms until I found the right ones... this is SO hard to figure out.  At 5'10" and rather chunky & stocky, I know I'll need a larger breast to look "right".  I also want forms that I can attach directly to myself, not the ones you have to put into a pocketed bra, plus I want natural and real looking ones or as real as possible.  The better they look, the higher the price but I don't mind paying for them if they fit me well and they look good on me, especially if I can wear my nighties and tops without a bra sometimes.

[Catherine Sarah]

I guess it's a matter of either finding a shop that will measure me, ..........................  even though I'm a guy OR to buy different size bra's until I find the one that fits me the best, correct?.

Not quite correct. Different styles, let alone different manufacturers will fit differently, if at all.

You're going to have to "come out" some time, so why not find a shop now and do it right. They won't shoot you, and it's not a crime.

Huggs
Catherine

[KaylaW]

Because I'm so many other girls here, nervous of what clerks are thinking or going to say.  My mom was very understanding when I told her about my little "problem" and the majority of girl stuff I have, she bought for me. But nothing is as good as buying it yourself and buying something that actually fits.

[Catherine Sarah]

But nothing is as good as buying it yourself and buying something that actually fits.

So now is a real good time to face your fears and defeat them, face on.

Just remember,it's YOUR money that pays the clerks wages. If you don't like what they say or think, there is another business round the corner that would be happy to take your money.

You'll have to confront this and many other similar issues sooner or later. The sooner the better.

As I said. they won't bite you, or shoot you. And if you don't like them, tell them so and take your business elsewhere. Millions do it.

Be safe, well and happy
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[KaylaW]

That's very true. Maybe I'll take the chicken approach and drag out my old wedding ring and try buying some stuff with that thing on. Maybe that'll help boost confidence a little and get me over the hurdle? 

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Kayle,

Sorry. Don't mean to rain on your parade, but slipping on the ring is worse that fronting up face to face. Store owners are not stupid. They'll pick you a mile off if you try that one on.

OK. You need to face your fears head on. That's the prime concern here. Have a read of

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,136863.msg1100521.html#msg1100521

and find a similar exercise to debunk your fears. Once you've done this, front up to your lingerie store and do the business. You'll be absolutely amazed at the extra assistance you'll get if you are upfront and fearless. Store owners want you to look your absolute best; so you come back and buy more. They are willing to fall over backwards for you, if you are upfront with them

Be safe, well and happy
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[KaylaW]

Yea, I second thought that after typing it out, probably not one of the best things to try.  Where I'm located, the south and close to the Bible Belt, we all know how folks can be around here.  In my town there aren't really any "shops" except for places like Wal-mart and the small assortment of "mom and pop" shops.  I don't think trying it here is a good idea, I was leaning more towards a larger city a distance away as I think they've probably had the experiences of guys buying stuff and they'll certainly give it no second thought or care. 

I also think it would be more acceptable if I were smaller than my current size, they'd probably just shrug it off as "eh, he's gay" and forget about it within seconds.  I'm very paranoid about being found out, coming out and deciding exactly what I want to be, who I want to be and who I am.  But I'll figure it all out, I'll read your link and see what I can come up with.

Thanks!!

[Karla]

Thanks so much to Catherine for posting this basic, essential bit of advice about buying on line.

One question that i have not seen answered here:

How do i compensate for my own natural breast growth under HRT, now that i'm about to begin HRT?  Which forms are better suited to... accommodate onesself?  My measurements say, 39" three inches below nipples, but 43 at the nipples.  So rounding up, this should be a 44" band size with a B cup, am i doing this right? 

FYI i went through about 6 months of HRT in 1987 before chickening out and choosing a career over my life.   So i've got a wee bit, enough to account for the the 4" difference in the above measurements.  For the investment in silicone, i'd really like to find something that will work for me until i don't need it anymore.  Something that would be close to my ideal final size.

Are some forms hollowed out in back, more than others?  I like the Aphrodite type on http://www.thebreastformstore.com/divine-collection-aphrodite-breastforms.aspx ...but am open to any alternatives.

I feel strongly in agreement with Catherine that less is more.  So would a B cup be ideal, in terms of cup size and my measurements?

Please advise...

Thanks!
Karla

Whatever you do, don't buy online unless you can return/refund. So before you buy. get a bra and fill it with anything to the various sizes I've mentioned. Put a top on and look at the results in a mirror. This should give some idea of what size cup you are looking for. If that's not practical, get a professional bra fitting, but make sure you see the final results in a mirror. That's how people are going to see you. Looking down on your breasts will give you a false perspective.

I personally would err on the side of less is more. The more petite you look the better you come across. Unless you are looking for employment with "Hooters" You want people looking in your eyes, not fixated on your breasts.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Karla,

How do i compensate for my own natural breast growth under HRT, now that i'm about to begin HRT?  Which forms are better suited to... accommodate onesself?  My measurements say, 39" three inches below nipples, but 43 at the nipples.  So rounding up, this should be a 44" band size with a B cup, am i doing this right?

In the sunny Land of Oz, which should also work State side, essentially, no.

If you are 39" directly under the bust (you can see where the fat issue ends) with 44" over the bust; rounding that downwould make you a 38" band size and being a 4" difference should theoretically make you a 'D' cup, but due to the male torso being wider than the female torso, perhaps you could get away with a 'C' cup.

If the 38 is too tight and you are on the last row of hooks, move up to a 40", probably 'B' cup.
Using an underwire bra will help shape and mould the breast, giving you overall better shape.

That being the case, you don't need forms at all. Even if you could comfortably get down to a 'B' cup; natural is just soooooooooo much better for your self confidence and esteem. Nothing fake, feels so much better.

As for getting something closer to your final size; how long is a piece of string? You won't know your final size until you get there, which may be months or years away.

Enjoy the journey

Huggs
Catherine

[Karla]

This makes perfect sense, Catherine. 

Any good experiences with web sites that are good about bra returns?  Just found http://www.herroom.com for example. Looks good, but i don't know if it is good.  Methinks I may have a few tries before finding the right fit.

Much appreciate the encouragement on being natural.  I would rather put the money into a good endocrinologist... as soon as i can prove myself to a therapist...  (...in my view i've been cross-dressing for decades, as a guy (and tired of it), so i am sensitive about anything in the cross-dressing realm.  )

You ladies are all so patient with me.

Cheers,
Karla

If you are 39" directly under the bust (you can see where the fat issue ends) with 44" over the bust; rounding that downwould make you a 38" band size and being a 4" difference should theoretically make you a 'D' cup, but due to the male torso being wider than the female torso, perhaps you could get away with a 'C' cup.

That being the case, you don't need forms at all. Even if you could comfortably get down to a 'B' cup; natural is just soooooooooo much better for your self confidence and esteem. Nothing fake, feels so much better.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Karla,

After being professionally measured many years ago at a local store, I found Orchard Corsets of New York, probably the best place to purchase bras. They have a fine range of Bali bras that fit well at good prices. They also have well placed specials from time to time. Their delivery schedule to Oz is also good.

Hope everything goes well in the therapist department. You don't actually have to prove anything to your therapist, you just have to prove , if you want to use that word, to yourself, who you really are. Once that is achieved the rest is just detail. Nothing more, nothing less.

Enjoy the journey
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[Karla]

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for all the tips (and all the other good stuff i have found from you whilst reading this forum) !

In 1986 i saw a therapist who was supposed to be at least tolerant of GLBTQ and the rest of the alphabet soup.  Although i have never doubted who i am, he wasted some time trying to convince me that i was gay.   Hopefully this is the exception rather than the norm; or at least the profession has become more... professional in the last quarter century.

Hence my shyness.

Hugs,
Karla