have you gone for proper bra fitting

[Claire_Sydney]

I have had several. At first I was really scared of all these female rites of passage but I got used to the idea pretty quick. I have breasts. I need a bra to put them in. End of story.

I haven't had any problems at all.


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[ChloëAri]

I continually see women that measure under there breast and around their back and assume that's their band size. As an for instance, if that measurement were 40 inches, your band size is not a 40...it's a 44 and possibly a 46. If you measure 33 inches under your breast, you're a 36. So yeah.... there's a lot of gals out their wearing ill fitting bras.

If your ribcage measures 40 inches, your band size is 40. If your ribcage is 34", you should wear a 34 band.

If, for example, you go over a smidge, say 32.5", a 34 band may be more comfortable. Adding 4" to your ribcage diameter is archaic.

[Rachel]

I went to Macy's in the gayborhood. They have a trans woman in the shoe department and they are in a neighborhood with a lot of trans. When I go in the store there are several trans. Anyhow, I went to the bra department and walked up to the desk. There were 3 sales people working with ringing out customers and there were several woman in the area. When asked how they could help me I said I need a bra fitting. In a few minutes I was being fitted. I told the fitter I was a little embarrassed. She said why, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.

[judithlynn]

Yes;
I went to Marks & spencer (book on line) and the fitter spent over 1 hour with me. We decided that I had grown and now I am either 42C or 44B. 42C fits much better on me now. I bought 3 matching panty & bra sets (i gorgeous turquoise set, one pink and one black (to go with my black lacy suspender belt and stockings)
Judith

[jentay1367]

If your ribcage measures 40 inches, your band size is 40. If your ribcage is 34", you should wear a 34 band.

If, for example, you go over a smidge, say 32.5", a 34 band may be more comfortable. Adding 4" to your ribcage diameter is archaic.

I never said to add four inches. It's variable for your ribcage size
On every noted point,  you're simply incorrect.

[Tessa James]

The first time I went for a fitting I still had a beard and a hairy chest and the woman who assisted me was way more calm than I was back in the early 90s.  I still have one of those bras and it was the best fit ever.  Of course it is worn out and I have been to several other places including Victorias Secret and still don't have a comfortable fitting Bra.  Its cool because I often just go braless anyway.

Part of my/our challenge is the size and shape of our chest.  i have a barrel chest and what could be called "walleye" boobs that point a bit to the sides rather than snuggling in for that sweet cleavage look.  I will keep shopping and tried online too but ended up with too many to return.  I like shopping but my 40+B chest makes for a much smaller market of available products and no winners at the local stores.   Still, tis wonderful to have them bras or not.  

[ChloëAri]

I never said to add four inches. It's variable for your ribcage size
On every noted point,  you're simply incorrect.

Well adding four inches was the old standard. If you're adding anything to your ribcage measurement, other than rounding up to the nearest size, it's too big to be a "proper" fit. My ribcage is 30.5" in diameter, and anything over a 32 band rides up like crazy. That being said, it's not inherently bad to like an improper fit, much as why I like wearing mens' XL hoodies for comfort. 

[Jenna Marie]

I very strongly recommend Nordstrom's; I had a wonderful experience there, and they're very competent. Plus I have heard many comments from friends that they were extremely trans-friendly (I didn't out myself, personally, as I was nervous enough as it was).

[jentay1367]

Well adding four inches was the old standard. If you're adding anything to your ribcage measurement, other than rounding up to the nearest size, it's too big to be a "proper" fit. My ribcage is 30.5" in diameter, and anything over a 32 band rides up like crazy. That being said, it's not inherently bad to like an improper fit, much as why I like wearing mens' XL hoodies for comfort.

Mind providing where you're getting your erroneous information??? I can provide any number of Apparel sites that suggest using the method I've prescribed. Please provide a link that suggest what I've stated is "archaic".
     My rib cage measures 35 inches and a 36 inch bra strangles me. So by your standards, I'd be wearing a bra that makes me absolutely miserable. Love to have that link!

[Dani]

Bras are sized differently from different makers. I wear Platex 18 hour or Glamorize, and the 40 D fits my 39 inch under bust chest. Whatever size you get it should be a little snug on the largest hooks, because they stretch and in a few months you might be using the middle hooks. Also never put a bra in the clothes dryer. And yes, I went to a professional fitter.

[Jenna Marie]

I was actually a bit surprised to learn how snug a properly fitted bra should be; I am 39" underbust, but the fitter immediately said I should be in a 38 band, and then she reassured me that it really should feel that "tight" at first. She was right - the support was amazing, and it rapidly became more comfortable. She also explained that, contrary to popular belief, the majority of support is provided by the band; if it isn't fitted well, the bra will not be that useful, even if the cups and straps are perfect. I guess that's how strapless bras work.

(I ended up being fitted as a 38DD even though I'd been wearing a 42D in my favorite bra... and even now that I've added one more cup size, I still love the style of bra that the fitter recommended. Annoyingly, though, the 40DD had MUCH bigger cups than the 38DDD, even though they're *supposed* to be the same cup volume. I had to return the 40DD bras.)

[jentay1367]

If you are wearing forms, all bets are off. Natal women generally don't carry around silicone filled pouches in their bra. So in essence, none of the rules are going to apply if you're in a position to be wearing them. Natal Womens breast are attached, so to speak and have no need to support the full weight of the breast but rather merely provide support. So a comfortable bra strap is going to be essential to them. I've never met a natal woman that feels a super tight bra strap is either comfortable or necessary.  Now when you're supporting the free weight of a form that wants to shift and sag, you're going to need a very tight strap as well as a super structured cup to look correct and do its job. Bras simply aren't designed to handle the rigors or day to day use that many CD and TS Women's needs when they're using forms.

[Jenna Marie]

Jentay: On the off chance that was directed at me, I'm all natural (no implants, either). I was also referring to the band, not the strap. I do agree that breast forms require additional bra considerations, but I hadn't seen that mentioned in the thread before now; maybe a post was deleted.

[jentay1367]

Jentay: On the off chance that was directed at me, I'm all natural (no implants, either). I was also referring to the band, not the strap. I do agree that breast forms require additional bra considerations, but I hadn't seen that mentioned in the thread before now; maybe a post was deleted.

No, Jenna. This is a direct response to ChloëAri. I don't want Women to order on line based on her assertions only to find they are disappointed. Hugs! Lisa

[Jenna Marie]

Jentay: Fair enough! I actually recommend a fitting (apropos of the thread) because all of the "do it yourself" methods can work for some women and not others. The only good way to find a bra that fits is trial and error and/or consulting an expert - and the latter is quicker, anyway.

[RobynD]

I got fitted before HRT (i has smaller breasts from gynecomastia) and have since I've experienced growth from HRT. Proper fit is very important.

[Floritine]

The first time I went for a fitting I still had a beard and a hairy chest and the woman who assisted me was way more calm than I was back in the early 90s.  I still have one of those bras and it was the best fit ever.  Of course it is worn out and I have been to several other places including Victorias Secret and still don't have a comfortable fitting Bra.  Its cool because I often just go braless anyway.

Part of my/our challenge is the size and shape of our chest.  i have a barrel chest and what could be called "walleye" boobs that point a bit to the sides rather than snuggling in for that sweet cleavage look.  I will keep shopping and tried online too but ended up with too many to return.  I like shopping but my 40+B chest makes for a much smaller market of available products and no winners at the local stores.   Still, tis wonderful to have them bras or not.

Tessa if you shop in plus size stores they have a nice range of pretty bras as low as B cups, CityChic is my fav store for getting them from as Im a 18c/d and I find the moulded cups are better than the usual fabric ones as it gives a nice shape...
But I find some chain stores plus size bras are boring in color / prints, and I always try on first as the sizing varies a bit,

Cheers Tracy

[Steph Eigen]

The cheap Chinese lingerie typically uses the chest + 4-6" = band size sizing.  Most of the US and European brands are currently sized underbreast snug measurement = band size.  My favorites are Bali and Chantelle, both size bands this way and result in a reliably fitting band.  Carnival in the larger sizes seem to run large in the band.  I need downsize from my usual 40 to 38.

Google "A Bra that Fits" which will take you to a wonderful website that contains more bra fitting information than probably anywhere else on earth.  You will enjoy the information and end up a far more competent bra shopper wearing better fitting bras.

Steph

[ChloëAri]

Mind providing where you're getting your erroneous information??? I can provide any number of Apparel sites that suggest using the method I've prescribed. Please provide a link that suggest what I've stated is "archaic".
     My rib cage measures 35 inches and a 36 inch bra strangles me. So by your standards, I'd be wearing a bra that makes me absolutely miserable. Love to have that link!

I have seen most of the apparel sites. Their sizing techniques are designed to give you an improper fit so that they have a larger range of women that can fit into their size range. As Steph says, the sub->-bleeped-<- "Abrathatfits" is a great resource.

Also, if you're ordering online, you're probably going to have a bad time anyway. Every brand is different, especially between American, European, and British brands. 

[ChloëAri]

If you are wearing forms, all bets are off. Natal women generally don't carry around silicone filled pouches in their bra. So in essence, none of the rules are going to apply if you're in a position to be wearing them. Natal Womens breast are attached, so to speak and have no need to support the full weight of the breast but rather merely provide support. So a comfortable bra strap is going to be essential to them. I've never met a natal woman that feels a super tight bra strap is either comfortable or necessary.  Now when you're supporting the free weight of a form that wants to shift and sag, you're going to need a very tight strap as well as a super structured cup to look correct and do its job. Bras simply aren't designed to handle the rigors or day to day use that many CD and TS Women's needs when they're using forms.

The only people I know that use breast forms are drag queens. Most of the time, a push-up should suffice. The band provides 80% of the support, and anyone with large breasts that is properly sized will tell you what a difference a snug band makes. If one has limited boob and a skinny ribcage, going up a bandsize or two may actually be more comfortable, and that's okay. But that's not what should be tried from the get-go.