Bra Questions

[autumn08]

Hi Everyone,


I've been on hormones for just over a year and lately my chest has been quite sore. I've been wearing sports bras as my chest has grown, as I haven't socially transitioned yet, but with this soreness I'm wondering if I should start wearing regular bras. However, I'm not exactly sure how to size one, if there are special considerations I should make since I'm trans, or if one is necessary yet, so I was hoping I could get some advice.

My under bust is 33 1/2 inches. My bust is 36 inches. The circumference from around my armpits is 34 3/4 inches.

With this information could anyone tell me what my bra size is, whether it would be okay or not if I continued wearing sports bra all the time, and/or recommend me any bras?

[LilDevilOfPrada]

No reason a sports bra should hurt you. Unless its too small but even then it wont hurt the breast it will squeeze your sides.

What kind of plain are you having because there is always going to be spurts of pain in your inner breast no longer how long you are on HRT.

[Meghan]

Most source I have read recommend wear bra's with no underwire to help your breast from restrictions growing. I just go to store for my bra fitting to get correct size.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[autumn08]

Thank you Lil Devil of Prada and Meghan.


"No reason a sports bra should hurt you. Unless its too small but even then it wont hurt the breast it will squeeze your sides."

Thanks for letting me know. I've read conflicting information about this.

"What kind of plain are you having because there is always going to be spurts of pain in your inner breast no longer how long you are on HRT."

I figured that I would still have soreness at this point. I'm just not sure if I've reached a point where I shouldn't be wearing a sports bra all the time, if that point exists, and, if so, what type and size bra I should buy.

"Most source I have read recommend wear bra's with no underwire to help your breast from restrictions growing. I just go to store for my bra fitting to get correct size."

Thanks for the tip on not buying an underwire bra at this point. I'll definitely keep it in mind.

-

Since posting, I read online that to find your bra size;

1) you round your under bust and bust measurements up (mine would be 34 and 36 respectively);

2) subtract your under bust from your bust (36 - 34) and then, to find your cup size, see which letter is at that position (2) in the alphabetical order (b);

3) find your band size by adding 4 to your under bust (34 + 4 = 38).

If this is correct, my bra size is 38b. Does anyone know if this is how bra sizing works?

[Chloe]

If this is correct, my bra size is 38b. Does anyone know if this is how bra sizing works?

Autumn unsure where the 'add +4' comes from?

See (paste) this: barenecessities.com/feature.aspx?pagename=fit_sizing

[autumn08]

Autumn unsure where the 'add +4' comes from?

See (paste) this: barenecessities.com/feature.aspx?pagename=fit_sizing

Hi Kiera,


I'm glad you brought this up, because I've read articles like the one linked to that didn't mention adding any number to your under bust, in order to determine your band, and I've articles like this one (https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/shopping-guide/how-to-measure-bra-size#determine-your-band-size) that say, "While braless or wearing a non-padded bra, measure around the bottom of the band, directly under your bust. The measuring tape should be level and very snug. Round to the nearest whole number. If the number is even, add four inches. If it's odd, add five. Your band size is the sum of this calculation. (So if you measured 32 inches, your band size is 36. If you measured 33 inches, your band size is 38.)."

In your experience, what's the relationship between your under bust measurement and your band size?

[2.B.Dana]

The "add 4" and other variations is very old school , basically from a bygone era. Your band is what it is. I would start at 34B and work from there. I highly recommend visiting a bra shop or a department store such as Nordstrom, etc and have a fitting. That will allow you to try many brands and see how the fit varies from brand to brand. There really is no adjustment for trans. Each person carries their breast flesh differently so different bras work better for some and not others.

The example I use is a can of Playdoh. It is a specific volume but you can shape it into an infinite number of shapes. The same as boobs. I wear a 38GG now. When I originally began wearing a bra about three years ago I went through lots of them trying to find what would work for me. At the time I figured out I was a 42D. That only lasted a couple months because back then I was doing a cup size change every few months. Fortunately that slowed after awhile which is good because good bras can cost $$.

Once you find a brand/size that works in a store. Buy a couple to thank them for their expertise then become a super sale shopper online at places like bare necessities or herroom and get price savings. You do get what you pay for and over time you will find spending a bit more can really increase your comfort level.

[autumn08]

The "add 4" and other variations is very old school , basically from a bygone era. Your band is what it is. I would start at 34B and work from there. I highly recommend visiting a bra shop or a department store such as Nordstrom, etc and have a fitting. That will allow you to try many brands and see how the fit varies from brand to brand. There really is no adjustment for trans. Each person carries their breast flesh differently so different bras work better for some and not others.

The example I use is a can of Playdoh. It is a specific volume but you can shape it into an infinite number of shapes. The same as boobs. I wear a 38GG now. When I originally began wearing a bra about three years ago I went through lots of them trying to find what would work for me. At the time I figured out I was a 42D. That only lasted a couple months because back then I was doing a cup size change every few months. Fortunately that slowed after awhile which is good because good bras can cost $$.

Once you find a brand/size that works in a store. Buy a couple to thank them for their expertise then become a super sale shopper online at places like bare necessities or herroom and get price savings. You do get what you pay for and over time you will find spending a bit more can really increase your comfort level.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Dana! That out-of-date information caused me a lot of confusion.

[Janes Groove]

You need a 34B.  Try ebay auctions.  You can buy nice bras there all day long for about $5 including shipping.  Play around with it. Find bras that you like.
Personally I'm pretty big on Wacoal for their lifting and shaping capacities.

[RobynTx]

I just went to Victoria's Secret and got fitted.  Worked out great for me.  Worked even better having my wife with me.

[autumn08]

Thanks Jane for recommending me a brand and telling me about Ebay's low cost bras.

Thanks Robyn for telling me about your experience. If ordering bras online doesn't work out, I'll try summoning the courage to get fitted for one, as well.

[Toni]

I'm about 33 1/2 under the boobs, 41 right over them and about 34 under the armpits and I wear a 36B (medium) soft bra, Hanes makes some very nice and comfortable ones, no foam or wire and only about $15 +/-.  Sometimes hard to find, I think they are popular and a little better than bralets.  Let the straps almost all the way out, but the band is fine on the last clips, wear all day with no discomfort.  I usually find mine at Target.  Get several colors (white, beige and black). Toni

[Donna]

The add 4 is very outdated. Simple rule is each inch over
Band size is one letter bigger. 34B should work and a two way measurement and very likely a 5 way measurement as well.
With me a two or 5 way measurement puts me at 40DD and a 6 way measurement comes up with 38F. These are sister sizes so basically the same.
eBay can find some great deals but be aware if they are Chinese size all bets are off as to what size you may actually get.
Going and getting fitted is just the best and it's no
Big deal. Most shops are comfortable with doing men's measurements.

[Chloe]

I just went to Victoria's Secret and got fitted.

Much braver than me!     Daughter phoned me her Angel Card numbers yesterday - if on-line it's hard to find something *On-Sale* popular styles/sizes/colors seem to go rather quickly! If worn everyday it's not something ya wanna go cheap on!

Summer breathable, unlined underwire demi in my size/color are All Essential!

[RobynTx]

Much braver than me!     Daughter phoned me her Angel Card numbers yesterday - if on-line it's hard to find something *On-Sale* popular styles/sizes/colors seem to go rather quickly! If worn everyday it's not something ya wanna go cheap on!

Summer breathable, unlined underwire demi in my size/color are All Essential!

Some days I have to be brave just to go out in public.  But yeah my wife is my biggest supporter.  We walked into VS and found a clerk.  Before I had a chance to say anything she says "She needs a bra fitting.  Is that going to be a problem?" I'm like "wow, you go girl".

A lot of men go shopping at VS.  All you need to do is get a clerk and quietly tell them what you need. 

[LilDevilOfPrada]

For the record I wear sports bras with no wire and ones specifically designed to be worn as tops when training. These have the highest quality as they aren't meant to be hidden by clothes. I Have decent sized breasts(No point giving my size as its warped by my rib cage size) and they provide more then enough support. Also far more comfy then your typical push up bras.

[Lucy Ross]

I have tender nerves in my neck/shoulders so can't handle wearing a sports bra all day - understand that most of these provide support via compression, and are only meant to be worn while working out.  They also make encapsulation sports bras, which are more comfy.

I've bought a few 38As which I can't fill out yet - but some of the 38Bs do.     So much for logic.  My boobs are fairly splayed out, with little in the way of projection - my size as determined by volume may be 38B.  So I just wear camis, which usually don't do much in the way of providing support or masking nips but protect from itchy fabrics, at least.  I think a thicker bralette might be up my alley, or I'll just have to constantly pad things out a bit.  Transwomen's physiques tend towards less projection and wide roots - the way the flesh extends far back to the armpit area - what with our larger frames and lesser input of E, and genetic imprint. 

[autumn08]

Thanks for the recommendation, Toni!

Thanks for the information, Donna!

"Summer breathable, unlined underwire demi in my size/color are All Essential!"

Thanks. Hopefully, I'll be able to wrap my head around the various bra styles soon.

"Some days I have to be brave just to go out in public.  But yeah my wife is my biggest supporter.  We walked into VS and found a clerk.  Before I had a chance to say anything she says "She needs a bra fitting.  Is that going to be a problem?" I'm like "wow, you go girl"."

Your wife seems really cool, Robyn!

"For the record I wear sports bras with no wire and ones specifically designed to be worn as tops when training. These have the highest quality as they aren't meant to be hidden by clothes. I Have decent sized breasts(No point giving my size as its warped by my rib cage size) and they provide more then enough support. Also far more comfy then your typical push up bras."

I usually wear a Champion Absolute Sports Bra. I don't know if it's designed to be worn as a top when training, but, when my breasts started growing, I think I read online somewhere that it's supposed to give you a good amount of support, so I bought a bunch of them, and forgot about bras and breasts until now.

"I have tender nerves in my neck/shoulders so can't handle wearing a sports bra all day - understand that most of these provide support via compression, and are only meant to be worn while working out.  They also make encapsulation sports bras, which are more comfy."

I'll look into encapsulation sports bras. My body isn't that sensitive (I only noticed my recent soreness because I'd smoked some marijuana), but it may be a good idea to keep my breasts smushed less often.

"I've bought a few 38As which I can't fill out yet - but some of the 38Bs do.     So much for logic.  My boobs are fairly splayed out, with little in the way of projection - my size as determined by volume may be 38B.  So I just wear camis, which usually don't do much in the way of providing support or masking nips but protect from itchy fabrics, at least.  I think a thicker bralette might be up my alley, or I'll just have to constantly pad things out a bit.  Transwomen's physiques tend towards less projection and wide roots - the way the flesh extends far back to the armpit area - what with our larger frames and lesser input of E, and genetic imprint."


I think I share the common transwoman issue of having splayed out breasts, so thanks for letting me know about camis and bralettes. I'll definitely look into them.