HELP!!! I am desperate to find a bra that fits!

[gwenf369]

Hi.  I have been on meds for over two years now, and my breast are probably as large as they are going to get, which is a smallish A cup.  My band size is between a 48 and a 50.  I have wasted a lot of money trying to find a bra that fits, looks good and is comfortable.  Any ideas? Suggestions?  I am really getting desperate.

Thanks you,
Gwen

[Northern Star Girl]

@gwenf369
Dear Gwen:
If you continue to have difficulty finding a bra that works for you by
trial and error, then you might wish to find department store or women's clothing
store that offer "bra fitting" services.
 
I know that it may be difficult as for you do that, but the stores are in business to
do business, and the ladies that do the bra fittings have seen it all, so that shouldn't
be a problem.  Torrid, Lane Bryant, and others cater to the "plus" sizes. 
In your google or other web search engine, in the search line enter 
"women's clothing stores large sizes"... and the search results
should give you some good ideas about finding suitable clothing and assistance.

I am wishing you well in your transition journey as you continue on.

Warmest Regards,
Danielle  [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator

[Northern Star Girl]

@gwenf369
Dear Gwen:
I am so glad to see that you were able to return to Susan's Place and
the Forum after our site crash at the first of this year.

You have been a long time member since May 2017 ... your last posting before
site crash and data loss was on January 2019.

Some things have changed on how the Forum works now .... so it
is important that you should look at and read current site information:
              Announcements
        https://www.susans.org/index.php/board,2.0.html

and also the revised and updated
  Susan's Place: Community Guidelines and Terms of Service
      https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,2.msg27408.html#msg27408

I would love to see more postings from you about what is happening in your life
now since you had last posted.

If you have any questions regarding the Forum please feel free to message me.
NOTE: Until you achieve 15 postings you will not be able to upload and Avatar Profile
photo and you won't be able to send Forum Private Messages.... so you can reach me
via my Email at  alaskandanielle@yahoo.com

I will now return this topic back to you so that other members here
can give you more advice from their experiences.

HUGS, and Welcome Back,
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator

cc:  @Devlyn     
      @Mariah
      @Jessica_Rose
      @Sarah B
      @LoriDee

Hi.  I have been on meds for over two years now, and my breast are probably as large as they are going to get, which is a smallish A cup.  My band size is between a 48 and a 50.  I have wasted a lot of money trying to find a bra that fits, looks good and is comfortable.  Any ideas? Suggestions?  I am really getting desperate.

Thanks you,
Gwen

[gwenf369]

Danielle,

Thank you for your response, and explanation of what has happened to the web site.  I was wondering what had happened to some of the people I was following.

Gwen

[Paulie]

Hi Gwen,

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble finding a bra that fits.  I went through the same ordeal quite a number of years ago.  I finally found a brand that fits by reading reviews on Amazon and ordering bra's that had a free return policy.  It took quite a number of tries but eventually I found that perfect fit.  I then tried other styles in the same brand and they all fit just as well. 

Unfortunately, 38 is the largest band size this brand of bra's comes in, so it's not going to work for you.  Perhaps you may find that one that does work for you using the same method, and save a few bucks in the process.  Another nice thing about going through Amazon is that it's anonymous which was very nice for me, since I was not out at the time I did this.

I wish you the best in your quest for a bra that fits.

Warm Regards,

Paulie.

[Lori Dee]

Unfortunately, 38 is the largest band size this brand of bra's comes in, so it's not going to work for you.

I had a similar situation. I couldn't find a 40B, so some suggest going down in band size and up in cup size. But 38C doesn't fit. I ended up getting 38B and using a bra extender so the band isn't too tight. I finally found some that fit, but was a long search.

I wonder if you will have more options by using that technique. If you go up a band size, drop a cup size. If you get a smaller band (use an extender) and go up a cup size. I hope this helps.

[Iztaccihuatl]

Hi Gwen,

Have you checked out Her Room? They let you filter by band and cup size and there are a few 48A and 50A bras.

[ChrissyRyan]

It was tough to find one that fit well until my breasts grew.
Then I found one that worked well, then another one, then another, a bralette.

Chrissy

[gwenf369]

Hi LoriDee.  I wanted you to know I ordered an assortment of bra extenders a couple days before your helpful post.  I just received them yesterday, and I just ordered a 46A T-shirt bra tonight, so I am really going to test the theory of down in band size and up in cup size.  I hope it works because I am really at my wits end.  Thank you for your advice.

Hi Iztaccihuatl.  I just ordered that bra that mentioned tp LoriDee from Her Room.  I had ordered from them once before, but their supplier could never deliver to them.  They ultimately had to cancel the order.  I am willing to give them another try.  Thank you for mentioning them as an option.

Hi Paulie. Believe me.  Amazon and I are on a first name basis.  I probably spend more money with them except maybe the grocery store.  It is good advice.  Thank you.

Hi ChrissyRyan.  I hope I can mirror your experience.  Because of my age, I'm not sure how much more my breast will grow without surgery.  My Doctor is not very optimistic.

By the way, I am ready for another one of your fun post!

I just want to thank all of you again for your help. 

Gwen

[gwenf369]

Hi,

I have a sad then happy update on my bra search.  First the sad part of my search.  I decided to take Danielle's advice and get fitted.  I went to Macy's first.  Has I walked into the Lingerie Department, the Sales Associate looked at me and then turned her back on me as if she did not see me.  I had to get her attention when she knew I was standing there.  I asked her if she could fit me for a bra.  She told me they could no longer do that because of COVID, but she did suggest Victoria's Secret.  I thanked her and went on my way.  She might have told me the truth, but I wish she would not have tried to ignore me.

I went to VS, and I could not have had a more positive experience in several ways.  First, the customer experience was uplifting.  The Manager of the store fitted me and made me feel like the most important customer in the store.  I thanked her for such a positive and affirming experience, and I told her about my experience at Macy's.  She got very angry and started crying.  I felt I was in the presence of a special person.

Another piece of good news is she measured me as a 42C, and I wear a 42B.  I DO NOT WEAR the 48/50 A that I have been trying to buy.  And finally, I bought 5 bras.  I am soooo excited.

I want to thank everyone here who offered suggestions.  It has delivered much desired result.

Oh!  PS - I got my ears pierced today also.

With Love,
Gwen

[Lori Dee]

Wow, Gwen!

Such wonderful news. Sorry about Macy's. That whole trans-COVID issue can be a b*tch. I am glad that you were able to get the job done in such an affirming manner.

Thanks for sharing!

[Jessica_Rose]

I went to VS, and I could not have had a more positive experience in several ways.  First, the customer experience was uplifting.  The Manager of the store fitted me and made me feel like the most important customer in the store.  I thanked her for such a positive and affirming experience, and I told her about my experience at Macy's.  She got very angry and started crying.  I felt I was in the presence of a special person.

Oh!  PS - I got my ears pierced today also.

With Love,
Gwen

Isn't shopping for a bra supposed to be uplifting? I'm glad to ear your experience at Victoria's Secret was so positive. That's also the first place I went for a fitting, the the staff was awesome! Congrats on getting your ears pierced as well.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Northern Star Girl]

@gwenf369
Dear Gwen:
I am so happy that you just accomplished 2 positive and new things in your
transition journey.... 
....getting fitted for a bra and then getting your ears pierced  .... 
        CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

I am very surprised regarding your bad experience at Macy's ....  more than
likely you found a clerk that does not like trans-women.  Perhaps another day,
another clerk, another Macy's store, your experience would have been better.
It would have been interesting to tell the manager of the store about your
bad treatment....  but the best thing that you did was follow the clerk's advice
and go to Victoria Secret...  you had a wonderful clerk and a wonderful experience
there.  You found your correct size and purchased 5 bras. 

Where did you have you ear piercing done?  Hopefully your experience getting your
ears pierced was positive and was a happy event for you.

Thank you for sharing and posting your update.

HUGS, and as always, my best wishes for you as you continue on in your journey.
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

[gwenf369]

Danielle,

Thank you, and everyone in this topic, for your support.  A little about me.  I am a determined and generally positive person.  I was not going to let the Macy's clerk deter me or ruin my day.  It was nice that she recommenced Victoria's Secret, but that was my next planned stop if Macy's didn't work out.

For my ears, I went to Ulta.  I had nothing but positive experiences there.  As I posted a couple of weeks ago, I went there for my first make over.  The makeup artist was used to working with trans-women, and she made me feel very comfortable.  I highly recommend it.

While I was there, I noticed that they do ear piercings, and that is where I went.  The women who pierced ears was a beautician, but she was certified to do ear piercings.  She also made me feel very comfortable as we discussed the options.

For anyone interested in using Ulta for a make over or getting your ears pierced, I highly recommend it.  Although, I was a walk in, it is probably best to schedule an appointment.

I know I am being a little long winded, but I just want to share a little story.  My six year old granddaughter came over last night.  She crawled in my lap and noticed my ears were pierced.  She said when the studs had in been the required six weeks, she wanted to go shopping and get matching ear rings.

Love,
Gwen

[ChrissyRyan]

It is nice to wear my (artificial) diamond studs.  Cubic zirconia.  They still look nice.
Plus, I could easily afford several sizes!

I am glad Gwen that you ended up with positive experiences.  That is good.

ULTA has a frequent buyer program, consider joining it if you have not. 

Chrissy