Bra Issues

[pheonix]

I'm kind of fighting an ongoing battle to locate a bra style that actually fits -- I'm hoping someone here has had an experience which can help point me in the right direction.  Roughly two years ago I went on hormones and since then have developed to somewhere between a C and D-cup with a band of 36.

The difficulty I am having relates to the shape of my breast.  While wearing a C-cup I do fully fill the bra.  The horizontal placement of my breasts factors into it - I'm slightly to the outside (like most t-women) so if the cups were better positioned it might alleviate this problem.  But I can't find any styles like that.  With the depth of the cup insufficient to contain the full mass of my breast at the nipple, I am continually having issues with the underwire floating on me and not staying in place (and consequently discomfort because the underwire ends up pressing into the breast rather than supporting it).

Sizing up to a D-cup is problematic since I don't have enough overall breast mass to fill the cup.  Increasing my bandsize to a 38 does not work since it is larger than my chest circumference and the bra just floats there.  And just to add complication to this ;p... I typically wear tank tops so I need something that won't show under those (which is why 1/2 sizes aren't really an option).

Can anyone suggest manufacturers/ styles I should look at?

[Nicky]

I would suggest getting a fitting done. You won't regret it, it would be the best thing bra wise that you will ever do.

[pheonix]

I would suggest getting a fitting done. You won't regret it, it would be the best thing bra wise that you will ever do.

I've had fittings done - and have been pretty much useless.  The horizontal placement issue seems to throw them.  The closest thing to a working suggestion I've had from a fitting was to size up to accommodate the full depth of my breasts and then pad to fill the cup.  I'm a little adverse to that solution because it makes me appear even bigger which I'd prefer to avoid.

[Nicky]

Stink. I thought it would be the 'ultimate' solution 

Sorry I have no experience with this.

Just some ideas:
Try front clasping bras? Maybe you can adjust them, add in a piece?
Sports Bras?
Push-up bras?
String Bikini top?

I don't know what your money is like but if all else fails you could look at getting them specially made.

[Janet_Girl]

I use a padded front clasp bra, that I got at Fredrick's of Hollywood.   I do have to adjust occasionally but it works.

Janet

[V M]

Something that I have found to work fairly well for me are bras that have some stretch to them. They tend to conform to your shape and hold the girls snug rather than you trying to conform to the bra. I have a stretch lace from DKNY that I like allot. I also have some sports bras and bralettes. The sports bras tend to minimize my size and I'm rather surprised how well the bralettes hold my stuff 

[Lauren5158]

 
Hi Phoenix!

Like you, I also have problems with the underwire not staying in its place!  As I sew a lot of my own clothing, I experimented with an older bra, in an attempt to solve the problem!

My chest size is 44.  My bra size (as I established it) is 46B.

I replaced the piece of solid material that links the two cups with a hook and eye set that is designed as a replacement for the hook and eye connection at the back of the bra.  In essence, this bra has hook and eye closures in the front and in the back.  With trial and error, I learned that two extra inches across the front is just right! The bras fit better, and with a little extra padding, I have moved up to a C cup!  Bought new bras, and have made the change to one, so far!  Am very pleased with the results!

Thru the years I have made contacts and become a good customer with some of the specialty shops, and have learned that some of the shops have seamstresses who can make adjustments to bras (lengthen shoulder straps, change the hook & eye arrangements, etc).  Never asked about re-engineering the bra...  But I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they can easily do that, as well!

With Love,

Lauren

With your mind, you can survive.  Only through your heart, can you live!

[pheonix]

Hi Phoenix!

Like you, I also have problems with the underwire not staying in its place!  As I sew a lot of my own clothing, I experimented with an older bra, in an attempt to solve the problem!

My chest size is 44.  My bra size (as I established it) is 46B.

I replaced the piece of solid material that links the two cups with a hook and eye set that is designed as a replacement for the hook and eye connection at the back of the bra.  In essence, this bra has hook and eye closures in the front and in the back.  With trial and error, I learned that two extra inches across the front is just right! The bras fit better, and with a little extra padding, I have moved up to a C cup!  Bought new bras, and have made the change to one, so far!  Am very pleased with the results!

Thru the years I have made contacts and become a good customer with some of the specialty shops, and have learned that some of the shops have seamstresses who can make adjustments to bras (lengthen shoulder straps, change the hook & eye arrangements, etc).  Never asked about re-engineering the bra...  But I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they can easily do that, as well!

With Love,

Lauren

With your mind, you can survive.  Only through your heart, can you live!

I get the vibe you have some sort of engineering background LOL.  That actually sounds like a workable solution and I am going to look into it.  Thanks!

[Lauren5158]

I get the vibe you have some sort of engineering background LOL.  That actually sounds like a workable solution and I am going to look into it.  Thanks!

(Smiling as I write this...) 
Your vibe is right on!  As a young male, had way too many interests but learned a lot of lessons.  An engineer by education and work practices.  A risk manager who loves involvement in products liability!

Sewing and making clothing is nothing more that a construction project!  Just using different kinds of building materials and different assembly techniques!

[tm33398]

   I wish I had the problem you gals have!! My rpoblem is size being too small. 38C, very hard to find!! lolol. Oh well, nice reading about you guys's problem. perhaps someday I will have that problem, no hurry though!!

[Osiris]

Having been in fashion and learning about fitting I might have a helpful (and simple) suggestion:

Misfitting bras tend to be the cause of getting bras that are too big. The issues you're having sound like they're being caused by having a band size that's too big. Try going a size down. Once you get the right band size it makes it much easier to find the correct cup size.

Just throwing it out there in case you haven't already tried that.

[Windrider]

tm33398: 38C is actually on the large side of things. You may want to try places that stock bras for plus sized women (like Layne Bryant).

WR

[tm33398]

aCTUALLY FOLKS i MEANTB 38a, 38C WAS WISHFUL THINKING, LOLOL. Band size 38, cup size A, lolol

[Windrider]

tm33398: Ah, yeah, there's a difference between A and C I can only give advice on the C+ category. Hopefully someone else will drop by with some advice for you

WR

[pheonix]

Having been in fashion and learning about fitting I might have a helpful (and simple) suggestion:

Misfitting bras tend to be the cause of getting bras that are too big. The issues you're having sound like they're being caused by having a band size that's too big. Try going a size down. Once you get the right band size it makes it much easier to find the correct cup size.

Just throwing it out there in case you haven't already tried that.

Thanks.  I appreciate what you are thinking there but I most definitely not a 34 :p.  In fact, a smaller band size would actually worsen my problem since the peak of the cups would be closer (rather than farther apart).  When I've been fitted they place me at a 36 band.

I found out about a local specialty shop I'm going to check out in a few weeks when I have the money... if that turns out a no-go, then I'm going to try to recreate Lauren's solution.

Thanks everyone for your help!

[tm33398]

hey Windrider!! Thanks for the response and I can say that ALL t-gals have this proportional problem, being the skeletal frame of a t-woman is biologically male!

[Dante]

Well, here's my suggestion. Bear in mind, I've never used this, cause I've never needed it, but it seems like it would work.

If the wider 38 bandsize will at least be wide enough across the front, then go to your local sewing/craft store and buy bra clasps. They sell them there. Just sew it to the back of your bra so that you can clasp the back tighter (so if the loops are on the left strip, sew the clasps to the left of that). Hopefully that would allow for the proper width in front without it being too big.

And if the underwire causes you discomfort still, try the wireless ones. They don't dig into your skin.

I hope that helps you gals. 

[tm33398]

Well Roxas that helps some, becuz I was thinking I may need a size 38 instaed of the 36 I used to buy, but cup size is a proble, with no hormone ingestion yet, I could buy falsies, lolol, and buy 38 B, but I was liked  au natural!! but thanks for the practical suggestion, its a GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!   

[Dante]

Glad to be of some help. 

[Hypatia]

  I wish I had the problem you gals have!! My rpoblem is size being too small. 38C, very hard to find!! lolol.

C cup is too small?  Is this what the world has come to?

I don't know where you shop, but I easily find 38C all the time, at Target and Kohl's anyway. It's by no means one of the rare sizes.