Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I thought there would be tons of stuff here about bras but maybe I'm not searching in the right corners? 

So, I am one of those girls with a barrel chest, 42-44" with a b cup and very little luck finding bras to fit.  I have tried getting fitted at Victorias Secret and am a bit reluctant to buy online guessing at too many returns. 

You have perhaps heard the term 'walleyed boobs" ;D ;D ;D  Yes, we are special! 
  I am down to one newer and one raggedy, if favored, bra that is 30 years old!  Going braless is nice too but there are occasions!

We all know some of our challenges, please let me know where and what you found what worked for you and thanks!

I'm a non spokesman /spokeswoman for genie bras you can get them at Wal-Mart and they are very comfortable.

I wish I could help Tessa, but I got fitted at Victoria's Secret for a 34-A just a couple weeks ago.   ???

I'm pretty average for a girl.  My band size is 37".  I started with a Victoria's Secret 38B but I am on the innermost set of hooks.  I've burned off about 15 pounds recently with a lot of cardio, and I am starting to lose a little off the top.  I notice my sports bras are slightly looser, so I think I am going to be going down to a 36B or C in the near future.

When I do wear my Bras I Get some discomfort at moment, I go back to my trusted sports bras which give me better comfort, however I'm a 36 A padded Bras, I also have 38 A my weight is all over place, usually over the chocolate bars

But I mostly use at the moment my trusted sports bras. which are by far most comfortable for me, but they also offer good support with a little tight fit but I get used to it

At size 38 and above, you get into the three hook bras. Here's what you do.

Purchase some 3 hook extenders. You might need two or three of them for a bra to fit. You can get them on Amazon for super cheap. I know that the stores will sell them, but if you don't want to be embarrassed, go in prepared.

Then take several with you when you go shopping. Try on several sizes with the extenders to see what works. I do dislike the padded bras that are all the rage these days. I really don't need any more there! What works for me is a 38C or a 40B bra. Right now I'm using just one extender because as they age, they seem to get looser or... maybe I'm losing more weight. I like a simple cloth bra without the foam... Puh Lease! Oh, don't forget the cuteness factor... but of course, if you go over size 36, just throw "pretty" out the window.

Sometimes I will buy one Bali bra at Penny's and then come home and order three more just like it from Amazon. They are about 60 percent cheaper online.

Becoming barrel chested is common in women as well. As our bones develop, they grow out. I really can't figure out why the bra manufacturers either think we are all teenagers OR elephants who need an engineered superstructure to hold 'em up.

Good luck!
Cindi

I went to on online site called "her room" and used their bra sizing guide and found my size.  I then looked for brands in my size on their site.  Once I found a brand,  I googled who sold them and went there to try them on.  Took a little time but I have a couple brands that work..

Hugs

Jen

I'd really recommend checking out a ->-bleeped-<- called "abrathatfits" its an amazing resource, they also have an alternative bra size checker, they're really welcoming and friendly :)

They have loads of information on types of breasts, the various sizes and shapes, us girls usually have wide and shallow ones which is why its so important to get your size right.

The traditional calculators add 4 inches to your band measurement, which doesn't work so well in all cases imo.  I found by adding 2 and then using that to calculate my size worked much better.

Gave me a much needed boost too :D

Tessa - I know its a hassle with returns, but once I got a range, I ordered 4 bras in different sizes.  I figured I would have to make a return either way - so I got one that fit and returned 3...  (and by the way - they are making returns super easy!)  xo - Holly

Quote from: Tessa James on October 27, 2015, 12:20:16 PM
So, I am one of those girls with a barrel chest, 42-44" with a b cup and very little luck finding bras to fit.  I have tried getting fitted at Victorias Secret and am a bit reluctant to buy online guessing at too many returns. 

Vicki's doesn't have your size.
JC Penney's has some at reasonable prices. Order some and return the ones that don't fit right.

Hi I went to a large department store to be fitted .I needed a bra for work before I officially came out but I rang them and got a private fitting as I was presenting Male at the Time but was already sporting my own breasts . I was taken into a personal shoppers changing room and they where very discreet and helpful I was fitted with 40A Bra's and told that I could get away with a 38B if I have difficulty getting 40A's .now that I am full time female I have no problem shopping for them LOL

I am the same size as you, and I'm having an equally hard time find that size!

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Here is the secret.   Your band size is your sports jacket size.

So if you a 40 slim you are 40 a.  40 reg.  40 b-small c. 40 large then 40 plus appropriate cup.

Etc

That's why I like the genie bras

in my early days of transition I weighed a lot more than now and finding bras was impossible for me too - when I got to the point of really needing something I went with sports bras - wore them most of this year while losing weight and now I can go shopping for 38's in most any store around

be well
jenifer

I'm not at that point yet, but I'm told (by cis women) that there are still traditional lingerie shops that will measure you and fit you, and that that is really the only way to find out what actually fits you.

Fortunately, I'm in the NYC area, and these shops still exist here.

Back before I was out I found odd size bras at a place on the internet called "leading lady". They had the 42A I needed and the bras fit and the straps stayed put.

Since then I am fully out and have had a bit more experience with buying and wearing bras. I have tried some other brands and I usually find that either they dig in under the arms or the straps slide off.

These days I go to the Maidenform store and I buy Bali bras - they fit me best.

Everyone is built different and you have to experiment to find what works best for you. Since you are in dire circumstances check out Leading Lady to find one quickly.

one of my very early bra purchasing experiences was at those lingerie stores as they had been recommended to me too - without bringing that whole bad experience up just be aware that almost all of those stores are privately owned mom/pop type operations and that many are not trans friendly - either because they just don't support us or they don't want their CIS clientele to feel uncomfortable

be well
jenifer

I'm a 42A bra right now prior to HRT.....I'm hoping that when I start my hormones my body will respond well.....when I went through puberty my breast buds developed and I've always had larger than average breasts.....

I'm based in the UK, I have always ordered bras online, tried them on, sent them back etc. 

Recently I plucked up the courage to go and get fitted, I chose a massive department store, called up, explained my situation and made an appointment.  They were so cool about it, I thought they had misheard that I was trans and would be presenting in guy (well androgynous) mode.

They were super friendly, understanding and helpful, I was their for almost 1.5 hours, we had a good laugh and I bought 3 bras.

If you're unsure about how the shop will react, chain or otherwise, give them a call or if its a small independent drop them an email.

Most if not all are understanding and by contacting them in advance it means their more likely to be understanding.

I know it shouldn't be that way, but there are some real small minded people out in the world.

Good luck :)

Thank you for all the help and Hope girls!  I like to shop and your suggestions are very welcome.

Please let us know if you find success! I am very interested in the comments and in finding out what you discover. This thread is very real to me. I'd like to find something that fits better, a brand or size that I can wear all day long.

When I'm at home, the girls are free to swing and sag. That's how much I hate wearing one.

Cindi

 I strongly recommend being professionally fitted, and ideally at a department store with experienced fitters - they really do need to see you naked and/or take measurements, not just run a measuring tape over your clothes and guess.

I went to Nordstrom's, and the woman there was amazing; she had been doing it long enough that she could basically eyeball most people. She came right back with several bras that fitted perfectly and looked fantastic (turns out in the high-end brands I'm 38DD). Nordstrom's also has a very wide range of sizes - my wife bought a 36J, for example - which means a) they're less likely to insist you fit in a size they carry in the store just to sell you something and b) there's a lot of variety to do trial and error with.

I agree that a pro fitting session is very helpful.  My first was in 1992 when I purchased latex breast forms.  I have been "fitted" several times since but have an elusive size and spread.  A custom bra sounds lovely too.  I seems the mass produced bras often have a B cup size much larger for a 42' band than a 32'.  My boobs are nice and perky and are free at home.  I often wear a bra just for propriety when out and about.

The search continues........

Have fun searching Tessa! I'm starting to learn that getting quality, good fitting clothes can really make you feel better about yourself!

As for my bra size, something interesting... I've been taking measurements of my band size with a tape measure since before starting HRT every month. The last few months I've gone from 38 to 37 to 36 to 34.5, and just yesterday I measured at 34! I really didn't think I had that much body fat around my ribs to start with!

So, while you search, I'll keep buying different sizes every month, lol.

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Quote from: KristinaM on November 02, 2015, 08:27:00 PM
Have fun searching Tessa! I'm starting to learn that getting quality, good fitting clothes can really make you feel better about yourself!

As for my bra size, something interesting... I've been taking measurements of my band size with a tape measure since before starting HRT every month. The last few months I've gone from 38 to 37 to 36 to 34.5, and just yesterday I measured at 34! I really didn't think I had that much body fat around my ribs to start with!

So, while you search, I'll keep buying different sizes every month, lol.

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That is quite a change.  I wonder if that has anything to do with a reduction in your muscle mass? 

when I was first diagnosed and started transition I was 298 lbs and a 46 - now it is 19 months later and I am at 212 and a 38 - some of that was probably muscle mass but methinks most of it was FAT

be well
jenifer

Quote from: Tessa James on November 03, 2015, 04:17:45 PM
That is quite a change.  I wonder if that has anything to do with a reduction in your muscle mass?

I don't know. I weighed like 140 at the start, so I've lost only like 5 pounds in that time. A friend of mine attributes part of it at least to my breast tissue getting perkier and rising up on my chest. I haven't verified, but she tells me that the ribcage narrows higher up, and I think she's right from what pictures I can remember of skeletons. I'm probably done shrinking in reality, I feel kinda bony, hehe, but you never know.

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And so I took some of your advice and started shopping on line for bras.  I have been professionally fitted 3 times but that does not account for designers and manufacturers differences.  After sending a bunch of no fits back to Amazon I finally found some brands I like.  Hanes, Leading Lady, Anemone and Honeydew Intimates are available in my bigger band and smaller cup sizes.  I really like the lacy bralettes as my teenager perky boobs don't need a lift but occasionally a more modest cover up.

And now my boobies are aching a bit which may mean more growth.  Oh great, more shopping down the line ;D  And you know i'm not really complaining about it;D

I have not spent much time with measurements but my upper rib cage is smaller around and I guess it is muscle loss, yea!

Quote from: Tessa James on December 02, 2015, 08:03:29 PM
And so I took some of your advice and started shopping on line for bras.  I have been professionally fitted 3 times but that does not account for designers and manufacturers differences.  After sending a bunch of no fits back to Amazon I finally found some brands I like.  Hanes, Leading Lady, Anemone and Honeydew Intimates are available in my bigger band and smaller cup sizes.  I really like the lacy bralettes as my teenager perky boobs don't need a lift but occasionally a more modest cover up.

And now my boobies are aching a bit which may mean more growth.  Oh great, more shopping down the line ;D  And you know i'm not really complaining about it;D

im a 40 b,yesterday i bought 2 lacy geni bras for 20 dollars,they are very comfortable..

I have not spent much time with measurements but my upper rib cage is smaller around and I guess it is muscle loss, yea!