One thing I've read about bras is that only 10% of the support comes from the straps, and far too few bras have enough length to compensate for taller frames.  I have a very sensitive nerve in my left shoulder that can't take much weight on it for any length of time, and almost all of the bras I've bought for my silicone forms wouldn't work for actual breasts.  Red marks from shoulder straps should never happen.  None of the sports bras I've bought are acceptable for me; a big all day and a simple lace T Shirt bra work, though.  When I move into AA territory I'll have to shop around a lot to find something that works for a 38 band.

Some girls learn to lengthen straps, too.  It's said to be a pretty simple alteration.  A Bra That Fits is a mountain of info on getting good support.  The big takehome message there is that your band size is just a starting point, I might be best served by a 36 or 40 someday.  Right now I'm just in the puffiness stage, btw.

I've found certain sports bras worked best for me.

Hanes comfort fit style G19A
Danskin Tback

Bras with the wide elastic band mainly. The narrow band one would ride up especially when I reached overhead. Really not comfortable and kinda painful. Back then I wasn't out so couldn't keep readjusting around people at the time.

Being tall, this is an issue I have also. 
I was thinking about it a while back and started wondering......

There already are bras with removable or convertible  straps.   There are bra extenders.  Would it not follow that there would be a full "component bra"? 

Start with the cups you want,  attach  a band that fits, get the shoulder straps in the style and size you want. Use a front clasp to attach the cups and even that could be adjustable.

Many possibilities and I could finally have a bra with a band and straps that fit me without overly large and mostly empty cups.

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Quote from: TonyaW on November 28, 2017, 12:57:52 PM
There already are bras with removable or convertible  straps.   There are bra extenders.  Would it not follow that there would be a full "component bra"? 

This is a brilliant idea!!  I'll order one or three.

There are some bras that are convertible bras in that the straps can be change to either cross in the back or not. Those tend to have much longer straps.

Thanks Syndey, since I'm almost to an AA I'm going to just look for a 38A convertible. 

This has a ton of info we can put to use:
Looking for feedback on the Trans* Guide (Warning: Super Long Post) : ABraThatFits  I'll definitely measure things in a big way when I'm bouncing all over the place.

Well, first of all I suggest trying a strapless bra or two. These can work well enough for smaller bust sizes, for sure. I'm long waisted and most bra straps are a bit short for me. I've actually gone so far as to buy some bra strap material (quite inexpensive at fabric stores or on eBay) and replace the original strap with a bit of hand stitching. If you're up for that (it's not very difficult) that works.

A few thoughts.

I have wasted money on strapless bras several times.

They just don't seem to fit or give any real support, they slip down and I believe that most GGs have similar problems. Also, with these bras, the straps are not sewn in, but attach to the cups and band with flimsy plastic hooks. The hooks can slip out or snap. I had a bra strap fly out from my top with a loud ping when the hook broke!

I find that with any new bra, the straps need to adjusted to their limit to start with, but quickly stretch. Washing the bra prior to wear should help.

Also, bra straps need to be surprisingly tight to be effective. If you can stretch the strap to the bottom of your ear, it's too loose. Your bra straps DO provide a lot of support and shaping, and if they didn't, then everybody would be strapless, or multi-way, which they are not!

So it just might be that if you are new to wearing a bra on a daily basis, then you need to get used to tighter straps than you thought.

I am currently breaking in two new bras which were suffocatingly tight, but now need regular strap tightening to avoid the horror of the dropped strap with a sleeveless top. 
   

   

I wouldn't dare wear a strapless bra.  I don't have enough to hold it up! 

Hi Valerie and Lyric,

The 10% support is something I've read in a bunch of different places, and that they shouldn't be leaving welts, ever, if fitted correctly.  And like I said, I have to watch what I put on my left shoulder, or it's pinched nerve time.  This shouldn't be a big deal, even if I get up to C territory - I hope.  One thing I've definitely skimped on is $$$$, it's just been cheap bras from Walmart.  My Maidenform C has nice long straps and fits a lot better than most others.

Am in the initial growth stages and will need a 38A soon, which seems to be an obscure size.  And I'm worried that I'll buy something online for $40 and then find out it's pressing into my shoulder.  But I do have an article on extending straps bookmarked - and hadn't thought of simply washing them to stretch things out a bit.

At the moment camis get the job done.  And I can always be a liberated woman and go sans bra, although since my mother was a DD that might not be feasible.

Thanks for your advice!

Soma has a good selection of longer straps and odd sizes.  They're quality and they have some really cute ones.  I have 6 from Soma and every single one feels like a warm hug!

I'm hoping time will fix the issue, but anything with B/C cup (which is nicely supportive) has straps too short and anything with straps long enough has a cup that is too big. I'm thinking I just need to encourage them to grow some more. For now halter tops and sports bras do the trick.

Like a lot of things we can buy online now I wish there were a way to punch in your precise dimensions, and find out how well something will fit, even roughly.  Like with other items of clothing I'm getting better at eyeballing fit, but this could very simply made a semi exact match, but no one seems to go beyond cup size.  Buying something online and then going to the trouble of sending it back is such a hassle.

And right now all I have to deal with are a pair of AAs. I want to have a good 38A or two for when the time comes, naturally. But it's tricky to find one in local stores to inspect up close.

Quote from: Lucy Ross on December 14, 2017, 04:05:28 AM
Like a lot of things we can buy online now I wish there were a way to punch in your precise dimensions, and find out how well something will fit, even roughly.  Like with other items of clothing I'm getting better at eyeballing fit, but this could very simply made a semi exact match, but no one seems to go beyond cup size.  Buying something online and then going to the trouble of sending it back is such a hassle.

And right now all I have to deal with are a pair of AAs. I want to have a good 38A or two for when the time comes, naturally. But it's tricky to find one in local stores to inspect up close.

This is the closest I have found, hoping to try them out when I hit a B and stabilize a bit.

https://www.thirdlove.com/pages/fit-finder