Ever since i started transition, i've worn A-cup padded bras.  Even though my breasts are now only just AA size.  (I've been wearing the correct band size by the way).

Starting RLE long before HRT, i think wearing an over-sized bra was necessary since i was completely flat-chested.  And it was one of the changes that i made which seemed to make me pass better - or at least be referred to as female by strangers.

But now i'm thinking about actually getting a proper sized bra.  But i'm feeling so nervous about actually doing it.  Its not even so much a fear that i won't pass if people saw my actual breast-size, its more an insecurity about having small breasts.

How many women have said that!

Being on the itty bitty titty committee is no fun.  We've all been there.  So much of a woman's self respect and ego is based on her chest size.  More so, I think, for us trans women.  We are so ravaged by testosterone poisoning that we have such a problem with our second puberty.

The thing is, Jen, so many women use padded bras and breast forms because they are insecure about their breast size.  And no one thinks any less of those women because of it.  In fact it's a major part of the bra industry.  Underwire, wonderbras, waterbras, and so on show that it really is a big deal for women.

Why do you want to go "natural"?  Is it to be honest with the world now that you are full time?  If you are feeling that insecure, maybe you might want to re-think it.  So many other women have that very same insecurity, and nobody needs to know beside yourself.

Anyway, hon, think about it.  If you really do feel insecure, then, don't do it.

-Sandy

I use a water bra or a padded bra.  I had forms, but I don't use them anymore.  My avatar is how I am now.  I have no problems letting the world see me this way. 

Many women go through life, small busted.

Be happy that you are developing.  I look at as I am still a young girl, in early puberty.

I agree with the others; if padding your bra makes you feel better, go for it! You certainly won't be alone.

But at the risk of stating the obvious, don't go overboard. "Upgrade" to a size that's reasonable for your frame. You want people to notice that you have breasts, sure! But you don't want that to be the only thing they notice about you.

....*sneaks in"....

..Hi Jenny...

I had always used padding or fillets to give myself a bit of a b00st until this year.. For some reason I decided to start looking for something that fitted me, rather than adding filling to fit it!

Underwired and padded got the effect, but were somewhat uncomfortable after a few hours, or they "crumpled"......and for some reason a lot of the water and gel bras over here don't come in the right sizes, or don't like larger bone structures.

The answer in the end was (shhh.. I'll say this quietly) Marks and Spencers.... They have some really "comfy" non-wired bras in their larger stores (where they stock more A&AA sizes) that do wonders for shaping the "girls"  and mine only cost £12 for 2 (in the correct band size). I was surprised, as I has previously decided that a wire or padding was essential.

Might be worth a try, but remember that bras vary a lot for the same cup size, and you can always take them back for full refund after you check them out fully at home and have second thoughts...

...Ok I'll sneak out the back now....byee...

Chrissty

Quote from: MarySue on December 23, 2008, 01:57:55 PM
I agree with the others; if padding your bra makes you feel better, go for it! You certainly won't be alone.

As a small breased genetic woman I used to know often said, "What the good lord's forgotten, we make up with cotton."

I probably feel more self-conscious wearing a bra that is one size too big, because i'm just constantly aware that it isn't real.

I bought a padded push-up bra today that fits me properly.  My breasts do look really small still in it, but i think i'm fine with that.

A silicone bra filler will be more natural than just a padded bra, since the padded bra will not move like your real breasts. As for how it feels, the better the brand of the filler, the more natural it will feel. You will need to look into one that has the right shape nipple, you do not want something that is permanently going to show through your clothes.  It is a good idea to get used to the size and shape of larger breasts as an experiment before your breasts get larger with HRT or you look into surgery.

I have small breasts, too.  In the past five years, I don't think I've ever worn a bra that wasn't padded.  I don't feel weird about the padding, though, I figure it's the same as wearing makeup or wearing clothes that flatter your shape- it's [generally speaking] enhancing, not lying.  Lying would be sticking watermelons in there.   And if there wasn't a large market for AAs, every bra company wouldn't make them.

I find that wireless padded push ups tend to fit me best and be pretty comfortable. 

The best type of bra is a shaped T-shirt bra. They dont have obvious seams, and they give you a great shape and a bit of extra volume. But they arent all padding.

I wish mine would just grow already. I wear an A-Cup and its like I need to REALLY put on weight to get over that, and stuff keeps happening that takes up my time when I just want a couple extra pounds.

I'm fully into a C-cup right now, and I notice if I wear a bra all day long, I get a more rounded shape; without one I get pointy-er and more pronounced. The wired ones are natural, and I hardly know I've got one on after about 20 minutes. Without one I feel a lot of motion and jiggling, so I try to keep things in place all the time now.

What's really interesting is that even if you buy a half-dozen bras at - say Wal-Mart of Target - they are all going to be slightly different even the same bra, same manufacturer and same size, I just think that those underage child laborers can't make anything consistently in the little sweatshops in Bangladesh or Taiwan.

Quote from: JodieBlonde on December 26, 2008, 01:29:31 AM
What's really interesting is that even if you buy a half-dozen bras at - say Wal-Mart of Target - they are all going to be slightly different even the same bra, same manufacturer and same size, I just think that those underage child laborers can't make anything consistently in the little sweatshops in Bangladesh or Taiwan.

I don't think that variation is unique to cheap labor pools; I think it's typical of the clothing industry in general.

One reason is that for mass production, they don't cut pieces individually. Instead, a "cutter" stacks up maybe 20 sheets of fabric, one on top of another. He lays out the pattern out on the top layer, and uses a heavy-duty fabric saw to cut all those layers in one shot.

Saves time, but the bottom end of the saw can "chatter." That means the pieces cut from the lowest layers won't be the same size as the top layer. Or the lower fabric layers can bunch up, so the bottom pieces are larger. Or .... you get the idea. The result: significant top-to-bottom variation.

I understand some places now cut with computer-controlled lasers. That avoids some of the problems -- and the labor costs are lower -- but the capital costs are higher.

Henneh, do what chu think is best.
if you dun like the size of your natural breasts then stuff! or whatever ._.
BUT ANYWAY D: just do what makes chu feel better...!

I never bothered with a bra for many years. When I transitioned at 24, I had a figure like Amelia Earhart http://www.yoursdaily.com/var/yoursdaily/storage/images/media/images/women/amelia_earhart/amelia_earhart_and_fred_noonan/69658-2-eng-GB/amelia_earhart_and_fred_noonan_large.jpg but I didn't worry about it and didn't look bad in a bikini (god that was a LONG time ago!) despite being small breasted. Really, being small busted wasn't an issue. With confidence in how you look, nobody seems to notice.

Things sort of "grew" over the years and with advancing age until I realized that certain activities were downright uncomfortable! In recent years specialty bra shops have sprung up so I went to one to get properly fitted - well worth getting over your shyness! I got a good fit and was surprised to find I am now between a C and a D (and STILL have no G.D. cleavage! LOL!) I am sure, if you are looking to enhance what nature gave you, a specialty  bra shop would be a good place to get advice - I am sure they have lots of experience at both ends of the scale.

I had breast implants in 2002, and finding a bra has always been a challenge.  I have broad shoulders, so a 38 C will work but is a little tight, 40Cs are hard to find.  So sometimes I use bra extenders, even tho' these are a hassle.