breast pain and bra size

[essos.livejournal.com]

This may sound like an obvious question but I want to confirm.

I pretty confident I'm wearing the wrong bra size, based on the simple facts that I haven't ever been fitted, I'm wearing the same size I did when I was 13 (I'm 20 now) and my breasts have definitely gotten bigger in the past six months (due to a BC switch and some weight gain).

So...this is why my breasts hurt at the end of the day, right? Being all bunched into something too small? And furthermore, what EXACTLY goes down when you get fitted?

Thanks!

Comments

[azuresunglasses.livejournal.com]

In my experience, bra fittings are fairly noninvasive. They basically wrap a tape measure around the outside of your breasts, then right below them, do some mental math, and tell you the size.
Good luck, and I don't really know about the pain. If I were shoved into a bunch of fabric that I couldn't quite fit into I'd be sore too.

[yourdearestjane.livejournal.com]

My breasts grew too and I wanted to make sure I was purchasing the right bra so I got fitted at two stores. I just happenned to be in Gap Body while I discovered that my breasts seemed bigger so I had the lady measure me and she looked like it was her first time measuring. I decided to get help @ Victoria's Secret and she knew right off the bat what size I was. ANYWAY. I was really nervous but all they do is push you off to the side (for privacy of course) and put the measuring tape over your clothes. Simple as that.

[essos.livejournal.com]

But if you already have on a bra that's too small and boob-squishing and they're measuring over your clothes, doesn't that defeat the purpose?

I feel like this is something I should just know, and somehow missed the boat.

[fakeplasticrose.livejournal.com]

I work at American Eagle and we just started selling bras last year, and so ocassionally we'll have to fit someone. I've seen them do this at Victoria's Secret too, so I'm assuming that most stores that carry women's lingerie will fit your bra size in the same manner.

You don't have to take your shirt off, don't worry! That's what everyone is afraid of. We don't even take you into a fitting room if the store isn't too busy. What we do is measure around you right under your breasts (around your ribcage). This is your FRAME size, or the number that goes in front of the letter when you're buying a bra (i.e. the "32" in front of "32D" is your frame size). Then, we measure for youe CUP size, which is right across your breasts at the widest part. You are an A cup if there is one inch difference between your frame size and your cup size (for example, if your frame was a 32 and your cup was a 33, you'd be an A, or more specifially, a 32A). If there are two inches difference, you're a B, and so on and so forth. It's really easy and quick, and you can actually get a friend to help you at home!

I do suggest going into a store though. I used to measure myself all through high school, but when I finally went to Maidenform to get measured, I was WAAAYYY off.

Good luck! It's quick and easy and will TOTALLY help with the pain! Treat yourself to a new size, missy!

[geminigirl]

It might be why they hurt.

What happens at a fitting is that someone will take a tape measure, and take a few measurements-across your nipples, under your breasts where you usually wear a bra, and probably give you a few different bras in the appropriate size to try on. It may feel really weird, if you've been wearing the wrong size for a while, but give it a chance. When you try a bra on, try it on both with and without a shirt, and try moving around the way you normally would, bend, stretch, twist, and even jump if you want.

[3-black-cats.livejournal.com]

Ok, so, in my personal experience, my "under breast" or "rib cage" measurement hasn't changed drastically, despite the years of weight gain that have slowly crept up on me. And the "over breast" measurement has changed proportional to the "under breast" measurement. But despite these proportional changes in measurement, I find that my breasts have spread out some (mostly towards the under arm area) and I find that the way my measurements correspond to bra size just aren't as comfortable as they used to be.

Is the problem that I'm starting on "middle age spread" earlier than I expected? Or is there some other trick to measure breast/rib cage size that takes into account the "spreadage" of meandering breasts?

Although I'm replying to you, this is a generally directed question. I'll take any advice I can come by for a more comfortable bra. :)

[3-black-cats.livejournal.com]

You know, I've wondered the same thing about fitting. I've heard the statistics that some ridiculous percentage of American women are wearing the wrong bra size. But I've checked on several websites (Victoria's Secret, Maidenform, etc) about the "right" way to measure and how that translates to bra size. And I've gotten out my tape measure to see where I end up. And wouldn't you know it? Every source that translates measurement into bra size has been distinctly different for every source I've compared. I don't know what to think.

Personally, I've decided that buying bras that are comfortable for me, no matter what particular size they are, is the right way to go. I would imagine that wearing a bra that isn't comfortable could contribute to breast discomfort, especially at the end of the day.

Right now, the underwires on my variously sized bras are poking my inner arms towards the end of the day. It might be time for another trip to the store for me. Trial and error!

So, basically, I'm saying, "I feel your pain!" ;)

I've never been "measured" for a bra by anyone other than me. Has anyone else out there had any good experiences with having someone else measure and help you figure out a good "fit" ?

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

When I got my one and only professional fitting, I discovered that even though I thought my bras were comfortable, I had actually been wearing a cup size too small and a band size too big. Getting the right size was like a light in the darkness. :)

Additionally, I should add that women with larger breasts may stand to benefit from a professional fitting at a committed bra store. Because many chain or department stores only carry up to a D or DD cup, women with larger breasts often think that's all there is... but specialty bra stores often carry up to size JJ, and will be able to determine if a larger cup size is appropriate. :)

[the-leh.livejournal.com]

LOL. There are 2093840239482 ways to measure. The way I listed below works the best for me, personally. It's the meathod I always used for measuring people.

Don't be discouraged if you keep measuring as different sizes.

The joke of it all is that there is no guidelines for manufacturing bras. So, it could *say* it's one size but really be a totally different size. Differnet brands can vary dramatically.

[angel-eyes224.livejournal.com]

I get sore when I wear sports bras, which is not often. Like the above said, they measure right under your breasts, that's your number. Then they measure around the fullest part of the breast. They subtract the second from the first and that's how they get the cup size. 1 inch bigger is an A, 2 is a B, 3 is a C, etc. You could easily do this at home too. But the advantage to having done in store is that the clerk will likely know how the sizes run. Like I wear a D in some brands and a C in other. She would probably know which run small and which run big.

[angel-eyes224.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. For a good fitting bra the band and cups should be doing 90% of the supporting. Straps are only 10%. So you should put it on and leave the straps down, wiggle a bit and see if it stays in place. Then put the straps up and do the same. I have at least 3 bras in my drawer that fit fine in the dressing room. But then I got home and started moving and my boobs fell out.

[franticalities.livejournal.com]

i live in canada, and for YEARS i was wearing the wrong size. i THOUGHT i was a 36DD... i got fitted, and discovered i was a 30G!! I get fitted at a place called Secrets from your Sister (www.secretsfromyoursister.com). I am 19, and it was the first time i had ever been fitted. i was really nervous, but if you go to a place where they -only- fit bras, and are trained to be really boob abd body positive, then it can actually be a great experience.

An above poster says they will fit you with a shirt on, however, my trusted ladies at Secrets say that is a major no no. Also, different bras may size differently, so it is important you get fitted every time you go in for a new bra. I was bloody astounded at how different (and how much perkier!) my boobs looked in their new bra.

As for what goes down at my particular place,... you go in to a fitting room, where you whip off your shirt ( but keep your bra on)... they do their tape measureing and then inspect certain key areas of your bra to see what isnt working (straps, whether or not your bra rides up your back, etc etc)..and then bring you a bunch of bras, which you show them as you try them on, and hear what they have to say. Some of the ladies who fit me even take into consideration where you are in your cycle when they're fitting you. they are so great!

Im sure it;s different wherever you go.. but again.. i cannot stress enough the wonderfulness of being fitted at a place where the girls are body positive, and will make you feel comfortable with your size. I used to be really embarassed about having bog boobs, coz im a small girl.. but shopping there and being treated perfectly normal (as opposed to being brought gross old lady bras my the women in say, Sears), and being able to find bras that are pretty instead of frumpy and huge... what a difference it has made to my own self image and empowerment.

on a final note, a lot of the better bra boutiques will sock higher quality bras ( vs, say, vogue, wonderbra etc)... i pay .. minimum 100 bucks /bra.. which i know is a lot.. but they fit, they are quality, and i feel great in them.. i defnitely believe it to be a worthy investment. but this is all comin from a busty lady...

im sure if i had smaller boobs id be fine with a vogue! good luck.. i hope you find a great bra store that you fit you thruout your life!

[franticalities.livejournal.com]

* that will fit you

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

That store sounds an awful lot like The Bra Bar and Panterie (http://www.thebrabar.com/) here in Winnipeg, which I admit I promote like mad on this thread. I love pro-woman stores that cater to women's bodies and health like that. :)

[chicky.livejournal.com]

My mother-in-law swears by Secrets. She came down to the states for a visit last summer and just raved about them.

On topic.... I do the "measure around the ribs and add 5" previously mentioned. Lately I've been buying my bras at Lane Bryant because they've got relatively affordable stuff that doesn't look like it came out of my grandmother's wardrobe, and actually makes my 44F boobs look good.

[essos.livejournal.com]

I talked to some coworkers and one recommended the following:

http://www.zoeandcompany.com/

They look pretty awesome and are only about an hour away, so I may be making a little road trip.

Thanks!

[the-leh.livejournal.com]

I worked for Victoria's Secret for years, and for Fredericks for a short time. When you fit a bra, they measure just under your rib cage and over your breasts. They don't even really need to touch you very much, surprisingly, and it can easily be done over clothing.

If you need directions on how to measure yourself, let me know :)

And yes the pain is quite likely from an ill fitting bra.

[angel-eyes224.livejournal.com]

Sorta OT-I have always been seriously scared to get fitted in VS. I know it's a store for women and all that but the girls who work there are so beautiful and they make me self conscious. I went to Sears and got fitted by a lady who was old enough to be my grandmother.

[essive.livejournal.com]

I've never been fitted, and most people I know have never had anyone fit a bra even remotely correctly (my one friend has gotten everywhere from a C to a DD at the same store). I just went to Victoria's Secret, grabbed a range of sizes from a few different styles, and tried them on.

[starbrow.livejournal.com]

I used to work in the lingerie department of a large store, and I actually found a method of measurement that works better than the "under the breasts, add five, across the breasts" thing, and you can do this yourself with a measuring tape.

Measure around the top of your breasts while wearing a bra, just under your arms, underneath your collarbone. That's your size around. Then measure across your breasts. Compare the numbers, and if they differ by one inch, you're an A, by two you're a B, etc.

This method always worked really well for me.

[fshk.livejournal.com]

I worked at a Gap Body once upon a time, we measured the way elance describes, but I gotta say, measuring over the shirt is not always effective. (When I was wearing the wrong size bra, my breasts were getting pushed down in such a way that the over-the-shirt measurement was not really accurate.)

There's a store here in New York that measures every woman that walks in the door to buy a bra, so I checked it out. The woman who did my fitting was so good, she didn't even bother with the tape measure, but she did make me take my shirt off, and she did stand there and watch me while I tried on a couple of bras... but I got a bra that fit unlike any other I'd ever had before. A revelation! Not only that, but getting my (DDD cup) breasts properly supported made me look a little thinner, too, because it was easier to see my waist.

It can be a little embarassing to be topless, but a good measurement will also have you trying on a couple of different kinds of bras, and the sales lady will inspect them to make sure they fit properly, and I think that's the only way to really get an accurate measurement.

Good luck!

[rockstarbob.livejournal.com]

I had the same positive fitting experience in a Nordstrom. The woman was amazing. Not only did I find out my Actual Size, but she talked to me about the strengths and weaknesses of different bra brands and how they relate to people with bigger busts. In the end, I found a brand (Wacol) that works for me and am familiar with their sizing, etc. It has made a HUGE difference.

I didn't think my bras were ill-fitting or uncomfortable before, but after the fitting, I knew better.

She also talked to me about how to take care of my bras and how often I should wear them to make them last longer (only handwash them, never wear one more than a day in a row or it will lose its elasticity faster, etc.).

I can't recommend a good fitting enough! I learned way more than I thought I would and I feel tons better.

[mormon-princess.livejournal.com]

I worked at Victoria's Secret for a while. Everything has basically been said concerning measurements...except sister sizes.

Example: If you are a 36C Your sister sizes are 36B (The band is larger, you might fit) and 34D (band is shorter, cup is larger).

Find out what the sister sizes are! You'd be amazed at how many bras actually fit right when you know your sister sizes! ^_~

Hope that helps!

[kremlindusk.livejournal.com]

But... What if your breasts aren't big so much as they are long? And one is a good deal bigger than the other? I can't ever find bras that really fit well, because one cup always fits fine, and the other is always a little off. It makes me fiddle with it a lot during the day, which I'm sure makes people wonder what my problem is and why I keep touching myself. :\ (Embarrassing!)