Entries tagged with bras

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bras,
mod-posts

Bratabase's Breast Shapes Project

Hello VPers!

We were recently contacted by Bratabase, a crowdsourced bra database. It has many functions, but its main one is to help users figure out which bra is best for them.

They've come to the conclusion that breast shape plays a big role in bra fit, and are working on a "Breast Shapes Project" to pull together a gallery of photos that will help users determine their breast shape. Currently, they have a gallery of drawings, but they feel that photos of actual breasts would be more helpful.

So! In furtherance of this goal, they're wondering if any VP members would be interested in sharing photos of their breasts for use in their project.

The submission page for the project is here, and you can see if you follow the link that they have detailed instructions, and that they're looking for three very specific shots from participants. This is important, as it will allow the photos to be classified and easily browsed; users will be able to pick a few pictures that they feel look similar to their own breasts and then see bra recommendations based on what worked for those people.

All pictures will have background blurred/removed, any birthmarks/tattoos/other identifying marks removed, and will be presented in black and white. Published pictures will be watermarked. The submissions are 100% anonymous and completely voluntary, and anyone submitting must be of legal age in their country of residence. When you submit a picture, no information is recorded other that the data you submit. You will receive a unique hash number to reference your pictures which you can use to refer to your picture if the need arises.

You can read more about the project here, and more about Bratabase itself here.

We also want to note that Bratabase is used by many people, and we can't guarantee that the language by Bratabase users will be inclusive of the identities of participants who aren't women. We asked Jj, the developer over at Bratabase, about this, and they emphasized that everyone is welcome to participate. In their words, "we are looking just for pictures from all possible ranges (includes surgeries of all kinds, and various shapes out there) no matter who." However, they did note that users may tend to assume that the photos belong to "women" and discuss them accordingly, which may be a consideration for some people in deciding whether or not to participate.

--Jocey
For the VP Team

contact_vp

Entry tags:

bras

Sports Bra Recommendation

HEY VP,

Mods, I hope this is okay to post here. I just joined a gym and I need to find some good sports bras. I'm a ~38C so I need to have support. I've purchased some bras at Ross and at Old Navy and they just don't fit right. I have looked at VS but their bras are like $40+ and I didn't want to just buy one and hope that it was good. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Entry tags:

bras

Bra Sizing Questions/Minor Frustration(s)

I surfed around on some old entries, but most of the older ones were focusing around women of larger sizes. ^_^;

Every time I've been measured for a bra, even at the more professional places (Victoria's Secret, JCPenny's, Etc), I swear they are measuring the wrong size - they (almost) always measure me at 34B (a 34C, once), which is way small on me -- I spill over the cups, and I even do that in a 34C.

I've found I'm most comfortable in a 34D (I'm not spilling over/it's not too roomy, the straps don't dig into my shoulders, the band doesn't ride up, etc), but even when I measure, or have someone else help me, according to the way I've been shown (underbust measurement add 5 inches, subtract from fullest part of the bust measurement), I generally always measure at a 34B.

Personally, I don't really care what size anyone measures me at, and I'm going to wear what is most comfortable that doesn't look too odd - (which is a 34D), but it's frustrating to argue with salespeople that are only interested in selling me an overly padded pushup bra, but insist that their methods works.

Are my breasts just oddly shaped? I figure it must have something to do with the size, density and positioning on my chest. I'm also assuming that these measurement methods probably don't work for everyone since they are just based on statistics. Is there another measurement method that might work better?

Either that, or we're all measuring me incorrectly. :/

Entry tags:

bras

strapless bras for big breasts

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but since we talk about breasts here....

I have been blessed with rather a lot of flesh, particularly up top. This makes for some enticing clothing options, but becomes rather difficult when seeking support. In particular, strapless bras for those of us at a size 38/40 DDD that actually stay up and do not need constant adjustment seem to be impossible to find. Can any of you suggest a good strapless bra for someone in my size? I'd prefer something with a fairly low profile, though that may not exist. I really want something that will not cut into my sides in back and make me bunch up around it so it looks like I might as well be wearing a rubber band. Corset type styles are fine so long as they actually support the breasts and don't cause a huge lump at the bottom where they end. I'm really looking for something inexpensive if that's even possible, but anything under a hundred is worth considering.

Thanks!

Current Mood: frustrated

Entry tags:

bras

bra fitting and questions

So I was in Lane Byrant for the first time last week and I had my first "bra fitting". All of my bras have recently become too small since I've started HBC. I'm sure a lot of people would kill to be in my shoes, but I hate having to buy a whole new set of bras. They're so freaking EXPENSIVE! I'm just trying to figure out what size I AM though, first.

( the fitting.... )

I know everyone says the best thing to do is actually try them on until you find the right bra size... but how can I if nobody HAS my size? I mean, I thought if anyone would have it, Lane Bryant would. I guess I'll have to do the trial and error thing and order them online. Someone recommended figleaves.com, and I was wondering if anyone has ever bought bras from them before? Any other online (or non-online) stores that you'd recommend that would have unusual sizes? I've never even BOUGHT bras online before... what are the return policies like usually? I imagine I'll have to go through ordering a few before I find the right one.

(Sorry if these questions are too off topic... I searched through "bra" and "boob" communities but they either weren't active anymore or were... more visually oriented. I was hoping maybe some of you lovely ladies here might have gone through similar bra-fitting-experiences and might have some advice! It's kind of embarassing to talk to friends/family about- everyone rolls thier eyes at me and tells me to stop complaining about my big boobs. It's not as much of a blessing as they think though, you know?)

EDIT: If I didn't get a chance to reply to each of you, I just wanted to say thank you! So so much! I got a lot of different advice, which is kind of what I wanted! I have a lot more options that I realized! ♥

Entry tags:

bras

bra size

this may sound like a stupid question, but im rather confused.
the numbers in a bra size is the band and the letter is the cup. so logically thinking, it would seem that the first hook on say a 32b would be the same as the last hook on a 34b. am i missing something here?

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Preventing Clogged Duct/Mastitis

Hi all, this is women's health related, I promise, because the health of my breast is at stake here.

I'm nursing my 2nd kid, and had -0- problems with the first so I thought I had it all under control. This time around I keep getting the clogged ducts from hell, and now I'm pretty sure this one on the left has progressed into mastitis. One of the rec's to prevent all this is to wear soft bras with no underwire. I'm already doing this, but it seems as though the band just keeps killing this duct on the underside of my breast.

I'm asking here since it's more of an apparal question than an actual nursing question, but...

Any leads on where I can find bras with very wide bands? I don't even have huge boobs, but the band keeps digging into the tissue and causing problems, and I'm fairly sure it's not a bra-sizing problem, but a mechanics problem.

So, bra's with very wide bands on the bottom? Anyone? Beuller? (it doesn't even have to be nursing style bras, but if you know of some, I'll bite there first as that's an obvious advantage)

Also, just not wearing one isn't an option because I leak a LOT all the time, I need something to hold in the nursing pads.

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breast pain and bra size

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!

Current Mood: boobish

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Bra fit guide

aechei said: "That is a good bra fitting guide. you should post it separate and ask to have it archived. Lots of people ask about bras."

So I will.

I'm a fit consultant at Sears and here's my guide as I was trained:

I hate plugging my store in threads like these, but I have to. Sears (in canada anyway) has a really comprehensive lingerie program. Their fit consultants get trained bigtime, put through clinics and certified. It may sound silly, but a proper fitting bra is a BIG deal. A bra that is too snug can have many adverse health effects.

Regardless of what you measure, not every bra in that size is going to fit. Here's some examples from my experience: Playtex runs large, Warners run small, most "in-store" fashion brands run small, Wonderbra is usually fair but can vary by style and support level, and Vogue runs pretty fair. Also, even if a bra is the right size, it may not be the right style and support level for an individual.

Have someone measure you at home, in inches. (Sorry, I don't know a European metric fit guide)

1. Measure snugly under the bust (arms down in a well fitting bra). Add 4-5 inches to your measurement (whichever will give you an even number)if you measure about 36 inches around or smaller, 2-3 inches if your frame is larger than that. That is your band size. Example: A 34 band size will measure about 29-30 inches. A 42 band size will measure about 39-40 inches.

2. Measure around your bust, across the nipple (arms down in a well fitting bra). Take that measurement and subtract the band measurement.

0 difference = < AA
1 difference = A
2 difference = B
3 difference = C
4 difference = D
5 difference = DD (E)
6 difference = DDD (F)

Edit: I'll give an example.

I measure 31 inches around my ribcage. 31 + 5 = 36 = my band size.
I measure 35 inches across my bust. 35 - 31 = 4 = D cup .:. I am a 36 D

( some important tips... )

Current Mood: sleepy

Entry tags:

(no subject)

someone posted here a while ago, like a few days ago, with a question about finding *cute* bras in big sizes, and i promised a list of links and....i forgot!! i have it now, but i didn't want to sift through days worth of posts to find it so i thought i'd post it because i know you'll find it. again, i'm sorry that it took so long!!! i don't know if these have G size bras, which i think you needed, but i know they have big ones. this is also for anyone else looking for cute bras in big sizes...believe me, being a 34DD almost DDD its harder than hell to find a bra that fits and is also cute! i don't know about these links...but they were hand-picked by my boyfriend that i sent on a mission to find me sites with cute big bras. you know they're sexy when a guy likes them ;)
thank my boyfriend, he spent hours re-finding this list for me!!

http://www.womanspersonalhealth.com/AvianaBackClosure.htm

http://www.barenecessities.com/

http://www.cupsrunnethover.com/

http://www.enell.com/

http://www.erosboutique.org/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=erosbout&Category_Code=womens

http://www.figleaves.com/us/sbs.asp?sale=0

http://www.fredericks.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=Holiday2002&category%5Fname=Full+Figure+Collection&product%5Fid=51896&cookie%5Ftest=1

http://www.justmysize.com/

http://www.junonia.com/

http://lanebryant.charmingshoppes.com/Shopping/product.asp?product_id=L1001183

http://www.bravissimo.com/home.html

http://www.prettier.com/

http://www.biggerbras.com/

http://www.plussizebras.org/

http://www.ujena.com/bikinis.php?cid=76

Entry tags:

Bra Help

I'm 6 months pregnant with my third child. When I was pregnant with my first, I went from a DD/DDD up to an I. I stayed there through my second child, but this time, I seem to be growing again. Joy and rapture.

My bra, my best (not very good) bra doesn't fit. It hurts to wear. I want to hide under a rock and cry. It's getting worse by the day as my breasts grow . And it's my best one.

I found a company that sells bras up to J, but I don't know what size to order. I'm still growing and if I order a bra NOW, it probably won't fit in April (at 37 weeks pregnant) when I have to look presentable at my sister's wedding. And I can't wait until the last minute, since they have to be special ordered from England and it takes a month or more to arrive (plus time to send it back if it's wrong!).

I've tried Fancee Free and Goddess, they don't fit properly. Leading lady don't fit. Decent exposures fit but have next to no support. NOT appropriate for formalwear. The lingerie shop near me is useless, totally useless. I can't find someone to custom make a bra for me.

I'm getting really anxious and desperate!!!!!

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(no subject)

I'm beginning to become very annoyed with my bra. What is it with bras? Anyone who is over an A cup needs to wear a bra, it's easier. Is there no such thing as a comfortable bra, one that is not PADDED, my boobs are big enough, I DO NOT need skin coloured plastic shapes to roll over my breasts to make them look "ONE CUP SIZE BIGGER".
For once I would like to buy a bra that make me look 38C and not 42DD.
I do not need a bra that is covered in sequins or one that is intended to squeeze my boobs together so tight that they endanger my breathing!
Also I am not shopping in Marks and Spencer for GRANNY BRAS that are designed to be more like a corset and less like support for your boobs.
Is there no such thing as a SEXY COMFORTABLE bra that wont cost me my life savings??

I'm burning my Bra...who is with me??

Also do not get my started on those thongs. Ladies you all know the ones, the underwear that are described as thongs when they are quite obviously G-STRINGS. Again with the fake diamonds all along your butt crack. Who wears those? You can be sexy ladies without wearing something that is so tight that you wake up with a yeast infection. Your vagina is not happy being smothered under black polyester fabric.
And scented tampons?? Whose idea was that? Your vagina does not smell like strawberries because you do not have a small red fruit between your legs...it's your CUNT. It's looks, smells and tastes the way it is meant to!! x

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(no subject)

this is not precisely about vaginas, but it is about my body.

i was reading afraidtoask.com and, just for the hell of it, i used their bra size calculator, and according to them, i am a 36C. i have been wearing a 36B forever and ever, but now that i think about it, my bras have been getting a bit small on me. this is... interesting?

could someone else try their calculator to see if it runs a bit large? i'm rather curious.