Why is my bra too small for me?

[asblackasyoursoul]

I've gained weight during lockdown and noticed my bras weren't fitting as well, discovered I have gone from 32C to 32D.
Got some new ones last week and the cup fit is great however the band is far too tight. After taking it off today I had a big red ring around me where the band was.

The confusion is this: underbust I measure 29inch. I've tried 30 band sizes in the past which again were far too tight on me. Why are they so tight, and why is the 32 band so tight, if I am measuring 29inches underbust?
It seems that I need a 34 band but again with my actual measurement that's 5 inches larger.

Have you tried the booborbust method? If so, what are your measurements?

Maybe you are just used to your old looser ones?

Look at Boob or Bust on facebook. Seriously!
If the cup is too small it steals space from the band, making the band feel tight. So you basically need a bigger cup!

Have just tried boob or bust method. Gave me 30E which again the band is far too tight! Just don't understand

How do you know a 30E is too tight if you haven't tried it on? If your underbust is 29 inches, then you will be a 30 back. You have been wearing the wrong cup size not back size.

I find they loosen up fine after a few wears - I had the same when I first switched to the smaller back size method.

try the 32 on backwards. It should be just as tight both ways. If it's not as tight backwards, you need to go up in cup size.

You might prefer a different style bra. A good way to check whether it is the band is to try an extender or fashion an extension by stitching the fastener of an old bra to the end of a new bra.

Are you scooping the boobs into the bra?.

It sounds like your cup size is too small which is making the band pull too tight. Try a 30E (or even F) and see if that makes a difference.

I measure 30 underneath and tried the boob and bust method which came out as 30gg whereas i had been wearing 36d. However couldn't get 30gg round me and cups were huge. Ended up in a 34e. No idea how they work it out.

Yup, you need to try a 30E. If you really can’t tolerate the band (which will sit totally differently to a 32d) then 32DD would be the thing.

I’m trying again with this method. It’s never worked out. I’m a 31 under = 32
Then... over about 37 and a half.
So a 32F l suppose.
Unfortunately- they always, always, no matter what dig into my armpit and make painful sores.
I just wear a 34DD , well aware it’s not really my size?

Unfortunately- they always, always, no matter what dig into my armpit and make painful sores.
I just wear a 34DD , well aware it’s not really my size?

Please, please continue wearing what is comfortable. A bra fitting method is for us not the other way around. Don't let a bra damage your breast tissue just because some method is telling you your bra size should be something that is unsuitable! It makes me shudder, I've had breast cancer, there's no way I'd risk scar tissue for a fashion in methodology!

You’re right ✨@veryvery
I just know this is considered a modern& acceptable way to measure these days... l suppose l’m fed up that every style l try - still hurts!
I’m so sorry you’ve had breast cancer

My guess is that the band is ok, its the cup that is too small. Reserve judgement until you try on a 30E.

@withlotsoflove
Well, I would suggest a soft comfort bra or non underwired and wear the 34DD if that's what is supportive and comfortable. The old methods would add more inches to back size and have you in a 36 D or C anyway.

And thank you for your sympathy over the breast cancer. Thankfully, I'm a couple of years out of treatments and people do get through it. Knowing how scar tissue can affect breast health it makes me shy away from any bra that causes chafing or too much movement, though. Getting a new running bra suitable after a mastectomy during lockdown was interesting to say the least...

Sometimes it's just the bra. Boob or bust gives me 32GG. The bras I wear and feel comfortable in are 34F (triumph) 32G, GG and H (all Curvy Kate) and 30GG (Freya, though it sometimes hurts my ribs). My underbust is 31 though I'm hypermobile and have an awkwardly situated lipoma on my back, so wear my band slightly loose.

Tried on a new CK in 32H, the other day, and couldn't even fasten it as the band was so small. Like the triumph bra i have, it's a lot les stretchy than the ones I already wear.

I find a new bra always feels too tight but they loosen up after a few wears / washes.

But do try the next cup size up as well. Different brands come up differently in the same size.

I think you need some stretch in the band and that varies a lot by the brand and style- a bit like jeans. I have 34s that feel tight and others that are so stretchy you could almost fit two of me. I actually prefer bras with only a little stretch as they last longer but often have to up on band size.

I measure 29 under bust but wear a 28. 30 bands give be backache.

Your cup size is too small and that's why it feels too tight.

30e is the sister size of 34c

blog.thirdlove.com/sister-sizes-the-bra-secret-every-woman-should-know/

lojoko blind well and truly blown. I am a completely different size now I've read that link. I have had trouble for YEARS and have bought bra band extenders thinking I was going up a band size which then make the straps fall off my shoulders as they don't fit me properly. Ive suffered for years... years!
What a revelation! Thank you.

Yes so a C cup will increase in size as your band size increases so will be much bigger on a 40 than a 30. The cup size changes size.

Yes I had a friend who was always going up in back sizes, because she had in her head that she was a B cup and that's it. Didn't even occur to her to try bigger cups. Claimed to be 38B before I organised an intervention - 34E.