I’d given up on wearing a “real bra” for the last decade, but I came across this sub and felt inspired to give it another try. Based on the resources in the wiki, I think I’ve determined that I have projected breasts, center full/maybe mildly full on top, center/narrowly set (very little space between breasts), with tall roots. The calculator put me at 30G/H in US sizing, measurements below:
Loose Underbust: 31”
Snug Underbust: 30”
Tight Underbust: 28”
Standing Bust: 36.5”
Leaning Bust: 40”
Lying Bust: 36”
That said, I went to two local shops today that had “professional” bra fitters. At the first shop, when I suggested I might be a 30G, she looked at me and was like ”No, I really don’t think you are…” and proceeded to explain that she goes off look and feel v. measurements. We probably tried on 15-20 bras ranging from 30E to 36C and everything in between. The fitter admitted she hadn’t faced a “challenge” like me in some time and was having a hard time finding what I needed. I ultimately purchased yet another bralette (Wacoal 36C-I think?) because it was the only option that truly sat directly up under my breasts and provided support. At the next shop, I didn’t even suggest what I thought my size could be and just let the fitter do their thing. That was a bit better experience, and ultimately I bought a “real bra” (Chantelle Nora Chic Plunge 32E). I’m on the fence about it, but seemed to be the best of the bunch so I figured I’d take it home and see how I feel after more than 5 minutes in it.
For context, I also tried on the Freya Poise High Apex bra in 32E and while it mostly fit well, I didn’t like the pressure of the gore on my sternum or how high the outer edge of the cups came up. The bottom gapping was less of an issue in this one and so was the spillage/quad boob.
Of the bras I tried today, almost all the following issues/negatives:
- Bottom of the cup gapping/bunching despite almost always spilling over the top or having that lovely quad-boob effect (bras without any padding or shaping seemed to help with that the most- i.e. lace and mesh were better)
- Gores that were too high and/or too wide, pushing into/on-top of my breast tissue (plunges seemed to be the best solution).
- Cups that came up too high/dug into armpit
- Wire sat down too far below breast tissue, which I’d try to remedy by hoisting up, but then didn’t fit right elsewhere.
- Wire/cup often seemed too wide for my breasts, going further under the armpit than my tissue, so I wasn’t adequately supported.
- Full cup coverage seemed to keep my breasts lower and flatter on my chest, and felt less supportive — I think because they had the most prominent bottom cup gapping/sat too low.
I think I need options that are better for more projected, center full, tall root chests. Open to ANY and all suggestions and feedback. If it matters, I am 5’6” approx 135 lbs. I can almost sit my breasts entirely on top of my hand when placed underneath and when pushed up and supported (what I feel like) they sit quite high with the center mass being almost at my armpit bend — probably a weird description but wanted to try and provide as much context as possible 😅 please feel free to correct or challenge any of my assumptions about my shape/size, I may be way off base.
Please help!