Hi all, new here, and thought I'd try it out. My question to all you lovelies is:
I have odd measurements (I'm only 5'2", but have a 42" chest). I can't find a bra, though, because my cup size is a B! I'm not rail thin, I do have curves, but I'm only a 12 or so in pant size and think I look good.... Any bra I find that may possibly fit my measurements wants to hide and squish my breasts, and have the ultra-support I know I don't really need (they're only Bs, for goodness sake!).
What I'm looking for is a 42B bra that's a push-up or curve enhancing bra (I'd like to get my full worth out of my Bs, or more if I can!!), but I haven't been able to find anything as of yet. I'm squishing myself into Hanes' 38B padded push-ups currently, but I know I need to get something that fits better!!
Thanks in advance!

Let me first ask, how did you decide that you are a 42B? It sounds like a bra fitting with a specialist would help you. You might find out that your size is very different from what you've been wearing. Whatever the size, they will also help in picking out the right shape for you.

I will admit I haven't been to a store that has done a fitting, but I did go to several bra websites (Victoria's Secret, Lane Bryant, etc) and used their instructions for measuring for the proper fit, with a seamstress tape.

Cirreh, may I suggest using the "find" tab above to do a search on this site for "bra fitting" You will find many threads on this subject that will be very informative for you. In summary, the measurement method is not a replacement for a proper bra fitting.

Here are links for some threads on this subject:

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/75219...901901788#7901901788

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/75219...841942448#2841942448

What you can expect from a good fitting (no measuring):
http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/28219...521982238#4521982238

Thank you for your ladies' help. I'm personally very uncomfortable with a fitting, and I was hoping less on that recommendation, and more on brands and stores (preferably online) that I could find this size of bra.
Thanks anyway.

I understand that some might be uncomfortable with a bra fitting, and that is OK!
I did a google search for "bra size 42b" and came up with a few websites:
bare necessities
just my size
biggerbras.com


Check shipping and handling information for the websites you use. Try to find ones that have free shipping and returns so you can try many many brands, styles, and sizes at once.
Pick the ones that fit the best for you and return the rest. There are tons of websites like this one out there with information on how a bra should REALLY fit.
Good luck!

While I understand that many people are reluctant to get fitted, I would like to explain that in the ones I've had, the fitter measures you over your existing bra, then brings a selection of diffe;rent styles and a few different sizes, since the style can affect the size you need. You don't put them on with the fitter in the dressing room; you put them on and the fitter comes back and checks to see if they are doing the job. Personally, I can't really tell if I'm getting most of my support from the band or not; a good fitter can.

I was petrified when I had my first fitting but the fitter never sees you without at least your bra on and they leave the room when you change. And of course you are fully clothed from the waist down. My fitter never even touched me. They base their fitting on the size you tell them you normally wear plus their own ability to "eyeball" your correct size. Then once you try something on if they don't think it fits you they bring in another size or style. It was completely non-threatening and I will definitely do it again one day.

By the way, it sounds to me like you might be a 40C or even a 38D. Most women tend to wear a larger band size and smaller cup size than would be ideal for them. I thought I was a 36B but I found out I'm really a 34C. A fitter will be able to settle that for you once and for all.

Britt, that site about fit is very good. One thing I'd add is that the panel between the cups should sit flat against the chest, and not pulled away from the body. That means that the spacing between the bre@sts will factor into what style works for you--not every 34D is created equal in that regard.

I knew that I carry most of my excess weight in my bre@sts--but 8 pounds for a D cup? I don't even want to think about what my G cup weighs. I'm about 5 pounds over what I'd like to be. It's also the LAST place I lose weight.

quote:

Originally posted by Cirreh:
Thank you for your ladies' help. I'm personally very uncomfortable with a fitting, and I was hoping less on that recommendation, and more on brands and stores (preferably online) that I could find this size of bra.
Thanks anyway.

I think the ladies are suggesting a fitting because it's unlikely that you're wearing the correct bra size. A size 12 clothes does not correspond to a size 42 bra.

Hi Cirreh

Check out the Soma Bra Fit Guide to learn how to measure yourself at home and to read solutions to common common fit problems.

That Soma Bra Fit Guide must have a limited range. It told me that it could not compute my br@ size with those measurements and that I needed to remeasure. They may only go up to a DDD, so I wouldn't rely on that too much.

I was fitted about 6 months ago, and it really made a huge difference in how things felt. Yes, it's uncomfortable to stand there in your bra, but the end result is worth any discomfort you feel during the process.

I agree that a size twelve would not likely wear a 42 band. When I was size 12, I wore a 32-34 band. If you are dead-set against a fitting, try a smaller band and larger cup.

In addition to measuring to get a general size, you should pay attention to how the bra fits and don't buy it if it has any issues.

1.The bra should not ride up on the back. This means the band is too big.
2. The cup edges should not cut into the breasts. This means the cup is too small.
3.The center of the bra (underwire, anyway) should lie flat against the breastbone. If it doesn't, the cups are too small, band is too big or a combo of both.
4.If boobs hang out of the bottom of the bra, the band is too big.
5. If you feel the weight of your boobs pulling on the shoulder straps, the band is not providing the necessary support so needs to be tighter or a different band (thicker perhaps).
6.If the underwire digs in on either side, the cup is too small.

The band should be pretty snug as it provides the majority of support.

Make sure when you try it on, you bend over and wigglejiggle while holding the bottom of the band under the cups to enclose your breasts fully within the cups.

I love this site: http://www.bravissimo.com. You may not fit their range of sizes (they're for big boobed women) but they have great fit tips. Good luck!

Another thing I make sure to do when trying on bras is to jump up and down a few times. yes, I get strange looks when leaving the fitting room, but this is a sure fire way to make sure everything is going to stay in place through the day.

I will tell you one place I have found a bra that is fantastic for large busts is Lane Bryant. I am a 42D and need the support. I am almost positive that they would have your size. They seem to carring the unusual sizes that other stores ignore. They are also extremely comfortable. They also have beautiful one not granny grunt ones.Try there. I have seen your size at Victoria Secrets also and theirs are definately beautiful.Good luck

Late to the party, but I have to say that I was much like you not too long ago.

5'2" and thinking I was a 40D/42C. Size 14 top and bottom. I arrived upon this idea by way of the typical measuring method and being forced to succumb to the poor size selection at the typical mall lingerie stores.

I had a proper fitting at a bra shop and as it turns out, I am a 36F (aka DDD). The problem is that the typical measuring method is antiquated. As I got heavier, I was incorrectly adjusting band size instead of cup size using this method. It was really only my boobs getting bigger; not a whole lot of fat actually sits on the rib cage.

You might want to pop in to your local dept. store and spend some quality time trying on multiple bras. Try a 40C or D, a 38D or DD and see how they look. The bra should fit snugly but not cut into your flesh; you should be able to fit two fingers sideways under the band (but not your whole hand!)

I hope you reconsider your no-fitting rule. A professional bra fitter will only touch you long enough to use the tape measure. They shouldn't grab anything.

can anyone suggest "bra shops" where fitters are actually trained to fit bras? i welcome suggestions from all over the US; i travel from the US south (MS to New Orleans, Birmingham, Memphis--not so much Atlanta) to the west coast (San Francisco/Bay Area and the Seattle/Tacoma/Portland area)

thanks
oonagh

I'm brand new tonight here, and having been a troublesome body to fit bras to, I instantly got caught up onto this topic!

I am also 5'2" and got my 1st 32DD in 7th grade. THAT was embarrassing!! I remained a DD as I grew up, but gained womanly weight and got to be a 34/36 DD. During pregnancy I grew to a cup F, then with nursing a 36H. After nursing, I was hoping to be a Dd again. That size is sooooo much easier to find.

The only place I could find my bras (walk in and buy) in a G+ cup is Nordstroms. Since I'm smaller around I was intensely frustrated and I HATED HATED HATED EVER bra shopping. Victoria's Secret seems to hire teens who want the discount on the cute bras, but their cup sizes stop at DD, and many don't have a band in DD that is 32 around.

So... NORDSTROMS (both on-line or walk-in) has been my dream bra store! I am now settled into a 32G. Again, being smaller around, most stores only go up to DD/E and usually start at a 34 band. Nordies as great at having small around to large around, AND from small cups to huge cups. I thought they'd be a fortune, and, while they're not by any means cheap, they're no more expensive than Victoria's Secret.

Happy Shopping!

PS - I WANT A REDUCTION!!!