Had a bra fitting today

snowyowl

I was properly fitted for bras for the first time three years ago. I was your typical "I go to Victoria Secret because I didn't realize there were sizes above DD but I'm actually a G" bra wearer. Then my friends gave me an Intimacy gift card for my bridal shower. I don't think they were telling me to get the hint or anything, but it did make a HUGE difference to finally wear something that fit right :P

So I went back today because I've been wearing the same bras for three years. They've held up really well, which says something about the quality of the bras they sell (as it should, considering how expensive bras are these days). 

I was telling the woman about the bridesmaid dress and how I couldn't find a good bra for it, and she laughed and said they get women with bridesmaid dress issues in pretty much daily. Last week they had a women in with my bra size, 34 G, asking if there was any way they might have a strapless bra that would work for her. 

I'm so glad I am close enough with my friend that she listened when I begged her not to go strapless :P

Have you guys been fitted? Did it make a big difference? Has anyone ever come across the mythical strapless bra that works for the E, F, Gs among us? 

Publius

I was fitted the last time I was in the US.  I had been wearing 36 Cs and a couple 34 Ds but I'm a 32 E.  Since the fitting my life has changed for the better.

I'll let you know about the strapless bra thing.  I'm going to have to go myself and do the same begging the next time I'm in the US for my sister's wedding.  She didn't listen when I begged her not to go with a strapless dress.  I feel terrible for our SIL who has to wear the same dress--she's a 34 G.  It makes my situation pale in comparison. 

dorothyinAus

I'm a 38FF (in the elomi brand) and as I said in onlesly's post, I have found that longline bras with boned cups give better support and stay up better.  I have this bra http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product=Elomi-Occasions-Underwired-Basque&product_id=ELO-EL8202 -OCC&size=&colour=Black (sorry not clicky) and have found it to be the most comfortable strapless bra I have ever owned.  I would actually wear it to work somedays.  It was still comfortable at 6 or 7 when I got home.

I do find that you may have to go up/down in band/cup sizes with different brands.

snowyowl

dorothyinAus:

I'm a 38FF (in the elomi brand) and as I said in onlesly's post, I have found that longline bras with boned cups give better support and stay up better. 

Assuming the link took me to the right place, you use something similar to a corset? I think if I had to wear something strapless I would go with a corset. I actually wore one with my wedding dress (it wasn't strapless, but the seamstress recommended it so I wouldn't have bra strap issues). It worked and was mostly comfortable, but I actually had to stick a tissue down my side at one point because one piece of the metal boning was scratching my skin. I had a cut there for a week afterwards, ouch. 

Finding a comfortable one I could wear with strapless stuff would be nice.

MrsBini10

Try Lady Grace stores...they have every size imaginable! The strapless bra I own I actually ordered online (not sure where from). I ordered 3 sizes and the one that fit was like 44F or something, and I returned the others. Probably easier to just go to Lady Grace--I was living in GA at the time and they don't have stores near there, and I didn't know of any store that might have such things. ETA: I am half asleep and apparently didn't really read your OP before responding. I'm dumb. But last time I was fitted for a bra I was 14 so yes I've done it but I need to do it again!

dorothyinAus

Yes, it is very similar to a corset, though not as restrictive as I understand -- I have never worn a corset.  I was worried abut the boning poking me, but it really a flexible plastic boning and I had no problems with poking or rubbing.  I really do recommend boned cups -- gravity is unforgiving and the boning makes the cups much stronger.  I really wanted a strapless bra like smaller chested women can wear, but my seamstress (who I trust more than anyone else for these kinds of things) suggested I go with a longline boned style.  And she was right.  Besides, it does great things to my waist!

Good luck finding the perfect bra.

chelbel7

I have to say that I usually go to Nordstrom in the states and they are fantastic! I have a friend that is a 32G and she swears by it.  

On my last visit home I went in again because my 32C bras were too small from being pregnant and Nordstrom measured and fitted me with some 32 DD bras that were much more comfortable.  Since I know my size is going to change more I didn't want to spend a ton so I also stopped by VS and the girl measured me as a "36A or maybe a 34B" I just walked out.  Seriously! There was no way that was going to work.  I've also heard about going up a band size and down a cup size, but there is a big difference is how far around you are and how full your actually boob is. This made me never want to shop there again for anything. 

On a side note one of my friends used to work at VS and told me that since they don't carry all the sizes they were told to round to the size that they do carry when doing measurements.

PittPurple

Yeah, I wore 34DD for years until a friend convinced me to get fitted. I now wear 30G and it totally changed my life honestly. Things fit so much better!

I went to Bravissimo which I mentioned in the other post and they are AMAZING. I have a normal strapless bra from there. This one - http://www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie/strapless-bras/evie-bra/nude/pnk1nu/?show=16&sort=1 and I love it. I can wear it all day, it doesnt move around, I can dance in it... I've worn it to a bunch of weddings and even hiking one day when I had a racerback tank with me for some stupid reason. I can never remember where anyone lives, but if it's at all a possibility to try them out, I would highly recomend them.

hamilton.ja

Haha, yes and at intimacy. I find nordstrom to be just as good in terms of getting a good fit around here. I was wearing a 36c and I discovered I am really a 30f, typically wear a 32 bc it is easier to find. It makes a huge difference! I just bought two nEw bras at marshals the other day, I love that they get the fancy castoffs bc I'd much rather pay $15 per bra than $60 for my transitional bras since Evelyn just stopped nursing and I'm sure things will change soon enough. Eta. I don't love the customer service at lady grace but I've only been to one location, to be fair. Nrdstrom, though has fab customer service. I bought a bra there when e stopped nursing during the day that was just uncomfortable after a few hours. I went back to see if there was anything they could do since I'd already worn it and they tried to fit me into a new bra and then said "well, if she's still nursing at all I wouldn't spend this much on a bra anyway. Why not get or money back and come in six months after she's weaned when things are back to normal and well try again". I really appreciated that they were trying to get me the best solution and not themselves. They even told me where else tolook that might have my size in stock and what style wd work best for my shape/ body type.

Shekels831

GO GET FITTED LADIES!  I was a bra fitter at a high end lingerie boutique (Intimacy was our biggest competitor) in college and it really does change the way you look and feel.  I swear I could take 10lbs off a woman by putting her in a good fitting bra.  Most women wear the wrong size bra. 

We usually recommended Chantelle or Prima Donna for the larger cup women.  They make excellent quality strapless bras as well. 

Mrs.E.07

I LOVE bravissimo, but unfortunately it's hard because you have to order them by mail. Sometimes I find ones I like at Nordstrom, and order them through bravissimo (sometimes they're a LOT cheaper). Nordstrom usually has a good selection, but bravissimo is better.

I have a great strapless bra, it's by Fantasie and it's molded but not padded. I don't know the name of it and don't have it with me though, sorry! I also have the regular version of that bra, and love love love it. Freya also makes some pretty bras in ginormous sizes :-)

GilliC

I got fitted before my wedding and was sized as a 32DD.

Since I'm too cheap/lazy to buy high-end, I still wear a 34C.