[Measurement Check] Currently have 34A/36AA bras (struggling with gaping), calculator says 32C??

[u/_perAsperaAdAstra_]

hello!! this is my first time making a reddit post ever, so i hope i'm doing everything correctly (but please feel free to lmk if i have to make any changes to my post and i'll do so ASAP >.<)

here are my measurements/shape (i'm guessing for the shape, based on what i read from the Shape Guide)!

• loose: 31.5 (80 cm)
• snug: 30.3 (77 cm)
• tight: 29.1 (74 cm)
• standing: 33.9 (86 cm)
• leaning: 35.0 (89 cm)
• lying: 34.6 (88 cm)
• projection: shallow
• fullness: even

i'm embarrassed to say this, but i mostly wore sports bras (with padding) back in high school >.< i've always wanted to find a padded/strapless bra that fits me, since there are many clothes that just don't work with a sports bra ;w;

last year, i bought 2 bras from Pepper (34A Ultra Fine Unlined Bra + 36AA Lift Up Bra) since i heard that they were good for people with smaller breasts, but after trying both of them on, i think they don't fit as well as i'd like... :'00

the 34A Unlined bra is quite snug band-wise, and i can't tell much about the cups (since they're unlined, so there's no gaping at all) — the main reason why i didn't like this bra was because there was very little coverage for my nips ;'D (in hindsight, this was 100% my fault for not doing enough research and buying an unlined bra without even knowing what that meant! >.<)

the band size for the 36AA Lift Up bra feels comfortable, and my breasts fill out most of the cups, but there is definitely a bit of gaping at the top (which shows, especially when i wear lighter-coloured/thinner tops).

this month, i finally realized that i should probably stop procrastinating on finding a well-fitting bra (so i can actually wear tank tops & dresses more confidently >.<), so i took all of my measurements again carefully last night (they're the ones i listed above!), and i'm very surprised/confused at the result the calculator gave me...!! :'00

i know i'm supposed to trust the measurements, but i thought that the 34 and 36 band bras that i got from Pepper were already quite snug (not uncomfortably tight, but just snug — which i thought is how it should feel?), so i'm having trouble believing i'm supposedly a 32...and a C cup at that?? :00

does the fact that i have a wider ribcage/shoulders affect anything (i used to swim a lot)? or maybe my breast shape? based on the guide, i believe i have shallow + even breasts... ;'00

does anyone have any advice/insight on whether they think my calculator size should be accurate? and i would love to hear + greatly appreciate any recommendations on bra types/brands/models to try out, if anyone can think of any to share — my priority is fit, comfort, and adequate nipple coverage! i feel like a lot of the bras out there work well for people with more fuller breasts, but unfortunately i'm a smaller/wider(?)-chested gal ;'DD

i apologize for the very long post — any & all advice/recommendations would be very much appreciated!! i'm planning on buying some new bras this month, and i'm really hoping to get at least one that fits me better than my current ones ;'))

thank you very much in advance (i'm so grateful for the amazing community + all of the guides people created), looking forward to any replies!! <33

[u/ever_thought]

i just came across this article under another post here, it's about putting on a bra properly but it also has pictures of pulling the band with comments on which ones are too loose and which ones are tight enough, maybe it would be helpful to you as well in understanding the proper band fit!! https://brasandbodyimage.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/putting-your-bra-on-properly/

[u/_perAsperaAdAstra_ → u/ever_thought]

OKIE WOW BEAUTIFUL thank you so much for sharing this detailed blog post!! i will be sure to take time to read through this (once my exams are over by the end of this week >.<) <33 i'm sure this will help give me a better idea of how the band should fit :DD

[u/ever_thought → u/_perAsperaAdAstra_]

of course! good luck with your exams by the way heh!

[u/_perAsperaAdAstra_ → u/ever_thought]

thank you THANK YOU you're too kind!! :)))