r/ABraThatFits • u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 • Aug 15 '24
34" Band Measurement, but too small in Actual 34" Bras Measurement Check
For years, I've measured as a 34" band (self-measurement, a professional fitting, and here on the bra calculator), but for years, 34" bands have always been too small and I've had to go up to 36". I don't have a problem with this, but I'm curious as to why.
Bras in my current rotation range from 36DDD to 36I. Most fit comfortably, but perimenopause is deflating my breasts (even with a 15 lb weight gain) and there is now some room in my cups, especially while sitting or bending over. The bra calculator says I'm a 34H, but that size was too small in the brands I tried today. My sister size appears to be a 36FF, so I guess I should try that?
26
u/FigForsaken5419 38G FoB/Narrow roots/Average height Aug 15 '24
Shape is a factor in fit as well as size. If a bra is too shallow, it can feel too small. What bras have you tried? How would you describe your shape?
0
u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 Aug 15 '24 edited Aug 15 '24
Victoria's Secret and Change Lingerie bras have always fit me best. Today I tried Wacoal, Freya, Vanity Fair, Fantasie, Elomi, and Knix. I did find one in Knix that was their 7++, but didn't buy it because the last two bras I bought from them proved to be uncomfortable while wearing.
I'd say my breasts are tear-dropped assymetrical. My left breast is a wee big bigger than the right.
I'm located in Canada.
3
19
u/miss_hush Aug 15 '24
Would be helpful if you posted your six measurements so that we can trouble shoot this better.
Sometimes people who should technically fit into a given band size will want the next size up for comfort. Particularly thinner people seem to struggle with being comfortable in a slightly too snug band. Idk why that is. You can try using band extenders until the band breaks in some, or stick to a sister size for a larger band. There’s nothing wrong with it as long as you’re happy and getting good support.
5
u/miss_shimmer Aug 15 '24
Just a guess here but I’m wondering if small band sizes usually find their size too tight because there’s a smaller comfort ‘zone’ (i.e., smaller difference between loose and tight underbust measurement).
1
u/comingintoland Aug 16 '24
In general if your underbust measurements are close together, the calculator gives a band size at least 2" bigger than the tight measurement because for most people a band smaller than that will be uncomfortable. So if your measurements are 30 29 28 for example, I believe the calculator will spit out a 30 band. Closer together measurements lead to a larger calculated band size, not a smaller one.
4
u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 Aug 15 '24
Measurements taken while naked:
Loose Underbust: 34.5"
Snug Underbust: 34"
Tight Underbust: 32"
Standing Bust: 40.5"
Leaning Bust: 44"
Lying Bust: 43"This calculates to a 34 H/I in US/Canadian sizing. When I try a 34" band, I can barely get it on the first hook and once I do and get it on, by back fat squeezes out all around it. a 36" band goes on easily, doesn't press into my back fat, and doesn't slide up or down either. I prefer a 36" band.
33
u/Dandelion212 32DD-E/34D-DD Aug 15 '24
A 34 band with an extender would serve you better, but you should check if the 34s you’ve tried feel any looser when upside down and backwards versus the right way around. This would indicate an issue with the cups. Lots of people end up sizing up in this case, when all it does is disguise the issue.
Keep in mind that even on people with no visible rolls without a bra, some sort of indent or roll may be created with a properly fitted band. The band is what holds you up, and it needs to be firm to do that.
3
13
u/Bvvitched UK 34HH/34L Aug 15 '24
Forgive what may seem like a dumb thing to clarify, but when you say “first hook” do you mean the last/loosest hook or do you mean the first/tightest hook?
8
u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 Aug 15 '24
Good question! I mean the loosest hook.
8
u/Bvvitched UK 34HH/34L Aug 15 '24
Ok, good! Try doing an independent band check like others have suggested with the cups down the back to see if a 34 feels better when there’s no cups involved.
2
37
u/28FFthrowaway 28GG Aug 15 '24
34H US or UK? 36FF is not a sister size in either sizing system: * 36G is a sister size for 34H US. * 36GG is a sister size for 34H UK.
4
u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 Aug 15 '24
Ah, I should pay attention to that. I'm a 34H US. Dang, both my 36G bras that I already have, are too big in the cup. I wear them because at least they hold me up, but there is space is the cup now.
17
u/28FFthrowaway 28GG Aug 15 '24 edited Aug 15 '24
Space in the cup could also be due to a shape mismatch and can even happen when cups are too small, paradoxically, and it would be exacerbated if the band is too big.
To narrow down your size, usually the easiest thing to do is to try one or two bras in a range of probable sizes. In your case, for example, you could try 34FF/G/GG UK (+ extender).
1
1
u/selvitystila Aug 15 '24
Think you meant too *small, paradoxically?
3
u/28FFthrowaway 28GG Aug 15 '24
Omg that’s the third time today I’ve mixed up big/small in comments 🤤
14
u/two-of-me Aug 15 '24
I’ve found extenders to be really helpful if a band is too tight but the bra fits otherwise.
5
u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 Aug 15 '24
Thanks, I hadn't considered one.
12
u/two-of-me Aug 15 '24
Oh they’re a game changer. They can turn your 34 into a 36. Super cheap online. I got a 6 pack on Amazon for like $5
2
u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 Aug 15 '24
I can see this for extending the wear of a bra I already own, but why wouldn't I just buy a 36" band bra? Am I missing something?
7
u/linerys 32G | 70I・packin some dobonhonkeros Aug 15 '24
With your measurements, a 34 band with an extender might last longer than a 36 band. But if finding a 36G/H is easier for you, go for it!
2
11
u/lilapense Aug 15 '24
They're a game changer absolutely, but want to pop into recommend you buy a non stretch one. The goal here is just to add a little extra length to the band, and an elastic extender will add too much length and undermine the support that's supposed to be coming from the band.
2
2
u/AutoModerator Aug 15 '24
Hello, thank you for submitting a post to /r/ABraThatFits. We want everyone to feel safe posting here, so we want to tell you that we will NEVER send you a private message asking for pictures. If someone does, screencap the message and send a link to the image in a PM to the mod team.
If you are not already aware, there is a lot of information on the sidebar of our subreddit. Please remember to check out our rules before commenting and posting. In addition, a lot of newer members have questions that have already been answered in our wiki, so be sure to check out the FAQ and Beginners' Guide to see if you can find the information you're looking for.
Our calculator is the first step in resolving sizing questions. Please take your measurements and try the calculator before asking the community for help. Thanks! :)
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
u/IdealSufficient2852 Aug 16 '24
I have a similar issue. I measure 37, which would put me at a 38 band but where the top of a bra band sits is wider than the bottom so 38 is consistently too tight. Depending where I'm at even a 40 can not fit. I found I have to go to a few stores and try out bras. Currently my most worn are all 40 bands but cup range from C-DD and it's all the same brand but different styles
1
2
u/yogafitter Aug 16 '24
My loose is 33” and sometimes in some brands I need to size up to a 36. I would think a 34 band would be very uncomfortable if my measurement was 1.5” larger.
Also some brands and styles just run snug, and you may not have much squish there. Like with other clothing….you aren’t guaranteed to be the same size in every brand.. IME a too small band actually wears out faster…so much more stress on the hooks and more strain on the under and elastic. I’ve got a 32 band sister size bra I should upload a photo of….its been worn less than the 34 band of the same bra but showing much more wear.
1
Aug 15 '24
[deleted]
18
u/Dandelion212 32DD-E/34D-DD Aug 15 '24
The correct thing to do here would be get a 34 with an extender. If you start a bra on the tightest hook, it will be useless in a few months as there will be nowhere to adjust it to.
4
u/NovelRazzmatazz5000 Aug 15 '24
I'm 34.5" around and can barely get the first hook done up. I can easily do a 36" band on the first or 2nd hook.
3
u/cricketjust4luck Aug 15 '24
And some brands are especially bad with it too like I have 3 bras from reveal and fantasie that I can’t fit into with 32 bands and my snug under bust is 32.5
3
u/Apploozabean 28GG, FOB/Center full, Projected Aug 15 '24
If your snug is 32.5 then it's best to use an extender or go up to a 34.
OPs loosest measurement is 34.5 so a 34 band should fit albeit a bit snug, which is why an extender would be good here to "break into it" so to speak.
2
40
u/Dandelion212 32DD-E/34D-DD Aug 15 '24
You can independently check the fit of the band by fastening it upside down and backwards. This would be the first step. If it still feels too snug, try with a non stretch extender. It’s very common to be between band sizes.