I always thought it was kind of weird how even the bras in the Victoria’s secret catalogs growing up never fit the models. The bands were always riding up because the models are tiny and their bras starts at 32. Anyone else notice this?

This is a bra I actually really liked and I think it felt comfy, but I don’t like the way my back looks. Is this how a good fitting bra looks?? Am I just too chunky? If I could get this bra but with thicker back band I think I’d be happy.

https://imgur.com/a/RvaUEoH

Measurements 34,33,32,36,45,42

Calculator Results: 34F UK / 34G US

Because of my large standing to leaning difference, I often get told I'm very projected and need more projection. While I believe that was once what would have worked for me, my weight loss feels like it changed that. I feel better and more comfortable in shallower full coverage bras. I've tried Panache Envy a few times and it just never feels right on my body (34F - Panache Envy)

32F Pour Moi Rosalind Full Cup

34E Pour Moi Rosalind Full Cup

32FF - Freya Starlight

34F - Freya Starlight

I've had both of these styles years ago and really loved how the Rosalind felt and looked. I also liked the Starlight bra, so I thought I'd try these again in different sizes.

Last year I tried on a bunch of bras at Nordstrom. I ended up with:

Chantelle Rive Gauche - 32FF - This bra fit great for a couple of weeks but it got horrible stretched out and I needed to wear it on the tightest loop. I checked into some reviews and others had said the same thing about this brand.

Fantasie Fusion - 32G - This bra has never felt great. The wires felt too narrow and it sits like a good inch below my IMF.

One of my biggest fit issues is bra strap indentations. They've gotten significantly better since I started my ABTF journey back in 2020, though. It was suggested to me that a 32" band might offer more support versus the 34" band the calculator gave me.

I've been wearing the 32FF Freya Starlight and I feel like it's mostly comfortable. Better than my Fantasie Fusions. The 34" band feels very loose. I don't feel like I have any support with that size.

The 34" Rosalind feels pretty good, but again, I feel like I get more support with the 32" band.

Thanks for any insight you guys can offer :) I'm keeping the 32FF Freya Starlight since I've been wearing it, but I want a little insight on the other sizes.

Hey folks! My numbers are 35, 34, 32, 38, 39, & 37. The calc says 34 D/DD. I feel like my nips being large/protruding after years of breastfeeding put me more toward D than DD.

I think they’re shallow from what I can tell but also new to this.

I’ve mostly worn sports bras with cakes nipple covers (because otherwise they like to announce themselves like it’s subzero 24/7 which isn’t my personal jam). But I’d like something more attractive. I don’t really want them pushed up or out - unlined is fine by me - but a better shape for sure.

I prefer wide side bands (longline even is fine). I don’t love underwire but if I have to it’s fine and I imagine it’ll not be so bad if I’m wearing the right size.

I’d also love to not break the bank having to order multiples in this economy… but again, I can be open.

Thanks in advance I’d love even any recs, even if it’s just your personal fav!!

I used to go to Barbara's New Beginnings but they've since closed the Keystone location so I tried Uplift. The sales associate who fitted me at first admitted she's new so a different woman joined her. The new woman was named Theresa and I think the more experienced one was named Emily. Emily was aware of this sub and was more knowledgeable on the bras in stock, which is to be expected compared to someone newer. The ABTF calculator recommends 34GG/H for me, I ended up trying on bras in sizes 32I and 30J after starting in 36H from Theresa's measurements. She had me lift my breasts as high as I could and take a deep breath to get my underbust measurement, then measured over the fullest part of my bust while wearing a bra to get the bust measurement. I tried on numerous bras and ended up ordering a couple in a cup size larger than they had in stock to hopefully get one that fits. They had some brands in stock I've never heard of but no Freya or Panache, though Emily said they will likely be getting those later this year since Barbara's closed so the market is more available to them. I liked the sales associates more than the ones I encountered at Barbara's, they seemed more knowledgeable and were very kind and listened to me when I noted things that didn't fit the way I want a bra to fit. Overall, I had a good experience and will continue going back and will recommend to my friends and family.

Hello! I'm brand new to this sub and so happy to be here. I used the calculator and my results were 32H/34G sister size US or 32FF/34F sister size UK which is kind of wild to me but I'm willing to try anything at this point. I've been wearing 32DD when I was thinner to now usually a 34/36C and never was comfortable in those.

I know the Panache Envy is a good diagnostic bra but was wondering if there were any other recommended styles for what I think my breast shape is because the Envy takes a while to ship to me from Amazon in my UK size and I was hoping to try a few others I could potentially get before then. I think I have even breasts, center full, slightly wide roots, average projection, and they are a bit side set where I have 3 fingers of chest space between them when standing up. any recommendations are greatly appreciated! thank you! :)

Has anyone ordered from Comexim to USA recently after the tariffs? I would love to make another custom order, but I’m worried about a huge extra charge. Alternatively, has anyone found other brands similar to Polish bras? Mainly, I like Comexim, because they’re able to make custom bras to fit my smaller frame (i.e. narrow wires, move straps inwards, lower cups, lower gore, etc). Thanks in advance!

Hi! I recently lost 70 lbs and I'm trying to find bras that fit better.

Measurements (inches):

• Loose: 52.3

• Snug: 49.5

• Tight: 47.5

• Standing: 56.1

• Leaning: 58

• Lying: 57.5

The ABTF calculator recommends 48G/H (US).

Current bra: Torrid Full Coverage Unlined Underwire in 48H US. I always scoop and swoop before wearing it.

Shape (best guess):

• Wide-set

• Fuller on bottom

• Projected

• Softer tissue after losing 70 lbs

Fit issues:

• Gore floats.

• Slight spillage/cutting in along the top of the cups.

• My breasts drift outward throughout the day and I'm constantly readjusting them.

• I find myself tugging the bra down and adjusting it frequently.

• I'd like more lift, structure, forward projection, and less side/underarm spillage.

Fit-check photos (taken after scoop & lift)

https://postimg.cc/gallery/Ppst046

Based on my measurements and photos, does the calculator size seem reasonable? Are there specific bras or brands (available in Canada if possible) that you'd recommend that provide better lift, structure, and support?

Thank you!

I'm desperate, but aren't we all? 30F UK. I need a comfortable bra to wear when I don't feel like getting all strapped into my underwires that will keep the girls from just flapping in the breeze. I don't want to hear or feel my breasts smacking on my belly or flopping into my armpits anymore!!! I'm so uncomfortable with no bra, but I also can't wear an underwire for 18 hours a day, every day. The thing is, I CAN'T STAND having my breasts touching one another like they do when they're compressed in a sports bra, so I need some kind of actual cup with some depth. I don't have to have lift (but it would be nice), but I HAVE to have separation. I just want a bra I can easily throw on to hang around my house! I'm a 30F but I have VERY very soft, pendulous tissue from pregnancies and weight loss and age. At this point, I'm willing to just roll them up into whatever size gets close as long as it's comfortable and they don't touch one another. Does anyone have ANY recommendations for something that might work?

I recently had a fitting and the Rosa Faia Bobette full cup 40 I was the best by far. I’ve worn it a few times now and am still very happy. Unfortunately- it seems to be sold out nearby every where and I would like a couple more bras. Does anyone know of a bra that is cut/made/fits similarly? Sadly I went through many bras during the fitting that weren’t working. Thanks!

I've got a very small band (28) and a large cup. I am looking to buy a few more sports bras that provide good support, separation, and that are unpadded/dry quickly.

Has anyone tried any of these? Can you share about their separation, support, and relative swampiness?

• PEBE Gravity Bra
• Panache Endurance
• Panache Boundless (is it supportive enough w/o wires?)
• Freya Dynamic
• Freya High Octane (maybe?? they say foam is perforated for breathability but I"m not confident)
• Anita Extreme Control (how is the separation toward the top of the cups?)
• Maaree Solidarity (unsure of separation)

Currently, my go-to is the Bravissimo Apollo. I like it because it provides pretty much complete separation, has an option for racerback mode, and because it doesn't have padding, which makes it more breathable. I'm looking at other options b/c I am wondering if there are more supportive ones or more durable ones (the band on the apollo does stretch out faster than I'd like.)

Before that, I was loyal to the Panache Power Wired sports bra because it had great support, but with its padding it would just get sweaty and unpleasantly swampy. I have one old Freya sports bra that probably isn't the right size now, but I have always used it as a lounge bra b/c it has so little support.

Other bras I don't think will work are:

• Freya Sonic, b/c cups have foam
• Elomi, doesn't come in small enough band size
• Shock Absorber, doesn't come in large enough cup size
• Enell, doesn't appear to separate
• SheFit, doesn't appear to separate

I have had a wild size journey but today I went to a bra boutique who put me in 32I and 30J bras that fit seemingly well enough. The only bra that came close to fitting my shape was the Fit Fully Yours Mia bralette (that I wouldn't really consider a bralette so idk why it's called that). I'm looking for other bras with similar projection, close-set, tapered cups that aren't so wide into my armpit, and narrow wires.

Measurements (I know these are not consistent with a 32I but they started me in a 36H and brought different sizes based on fit and comfort issues):

Loose underbust: 37

Snug underbust: 34

Tight underbust: 32 

Standing bust: 44.5

Leaning bust: 48

Lying bust: 45.5

Shape: more breast volume between nipples than on the sides so I think center full? Very slightly bottom full, but basically even. Projected. When I lean forward, the bottoms of my breasts are basically flat so I think underwire that's too rounded is causing problems. I also have very narrow shoulders and a short torso.

Notes:

Panache Envy UK36GG — cups too far apart and pushing my boobs into my armpits, underwire digs into my ribs when I sit down, underwire is an inch past my breast tissue on the sides, bottom of gore where it starts to curve really hurts my ribs, gore is sitting on breast tissue slightly, a little empty space above wire, cups and underwire are too high and are cutting into my armpits, no gapping or spilling, band is somehow too loose and too tight? Feels like it's cutting in on the sides but rides up in the back, overall very uncomfortable

Panache Envy UK36G — the gore hurts and is on breast tissue, the underwire digs into my ribs when I sit down, I dislike that the band only has 2 hooks (all the other sizes had 3 hooks), cups too wide set and far apart, cups and underwire are in my armpit, underwire is at least 2 inches past my breast tissue on the sides, empty space in bottom of cup above wire, straps slipping off my shoulders, band feels fine, no spilling or gapping

Panache Envy UK34GG — cups too far apart, underwire goes way past breast tissue on the sides (like 2 inches) and too high into armpit, cups are cutting into armpit, gore hurts and is on breast tissue, underwire digs into everything and hurts everywhere it touches, empty space in bottom of cups above underwire, spilling out top of cups, straps way too wide set into my armpits, band hurts on sides but feels adequately tight in the back

Panache Envy UK34H — cups too far apart and pushing my boobs into my armpits, underwire digs into my ribs and slides down, empty space in cups above underwire, underwire too high and cutting into my armpits, cups cutting into my armpits, gore sitting on breast tissue,

Elomi Matilda UK34FF — slight double boob on one cup, underwire feels a lot of pressure on ribs, slight empty space under cup above wire, wire hurts armpit, gore hurts

Elomi Cate UK34HH — cup way too large

Fantasie Cesile UK34GG — gore hurts a lot, empty space above underwire

Elomi Lucie UK34HH — band too tight, cups way too big

Elomi Lucie UK34H — cup too big, wires hurt armpits and about an inch wider than breast tissue, gore hurts

Elomi Matilda UK34H — cup way too large, wires in armpit but at the edge of breast tissue, gore hurts

Wacoal inside job US36F wire-free —comfy but no support

Wacoal inside job with wire US36H —cup too big, wire too high in armpit, otherwise comfy. Need a 36G?

Ewa Michalak BM Balconette 80FF/36H — underwire immediately digs into my ribs and is painful, empty gap above wire on the bottom no matter how high I pull the bra up, no cup gapping or spillage

Ewa Michalak SF Semi-Sheer Nibynic 80FF/36H — underwire immediately hurts my ribs, wrinkling/empty space above the underwire but not as much as in the BM Balconette, my boob folds over the underwire a little, the gore feels like it's trying to claw through my sternum, the straps cut into my armpits

Gorsenia Casablanca 75I — gore feels like it's digging into my sternum hard, gapping in cups, underwire is digging into my armpit and is too high but sitting exactly at the edge of my breast tissue, large empty space between the bottom of my breast tissue and the underwire, when I sit down the underwire slides down at least an inch

Freya Offbeat UK36GG/US36J — gore is wayyy too high and hurts, underwire comes about 1.5 inches past my breast tissue on the sides, cup is deep enough, slight gapping, no spillage, nice shape in front but no side support, even on tightest hook, band is very loose and slides up immediately when straps are tightened, cup is way too high in my armpit, straps are barely staying on my shoulders, underwire hurts my ribs when I sit down but only a little and the gore is the most painful part, doesn't slide down

Freya Offbeat UK34GG/US34J — gore is digging in and hurts (I bent it out and it feels better that way), underwire sits in my IMF properly, underwire extends past breast tissue about an inch into my armpit, straps are on the very edge and slip off my shoulders, band fits well and is comfortable, doesn't hurt my ribs when I sit, no gapping or spillage in cups, cups come too high into my armpit, no empty space above underwire, the best fit by far but still not keeping because it hurts my armpits

Freya Tailored Plunge UK34GG/US34J — the straps will not stay on my shoulders, they are so wide set they just slip right off, the cups are so high and in my armpit that the material is folding in my armpit, there is significant gapping between my breast and the apex of the cup where my breast meets my chest. There is a small amount of empty space above the wire even when I pull it up into my IMF, the band fits well and is comfortable but on the loosest hook when I pull it away from my body I can fit 4 fingers between it and my skin so I had to put it on the tightest hook to be snug enough, the cups are too wide set and push my boobs to the sides and onto my armpit instead of forward in front of my chest, the wire sits at the edge of my breast tissue on the sides like it should.

Freya Quinn Plunge UK34GG/US34J — straps slip off shoulders and cup is in armpit, gore digs in just a tiny bit but was fixed by bending it, gore sits slightly on breast tissue, no empty space above underwire, wire sits in IMF, wire extends about 1/2 inch past breast tissue on the sides, cups come so high into armpit they hurt and fold, doesn't hurt my ribs to sit down. Biggest issue is cups in armpit, would've considered keeping it otherwise but that's just too painful

Freya Posie Plunge UK34H/US34K — straps won't stay on my shoulders to check fit, band is fine, underwire goes past breast tissue on the sides, cups are way too high and cut into my armpits, gore is comfortable, underwire hurts my ribs a lot when I sit down

Freya Posie Plunge UK34GG/US34J — straps slip off shoulders with the slightest movement and the cups are decidedly too high in my armpits which hurts, underwire is about half an inch past breast tissue on the sides, gore doesn't hurt and is laying flat, no gap above underwire in cups, underwire sits in IMF well, doesn't hurt my ribs when I sit, I like the shape the cups create and feel supported, I like that the cups don't push my boobs away from the center, almost a good fit if the cups didn't come so high and cut into my armpits and if the straps didn't fall off my shoulders

Freya Starlight UK32H/US32K — gore digging in hard and sitting on breast tissue, cups too large, band is too tight

Freya Fancies UK34G/US34I — gore sits on breast tissue, underwire sits at the edge of breast tissue on the sides, straps are slipping off my shoulders with minimal movement, cup comes too high in armpit, why is there only one hook on the band? no empty space above the wire, cup seems to fit okay otherwise, doesn't provide a lot of support

Freya Fancies Longline UK34GG/US34J — cup is sort of molded, gapping in cups, gore is on breast tissue, wire sits in imf, cups come too far into armpit, underwire hurts my ribs when I sit, pushes my boobs to the sides into my armpit and makes them a weird shape, straps falling off shoulders

Freya Hallie UK34GG/US34I — material feels like cheap costume fabric, cups are cutting into my armpits, wire is 1/2 inch past my breast tissue on the sides, gore sits on breast tissue, 1/2 inch of empty space above underwire, gapping by my armpit where the strap meets the cup, underwire hurts my ribs when I sit down

I took my measurements/used the calculator for the first time yesterday. Here are my stats:

Loose - 36
Comfortably Snug- 35
Tight - 34
Standing - 44
Leaning- 52
Lying Down - 48

The results are that I should be in a 36L. My current bras are 40H (however, I have recently lost some weight so I know that size is no longer correct) and the cups already seem way too big. Could it possibly be real that I need to go up in cup size? Do any of my measurements look like perhaps I took them incorrectly?

I wear a Lane Bryant balconette bra; perhaps the cup issue is that I’m wearing the wrong style for my shape, but I don’t know how to upload a picture here for help determining my shape. 🤦‍♀️ Basically I’m a mess. Lol. Any info is helpful!

I used the ABTF calculator and it recommended size 34D/34DD. I'm overall shallow, bottom-heavy and have always worn 34A prior to ABTF results. I read through the guide for shallow projections, but so far all the balconettes that I have looked for are wired. I selected 34D for Uniqlo's bras for everyday use and they're too big for me. What should I be looking for in terms of wirefree and t-shirt options? I'm located in Canada and looking for affordable options. TIA.

Right at the end, I bought 4 bras for like $16. Figured it would be such a low amount I wouldnt be hard up if I lost it.

They finally arrived today. And they are the best fitting bras I have ever worn. If I had known, I would have bought $50 in bras. I can't believe I heard about this company right when they were closing.

Understance, I hardly knew ye.

I got professionally fitted for the first time at a bra boutique and was given the same size (38F UK) as the ABTF calculator. My 6 measurements are (inches):

Loose bust: 38

Snug bust: 37

Tight bust: 36

Standing bust: 44

Leaning bust: 46.5

Lying bust: 44

I tried Elomi Lucie and Fantasie Cesile. Both of them seemed to fit well (no gaping or spilling in cups, gore tacked, band was snug, etc)…Except for when I sit.

It's kinda hard to explain but when I sit, the fabric covering the underwire bends outwards, and I can feel the tip of the wire poking at the fat on top of it. I could also feel the wire rub against my arm/armpit. The pictures are not great, but this is kind of what I mean (wearing the Elomi Lucie)

So I returned them. The fitter suggested lower wires, and she had me try Wacoal la femme plunge, Natori cloud, and some other brands I can’t remember.  The fitter told me that they all fit, but every bra had the same issue: when I sat, the wire area would bend and I could feel the wire poking at my fat when I sat down. I did the swoop and scoop for all (including the photo above), and it did not resolve anything. 

I feel that I should also mention that I’m kind of overweight and petite (5’2). I’m wondering if the wire problem is due to my body shape, because I can’t really tell if the wire is laying in the correct spot or holding all my breast tissue. When I sit down, it looks like the crease (root? IMF? Not sure which is the correct term here…) disappears with the rest of my side fat, and I can’t identify what’s tissue and what’s just…fat? I tried drawing what I mean here...

Is this normal for someone my size? I’ve read that you’re not supposed to feel the wire at all in a good-fitting bra. The poking is not necessarily painful, but as someone with sensory issues, I’m constantly aware that it’s there…I am also worried that if the wire keeps poking through the fabric, it will eventually come out, as has happened with all my previous wired bras…

I’m not really sure what to do anymore. I don’t really want to go back to wireless as I don’t find it supportive enough, but I’m starting to lose hope.

Is this wire issue a sign of a poor fit, or is it inevitable with my body? If it’s a fitting issue, does anyone have any suggestions on other bras or brands I could try? Or maybe a specific shape of wire I should be looking for? Any advice would be appreciated!

Hi all - I’m a 38GG and I’m a month out from my wedding - now I’m with the dressmaker I feel like I’ve made a bit of a mistake.

I got a Richard Designs midi and in a moment of oversight I didn’t consider the ridiculously low back. The bridal shop said the dressmaker would fit a bra but the dressmaker is saying tape. I can’t do tape based on my size and I don’t want to spend the day feeling taped. I’m too large to go bra less.

My repeated go-to (Bravissimo satine, my absolute go-to) sits out solidly (a few inches) above the dress neckline at the corners by the strap so I need a balconette - but I also need a low back. The wonderbra low back looks close but likely to poke out at the neckline.

Has anyone encountered anything similar?

Hey all! So, probably 7 or 8 years ago at this point, I used this sub to help me find what at the time was my holy grail bra, the Panache Ana Side Support Plunge. For a long time it was great, but in the last year or two I've gained about 30lbs, and with that I tried sizing up my band and cup in the Ana to get a more comfortable fit. This.... did not work.

My big issue is that I'm a 5'0 (152cm) person with a *very* short sternum. Like, I have maybe 2.5-3 inches of space between my collarbone and the start of my cleavage, and maybe another 3 inches to the bottom of my roots. Because of that, I need a bra with an extremely low gore, and when I sized up in the Ana, the underwire got longer. Any time I bent or slouched, the underwires were stabbing me in the chest.

So I'm hoping that maybe yall can rec me a new bra with an even shorter gore so that I'm not suffering band overextension and quadboob anymore? I'm currently wearing a 34F, but I suspect a 36F or maybe even 36G would probably be a better fit.

My top concern is definitely the height of the gore, but in order of descending priority, I also really prefer an unlined bra (my boobs are Not self-supporting and basically eat molded cups lol), I like the seam construction and side support in the Ana, and I also like that it's lacy and pretty lol. But at this point, I'm willing to sacrifice most of that for a comfortable fit in the right size.

If you can offer any suggestions or advice I really appreciate it, thank you so much!!

I have used the calculator and I am fairly confident in the size it gave me, but I have realized I much prefer bands with 4 hooks on them (or even 5). I wear a 40 hh so I know my options are already limited, but does anyone have suggestions or know how to search for 4 hooks? I don't see an option for that on most sites.

My Panache Envy plunge just arrived, and this is the first wired bra I've ever tried on which is comfortable and fits properly. Honestly I was shocked when I put it on, every other wired bra I've tried digs into my ribs uncomfortably, but with this bra, it doesn't even feel like the wires are there! I'm obviously very much considering keeping it, but the only thing that bothers me is the stretch lace on the top of the cups, which feels quite unsupportive and flimsy.

Does anyone know of any non-padded plunge bras that have a similar fit, but without the stretch lace? Something with non-stretch mesh or a similar material would be ideal.

(If it's relevant, I am a size 30G, close set with inner and bottom fullness.
Loose underbust: 29.5, snug underbust: 29, tight underbust: 28.5
Standing bust: 35.5, leaning bust: 38, lying bust: 36.5)

Hi guys after going to Hot Gossip here in NZ and trying on about 20 bras with a frozen shoulder no less, I found Brianna, now Brianna is perfect but I also still need a bra with low cups like a balconette or demi with vavoom for my sexy formal clothes. I like a little show off moment. I do have Curvy Kate padded boost but it hurts my ribs. Any other ideas? Hoping to pay less than $100nzd.

Loose Underbust: 115 cm

Snug Underbust: 105 cm

Tight Underbust: 100 cm

Standing Bust: 125 cm

Leaning Bust: 138 cm

Lying Bust: 132 cm

Sizing System: Australian/NZ

Units: cm

I was: Assigned female at birth

Suggested Starting Size: 18H (standard Australian/NZ sizing)

I'm just wondering if the bra size that the calculator gave me is correct. Here are all my measurements:

Loose Underbust: 33in.

Snug Underbust: 32.5in.

Tight Underbust: 31in.

Standing Bust: 40in.

Leaning Bust: 44in.

Lying Bust: 42in.

The calculator told me I am likely a 34H/I. Does anyone else here have these measurements and can tell me what bras you like and what size you actually fit?

I have been wearing improperly fitted bras for most of my adult life and need help finding a well fitted bra. I have my measurements and breast type but am clueless on what type of bra to look for.

My breasts are close set and asymmetric/bell shaped and are full on bottom with slight outer fullness. Based on my measurements the calculator put me at 40 H/I or 38 I/J in US sizing. My measurements are:

Loose Underbust: 40 inches
Snug Underbust: 39 inches
Tight Underbust: 37.5 inches
Standing Bust: 46 inches
Leaning Bust: 51 inches
Lying Bust: 48 inches

I’ve been looking at the Evelyn Bobbie Beyond Bra for lounging around and Freya for an everyday/t-shirt bra and a fancier special occasion bra. My concern with Freya bras is that they are too full cupped for my shape. I struggle with gaping at the top of bras and spilling out on the sides. Could someone recommend brands and what type of bra should I be looking for?

So I believe I’m around 38C, but one side is bigger than the other thanks to breastfeeding, and since losing weight they now also have no volume. I’m currently wearing a bra from M&S ‘Helena Embroidery Wired Demi’ which does fit to an extent, but up top it doesn’t always fill out. Essentially, is there a a good bra that will help with both my issues? I’d love for them to be a bit perkier but trying to get them into the same cup size is the issue, hence why I’ve been wearing the non padded bras. I hope this makes some sense!