[The CrazyDuckLady]

Okay so I figure someone up here has had to fight this same battle. Where do people find anything band sized smaller than a 34 or a 32 in a store? Is there anywhere that would have these elusive unicorns. I have to get a new one for Saturday and every time I start hunting for one it's just a struggle. I figure this is what drives people to just not wearing one lol

 

[InexcessiveThings]

I know the struggle! At my size (28H/HH) I can't possibly go without most of the time, riding especially so. Most department stores will typically not carry anything under a 32, though sometimes you will see a couple brands with a 30 band-size. That's unfortunately pretty standard for stores to carry a narrow range of sizes that they can convince most women they fit into rather than having a wide range of sizes and properly fitting women for the correct size. It's cheaper for stores to do it that way. It's likely you may have to order online. Very few American lingerie companies make bras in very small band sizes/very large cup sizes but there are many UK and other European companies that you might have good luck with, depending on your cup size. Some names you might want to look for are: Wacoal, Panache, Freya, Curvy Kate, Parfait, Fantasie, and Chantelle. Where are you located? Probably a long shot, but if you're in the U.S. Title Nine is a good place to try if you are at all close to one of their stores. I have also sometimes had better luck at Dillards and Kohls.

Try looking on some of these websites. They are all places I've had pretty good luck with before:
https://us.brastop.com/
Figleaves | Lingerie & Swimwear for Women, Bras A-K Cup
https://www.herroom.com/
https://www.bravissimo.com/
https://www.barenecessities.com/

Amazon, as well is a good option, and you might be able to get something with two-day shipping there. I'm afraid the online stores don't help you that much if you need one for Saturday but that's the best I can do. I have also heard of people taking a band that's a size larger than they need in a suitable cup size and sewing darts in the band to make it smaller. You could try that if you're handy with a needle and thread. Good luck!

 

[Avna]

I am a 34A so not quite so bad -- I shop at Patagonia and Title Nine for bras. Especially Title Nine has a very wide variety of sports bras.

 

[aubie]

Subbing

 

[mkmurphy81]

I sympathize, too. I wear a 28 D and I've only found them online. Try Freya at Amazon.

About 5 years ago, I went to one of those big fancy specialty bra stores in a big city. The closest they had was a 30 C that they altered for me. I can sew, so as they stretched out over the years, I just kept cutting more out of the band.

If you need something soon, I recommend a making some alterations. For example, 28D = 30C - 2 inches = 32B - 4 inches.

 

[The CrazyDuckLady]

I'm definitely going to have to look at these online stores in the future so I can actually find something that fits me well for the first time in my life it seems!

I had some decent luck today for the bra I need to go under my gown at least! It hit me after going a few places and only finding 34 Cs that VS does carry 32C in store and their bands even within the 32 category vary a lot. So I went in tried on a bunch and found one on them that fit pretty well actually (and score it was 30% off...idk how I managed to get so lucky lol). It kills me how their sizing is...almost all the 32 bands swallow me then I'll come across one that's just the right size. Not to mention one 32 band I ordered from them was crazy small in a swimsuit. It's just crazy lol. But based on their average 32 and that I have to wear that on the last hook I'm thinking my band size must be between a 28 and a 30.

 

[The CrazyDuckLady]

I sympathize, too. I wear a 28 D and I've only found them online. Try Freya at Amazon.

About 5 years ago, I went to one of those big fancy specialty bra stores in a big city. The closest they had was a 30 C that they altered for me. I can sew, so as they stretched out over the years, I just kept cutting more out of the band.

If you need something soon, I recommend a making some alterations. For example, 28D = 30C - 2 inches = 32B - 4 inches.

Okay so another question I have had was if I fit a 34 and some 32 Cs comfortably in every way but the band, and I decreased the band sizing would I need to go to a D for the cup size to account for that? Thanks again for the advice!

 

[InexcessiveThings]

Yes, you would go up a cup size if you went down a band size. Generally you will want to go up or down a cup size for every band size. It's also not that uncommon to be comfortable in multiple sizes since bras from different manufacturers will fit differently.

 

[aubie]

I was kidding of course, carry on

 

[JoBlueQuarter]

Lol, aubie! :lol:

 

[mkmurphy81]

Okay so another question I have had was if I fit a 34 and some 32 Cs comfortably in every way but the band, and I decreased the band sizing would I need to go to a D for the cup size to account for that? Thanks again for the advice!

Yes, you would go up a cup size if you went down a band size. Generally you will want to go up or down a cup size for every band size. It's also not that uncommon to be comfortable in multiple sizes since bras from different manufacturers will fit differently.

Exactly. If you wear mostly 32 C's, you should try a 30 D (depending on brand, cut, style...). Ideally, it should fit on the loosest hooks when it's brand new because the band will stretch out with time. If you want to try one of the online options, make sure they have a good return policy. Most good companies do. They know bra fitting is hit or miss, and they want you to keep trying until you find what works.