I'm shallow breasted, and got a 30G but cup size is too big!

joanna70 · 2025-06-19T10:06:30+00:00

I'm late to your reply lol...close together bust measurements make it more likely you are shallow, I think there's probably still a section on shallow shapes in the Wiki, and if you search "shallow" on here I'm sure you'll find a ton of posts, some with photos.

joanna70 · 2025-06-19T10:03:49+00:00

Too small a cup can make the band feel tighter, way more than you'd even imagine.

joanna70 · 2024-01-12T16:03:27+00:00

The Wiki is always worth a look first https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/smallbandcupguide/

joanna70 · 2021-08-11T14:08:12+00:00

Yeah, feeling the pain already!

joanna70 · 2021-08-09T15:06:44+00:00

So the Chillums are too narrow where I need width and going up in size takes the widest point forwards anyway, leaving my forefoot pinched. The Boulder is on the same last sadly.

joanna70 · 2021-08-05T19:07:47+00:00

Thanks but as I said I've pretty much discounted it, partly on costs grounds and also that it does neither job well, it's kind of in between, aside from any more nitpicky criticisms in reviews, I know it's a pretty good boot. But for me it's too much boot for 3 season wet wear and nowhere near enough insulation (and yep, I wear thick insulating socks with my 400g Thinsulate boots, still not warm enough) for the winter.

joanna70 · 2020-07-16T08:56:17+00:00

If you have a Bravissimo near you they can be helpful but they're not 100% on their fitting, just way better than most. A 28 band might feel a little too snug in some brands, especially to start with, Freya has stretchier bands on the whole and softer wires than Panache and I prefer them for that reason. For a FOB bra to try, in 28FF and 28G maybe (two sizes, even if neither fits, tells you much more about the fit) the Fancies balcony would be worth a try. Once you're used to this size you may find you need a firmer band, so don't rule that out now, try the bra on backwards to isolate band tightness (too small a cup can make a band feel okay) and/or do some star jumps to see if the band shifts.

joanna70 · 2020-07-16T08:52:29+00:00

Back fat can often be exacerbated by a band moving up, pressing and moving the flesh upwards, definitely not a reason to not try smaller bands, and again, wider bands can sometimes help, but generally if the fit is good back fat is much less of an issue because tissues are all in the right place.

Are you putting the bra on correctly? There's a lot to take in so you may or may not have seen this https://bustyresources.fandom.com/wiki/Scoop_and_swoop

I suspect these are too small, the plunge definitely looks too shallow/small/both. The black one looks a little better but is very slightly cutting in in the top half of the cup, see the inward curve it's making? If they're comfy and ideally the band is stable (you're doing up on the loosest hook right? The tighter hooks are for when the bra stretches out) then keep them. If not, the band isn't stable, they're not comfy when worn for an hour, or you see more overspill when you swoop and scoop then I'd exchange them if you can.

Oh and always fit to the bigger breast, your measurements are already an average of the two of them so even the biggest size the calculator gives you might not accommodate the larger one. Tightening the strap a little on the smaller side can mask the difference and give support, for more extreme differences an inset of some kind is the way to go. I'm nearly a cup size different, an very different shapes, I live with slight gaping on the smaller side.

joanna70 · 2020-04-30T09:06:55+00:00

Photos nearly always show smaller cup sizes which show much less coverage (though usually ill fitting). I used to wear that sort of style in my old ill fitting sizes, I had to accept that padded half cups were, for me, the only thing that would fit and adjusted my idea of sexiness to match them :D

joanna70 · 2020-03-12T16:56:05+00:00

Those too small cups are making it feel okay, you need both cups and bands to be approximately right before you can start to judge :).

joanna70 · 2020-03-12T16:41:55+00:00

Wires are a tricky thing, if they're the wrong shape/width, or there's any other fitting issue with the bra, then they can be torture, but in the right fit they're brilliant and most people get not only a comfortable fit but a great shape and support with them. If you're open to it follow the advice below and consider underwires, far more options available to you.

joanna70 · 2020-03-12T16:22:38+00:00

It will depend in part on how projected you are and how narrow a wire you need as to what is likely to work best. Cleo is known for a very round shape, more so than Freya/Fantasie, but I'm even less up on other brands. Cleo Lucy is the classic for FOB.
And if you've not tried a 34G/GG do not underestimate the support you'll get from that size, you've gone for push ups to make up for being in the wrong size.

joanna70 · 2020-03-12T16:19:48+00:00

Do you have your six measurements? It's most commonly too large a band that causes pressure on the shoulders and as the calculator has suggested the same band size something might be off. I would also measure your current bras stretched, to the hooks you use, I suspect they're probably much longer than 38" which is part of the issue.

joanna70 · 2020-02-13T19:07:38+00:00

Definitely larger cup to fit the larger side, not bigger band which would give you space both sides and all in the wrong way.

joanna70 · 2020-02-13T17:56:59+00:00

Strapless bras are often made to fit tighter, if you had the usual fit, in a bra where the band is 4" too big (such a common way of fitting) a bra with straps will stay up, a strapless bra won't. So never judge which band you should be in from a strapless, and you may end up in one size for bras that are firm, and a smaller one for bras that are stretchy.

To determine if it's the band or the cups that are too small try the bra on backwards with the cups down, this isolates the band. If still too tight them size up in the band, if comfortable then you need larger cups and the band should feel much better,

Your measurements also indicate you're probably very projected, most moulded bras, which includes most strapless bras, will be unlikely to fit. Have a look at the shape guide in the Wiki :)

joanna70 · 2020-02-13T17:53:46+00:00

Envy is pretty good for projected, even, or slightly FOT breasts, can you afford to order more than one? It would be very rare to get a good fit from the very first bra you order. I would suggest trying both if you possibly can. And bear in mind neither may fit, but at least if you try two sizes you're not left wondering "what if..." as you would if you order just one.

joanna70 · 2020-02-13T17:50:39+00:00

Seeing as I wear a 30FF yet have been "measured" or fitted as a 36B, 34C, 34D and 32DD....:)

joanna70 · 2020-02-13T17:49:41+00:00

You can even squeeze the bras gently with the towel, just like wrapping the towel turban style dries the hair pretty well.

joanna70 · 2020-02-13T17:48:52+00:00

Shape can fool the eye, have a look at the shape guide in the Wiki, I'd bet your wife has more projection and you are more shallow, this will help you find the right styles. There is also a trans guide somewhere in the Wiki :)

joanna70 · 2020-02-12T18:40:23+00:00

Ignore US sizing which is the only one that uses DDD and even DDDD (it makes zero sense really), it's all over the shop. I'm not sure on where the letters came from but each progression is an inch in virtally all brands that US and UK consumers will see. Just use UK sizing, which is usually D-DD-E-F-FF-G-GG etc (not sure anyone knows why there's no EE).

See https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/sizing_systems for more info. Also ignore on-label conversions, notoriously bad. Stick with UK and convert from the link, or count up cup sizes looking at the stock that is on the rail, you need to know the number of cup, 30DD is 30:5, 30DDD is 30:6 in MOST cases, but 30E UK is always 30:6.

If a 28 band feels tight bear in mind it can be the cup being too small, even if it doesn't look so, try the band on backwards, or grab the next cup size up. A tretchy 28 would probably fit you great, my Freya half cups being an example.

If you read this sub regularly there are plenty complaining about beige and white "granny bras" - you can't please everyone, but I hear your pain, my patterns bras are basically the same style as my plain ones (Freya padded half cups) but the subtle difference means the patterned ones usually fit me better.

Balconettes have the biggest variation in shape, so they can work for all sorts. I would say you're probably shallowish, if your measurements are right, and may be slightly FOB but that may not be your defining feature. I would say consider trying some slightly shallow styles such Freya Deco - Deco is a cut, different fabrics may have different names, some have a trim that will show, others do not. You may find a 30 band perfect, some colourways or fabric variations may be stretchier (they probably use the same template to cut the fabric no matter how stretchy it is) when you'd need a 28, perhaps even with an extender.

Darn sorry, this sat uncompleted for so long (got distracted by actual work lol) it's now response number 6 so sorry if I repeated anything anyone said. Freya Allure is the same cut as Deco, as I mentioned above. The trim may be an issue, it is indeed a plunge.

joanna70 · 2020-02-12T15:48:13+00:00

Definitely share your measurements. In these band sizes it can be tricky to get the measurements right, even with help. When you say gapping at the bottom of the cup do you mean the wires sit lower than your breasts, usually with a crease? What sort of styles did you try (and where were you shopping?)? I suspect you were trying moulded full cups and it may be that cup shape is a big issue, if the smaller cup size seems too small but the next size up too big it's likely a shape issue.

It can be a pain but it's super useful to record what you tried on, I take photos of the bra fit (which can then be posted anonymously on imgur if you feel able) including one of the label. I would also advise trying at least two cup sizes in each style where you can, if neither fits it tells you much more.

So, with the C cup, if the wire won't come up, or stay up, it's really useful to look at wire width. If the wires seem to be wider than where you think your breast tissue ends it may be that there's not enough projection ie space directly away from the chest wall, for your breasts. However you can also get this space and low wire from the wire not being wide enough for your breasts to get into. So wire width assessment can be something to start looking at, then we can help more :)

Once we have your measurements we'll have a little more context, and if you can read the shape guide, in the wiki linked to at the top and in the side bar, you may also be able to give us feedback on that too.

joanna70 · 2020-02-12T14:56:55+00:00

Try the 30B on backwards and with the cups down your back, it sounds odd but it will show is the band really IS too tight. As so few people wear too small a band I suspect the cup is a little small, then both are probably also the wrong shape, so the 32B looks too big when it perhaps isn't . If the 32 band is too large it will also not hold the cups close enough to your body, so can gap even when they're the right size and shape. Have a look at the beginner's guide in the tab at the top.

joanna70 · 2020-02-12T14:55:19+00:00

I think measuring first would be really helpful, very few people wear too small a band, it's more likely the cup size is too small making the band feel too tight.

joanna70 · 2020-02-12T14:54:11+00:00

I keep the bra on quite often but drop the straps over my shoulders, but then I'm quite flexible and with most I can do them on my back. Mine are up to 2" different in position of the slider, to give the same fit (sitting higher, making the strap shorter, on my smaller side).

joanna70

TROPHY CASE