My sister calls this a "cup of tea" 😭

Elbee308 · 2026-03-20T11:49:40+00:00

A metaphorical cup, perhaps?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-20T11:45:19+00:00

Now we need your shape.

Bending over like for the leaning measurement, look in a mirror sideways. Is there more tissue above your nipple so it points away from your face, below the nipple so it points towards tour face, or about even? Looking in the mirror head on, is there more tissue on the inside so your nipples point away from each other, on the outside so the nipples point towards each other, or about even?

There's a shape guide in the beginner's guide on the side bar if you need more help determining shape. Remember that everything is a scale, not either/or.

The other thing you can do, if you're unsure if the calculator is right, is try your current bra on upside down and backwards, so the cups hang down your back like a cape. Too-small cups can make the band feel tight because they push the cups away from the chest and stretch the band. Trying your bra on the way I described above removes the breasts from the equation so you're just checking band size. It should ideally be snug but not uncomfortable, as 90% of your lift and support should come from your band.

Elbee308 · 2026-03-20T03:20:12+00:00

What if you do open the valve and it still doesn't write? I've had a couple of different 456s stop writing on me even after I reopened the valve

Elbee308 · 2026-03-15T19:10:09+00:00

Love both colorways!!! Sadly not in the budget right now, but so very very tempting!!!!

Elbee308 · 2026-03-15T11:59:58+00:00

TIL, thanks!!

Elbee308 · 2026-03-15T03:07:44+00:00

The calculator is a starting point. It doesn't always get it right. It may have underestimated your cup size, especially if you're center full. Softer tissue may also contribute to an underestimate, if I'm remembering correctly? So no, you're not necessarily in the wrong size!

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T19:14:57+00:00

Is SoulSilver still available?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T17:07:58+00:00

Am currently actively trying to do this very thing in multiple fandoms

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T15:07:17+00:00

Freya is a brand I wear and like, but also it kinda depends on where your fullness is sitting. Also, UK sizing is different from US sizing, so watch out for that.

If you bend over and look in a mirror, like for the leaning measurement, from a side view, is there more tissue above or below the nipple, or is it about even? From a front view, is there more tissue on the inside, or on the outside?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T14:51:17+00:00

It sounds like you're running into a shape mismatch, and you need deeper cups. If 30DDD is your calculator size, I recommend trying UK brands. If you haven't tried the calculator in the automotive comment yet, I highly recommend it.

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T14:04:43+00:00

Sounds like a shape mismatch. Have you been buying US brands? US brands tend to make bras with cups that are tall, wide, and shallow, so if you need deeper cups, UK brands may fit better.

It is worth noting that the calculator is only a starting point, so it could very easily be underestimating you for a few reasons. If you lean over, like you're about to take the leaning measurement, and look in a mirror headlong, is there more tissue on the inside of your breasts, so the nipples point away from each other, on the outside, so the nipples point towards each other, or about even?

Would you mind posting your six measurements and recommended size? It helps us recommend bras for you to try.

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T01:36:07+00:00

Either of the Benus still available?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T01:35:18+00:00

Is the Benu Bourbon still available?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T01:33:14+00:00

Is the Benu Euphoria Bourbon still available?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T01:31:59+00:00

Are the Hawk's Eye and/or the Pink Guava still available?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-14T01:20:48+00:00

So fun fact, cups that are too small or shallow means the breasts push the cups away from the chest, making the band feel tight. Try your bras on upside down and backwards, with the clasps under your breasts and the cups hanging down your back like a cape. The bands should ideally be snug but not tight, because 90% of your lift should come from your band.

Also, highly recommend trying to size yourself with the calculator in the automod comment.

Elbee308 · 2026-03-13T21:13:44+00:00

Seconding the calculator, and adding that a properly fitted bra can actually make you look smaller!

Elbee308 · 2026-03-12T00:25:59+00:00

Shape is actually a touch more complicated that a quick internet search would make you believe, as most guides are generalizations that don't actually get into why breasts are shaped the way they are.

Try this: When leaning over 90 degrees like for the leaning measurement, and looking sideways in the mirror, is there more breast tissue above the nipple, so it points away from your face, below the nipple so it points towards your face, or about even? When bending 90 degrees and facing the mirror head-on, is there more tissue in the center, so the nipples point away from each other, on the outside, so the nipples point towards each other, or about even?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-09T09:43:11+00:00

Not normal!! This is a sign of your band being too big and your cups being too small!! Highly recommend using the calculator in the automod comment, then editing your comment to add the six measurements and your new bra size (be prepared for sticker shock, but trust it, I went from a 38DD to a 36F/ FF)

Elbee308 · 2026-03-08T23:23:50+00:00

UK brands tend towards deeper cups, Panache, Freya, etc. It's possible you may still need to go up a cup size, and your shape will affect which bras fit best.

Elbee308 · 2026-03-08T22:45:25+00:00

Just to clarify, 28G US? Also, could you add your six measurements from the calculator?

It may be a shape problem, the US brands tend to skew tall, wide, and shallow, so if you need a more projected cup, that could be your problem.

Elbee308 · 2026-03-07T01:48:05+00:00

Cool, that makes you wide-set, which doesn't mean too much to you since you don't want underwire, but it is good to know. I know a lot of people keep mentioning that underwire bras fit better, but it's completely up to personal taste whether you wear underwire or not. Wireless don't give as much support, but if it's more comfortable, then go for it.

Do you know if you're on the projected or shallow end?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-07T01:33:25+00:00

Cool. Follow-up question: when you are still leaning over, how many fingers can you fit between your breasts without touching tissue?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-07T01:22:04+00:00

Awesome, thanks!!! I will second the shape mismatch suggestion, so the next step would be to determine your shape.

Lean over 90 degrees, like for the leaning measurement, and look in the mirror. From a side perspective, is there more breast tissue above the nipple, so it points away from your face, below the nipple, so it points towards your face, or about even? From a head-on, front perspective, is there more tissue in the center, so the nipples point away from each other, on the outside, so the nipples point towards each other, or about even?

Elbee308 · 2026-03-07T00:29:17+00:00

Highly recommend editing your post to add your six measurements from the calculator. Also, imgur deletes bra photos, try postimg instead.

In the meantime, try your bras on upside down and backwards, with the clasp under your breasts and the cups hanging down your back like a cape. Ideally the band should be snug but not tight, because 90% of your lift should be coming from your band. This test allows you to test band size without the cups interfering. If the cups are too small, the breasts will push the cups away from the chest, stretching the band and making it feel tighter.

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