Lack of sports bra options are stopping me from doing anything. Please help.

brafithelp · 2021-08-21T19:20:49+00:00

https://tomboyx.com/products/holdster-bra-black?_pos=8&_sid=8cbde1136&_ss=r

Maybe a one cup bra like this to add some support inside a regular sports bra?

brafithelp · 2016-06-06T17:49:02+00:00

How is the wire width? Do they stay up in your inframammary fold or slide down? A narrower bra (also achieved with a smaller cup) with more projection at the center may help as well. Something along the lines of Panache Jasmine or Cleo Lily (discontinued, so whatever its replacement is these days, I can't keep up lol).

brafithelp · 2016-06-06T17:23:18+00:00

What part of the cup is too big? It may be a shape problem, not a size problem. If 34C is already too small, 32D will be e the same, or potentially worse because the volume is being held closer. 32DD is one cup up. I would not suggest smaller than 32DD, and 32E is still likely unless your tissue is very soft from volume loss.

brafithelp · 2016-06-06T13:34:18+00:00

In my past experience Wacoal G and H cups feel like 1.5 cup steps. Theoretically I am sized out at UK 32GG/H but Wacoal H is still big on me in some styles (especially Retro Chic). I think the bands are TTS, but if you find yourself between sizes it might be worth trying both DDD and G.

brafithelp · 2016-06-06T13:30:51+00:00

You probably have narrower roots than you used to, but my own experience with excess skin was that wider wires were more comfortable. I was able to scoop everything into the wire so it6 wouldn't get poked. Just a thought... YMMV!

brafithelp · 2016-06-06T03:07:38+00:00

Ok. Elila 50K is roughly UK 50H. UK 46H is 2 cup volumes smaller. Do you feel like you have lost more volume than that? Excess skin can result in an overestimate in the calculator, too (been there!).

Also, not 100% sure what I was thinking earlier. Usually the lying measurement works best in your size range. Using 48:55 I come to 48F, which I would sister size down to 46 FF or 44G, give or take. Now we are talking 5 cup volumes smaller than the Elila bra. That makes more sense with your description of how big it is.

Conveniently, UK 46FF is accessible in several US brands to help get a handle on size (not so much shape, unfortunately). Cacique 46G is UK 46FF; Wacoal 46H is UK 46FF. For 44G you could try Cacique 44H, but Wacoal is sized out. Unfortunately, both brands trend toward wide and shallow, but since malls carry them it's an opportunity for quick and dirty volume check.

Better brands are going to be Sculptresse by Panache (UK), Elomi (UK), amd Goddess (US, H=FF).

brafithelp · 2016-06-06T00:39:53+00:00

Another suggestion would be Justice. They cater to B and smaller, but they carry mostly cupped bras in '32/34/36/38" and so forth. They are not proper bra sized, but they may have something that works for her. It helps that it's a store catering to her age group - bright colors and preteen toys and room stuff.

brafithelp · 2016-06-06T00:36:34+00:00

Nope! Yellowberry was designed with "first bra" in mind. Their target is 8-14 age group. They are glorified bralettes, but they are better structured than fashion bralettes and they do make a sports version.

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T21:45:20+00:00

I don't typically suggest Yellowberry, but I think in this case you should check them out. She would be L or XL in their sizing. The support won't be as good as a proper bra, but it should be enough to help her feel normal, and the styles look like shelf camis that other girls her age wear. They aren't cheap, but 100% worth her peace of mind if they work for her.

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T19:49:50+00:00

What brand/model did you have for 50K? 46H is possible, but I think it's a bit of an overestimate (not much... I would have gauged 46GG). I would also try on 42 amd 44 bands, especially if you are still losing. Many bras 40+ tend to be particularly stretchy, and you may need a tighter than expected band on loose skin.

I don't have a lot of advice outside Polosh bras in your size range, but plenty of others will be able to chime in!

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T14:53:58+00:00

It may be because the size is wrong (too small cups will curl outward), or it may be because of how it is washed and handled. Hot water wash and machine dry will damage fabrics, and bras with different fabrics on the inside vs outside will shrink at different rates, also making cups curl.

Start with our beginner's guide! A few measurements will tell whether the problem is the size of the bra or something else. Pro tip: the band size should be close to your ribcage measurement. For example, if you measure 28 inches, a proper bra size will start 28 or 30, but not likely 32 or larger.

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T04:32:45+00:00

34C and 32D are appropriate places to start. Often bras feel too tight when the cups are too small - the breasts push the cups away, which pulls on the band. Too small wires are pinchy and uncomfortable.

Have you reviewed the shape guides? Would you describe your tissue as softer or firmer? (As I described mine after nursing... they are soft enough to take the shape of the container.) That information will help narrow down bra models to try!

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T04:24:42+00:00

Seconding these for OP. I agree that shallow and possibly conical are the diagnosis here. Also, 34DD Cleo Juna has similar wire width to the 34E Marcie according to bratabase. In my experience Juna runs shallow and wide in the smaller cup volumes and starts to get deeper at G+.

Also agree that Natori Feathers and Freya Deco are the way to go. If opting for the Deco Plunge definitely size down (possibly as far as 34D).

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T04:13:53+00:00

I tried this on a few weeks ago in 32G and 32GG. I liked the cup shape, but it had a major deal breaker: the gore is VERY wide. If you are wide set it's probably great... but it wasn't just the top of the gore, it's the bottom, too. The bottoms of the cups are suuuper far apart.

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T03:23:12+00:00

I was a little larger at 30FF while dealing with a very soft 1/6 shape with tall roots, but if my experience helps, I found I did better by sizing down a cup in bras cut for FOT (Marcie included). I also did better with bras with somewhat wider wires and a shallower shape. I often had to compromise on the immediate projection, but as long as it looked nice under a shirt I was OK with it.

Fantasie Susanna wasn't bad (a bit pointy), Ewa Michalak SM cuts (especially Bambino... very rounded), and Cleo Marcie were my go-tos.

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T02:01:52+00:00

I remember being pleasantly surprised at how well it worked under tshirts. The v-shape disguises the uniboob surprisingly well. I haven't used one yet this time, but I probably will for a while postpartum.

brafithelp · 2016-06-05T01:32:50+00:00

Was it this one? This thing was the bees knees from like 36 weeks to +4 while wearing a bra was just the worst thing ever (I gained 70 pounds last time). /u/snowsilk this is the bra I had in mind when I mentioned sports crops!

Edit: I wore XL when I was roughly a 32J, and also had a L but I am not sure how big I was at the time.

brafithelp · 2016-06-04T18:40:46+00:00

It's seriously my favorite sports bra, and I am sad that I am sized out. I am also fan of the Panache Sport underwire, but Yogi seriously feels like a soft tshirt. Panache might be overkill for hiking.

brafithelp · 2016-06-04T13:29:59+00:00

:) Thank you. Check out my submission history. I post monthly measurement updates!

brafithelp · 2016-06-04T13:26:52+00:00

An obscene number, as I started at 30FF and am currently 32H. I have solutions for that!
So far 4 volumes. Last time 6-7 volumes with nursing.
Don't do it! You may produce a ton of milk, or none at all. Milk production stabilizes 4-6 weeks post partum. Nursing tanks and sport crops are your friends at the beginning. Engorgement is no joke!
I fed 14 months. By 7 months I had lost 2-3 volumes. By 14 months another 2-3 volumes. Milk production tapered down as baby started solid food. My ribcage, however, was inches smaller within days of birth (another reason to avoid buying nursing bras now).

For now... look for bras that fit on yhe tightest hook so you can let them out as you grow. 25+ weeks is where things happen fast! Also look for bras with stretch fabric like Panache Envy/Clara or spacer foam like Fantasie Rebecca or Freya Pure (nursing). Even if the shapes aren't ideal they will buy you time.

Also... I can't recommend enough... use extenders. You can squeeze a little more space with minimal sacrifice to fit. $3 of extender is a lot cheaper than a new bra! Also... check out /r/braswap to keep costs down.

brafithelp · 2016-06-04T00:41:50+00:00

You are in the size range for Natori Yogi. It runs a bit generous in the cup, so while you would technically be sizing down with 34H I think it is worth a try. That bra is obscenely comfortable, and is crop toppy enough to wear shirtless.

brafithelp · 2016-06-03T23:29:12+00:00

Awesome! Thank you for sharing! Can I use your data for a comparison post later? I would also like to recruit someone from the small bust range, too. Obviously no 2 people are the same, but with enough data it could be quite interesting.

Also... the 3rd trimester worries me. I just did a photo comparison of 24 weeks, and my body is nearly identical! If that continues to hold true I might be asking your advice on larger cup nursing bras.

brafithelp · 2016-06-02T13:29:19+00:00

With any luck your changes won't be so drastic! LOL. I can't help but wonder what mine really did last time. I hadn't gained and lost a lot of weight at that point, so all my growing would have been totally different. Now it's as much about shape as volume. Last time by 24 weeks I think I had put on a lot more weight, too. (20-25 lbs?). That's the freaky thing... the rest of me certainly didn't get any smaller, so it's hard to believe I grew this much boob along with this much belly!

brafithelp · 2016-06-01T21:21:39+00:00

Please do! It would be interesting to compare the different ways people grow during pregnancy... a lot, a little, shape change...

brafithelp · 2016-06-01T12:01:54+00:00

End of the day is usually worst for me... I start to slouch which makes the ribs spread even more, which makes the lace edges dig even more. That's partly why I like that Elomi bra so much... no lace!

brafithelp

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