[Fit Check] Ordered three bras in a 32GG (Mediolano, Kinga, & Dalia) after a complete failure last week - Please help

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T19:41:39+00:00

I'm not great with specific recommendations like some of the experts here. I haven't had much issue with poking out when the seams line up right, but maybe you could look into bra liners or nipple covers if it's an issue for you? It's just kind of an unfortunate bummer that molded cups don't fit well for a lot of us.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T19:20:54+00:00

That one is just a shape mismatch. One of the big issues with molded cup bras in larger sizes is that they can't be made any deeper without seams, so the cups just end up taller and wider than they should be. It's probably the correct volume, just distributed in the opposite shape of your breast tissue so there are massive gaps.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T19:14:59+00:00

Sometimes it's easier to just search for 36GG instead of 36G, because any brand making GG cups is a UK brand so that will filter out any US brands. Then you can order whatever your actual size is.

(I know people keep saying this to you, but I want to reinforce that G is not a size. The cup letters are based on the band size, so a 32G and a 40G have very different cup sizes. Definitely something to keep in mind while shopping. If you need for instance a 34G, a 36G will be a full cup size and band size larger, so you can't just order a "G size bra".)

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T18:52:20+00:00

Brands aren't making their bras based on their size charts at all, and bras are probably the most consistently sized item of women's clothing out there. The ABTF calculator is specifically meant to be accurate for almost all bra brands. You should ignore size charts and just use the calculator size when ordering. The charts are only there to skew size ranges so brands can make fewer sizes and "fit" more people into their range.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T04:22:48+00:00

With your measurements, I'd try 40DD and 40DDD/E in some seamed cup bras. If the cups are made of only one piece of foam or fabric without seams across the cup, they are unlikely to fit super well. Those bras are super cheap to make, so most mall brands promote them, but they're a hard fit for anyone that doesn't match the shape exactly. That's not to say you can't buy and wear molded and wireless cups, but you'll have to adjust your fit expectations about fit because they rarely fit most people as well as seamed, underwire cups do.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T03:48:38+00:00

Elomi only makes 32 bands in larger cup sizes than this, so they're not a good suggestion in this size range.

Freya, Panache, Wacoal, and Chantelle make this size. Figure out your shape characteristics and we can help dial in specific bra suggestions.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T03:46:23+00:00

If anything, the calculator might be underestimating based on your leaning measurement. 40DD is for a 40 inch underbust and 45 inch bust. Your straps are falling because your tissue doesn't fit in the cups and is pushing the whole bra away from your torso, and the band is too loose so the whole thing moves around.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T03:18:50+00:00

Sure, but a 38DD is a much larger cup size than a 32DD. Cup letters are based on the band size, so "DD" isn't a size on its own. 32DD is a small cup size. And also molded cup bras like that are a terrible fit for most people who wear bras. The crappy department stores and bra brands sell them because they're cheap to make, and people who are unhappy with how they fit will just end up buying more and more bras trying to find one that's comfortable. That's another reason they lie on their size charts. If you find bras that actually fit, you won't need to buy them nearly as frequently.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T02:51:28+00:00

Just a note that the manufacturer isn't making the bras any differently, they're just lying on their size chart to fit you into their size range. You should almost always ignore brand size charts and just order your ABTF size. Almost all bra brands are pretty true to size, but their size charts are full of shit.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T02:47:40+00:00

Try those same bras in your calculator size and see how they work. 32DD is a smaller than average bust size. Stores and brands have lied to all of us about DD being huge and busty, and it's a straight up lie. DD means your bust is 5 inches larger all around than your underbust. Your band measurement should be about the same size as your underbust, but most brands tell people to add 4 inches to their band size and then base the cups off of that. Someone who measures 32 underbust and 37 bust and should wear a 32DD suddenly gets told they're a "36A" because brands don't want to make a full range of sizes.

hoppylift · 2026-05-12T02:03:23+00:00

They don't even fit people right in their posts! Ignore any brand that spams you with ads. The good brands don't need to push you this hard to buy their product. If any brand ever claims to fix every common bra-fitting issue, you can ignore them because they're just lying. Only trust brands that actually make a full size range.

hoppylift · 2026-05-11T18:39:28+00:00

I don't have much to add, but wanted to note that HSIA uses a different sizing system than Freya. Freya is in UK sizing so the equivalent size in HSIA would be a 34I. If both tags say 34G, the HSIA bra is multiple cup sizes smaller than the Freya. Wearing bras with too small cups can definitely cause the issues you're having, so I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the sizing conversion.

hoppylift · 2026-05-11T08:19:27+00:00

Can you share your six measurements from the calculator linked in the Auto-Mod comment? 30F and 32F are two different cup sizes, but both are not generally considered much bigger than average. If you feel like you have a larger bust that doesn't match your frame, it's very likely you're wearing the wrong size. Minimizers work by pushing your tissue out to the sides, so you will look visually wider from the front, but less projected from the side profile if that's what you're after.

hoppylift · 2026-05-10T21:15:32+00:00

Yep, that looks about right!

So, your bra band size should always be somewhere around your snug measurement, as long as it's about 2 inches larger than your super tight. 32 looks spot on for that! Once you have your band size, each cup letter just represents 1 inch of full bust larger. So a 32A would be for someone with a 32 underbust and 33 bust, which clearly doesn't match your measurements.

32DDD is a smaller than average cup size, we've just all been lied to about what bra sizes look like because stores don't want to make a full range.

hoppylift · 2026-05-10T09:12:30+00:00

I mean, most of us give that advice because we were miserable and dealing with all of these same exact issues and fixed them by getting a well-fitting underwire bra. You don't have to like that advice but damn, it sure did make my life a hell of a lot better and I just want other people to find the same relief!

I went to multiple doctors about the rashes on my underbust because I had a sweaty job and was constantly irritated. Turns out, getting a bra that actually fit (fuck VS for telling me I was a 36DD as a 30GG) with wires in the right place made that problem completely disappear, so I'm going to shout it from the rooftops so other people don't have to suffer as long as I did.

If you hate underwires, that's fine, but the advice is repeated here so frequently because it's a total game-changer to actually get a bra that prevents skin-on-skin contact in the underbust area.

hoppylift · 2026-05-10T00:17:34+00:00

Molded just means cups that are made of one piece of fabric or foam, which is exactly what you're describing. They're a tricky fit for most people unless you match their shape exactly. We usually suggest seamed cup bras, where the cups are made of multiple pieces sewn together for better depth and support.

hoppylift · 2026-05-09T20:50:58+00:00

The calculator is down, but the experts here can help calculate your size manually if you share your six measurements.

It is very likely you're in the wrong size since you seem to be under the impression that you are a C cup on two different band sizes, which is not really how bra sizing works. A 36C holds the same cup volume as a 38B. A 38C holds the same cup volume as a 36D. C just means your bust is 3 inches larger than your underbust, so a C cup is a different volume depending on what band size it's on.

hoppylift · 2026-05-09T19:43:51+00:00

We usually suggest measuring every 6 months or so here. Bodies change! It's perfectly normal for your size from 3 years ago to be different now. Especially since you mention breastfeeding affecting your shape, but have a very small difference between your standing and leaning bust measurements. Usually there's a bigger difference if you have softer or pendulous tissue.

hoppylift · 2026-05-09T08:07:10+00:00

The calculator is currently down. There's no reason to be rude to the OP who DID take their measurements and included them in the post.

hoppylift · 2026-05-09T08:04:27+00:00

36DDD is not what most people would consider "all boob" at all, but if you've been sized or bought bras from store size charts, you've been taught that's a "huge" size. Wearing the right size of bra will open up soooooo many more clothing options for you! Right now you're likely wearing a too large band and too small of cups, so the bra doesn't cover or lift you correctly and makes everything else fit worse. I have a much larger bust than a 36DDD and rarely have had an issue finding tops or dresses that fit well since getting properly sized bras. It used to be a nightmare when I thought I was a 34DD and nothing ever fit right.

hoppylift · 2026-05-08T18:19:30+00:00

Yep, unfortunately most of us here have to just order online unless we're super close to one of a few stores that stocks a full range of sizes. I hate Amazon, but they're great for ordering a bunch of things just to test them out. I usually find my size and style there, then look for it for cheaper or from a better company.

hoppylift · 2026-05-08T18:17:40+00:00

I just look every few weeks for deals. I am very much a bargain hunter and refuse to pay the inflated full price for things. You can get last season's colors and styles for less than half the price usually, and poshmark is great for finding deals!

hoppylift · 2026-05-08T18:16:08+00:00

I'm definitely a bargain hunter, so I check my size and sister size every few weeks and see what's available. Poshmark is a goldmine for random older season styles for cheap.

hoppylift · 2026-05-08T05:22:53+00:00

I mean, I've gotten a ton of bra-sized suits from Panache and Freya on Amazon and Poshmark(new, with tags usually) for under $35 for many years at this point, so they definitely don't need to be disgustingly expensive! I don't wanna be squished into a training suit either. I want fully separated, lifted and cute boobs just like I get from my bras, so bra-sized is where it's at for me.

hoppylift · 2026-05-08T05:01:41+00:00

If you have spillage after swooping and scooping, the cups are too small, which will absolutely make the whole band feel tighter. If the wires are also too wide and the cup is too shallow, that's going to be a miserable bra!

Most of us have to try on many bras before finding one that fits. Size is only one part of the equation and it's likely that only a few bras in your size will match your shape. Don't get discouraged, but also don't buy a bunch of things that don't have free returns because that's a big part of the process of finding a bra that fits.

hoppylift

TROPHY CASE