Lovelyish

oh my god.  never have i felt so inadequate about my size.

I second your advice not to go to Victoria’s Secret. They told me I was a 36DDD. -.- I had to go somewhere else to get a second opinion. Sidenote — when I went to get sized at Lane Bryant I was treated much better than at Victoria’s Secret. Maybe VS was just busy that day and the LB people had more time to spare for me, but just thought I’d throw that out there.

I’ve also heard that sizing is more difficult/less accurate the larger you are, so that might be contributing to your issues.

I’m not sure about what’s causing the band to stretch out so quickly (the weight of your breasts?) but if this helps, when you hang up your bras to dry hang them by the middle instead of by the straps — it puts less stress on the band. (I assume you don’t machine-dry your bras — they last a lot longer if you hang them!)

This advice might be pretty much useless, but I hope some of it helps anyway, lol.

@eatdrinkandbemaryy@xanga - haha i was thinking the same thing!
Damn girl.
This site works really well for me. After they show you your size, they will show you a ton of online plus regular store bras you can buy.
I wish you mucho luck. B ras suck.  BURN THE BRAS.

At the very least, try sports bras. they’ll be less inclined to slip off as fast. Much more comfy too.

Ouch, your back must hurt.  It might actually be cheaper in the long run to get a breast reduction.  Lol.  But only I would do that.  

Learn to love the internet. My go-to sites for bras have been Figleaves and Brastop since my sophomore year of high school when the twins outgrew the JC Penney catalog. Ebay’s UK site is pretty decent too for when neither of those two have anything cheap enough for my taste (anything over fifteen for a bra makes me think twice), just watch for NWT in the title or description.

By the way, stop buying 32′s and start washing them in cold water – it does wonders.

For some reason, most of the companies I find online with bras in my size are in the UK.  Go figure.  Since I buy my bras back home in Michigan, at Harp’s Lingerie, most of my information is probably useless to you.  Much solidarity to you, though.  Most of my bras run around $70/each.

I am a 32DD (this is by no means comparable to your impressive size, lol), but I’ve found that my best experiences with bra shopping have been at high-end department stores, like Dillard’s. Their measurements have been extremely accurate, and their bras worth the investment. 

I had a bad experience at Victoria’s Secret–the woman measuring me seemed very inexperienced and nervous, and ended up telling me that I was a 34 B…-__-. Which is really, really off. I have a somewhat small body frame for my breast size, so that is probably why she thought that. I politely tried on a few of the bras she gave me, and left.

@Jenny_Wren@xanga - I had exactly the same experience! Victoria’s Secret told me I was a 32B when I’m actually a 32DD. I couldn’t fit in anything they gave me. So annoying.

Holy, and I thought my boobies were big. There are a ton of non well-known brand names that are really good bras, you just have to do a little research. Also, try department stores. I went to Victoria’s Secret and they are never accurate with bra-fitting/sizes.. I am definitely not a B (as they told me)

Biggerbras.com has band sizes down to 28 with cup sizes at least up to a G.  I haven’t checked bigger than a G.  I buy a 32F, but I have been considering going down a band size b/c I have the same problem with the bands eventually stretching and becoming too big.  They sell mostly high end brands, but they do have plenty under $100 (at least in a 32F).  They have a major sale every year.  It’s going on right now.  I got an $100 for $48.  I like that for most of their brands, the bras always say supportive up to a size G (etc).  If you are above a DD/E cup, expect to spend a lot of money on a bra, especially if your back size is below 38 inches..  First, you are paying for the support and for a bra that is well constructed and second most women with big cup sizes don’t have a small band size so you are paying for something that is rare.

The thing that people tell you at lingerie stores never worked for me.  I have 34Es and the cup is so tight it pulls, but according to the 30G = 32F = a 34E rule, I should be able to wear it.   I would get measured at a professional lingerie shop. 

My VS fitting story…(I think everyone has one) happened when I was pregnant.  The woman didn’t believe that I was a 32DD cup.  I think she secretly was trying to see if I was really pregnant.

Hmm, I’ve been wearing bras for years and years and have never had one that stretched in the band.  I don’t know where on the chest you are measuring 28 inches and whether it’s someone else doing the measuring.  I’ve been shopping Victoria’s Secret for years and years too and don’t have an issue with their measurements at all.  I measure a 34DD there (I’ve been to 3 different ones) so they are consistent in their measuring.  I have a few 34Ds from other places but they are a bit snug.  However, Aerie has 34Ds which fit me a bit okay. 

I think the best advice is to get measured at the store you’re shopping at and they’ll tell you what works for them.  (Although I once got measured at JC Penney and she tried to tell me I was a 34B… which was pretty funny.) 

And I’m wondering if you need a bigger band and that is why they are stretching out too fast?  My 14-year-old daughter is super skinny and has a 32 band. 

Depends to which Victoria’s Secret you are going to. Our Vicki’s is the biggest one in the area and there are associates that work for the summer/leave for college, so we get new associates every few months, and we have people leave after awhile too. Some of the girls are very good, but we have those that are kind of nervous and never quite get it right. You guys that are getting measured wrong are probably getting those girls. The smaller Vicki’s in the other mall has the same workers pretty much year-round.

I agree with the VS thing. They measured me way smaller than I am and I tried on the bra and I was spilling out. I’m average and I have a hell of a time finding cute bras…..

If you’re actually a 28… you want http://www.bravissimo.com/
band size as low as 28, cup size up to KK

@eatdrinkandbemaryy@xanga - we feel you sister

Lingerie shops work for/ with me. They love me there. Now, I don’t have as small of a back as you do, but I have the big (  .  )(  .  )’ies …I get a lot of cute, sexy, and if you go to the right one, cheap(er than most online shops can give you). Lane Bryant is great for an accurate measure. They know what they are doing. Victoria Secret isn’t too friendly when it comes to us bigger chested gals. Good luck.

@DrummingMediocrity@xanga - This was very helpful! Thanks for posting!!

I second Lane Bryant! I’ve been buying bras there for the past 4 years. One bra is about 38 dollars. They can measure you as well.

Also it might help your bras last longer if you delicate wash them/hand wash and hand them to dry. Normally a bra can last me for about a year.

Once you have your size, try Nordstroms Rack. They have LOTS of the non typical sizes and for only like $20 a bra. Pretty good brands too. 

I agree with others: do NOT go to VS.  I have been to several department stores and VSs; the measurements VS take actually are very different.  I suspect it’s to make sure that big-chested girls can fit into their bras.  Lane Bryant is good, but they don’t make band sizes below 36.  This has been a source of disappointment for me (and other busty girls, I’m sure) for quite some time.  I’ve written to them and encouraged them to expand their lines, but no luck yet.

I am a UK 32H (American 32J) — I feel your pain.  Those of you who are complaining about being too small, just be thankful that you can go and buy a good bra for under $30.  If you are DDD/E or larger, you are going to pay at least $40 for one bra every time.  The better bras usually run around $60-70.   That may be one reason the OP finds that the bands are stretching out too quickly: are you just buying a few bras, since they are so expensive?  You may need to find a way to budget so you can purchase several bras.  Then, don’t wear the same bra on consecutive days — the oils in your body cause the elasticity to break down.  Similarly, wash them as frequently as possible (I know, it’s a hassle!).  I tried to wash mine every week.  Make sure when you try on bras, you are trying them on the loosest hook, since they will stretch out.  I disagree with the original suggestion of adding hooks to your bra — that will add length and not help tighten it.  If you feel comfortable as a seamstress, you could remove the old hooks and sew on new ones — THAT would make it tighter.  But not everyone feels capable with a project like that.

Go to an actual department store or special lingerie shop in your area to get fitted and find brands that fit you well.  This is a necessary step because all brands have idiosyncrasies which may make them a poor match for you/your body.  Then order online when you need to stock up.  HerRoom.com has been one of my favorite retailers.  Good luck!!

NEVER DRY YOUR BRA IN THE DRYER. EVER.

The elastic will wear out VERY QUICK, and this might be where your problem is..
I have always air dryed my bras and I have never had a problem.

Also, you  might try going to an actual place that has A LOT of bras (or a huge lingere department) and getting actually fitted for one. Measured, ect.

Wow. This looks pretty like a friend of mine..maybe u can look out for soft, lacy, thin fabric with under wire for support. Always hand wash and hang on a clip at the middle – between the cups – that ridge..

leave it air dry with sunlight. Don’t hang via the elastics..it might stretch. Hope it helps!

Victoria’s Secret measured me at a DD but I’m really a big B little C >_>

Thanks guys… I measured my self and had a friend measure me based off of here. I was also measured at Fredrick’s of Hollywood and they told me the same thing. They said they felt bad they didn’t carry my size… They said Nordstroms would have my size

I went into a Victoria secret and they said I was a 38b -.-

Larger back with a small frame regardless if the cup fit’s = poor support and will eventually lead to stretching of ligaments and back pain. The lady at Fredricks said VS were just trying to get a sale and she bet that the back was way higher then it should be.

I ordered a sports bra from wacoal that was a 32G and the cup fit’s great and is snug enough when on the tightest clip. and does not ride up the back much at all… (Freaking weight of zee boobs really mess with it! -.-)

T/Y everyone for the dry hang information! I will be doing this from now on!

@ the breast reduction…

I also found a UK brand Curvy Kate They Have my 30I I ordered it and we will see.

@TiredSoVeryTired@xanga - I measure at the rib cage just under the bust… I pretty thin… haven’t grown much since I was 14 >..<)

@Erika_Steele@xanga - I tried biggerbras.com they don’t carry a 30I :/

@MommyMarty22@xanga - Here you go…this one comes in a 30 JJ.  I found it on bare necessities.  This site tends to be pricier than biggerbras, but they apparently they still stock very large cups in small back sizes.  Bigger bras barely carries F and G cups in 30/32 anymore.

@Erika_Steele@xanga - T/Y It’s actually very nice looking and cheaper then most! I’m def going to order it, might get more if I like it… Look’s like it would be great for daily use.

@MommyMarty22@xanga - UR welcome.  I hope it works for you. I am thinking about getting myself one.  Panache is a great brand.