Bra "vanity sizing"!

[Govtgirl]

Ok, I'm fed up. (this is mild vent time!) It's bad enough that all the clothing sizes have gotten larger, while keeping the numbers the same, to "fool" us all into thinking that we're all smaller than we really are. I mean, the reason there are size "0's" now is not because we as a nation have gotten smaller, it's because 20 years ago, that "0" would have really been a "4". Or even a "6".

But now they've done it with bras, in reverse! Have you all noticed this? The bras are getting smaller, but the number size is the same, to make us all think we've got more in the "rack" department than we really have!

Five years ago, I was a 34DD. I had a breast reduction, and went down to a 34C. Nice ;-) Well, I'm back up to a 34DD, but not because I've gotten bigger. My measurements are the same, it's the bras that have gotten smaller! Two years ago, I was a 34D...I thought, well, maybe I AM bigger. But now today I must have tried on 20 bras, and it was 34DD all the way. Boy, that's just so annoying! Again, I weigh the same, my measurements are the same as 5 years ago after the operation. Beleive me, my before and after measurements are embedded in my brain! And I can still wear the same shirts. So it ain't me that's changed!

Sigh. I just loved being a 34C If just for a short time.....

 

[amyg]

RE: Bra

LOL, I don't think I've noticed this because all my bras are so old...

But omg! How wacky!!!! Did you try on all different brands??

 

[tneah]

RE: Bra

Strange, happened to me as well, but it turned out I had been wearing the wrong size!

 

[Jess_jugs]

RE: Bra

You & I must be around the same size! I'm about a 34D or DD depending on the bra. I HATE bra shopping, it's such a pain!!! You have to try every single bra on and then you finally find one that you like and then you can never find the same one again! Sorry for the rant!

 

[DeanaMax]

RE: Bra

Really! I haven't noticed this. I guess it's been a while since I've bought a bra. Time to go bra shopping. I wouldn't mind moving up from me B to a C!

 

[DeanaMax]

RE: Bra

Really! I haven't noticed this. I guess it's been a while since I've bought a bra. Time to go bra shopping. I wouldn't mind moving up from me B to a C!

 

[keli400]

RE: Bra

Must be another one of Victoria's secrets. ;-)
Keli

 

[dorothyrd]

RE: Bra

Sigh, I went from a 38C to a 34B, does this mean I am really an A now?
And I just bought bras a month ago because of weight loss.

 

[CollinsMom]

RE: Bra

I have not noticed the vanity sizing, I just wanted to post to sympathize with Lisa and Jess and all my other 34D/DD sisters -- it is IMPOSSIBLE to find good bras in our size!!

 

[Jess_jugs]

RE: Bra

Tell me about it!! UGH!! When I was overweight though, I could hardly wear a 40DD (probably should have gone up, mainly wore a lot of sports bras to keep the *jugs* in check!).

So it's gotten a lot better than those bras and nursing bras are even worse!!

 

[LeanneM]

RE: Bra

Hi Lisa,

Did this happen in several brands you tried on or just one or two brands? The reason I ask is because my SIL worked in the lingerie dept. at Nordstrom for about six years, and she always emphasized how different brands will fit VERY differently. The European and French bras always run true to size, although each *style* might fit differently.

My size has stayed consistent (and accurate) for many years in the two brands I always buy (Chantelle and Le Mystere), but whenever I try switching to a new brand, the size changes.

HTH!
Leanne

 

[LisaMarie]

RE: Bra

I guess I'm in the minority on being happy with vanity sizing in bras...I'm finally starting to be able to find *some* that fit! There aren't many AA bras out there, so it's nice to find a brand or two that have A sizes that work.

lisa

 

[LeanneM]

RE: Bra

>I have not noticed the vanity sizing, I just wanted to post
>to sympathize with Lisa and Jess and all my other 34D/DD
>sisters -- it is IMPOSSIBLE to find good bras in our size!!

Have you all tried Nordstrom? Their bras are much pricier than those sold by places like Victoria's Secret, but they are SO worth it! They last much longer if you treat them gently, and the size range at Nordstrom is amazing. They are the only department/physical store that carries my hard-to-find size.

Once you have someone there help fit you (which you're supposed to do every year or two), try on a bunch of brands and styles to see which ones you like best. (Even my two favorite brands have some styles that don't work on my body shape at all.) As I mentioned in another response below, the salesperson can also let you know if your size runs differently in another brand.

HTH!
Leanne

 

[mtnmom99]

RE: Bra

I hate bra shopping. My band size is a very hard to find 32. Sometimes I'm a C and sometimes a D. Sometimes the band size runs small and I'm a 34 (doesn't happen too often). Sometimes it's a 30, in which case I'm a DD, sometimes.

I really don't see the point of getting a professional bra fitting if the sizes are going to run differently from brand to brand.

Diane

 

[gonnabthin06]

RE: Bra

I guess I can't relate I was just happy with the addition of "nearly B" because it was A or AA otherwise! Actually, the "nearly B" is a bit too roomy, but don't tell. Why must fat be deposited on my thighs with nothing up top??

 

[LeanneM]

RE: Bra

>
>I really don't see the point of getting a professional bra
>fitting if the sizes are going to run differently from brand
>to brand.
>
>Diane

If you get a fitting and find a good salesperson, they can let you know how each brand runs, so that you don't have to bother trying on brands/sizes that won't work for you. For instance, I could always ask my SIL (when she worked at Nordstrom) what brands would work for me, and what size I should get since she knows my true size. I also only stick with two or three brands since I know that their sizes are accurate and work well for my body type.

It's important to go to a good store, though, since some places like Victoria's Secret will try to sell you your "sister size" since they don't carry a large size range. The sister size isn't ever your true size, and so won't offer the support that an accurately sized bra will.

Leanne