Like many if not most women, I have never been properly fitted for a bra. I took my own measurements, and I buy bras I like that fit well enough. Of course, I should really have a proper fitting. Women who have fittings rave about what a difference it makes. But I'll tell you what's holding me back.
I don't want to know.
I have no doubt about my cup size. After a year and a half on hormone therapy, the cup size is no more than an A. I haven't given up hope. I've been getting very slow development all along, and I might get more especially after I have genital surgery. But right now, I'm in no danger of needing to move to a B.
There's nothing wrong with an A cup, of course—as long as your band size is something like 32 or 34. Alas, not a prayer. So not only do I not want to be reminded that my breasts themselves are small. I also don't want to be reminded of how large my ribcage is, and how disproportional the difference is. I'm not large for a person who was born male-bodied, but I'm definitely larger than I wish. A bra fitting would not be enlightening or liberating. It would be depressing.
So I continue to avoid it. I suppose I'll have to give in at some point, or ought to. Some women never do. Some women wear ill-fitting bras all their lives. I shouldn't be one of them, but either I have to get over the fear of the truth or wait a while until the truth hopefully doesn't hurt as much.
Going Home For The Holidays
2 hours ago
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9 comments:
I so feel your pain!! I actually had "good" breast development, and after a year was a large A. But, the growth just wasn't moving fast enough for me, and an A on a 36 band? Well, that just looked like moobs, imo. I recently had an augmentation done, and am now a 36DD, which is perfect for my chest width! It makes a huge difference in self-esteem as well. A BA isn't for everyone, and there's nothing wrong with small breasts, but for me... it just wasn't an option. Big hugs!
I can't even imagine DDs. The one woman I know who has them naturally wishes she had less. :) But if it works for you, that's what counts. If I get to a B, I think I'll be happy. I've written before that I don't think implants are right for me, although never say never.
You could just ask your assistant to not tell you the size, snip off the label for you. My wife found the fitting invaluable even though she is fairly small. large breasts have not been a great attraction for me so I may be one of the few late transitioners who will be quite happy with whatever I end up with.
Yeah. Even at a 40A, I can't find anything. Here in the US, Target had a 40A bra listed online - for about a month. That size is gone now. What's up with that? There's not enough sales in that size, well, EXCUUUUUSE MEEEEE!!! as Steve Martin used to say.
Frankly though, I'm happy with A cups. It's a heck of a lot more than I had 5 years ago. ;-) And I realize it all depends on one's frame size - things have to be proportionate.
European shops online tend to the smaller sizes -- AALingerie is one. However, relatively pricey compared to the discount stores this side of the pond.
And I love Caroline's suggestion to snip off the label. Brilliant!! LOL!!
@Caroline: Snip off the tag! Good one, but then I'd need to be fitted each time I got a new bra. :)
@Judith: From what I've seen, most places stock only up to 38A. I think Bare Necessities online has sizes outside the usual. 38A might be right for me, rather than the 36A that I'm wearing, but for some annoying reason the larger the band size the bigger the cup, as in more material. WTF? My breasts are the same size no matter what my band size is. Why are the 32s so cute and the 38s so ugly?
Yes, it's about proportion, which is why I'd like a bit more. But on many days, I go "squee" just to have breasts at all. I have nothing against implants, but I grew these myself (with the help of hormones, of course). For whatever reason, I like that idea.
www.jms.com
www.roamans.com
and
www.womanwithin.com
All carry a rich assortment of bras larger than a 40 in band. Regrettably I don't recall them having much in A cup size. They do however have a very large selection of stuff from 38B and up.
They also have a large selection of clothes for larger women. I just spent almost a grand with them on new clothes because it was time. Everything under the sun is there, the prices are good, the quality is excellent and the service and support also fantastic. I highly recommend them for foundation garments and clothes.
I take the attitude that my boobs are far too small for it to really matter whether my bra is the right size or not.
Added to which I cling (in vain) onto the hope they'll grow enough such that the size will be different a few months after they've been measured anyway.
Yours in similar ignorance,
Chrissie
@Sam: If I get to a B cup, I don't expect to have trouble finding bras. And I'm pretty sure a 40 band size would fall off me. :)
I'm also not plus size. I'm 5'9" and 160 lb (trying to get back at least to 155 if not 150). My dress size is between 8 and 12, depending on the cut. I haven't had any problems buying off the rack. But thanks anyway. Others might find the links handy.
@Chrissie: More about band size than cup size. Too small and the bra stops your breathing. Too large and it falls off you.
RE: 40aa 40aaa
I have never failed to find silk bras in underwire or no underwire, padded or not padded in 5 packs on Ebay for around $15/$20..
Do be dismayed, you'll find them and you won't pay a forture for them, either! :)
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