How I Finally Found the Right Bra Size (& My 4 Go-To Retailers)

Settle in, I’m talking about bras and boobs today. If you’ve ever struggled with where to buy bras because you don’t fit in the standard sizes, I’ve got a post for you. If you want a new place to get quality underwear, I’ve also got a post for you.

Some back story: I wore the wrong bra size until I was, eh…25? Not because I was walking around in denial, but because I simply didn’t know where to go to get what I needed. I certainly wasn’t strolling into Victoria’s Secret, let alone Target, and getting anything larger than a DD. I was always a pretty consistent 36 band-size, but I’d move up in band size knowing the cups would also increase. At some point, I think I was wearing a 40DDD and getting by with camisoles that had built-in shelf bras in them for support, since a band that’s four inches too larger really wasn’t doing me any favors.

I had SO many cheap bras, constantly on the hunt for something that fit even remotely well; drawer fulls of rejects or “almosts.” My standards were so low that “not completely falling out of it” constituted a success for me. It’s shocking how so many of us go through life accepting things for ourselves that are actual garbage.

The Day My Bra Game Changed

Then, I met a woman on a photoshoot at work that opened my eyes to what I had been missing all along. If I remember correctly, she wore a 30G bra size, a figure I had never even heard of until then. One look at her chest in comparison to mine and I realized how far off I was all these years. She equipped me with a list of websites she shopped, and henceforth, my wardrobe life was changed. At the time, in 2009/2010, I didn’t buy much online, and it’s safe to say bras were my first solid foray into e-comm. I followed a tutorial online to (finally!) measure myself instead of just taking stabs in the dark and realized I was not a 38DDD, not a 40E, but a 36H. Whoa.

I grappled with that strange, unknown letter for a while. “What even is that?!?” I thought at first. Embarrassment is a word that wafts up from my memories of how I felt. It sounds silly, but I always carried around a heavy barrel of self-consciousness and shame when it came to my chest size. Like it was something I could help and I picked this super showy, “above average” body I never wanted. My chest size was always a topic of conversation both to my face, and, I can only imagine, behind my back.

As a grown woman, I’ve come to terms with what I’ve got. The “R” word (reduction) has of course long been a consideration, but until then, if I ever even go there, I know exactly where to go to get a bra that actually fits and I’m sharing my sources with you today.

These websites don’t *just* sell DD+ bras. They sell all the sizes, but they’re my lifeline for full-busted options both in bras and also swimwear (though that’s a post for another day). I’ll link the sites below as well as a few of my favorite, buy-multiple-times bra brands. I’ve ordered from all of them and find their shipping and customer service to be on pare with one another. I usually pop around to check for pricing differences when I’m in need of some new lingerie.

*below contain affiliate links, which does not cost you extra, though I may get a commission from sales

Fig Leaves

This was the first website that boob-saving woman shared with me. Some of the brands it carries, like Panache (a favorite of mine) comes in cup sizes up to M.

HerRoom

This is the site I shop the most. Not necessarily because it’s the most beautiful shopping experience or anything, but because their shopping filters are super helpful. Bra sizes vary depending on who’s doing the measuring: a US 36G and a UK 36G are very different sizes. I like to purchase from UK brands because I think they tend to fit better. HerRoom lets you filter by something they call Universal Cup Sizing so you get exactly the size you need regardless of whether it’s US, UK or EU.

Bare Necessities

Bare Necessities has some brands the first two don’t and is a bit of a more modern-looking website if that’s important to you. I find that they also have more regular sales, which hey, is always nice.

Nordstrom

When I need something right away (i.e. in-person shopping), I usually hit up Nordstrom. Their in-store selection doesn’t have the super extended sizes, but they do carry a limited amount of the UK brands I like. Sometimes, you just want to try something on in person. OH and they have a great bra-fitting service, as well if you don’t want to do it yourself. Not sure how that’s been affected by COVID-19, but good to tuck away in your “good to know” memory folder.

As for the brands I turn to again and again:

Elomi: Some of my best-fitting bras have come from Elomi. I find that their wires don’t jut up into my armpit and are better for petite frames. Their Matilda bra and Amelia T-shirt bra are two of my favorite that I have each in multiple colors. Be sure to check out their swimwear, too. Not always SUPER young and stylish, but very supportive and you can occasionally find a modest gem.

Panache: A UK brand with some of the prettiest GG+ bras under $100. I sometimes find that their underwires are a bit too long for my short torso, but if you’re taller than me (5’3″), you’ll probably be fine. This is also my go-to swimwear brand for the style. Fun colors and younger styles that make me feel really good. Some bras I like: Jasmine Balconnet, Envy Full Cup and Tango Balconnet.

Freya: To me, Freya is a little more va-va-voom than the other two. The sizing runs a little bit smaller but still very well made bras. The two bra styles I wore for a long time by Freya are now discontinued sadly, but poke around and see what else they’ve got that might catch your eye.

And there you have it. My bra-sizing journey, where I shop for bras, and the brands that haven’t failed me. I truly feel like a new woman after finding the right size bra. If you haven’t, don’t give up because you deserve better, friend.