question for the ladies.. where can i go get bra fitted?

ever since i started losing weight i havent bought myself any new bras and i have been managing it by wearing a sport bra on top of my regular bras, weird i know but i just havent been able to go and buy any because by now i dont really know my size at all (i use to wear 42 DD) which by now fit me big. my question is, where can i go get fitted for a bra? i know victoria secret does it but i havent been there for years (when i was thinner) and i dont even know if they do it anymore or if they would have a bra to fit me and if not that would be a bit embarrasing.

Any lingerie shop will do a fitting for you.

And some department stores too.

Any store that has a lingerie department should do a free fitting.  Victoria's Secret can tell you your correct size, even if they don't carry that size.  Then you can go get the right size at some other store. 

Believe me - having the right size makes a HUGE difference in how it feels!

As a chica with large breasts I found the best luck at a department store that actually carries the bras that you would wear.  I would suggest not going to Victorias Secret because their bras are "pretty" not "useful" for us larger breasted ladies.  I would go to a Macy's or Nordstroms.  A place where someone can help you find the best bra, not just your bra size.  Hope this helps.  I actually just went through this and found out I was wearing the wrong size!  I was completely high maintenance but eventually they found me some bras that actually fit.  Finding a 34DD isn't the easiest task. 

i wouldn't suggest victorias secret anyway.  i was measured there twice, both times WRONG.  when i told the salesgirl that i needed the next size up, she wouldn't get it for me because "that's not possible, i measured you, you're (insert size here)."

well hellooooooooooo, would you like to SEE my chest falling out of this bra you selected for me??

I also think you definitely should NOT go to VS. They told me I was a 34A which is a freaking joke as I can barely fit into a 36C-D and my friends are always joking about my large chest (for a girl my size that is!)

That being said the VS IPEX bra is one of the best bras in existence.

I had great luck with Vikkis' measuring me.  I thought I was a lot bigger than I was and now I get bras that fit me perfectly.  They do have good functional bras but not for really really large breast.  I am a 34C and they have really good ones that can hike the girls up where they belong

If you have measuring tape you can do it yourself.  Just measure under your breasts, where the bra would actually go on your back.  That is the number--like 36 or 38, then measure around your breasts.  Every inch over the first number is your cup size.  So, if your first number was 38 and your second is 42, you would be a 38D.

I would recommend Lane Bryant, actually. I used to work there and did bra fittings all the time. It just seemed a bit more comfortable there than anywhere else.

You can actually measure yourself.  Here's how:

1. Measure your rib cage directly underneath your breasts, right up where your breasts start to come out of your chest.  This is your band size, or the number in your bra size, ex: 36C

2.  Measure around the fullest part of your breasts.

3.  Subtract the difference between your first and second measurements.  Add one letter for every inch of difference. 

1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD, 6=E, 7=F, etc...

This is your cup size, or the letter in your bra size, ex: 36C

My measurements are 36/43 (yes, my boobs are huge).  43 minus 36 is 7 inches.  This makes me a 36F.

I first was measured at a boutique and when she told me my size, I thought she was smoking crack.  But my bras fit me for the first time since high school.  It's fantastic!

Also, if you'd rather have someone else do the fitting for you, go to Macy's.  They recently started carrying a new line of bras that are made to fit bustier women and the clerks have all been trained to do official fittings.  I think Carson's/Boston Store/Younkers are carrying the same brand, as well.

I was having some trouble with this too. I sort of went out on my own and just started trying smaller and smaller band sizes until I found the number that was really pretty snug (but not cutting off your circulation). Then I went up in cup size til the girls fit correctly. Wa-lah! 34D

But, since I lost weight they deflated to a 34C (sniffle).

lorilie24, zenzes etc, that formula can't always be true otherwise I would be a 30DD or something to that effect (30 inch ribcage, 35 inches around bust) and I can tell you I most definitely am not as the 34D I am wearing is tight on me around my ribcage and I am thinking I should be in a 36.

OMG, by that formula, I'm a 28DD!! I don't *think* so!

I'm currently wearing a Victoria's Secret Body bra, 34B. It is true that with a few more pounds down, I'll probably need a 32 instead. But VS doesn't make a 32C in the Body line, which is my all-time favorite (and I've tried tons and tons of bras).

The Oprah site today has a link to the archived bra program - how to find the best-fitting bra. I remember it had a lot of great tips. Going to go revisit that now...

Here is how you measure:

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200511/t ows_past_20051115_c.jhtml

This makes more sense. My rib cage is 28 inches, which puts me in a 32 band. I need to go bra shopping!

NYCgirl- you should be in a 34 band.

Zenzes - you should be in a 38 band.

(This is assuming you are measuring at the right place... click on the "Where to Measure" link on the page above for more details).

As for cup size, I'm not seeing any guidelines except these tips:

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200505/t ows_past_20050520_c.jhtml

Anyone know where I can find a 32C that fits like the VS Body bra? I know the last time I was at this weight and went shopping for a 32, the B cup was wayyyy to small... a 34B cup is perfect though the band is getting too loose now.

I hate bra shopping. :-(

That makes more sense ...... Do they really not have a 32C??? That's so odd, it's a common size and I know they have it in the bras I wear from there.

They make a 32C in the more racy & lacy styles, which are okay for bedroom wear, but not very useful for every-day wear under tee shirts and such (too many lumps and bumps, and red lingerie doesn't work well under white clothing!!!).

I asked them why and they said because 34B was equivalent to 32C so... "just wear that." But it gets frustrating because after a few wears, the band starts stretching out.

I was in Target the other day, actually bra shopping for my DD's, and there was no 32's at all. NONE. I don't know if I went on a bad day, or they just don't carry that band size.

And awhile back - after first seeing this Oprah episode - I hit Filene's and tried on every dang bra in the place. I found very few 32C's and none of them fit my requirements.

I really like the Body bra because it gives a smooth line under clothes, provides underwire (which I need), is comfortable and not scratchy, breathes, provides a nice shape, has just a bit of padding for nipple coverage, but not too much. Is that too much to ask for in a 32C?? LOL!

Okay I just went to the VS site and did a search on 32C's, and they make the Ipex in that size!!!!!

I've never tried the Ipex - someone here said they love that bra. Care to give me a review? Is it similar to the Body bra??

 I would suggest Victoria's Secret to you with high regards. ( Or Macy's ) They'll fit you and you can try on an arrangemenet of their best selling bras, until you find one that suits you. You have to take into mind that everyone has good and bad stories with every brand/store. But, by golly if one sales lady isn't helping... Ask another. Don't fear being direct. They can find you a bra that you'll like. You just can't be shy in telling them what you want.  

I just bought two bra sets from Victoria Secrets the Demi Bra collection. Never been so pleased. Yay

The ipex bras are fantastic, just done' put them in the washer,  I did that on accident ...a couple of times (blushes).. and the underwire came out.  If you stick to hand washing they will last forever.  They should have the body line in 32C if you check their online catalogs.  Thats where I do most of my shopping..you can find some sweet deal.  The body line is my fav too cause ipex is so darned expensive but your boobs looks spectaclular in them

So what's the deal with the strategic padding at the apex... ?

I really don't like bras that put in additional padding to add to your chest... you know, like the Miracle bra... I have enough, I don't want anymore... the miracle bra made me look obscene.

VS is definitely not the place to go for large cups.

But to answer your question, you should go to a specialized lingerie shop, or a department store. I got fitted at Dillards and she knew what she was doing. Unlike a girl at VS who once was convinced I was a C cup while I was coming because my D was too small. I proved to her that C or D was not working for me. And of course they did not have anything higher than that.