Bra Fitting?

Updated on February 14, 2009
A.L. asks from Narrows, VA
10 answers

I have never been officially measured and fitted for a bra in my life. After I stopped breastfeeding my son, about 7 months ago, I noticed my breasts are definitely smaller than they were before. I was only a B cup(or at least I think) before anyhow. Since I am a stay at home mom, I don't have a lot of money to buy all new bras, but know I really need to. If I go buy them, I want to make sure they really fit and I really get into the size that is right for me. Any suggestions on where I should go to get measured? Also, this may sound dumb, but how do they measure you, over your clothes or what?

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K.R.

answers from Washington DC on

If you live in Baltimore- We Fit is in Pikesville on Reisterstown Road and they are great!! I went there to get a bra for my wedding.

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P.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Victoria's Secret does the fitting. I worked there a long time ago, and they taught us how to fit people. We do it over clothes. It takes one minute. The more snug the clothes the better. You can actually size yourself, however. Just do a search for how to see what bra size you are online and you are set. It would be the same as I could tell you if I still worked at VS.

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A.R.

answers from Houston on

Hilarious! If you live in MD I would try BRa La La or Victoria's Secret they measure. WIth clothes on! GOOd Luck!

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N.P.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi A.,
I had a bra fitting recently and it made such a difference! There is a place in Vienna VA called Trouseau on Route 123 (Maple Ave). It's a little pricey but totally worth it. Also, they do bra fittings at Bloomingdales. They did my fitting - they measure you under your clothes (at least that's how they measured me). Good luck - you'll be happy you did it!

N.
mom of 2 boys, girl due on 1/23

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E.T.

answers from Washington DC on

Victoria's Secret will measure you, but they are just sales people and I have gotten what I know to be completely wrong measurements from them on many occasions. Personally, I generally just take out a tape measure and measure myself.

I believe the stores normally measure you under your shirt, but over your bra.

When I was first home from the hospital after having my daughter, I went to Dell's in Fairfax. They are a bra shop and they measure. Any department store with a decent bra section should be able to measure you too.

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L.A.

answers from Charlottesville on

You can go into any JC Pennney store and the people in the lingerie dept are typically trainned to do bra fittings. You might want to call before just in case and they could let you know when someone will be available. They also have bar fitting clinics often (I worked there years ago). You will need to take your shirt and possibly the bra you and wearing (depending on how much too big it is) off for the measurement so they can get it as accurate as possible.

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E.T.

answers from Washington DC on

I go to Nordstrom's in Annapolis. Not only do they do a great job measuring, but they spend ALOT time trying all brands and makes of bras to ensure a perfect fit for your body type.

For various lingerie needs, I happened to stumble across the same salesperson... who does this fabulous bra fitting. The last time I was there, I asked for her card, so the next time... I would actually call ahead to make sure she is working when I go in. Her name is Barbara Clark. ###-###-#### Ext. 1240

In terms of how Barbara measures, she eyes you first, then uses the tape measure... usually she is dead-on. I think she measures without a shirt, but I can't remember for sure. It doesn't feel uncomfortable or awkward, though. You take your shirt off. She then brings a variety of bras in for you... or you tell her basically what you are looking for and she may offer other suggestions. She actually looks at each bra on... and notices what is good and bad about it until she finds the perfect one.

Only hand wash your bras and never put in the dryer. You can get away with one nude and one black. Better to buy one or two high quality, expensive ones and take care of them than several cheap ones.

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K.S.

answers from Norfolk on

You have probably already been told, but I will just post anyway, just in case.
As for measuring, you can do that yourself: take off your shirt and measure just under your boobs, all the way around, that will give you your band size (32, 34, 36...) Then measure across the fullest part of your boob. Without a bra on of course.
Then subtract the 2 numbers to get the cup size.
Say across the boobs was 40 and the chest was 36, thats a difference of 4 inches. Its 1 letter per inch. So a difference of 1 inch is an A, 2 is a B, 3 is a C...and so on. Hope thats easy and makes sense to you. Sometimes if you go to a shop they will be off. And also I find the more expensive the bra the smaller it runs. I was measured once and was told Im like a EE or F or something outragious. Im a solid D, always have been. Ive tried on bigger bras like they say I wear and my boobs swim in them.
As for an affordable bra, Check Target or TJMaxx, Marshalls, Ross....
Another tip. Make sure it fits snugly and comfortably on the first set of hooks becuase once you break it in and it stretches out some you want to be able to move it another hook in to the left, the middle.
goodluck

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Someone already told you to go to Nordstrom and I just wanted to say that this is fantastic advice. I was fitted for bras at the Nordstrom back home (Oregon) and they fit so well that I owned them for over 5 years. The quality is superb. They are a little expensive, but worth it in the long run. I think I spent about $150 on three bras but I didn't have to buy another one for years and years. They also sell a lingere wash that will help you keep them in good shape for longer.

Anyway, their sales associates are knowledgeable, helpful and discrete. I was measured over the top of the bra that I wore in there but they also took into account how that bra fit me. They really know what they're doing and they are very professional.

Go to Nordstrom. You won't regret it.

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H.M.

answers from Norfolk on

I am not sure where you are located, but you said that you dont have alot of money to spend. JCPenny measures and they are reasonably priced as well.

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