Bras 101: The Great Post-Exchange Debate
Comments
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Yes I also wear Wacoal and some of the ones I wear are 38DD and some are 38D (because the DD cups were too big in those styles). I think it varies with style as much as with brand.
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Yes, but in this case, I have two bras - same style, same brand, same band size, just different cup size. So why would the band size be drastically different on a 32DD than a 32DDD? I really think I am going to return the 32DD - it literally leaves me with a huge red indent that is painful.
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Oh weird -- I don't know the answer to that Sweetbean! My 38D and 38DD both fit, bandwise, exactly the same.
Perhaps you should try a 34DD? Which technically IS the equivalent of a 32DDD. In other words, in this case, since it's the exact SAME bra, then you need to adjust band when you adjust cup size. My different sized Wacoals are also DIFFERENT styles.
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Sweetbean,
If it is digging into your body and leaving marks, it doesn't matter what the size is or if the fitters say it is the correct size....I would take it back. That is the great thing about Nordstroms...they will let you return anything at any time, no questions asked.
I find that I can tolerate a bra on one day and then on another day, I can't. I have several different styles and brands and some days I have to put on several until I find one that is comfortable. Right now my favorite is the Soma Vanishing Back bra that hooks in the front. It is so soft and comfy.
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I want to wish a big WELCOME
to all of our newcomers!! I hope that you find some assistance with whatever issue regarding bras that you have. If we perhaps miss your question, please do repeat it or PM me. We really are here to help.......just sometimes our non-BC life gets in the way!I do have one comment regarding pain from underwires: If the pain is in the center - at the cleavage - especially where the edge of the underwire begins, it could quite possibly be because the cup is too big. The underwire SHOULD NOT touch the skin, let alone press into the breastbone. A properly fitting underwire sits ever-so-slightly away from the body - really just enough to see some daylight, perhaps 1/8" or so. When the fabric part of the cup is too big - isn't stretched sufficiently - it allows the underwire to lay against the body, thus causing pain. Believe me, I've experienced this and it's not fun........especially because it was on a really cute Freya bikini top and I was on vacation......
So........consider going down in cup size. HOWEVER, just make sure that the wire is still big enough that it fully encapsulates the implants and doesn't cut into them. If you find that - which also has happened to me - then that style/brand just isn't right for your body. Keep on trying, though, because with very few exceptions, there's a bra to fit everybody! 0 -
Also for newbies... Herroom has a couple of cool things on their home page. If you punch in your bra size (for those who know) it will show you the highest reviewed bras in that size and also the best selling bras in that size. It can give you some new ideas if you're having trouble finding something that works for you.
http://www.herroom.com/0 -
Val,
Regarding underwires in the cleavage area, do you mean if the wires are touching your breastbone or if they are rubbing on the implant? I am only about 2 weeks out from exhange but did go to Nordy's and got fitted. Ended up with a Wacoal in 34D. I like it because it has some foam padding on the lateral sides so I figured it would be good support there. I put it on this morning and it was comfortable! the only area bugging me is in the cleavage areas. The wire touches the implants there. Also, there is some extra room in the cup where the nipple should be. I avoided the 34C because I thought the wires would be too narrow. Any suggestions? I could post on the pic site.
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sweetbean - The first bra (Natori) I got from Nordstom after being fitted by the specialist felt snug, but OK in the store. I had just spent about 9 months wearing camisoles and sports bras and had never worn an underwire before BC. After washing and wearing the bra for several hours I was in extreme pain. My sternum felt bruised for several days so I took it back to Nordstom's. They had no problem taking it back. I have a prominent sternum and I do best when the underwires ends are very low or very high. They always seem to leave a little impression and redness, but if it's painful or really digs in that's not the bra for you. Take it back!
Good luck!
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soccermom1963 - If you have doubts you should post a picture on the picture forum. The bra mavens there will help you out!0
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Soccermom- I meant The wires shouldn't touch the breastbone - but they also shouldn't be pushing on the implants either. If they do, there's a good possibility that the lateral pressure could gently nudges the implants into the wrong position. The wires should sit just on the edge of the implants, which may take some trial and error to find the right bars to do with your implants. If you do post a pic and want me to look, please PM me so I'll check out the pic forum, which I often don't have time to visit as often as I'd like!
It would seem that you could size a bra based on implant size, but such is not the case.
And speaking of the pic forum, I do have pics of how an underwire bra should fit. Perhaps Lilah or Dawne Hope can remind me if it's on my personal thread or Lilah's.........it's been awhile since I referred to it!0 -
It's on my thread: Post Your Bras!
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Ooh can someone find it and say which page to look on??
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LMichelle - I have no idea where it is ... but you can scroll and find it on the thread itself ... or search Val61's posts on the pic forum and find it. It would be at least a year back.
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Val's demo of good fit vs. not good fit is on page 31 of my Post Your Bras thread... starting around post #455... there are several in a row from that point. She shows where the wires DO properly encapsulate and where they do not with several different bras. Enjoy!
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Thank you, Lilah!
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Thank you, Lilah, for making that much easier!!
Wishing y'all a fun and/or relaxing weekend! Those of you in the tornado-ravaged Midwest (& perhaps soon to be South) please stay safe!0 -
I want to try a Freya. If I wear a 32DDD in a Wacoal, will I need the same size in a Freya or a smaller cup size? I don't have much projection, just wide and round.
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westieluv - I found this conversion chart on herroom.com. If I read it correctly, and please double-check ... had a killer headache all day ... a 32DDD in Wacoal = 32E in Freya
http://www.herroom.com/plus-size-bra-cup-size-cross-reference,949,30.html
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Thanks Dawne! I am going to shop for a deal on one and order it up.
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yay! Keep us posted! Check out the clearance on herroom and barenecessities and I've ordered from a couple of sites in the UK. It can take up to 3 weeks to get here ... but I've been very impressed with the quality ... sometimes on ebay it' a little sketchy ... but on the following UK sites you can get awesome deals (like on ebay).
www.figleaves.com
www.brasandhoney.com
www.lembrassa.com
Do keep us posted!
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Let me just add a P.S. though ... since you're ordering Freya for the first time ... I wouldn't order from the UK because it is rather complicated to return them if you need to ... the sites are great once you know if they work ... but it is rather complicated to return if you're not they are going to work.
Check www.nordstroms.com because they sometimes have Freya's on sale ... especially since it is the change of the season.
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Westieluv -- I think herroom.com also has Freyas on sale from time to time as well. Freya is a British brand so you want a conversion from American size (Wacoal) to British size (Freya). There's a chart on herroom.com (as Dawnehope notes). Happy shopping!
Val -- I am at your service
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How do I find the "Post Your Bra Thread" and the "Picture Forum"? Will be out of this sports bra someday and want to see the examples on Lilah's thread about how underwires should fit.
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Golden -- The Picture Forum and that thread are on another site (nothing to do with BCO). You have to register and stuff. PM me if you want to become a member and I will help you through the steps.
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Hey ladies!
Posted on over on the pic forum but thought you all would get a laugh out of it too. ... Went to bank and the lady who helped me had on a really tight shirt and the 'girls' were lifted pretty high and lofty. I thought to myself, "What a great bra." Then, I noticed the straps that were peaking out ... they were wide, striped and multi-colored ... quite fabulous!
I ALMOST asked her what brand of bra she was wearing but held my tongue. LOL! I'm a nut ... BC has made me a nut. 
Three years ago I wouldn't have even noticed .... but the training you all have given me has given me quite the eye. 0 -
Also ... the warmer weather brings up the subject of t-shirt bras. Last night I was at Nordie's and they had one of my favorite t-shirt bras on sale. I bought one last year in nude and I bought a purple/pink one last night. It's a Josie bra by Natori. It doesn't come in a 30 band ... but the 32 is tight and I can get by with it. It's really comfortable and super smooth under t-shirts. If you haven't tried it, you should.
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Found this new bra from Linda the Bra Lady (New York City) on twitter.
It starts at a 36 band size, it's long-line, 3-part cup with side boning, soft cup ... I think it would be great post-exchange for those with a larger band size. Thoughts??
http://www.lindasonline.com/elila-embroidered-soft-cup-longline-5001-black.html
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Yes Dawne I agree on that Elila... looks comfy and a tad prettier than the Mirena long line they had me in post-surgery.
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Dawne- that bra does look like a great post-op bra. It's wire-free, which is often favored by PS's, but the 3-part cups provide excellent support, AND there's a partial sling for even MORE lateral support. Sounds like in that bra the new girls wouldn't DARE wander! And it's pretty, too boot! There is trim along the upper cup edge- which isn't ideal (can exert lateral pressure on the implants) - but with all the other support it offers, I bet that wouldn't be an issue.
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Almost forgot........Miss DawneHope......my dear, you have most definitely drunk the Koolaid! (tho I fear I would have had the exact same thoughts running through my head!). I bet it was a Freya considering all those colors........:).
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