GenderLife Forum: The Information Exchange

I have a really nice sports bra made by Natori, that has great, soft, spandex cotton cups that hold my boobs in place really well, but with a smooth and nice round shape. However the rest of the bra comes up way too high and it feels like wearing a tank around my chest, even though it is just the right thing for running and the gym. It is natori model 05030, size 34C. By the way, this sports bra is just the right thing after breast augmentation surgery too.



Natori Sports Bra


What I haven't been able to find, after scouring every department store around and many sites on the web, is a normal bra or demi-bra that is made of this nice, thick, comfortable, heavy, cotton-spandex. Most of the bras around right now are weird molded foam things that shape but don't really support like the Natori sports bra. None of Natori's other bras are made of the cotton spandex like the sports bra.

Anybody ever seen any brassieres that has cups made of the thick cotton spandex like the Natori sports bra, but in a normal design, without the sports bra tank like configuration? It has to have a nice style to it, not grotesque like those nasty playtex things (never worn anything that ugly).

Have you looked at
http://www.titlenine.com/category/sports-bras-and-undies.do
They don't all look like sports bras.

I have a question for the more experienced members here:

Is there a standard way to measure to determine what size bra is needed as far as cup size goes?.Or is it all just a matter of trial and error=Do you just have to keep trying them on until you find one that fits right?.Because...It seems like every manufacturer has a different method to measure and determine cup sizing,and I end up being anywhere from a B to a double D size(I wish) depending on whose method of measurement is used .

Many large department store will have someone who can fit you for a bra.Stores like JC Penny,Macy's have reps from many major manufacturers that every few months visit and will help women find the best fit. You can call the women's department to set up an appointment much as you would for a doctors appointment.I do not consider myself to be in the 100%er club but have always been treated with respect, dignity and kindness.It's actually been a fun experience for me.I have had several fittings due to weight gain/loss and ba.As always your experience may differ from mine.

Pretty much.
You should see the pain and angst a couple of my enormous breasted girlfriends have trying to find a bra that fits (and the amount of money they have to spend when they DO find one that fits).

Karin, those ARE sports bras. What I am looking for a non-sports, regular, bra, and one with shape so that it does not create the "uni-boob" look. The one's on that site are not quite it because they all too much coverage and with too wide of straps and stuff, like this one:

http://www.titlenine.com/product/sports-bras-and-undies/underwire-bras/304600.do?sortby=ourPicks

I hope the suggestions keep coming, because my seemingly endless tour of bra manufacturer web sites just hasn't turned up the super bra I'm looking for.

specs:

heavy cotton spandex cups like a sports bra
regular or demi coverage like a fashion bra
thinner straps like a fashion bra
thinner chest band like a fashion bra



By the way, does anyone else dislike the foam cup bras the manufacturers are pushing so much lately?


Based on my research, even though my implants are inside my pectorals, for the long term, it is still important to wear something to help counteract gravity and the bouncing around caused by exercise and such. I've gotta keep my girls happy and yummy!

Elle McPherson range seems okay for that - I usually only wear them when I absolutely must, so it's usually sports bra's for me.

Have you tried Kohel's and Fashion Bug ??

OK, let's see. The standard American measurement is the band size (the part that goes all the way around the chest). This is measured by taking your tape and taking it around, just under your breast, where the band of the bra would fall. Do not measure too tight or too loose. The cup size is the same, but farther up and including the breast. Each inch above the band size is one full cup. For example, if you measure 36 inches around the band area, then get an additional 2 inches when going around the breast, that would be a B cup, 4 inches would be a D. It's not a very accurate way to get a good fit, but it's been in use for how many years (read decades or centuries.) Of course, as with dress size that can change with manufacturer, as well as how tight the design was intended to fit.

Maybe it would help if somebody put together a diagram of all the different measurements (inseam, outseam, rise, girth, shoe size, etc...)?

I've found that if you can find a BRA shop that only sells bra's you can get fitted and may find a suitable bra. In New York City they have 'Linda the Bra Lady'. Its actually a small chain and has a webstore.
I got a 'Moving Comfort' bra. They do have a bra style that looks like what your wanting [the Cara].
I have the Fiona in 44DD. I'm a 44C, but for this bra I'm a DD. So, do find a place to try it on before you buy.
Oh, and the Linda the Bra Lady shop in NYC is nice with a huge selection of bra's.