This has been a topic that I have wanted to send a letter to Oprah about for a long time, so I'm taking this as a sign:)

I am short, 5'2" and my bra size has ranged from 38F to 36D. For bra shopping, I have only been able to be sized at department stores but when it comes to buying {color:#993300}good bras, I have to order online (just got one in the mail today, another sign:) or go to a local shop that may or may not carry my size. I confess, that I am not a die hard Oprah follower but it angered me that her brand recommended some bra brands for people who wear large size bras or cups but these bras do nothing for you past the first day of wearing them. I find that most bras are made to be worn for special occasions; for my everyday bra, I continue to return to my handy-dandy Playtex 18hr in a box from Walmart or Kmart. These are the only bras that have consistently, at any of my sizes, provided both support and shape. They lifted my girls up and I did not feel, after a hour of wearing them, that I was going to have gashes dug into my shoulders nor did I have to continually adjust the lower edge from digging into my belly. And, most importantly, when you wear the button-down shirt, you are not struggling to keep it closed or safety pinning it. Most of these other bras make you appear as though your girls are two melons that you have slung across your stomach. This effect worsens the more you wear them. I was particularly disappointed with Le Mystere bras, mostly due to the price. And all of the bras that advertise that they are minimizers, what that translates to is no lift, just coverage. Bali disappointed me with their minimizers, soft cup or underwire.

Unfortunately, what all this means is that my bra drawer has only three colors inside: black, white and beige/nude. And being black/african-american, the nude does nothing for me. So, I will continue to wear my seamed bras from Playtex and Goddess that continue to provide support and shape. I hope that they will start to use different colors and maybe even patterns for the big boob girls!

Emilene-
My apologies if my tirade wasn't what you were looking for but I had to get that off my chest, . In New York, specifically Brooklyn, I visit local shops in the boroughs that are a little out of the way. But you've put me on a mission to find a bra shop in the city that actually carries a wider range of sizes so I'm on the hunt!

Good luck with your search!

I almost forgot the reason I mentioned my height! I love the Goddess bra that I just got from an online store because the strap adjusts in the front and the adjustment is open-ended. It's not sewn up so you can only tighten it to a point then stop.

Perfect for the short booby girls!

I used to buy the same bras until I could no longer find my size. Then I had to buy this one bra form JcPenny but it was very uncomfortable. It dug into my shoulders and caused blisters. Now I will say that I have found that a bra store called Bravissimo which is in England. They have some of the most comfortable bras and sexy. The only problem is that you have to worry about the currency conversion and shipping. If you happen to get a bra that you are not so happy with, you have to pay to send it back. So not only can you not try them on before you buy them you have to pay an arm and a leg getting the bra. It is not fair overseas they have bra shops for women with curves but over here the fashion industry is do focused on overly thin women. But I am going to keep looking. Maybe on day someone will realize that women wear bras that are larger then a DD and open up a shop. If I could I would but I am not that talented nor do I have those kind of funds.

After following Oprah's advice and going for a real bra fitting at Macy's, I felt happy to finally have a bra that held the girls in place. Since that time, I have ventured to Lane Bryant, and found that their bras are wonderful and not too costly. They come in a huge range of sizes and colors. The girls are finally perky, and comfortable up on my chest instead of my knees. The underwire support is soft and cushioning, but still offfers a great deal of support. I hope this will help others out there. I am a 48 D, and that was not a problem at all for them.

I bought bras from Lane Bryant and Blair. They do have a wide range of sizes. My problem is I don't know how to determine my cup size. According to Oprah's gal, my rib cage says I should be in a 34 band size. Nothing was said about figuring out the cup size. Currently I'm in a 42 DD. Now, I honestly can't see how I can squeeze all of this into a 34 band size, but maybe if the cup is right>>>>
I am 5 foot 2 and one quarter inches, and at the moment weigh 197. Don't be shocked at that, as my own doctor didn't believe what the nurse wrote down, and weighed me again himself. I do carry it well, but that is not the point right now.
Can anyone tell me how to judge the propter cup size? I hate bra shopping with a passion, and having to do it alone is even worse. Get dressed, get undressed, get dressed-you know the routine.
I need some new ones like yesterday, and any help would be appreciated.
Oh, I'm 57 by the way, went through 7 pregnancies with two children. Started out a solid 34B and with the first pregnancy went to a whopping 42 DD and that was too tight the last three months but refused to go any bigger-I was only 20 at the time.

I agree with you about Lane Bryant. I would go to them only if I went someplace else and knew what I was looking for. I'm an H cup and for Lane Bryant, I have to get a 46 DDD. They have a larger selection online, but I don't like the quality. When I lived in Brooklyn, I would go to Queens on Jamaica Blvd to purchase my bras. Anyhoo, Go to a high end store like Neimans or Nordstroms to get measured if there isnt a decent lingerie store in your town. It's well worth it!

I know where you are coming from. My problem is I live in a small town in canada w/o many options and I find it hard to order online. Some stores don't ship here. I too need a small band size but a bigger cup size, if I listen to Oprah's gal too. The boxed bras(playtex, warners etc) come in DDD but they start at 40 band size. If I go by the proper way - I would wear a 36. I have no idea, but I do know that my bras are too loose - they constantly ride up my back. I find if I have to wear a bra( not a sports bra) all day - my back aches for days, but going w/o is easier on my back - weird! Maybe we will luck out and Oprah will pick us to get a good bra fitting(which I did but the lady didn't know what she was doing).

HELLO LADIES,

FOR THOSE OF YOU IN SEARCH OF THE PLACE TO FIND LARGE CUP BRAS IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA, THE PLACE IS TOWN SHOP LOCATED @ 2273 BROADWAY AT 82ND STREET, NEW YORK CITY, PHONE # (212) 724-8160. THEY FIT YOU, AND YES, LADIES YOU CAN TRY ON THE BRAS WHICH COME IN MANY DIFFERENT COLORS, SIZES AND STYLES. THE BRAS ARE ACTUALLY VERY PRETTY, WHICH FOR US IS A RARE FIND. I AM 5'1'' & 130 LBS, AND MY SIZE IS 32 G.
HOPEFULLY THIS IS THE ANSWER TO YOUR PRAYERS, AS IT WAS FOR ME.
P.S.
IT'S WELL WORTH THE TRIP FROM BROOKLYN OR ANY OTHER BOROUGH TO GO TO THE TOWN SHOP IN THE CITY!

I also live in a somewhat small town, but have plenty of stores, but then again, no REAL store clerk knows how to measure for a bra. I even tried Penneys in my town, and they didn't know exactly how to measure either. My neighbor suggested that I venture out to this mall just outside of town. Supposedly, they have a store that does measure properly for bras. I would not buy from them as they are way out of my shopping realm.
I just need to find ONE that will work and I dont have to have several colors; heck they can all be the same color as long as I can find one that fits-don't ride up in back-dig into my shoulders-keeps the girls where they should be- comfortable to wear all day, as I can't go without one-and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Is that asking too much? tee hee,
Fraulinek

Have you tried Lady Grace? They usually have a fairly decent selection in H (and larger) in their stores and a really terrific selection both on-line and in their catalogs. I am a G & have been pleased to find that they have a lot of "pretty" bras in the larger sizes. I'm only 42 & don't want to wear "granny-bras"! Best of luck to you!!!

I am a certified bra fitter in Canada and I come accross all sorts of situations. We carry AA - M and 30 - 52. I am not sure about in the United States but in Canada the big box stores like the Bay, Zellers, Wal-mart etc. they only carry base sizes which means they only carry what they thing are the most popular sizes. Unfortunately it is the employees jobs to fit you into what they have in stock not what your size acutally is. So most of the time they will fit you into a bra too big in the back to accomodate your cup size which takes away all the support. Or since they usualy start at 34's if you are smaller again you end up in a too big back size. This causes a problem later since when you actually get professionally fit by a CERTIFIED FITTER not a person who calls themself a professional you will have to get use to your bra since you willmore then likely find it too tight since you are use to wearing them too big.

The other thing is your size will more then likely not be the same in every brand or style. I am three different sizes in different companies. So you cannot go into a store and say I am "this size". Please don't get into your head that you are a specific size because we have all the time ladies that come in and refuse to try on something that isn't there size. We have one bra that fits three cups size bigger then another from the same company and then another that you have to go up three cup sizes since it is a small fit. You just have to know your products.

You best bet is to go to a boutique and talk to them. You will know within the first few minutes of speaking to the staff if they will be able to help you. This is a very personal service and you have to be able to trust them and they have to be able to listen to you and your concerns.

The first few things they should ask you what do you want, what size you think you are, can they messure you, Do you have problesm with your straps, ittitation by lace, do you want a minimizer, t-shirt style etc. If they just hand you a bra without talking to you first and finding out your needs you are not being serviced correctly.

I am a Regional Consultant for an international lingerie company, main product are bras. Here's how to start out on finding your correct size. With a good bra on, hold your arms out to the side, have a friend measure you just above your bust with tape measure, then put your arms down, keeping tape measure in place, if measurement changes, go with larger measurement. The reason I say measure above the bust, this is your band size, if you measure below the bust, then you have to add to this and it's not necessary.

Then let's say that measurement is 36", this is your band size. Then she moves the tape measure down and measures across the fullest part of your bust, let's say that measurement is 40". You go up a cup for each inch over the band size, so the band size is 36" and the cup is 40", that's a four inch difference. Meaning you are a 36 band, D cup, it's easy just to count on your fingers. A, B, C, D ,,,,,,,,,,,, so, let's say you measure 38" above the bust, your band size is 38" and you measure 42" across the fullest part of the bust, fullest part (cup size) is five inches bigger, so that's a DD or E cup.

Here's a comparion on US cups and European cups sizes:

US DD DDD DDDD DDDDD

European E F G H

They are the same sizes, just different letters.

First thing I want to say, the band should be snug, because that's where you get your support. I want you to really know, that the measurement is just a basis to start with. The only way to really know, is try on quite a few bras. Then do this, standing in front of the mirror, rasie your arms over your head. Watching band in front, this should stay in place relatively well, a bit of movement ok, but not alot. Also, if bust starts to fall out the bottom, the cup is too small.

On the cup, you don't want to be spilling out over the edge of the cup in front at the top, if you are go up in cup.

What you are really looking for is a bra, that stays well in place when you lift your arms up over your head. If it moves around alot you are not getting support. Also, your bust should be midpoint bewteen your elbow and top of shouder, that's your natural bust line, and that's how clothing is designed to fit. Be sure to put your top back on, to see how this looks with your clothing on.

Really bras are like shoes, they are made by 100 different companies, no one really wears the exact same size in different styles, you have to try these on to see what fits, just like shoes. Don't get hung up on the size someone says you are, be concerned about the fit, that is absolutely the most important part.

Defintely go in to a better department store and be fitted by a trained specialist, however if fitter does not have you raise your arms over your head to see if the bra fits, then she does not know what she is doing.

I have to tell you, ladies, that getting professionally fitted makes all the difference in the world. I used to HATE wearing a bra. The girls loved being set free, but when you hit the 50 year age mark.... well.... you know.

I got fitted yesterday and went from what I thought I should be (a 36B) to a 38D. The style is very comfortable, the straps are easy to adjust and are wide enough to be comfortable, the back does not ride up at all, and I bought the same bra in all the colours they had. I've just washed all the sizing out, left them to dry and am now wearing my first comfortable bra in decades! My girls are happy campers, they're sitting up and smiling! LOL

Ladies, if you don't feel comfortable in your bra, as "sheeressen" says, get a professional fitting. It doesn't cost anything, and you don't have to buy expensive bras, just the correct size! It's like going from tight high heeled shoes into new running shoes - comfort. Cheers, S

I too have had a horibble time finding the right bra for me. I was a DD cup when I was 12 and now at 60 I'm still having NO LUCK. My back aches and my neck and shoulders hurt too. I have two permanent indents from straps that have cut into me all these years. What I wouldn't give for a breast REDUCTION!!!!!!!! If I could find someone that knew how to measure me correctly maybe I wouldn't be so miserable all day long. I am a cosmetologist, so my arms are"in the air"all day and some days can get V E R Y long, or so it seems. I can really sympathize with any one in our positions! I also live in a small town in Northern Michigan and there isn't much to choose from and I have not had any luck with ordering on-line either. Wish Oprah could help me out!!!!!!!!!!! softtap

I have recently moved from Ireland, where i could find my size with some searching 36F thats a 36G here. Problem is finding small band and large cup sizes here is a nightmare. I have gone to Nordstorm and Macys where i have had no luck. One shop sold me a bra that the band was too big on after i got measured which i later returned.

I am very stressed about this at the moment as i am 4 months pregnant and they had grown, I had no idea where i will find cups sizes past G with small band sizes. I am at present wish i could make a quick flight home, although i am not sure that i will find my size there either as my cup size increases.
I wish someone would really address this issue in the media and help me and other like me out!