Breast/Bra Issues

[SOFcowgirl]

Here's the facts: I'm 5'9" tall, I'm 145 pounds, and I'm a 34 C. In other words, I'm tall, fairly slender, and I have pretty big breasts. A few months ago, I started developing upper back pain, so I finally got up the will to go into Victoria's Secret and get myself a good bra. I bought a full coverage IPEX in 34C (which is what I measured as), and I loved it.
BUT. Now the bottoms and the sides of both breats are slightly sore to the touch. There's no lumps or anything unusual, other than the soreness. I've gone online and read up on how the band and straps should fit, and adjusted everything accordingly, but no luck. I don't really feel like I'm getting the support that I need.
Also, with this bra, I spill over a tiny bit, like I'm in between a C and a D cup. Do any of you know if Victoria's Secret carries half sizes (I prefer Victoria's Secret now, since there are trained employees who can help me!)
I plan to go back to Victoria's Secret and explain all of this to them, but I thought I would get some feedback online too.

[gaya]

If you find anything, please post it. I've never had a bra that fits or doesn't hurt. I have some odd proportions as well (small back, big boobs etc). I could use a 32-331/2 D+ lol...doesn't exist!

I went to a specialty shop recently and spent $200 (for nothing) and the ladies at the shop told me that given all the boob jobs these days, bra's for small girls with a little extra on top should become more common place in a few years. I don't know if there's any truth to that lol.

[Fona]

When my bras were hurting me I got fitted at bravissimo(not sure if it exists in the US), recently the bra I bought there about a year ago was causing the same pain as described and it can be because the band is too big and the cups are too small. I went from a 34E to a 32F and it was a lot more comfortable.
Make sure that you try a variety of sizes in the changing room to decide which size is best for you, it might be worth trying a 32D and some similar ones.
Try getting measured somewhere else because I've heard that generally Victoria's secret aren't bothered about what they give you as long as they stock it.

[BendingRiver]

I'm build almost exactly like you, SOF. Only bra I can tolerate is the Body by Victoria 34D, and now that I dropped a little weight, SUCKS and hurts now like the others. (Am probably a C now and lost an inch or two around.)

My boobs are killing me, but at 106ish and 5' 8", I don't particularly need to "lose weight," as I was first advised to deal with back pain. Suggestions appreciated, ladies.

[SOFcowgirl]

Thanks a lot for everyone who's responded! It's really helped a lot. I'm hoping to get to Victoria's Secret tomorrow or Sunday, and I'm going to try on lots of bras in 34 C and 32/34 D, with both full and demi coverage (I prefer full, but I've been told demi can solve some of the fit problems that I have because the cups are cut differently). Anyway, thanks a lot for all your help!

[Poppy]

SOF - while you are out shopping, consider stopping at a department store and having one of the "fitters" suggest some options - just to give you something to compare to. I'm a bit older than you, and so I may not be as concerned with the look of the bra as much as you might be, but I've had better luck with getting a good fit at department stores (I'm a 34D). It's probably because they have so many different brands - not just the one. So if one make doesn't work, another might.

[zoebird]

i'm the same bra size--and like you a 'full cup' (and a bit over near menses), though 5-7 and 125.

i get maidenform bras. the ipex and all of the VS bras fit horribly and are not worth the money. i'll try to get the bra number for you--the type of maidenform that i got.

no pain, it fits great, and i only get pain right before menses (well, just tenderness really).

anyway, here's an article about breast care/health too: breast health the wise woman way! (http://www.breasthealthcancerprevention.com/)

[rabid_child]

I can wear a 36C or 34D. 34D is a lot more comfortable, but really hard to find.

VS used to have one type of bra that fit really comfortably, but of course they discontinued that line. Since then, all my best bras have come from clearance racks for like $5. I had one called a yoga bra which was the most comfortable thing on earth. It didn't have any wire, but wasn't like a sports bra, and it held its shape really well. It eventually broke or something.. I don't have it anymore. You really just have to go in armed with a lot of different ones and find ones you like. I've found that a lot of times the no underwire alternate support bras are much more comfortable than those with wires.

[isowish]

everyone has given good advice so far, but I had to pick up on this bit ...


Also, with this bra, I spill over a tiny bit, like I'm in between a C and a D cup.
get the next size up! you shouldn't spill over, not even a tiny bit!

[Honeysuckle]

Isn't Victoria's Secret more for frilly, sexy stuff, rather than well fitted?

Don't forget that every bra is different .... one size may fit you beautifully in one bra... but try that same size in a different style, fabric and cut and it may be way to big or small.

I've got big boobs and never go on size... I always just try on a load of bras in different sizes. That said ... I recently had a professional fitting and they were way bigger than I though!

My guildelines for bras is that they should support your boobs really well, you shouldn't have any bulging or chaffing right through the day... and if you have lines on your body at the end of the day when you take your bra off, it isn't a good fit.

The worst thing about a good bra is the BLOODY PRICE!!!

[Pirate Ferret]

Apparently most women wear a too big a back size. Try a 32D/E maybe?

Im a 30D thats bleeding impossible to find in all but ONE shop (woo la senza! actually i think theyre phasing it out, nooooo) theres specialist shops for D+ that do it, but the bras are all designed for huge boobs then the sizings reduced, instead of putting any thought into what a woman with that size tit would really need which is obviously different from a 34FF or something

[zoebird]

sometimes, you just have to go into a department store and get 'fitted' and have the attendant bring you as many bras as possible and just try them on over and over and over and over.

that's how i found the maiden form. here's the number, btw: 9409 /bdb RN# 27701.

i got a 36 C in this particular bra.

i have very full breasts, but not large enough to fill a D-cup, which leaves it looking wrinkly over shirts (you know, it folds inward and looks silly and loose). so, by going up in the size around, i was able to get a cup that was wider (as my breasts have a very round shape), and fill the cup nicely.

the only time it 'overflows' is when i'm menstruating. and i typically don't wear bras then--except my favorite Body by Victoria bra (their discontinued line).

[SOFcowgirl]

Honeysuckle- I always thought that of Victoria's Secret too, until I realized that I really needed a good bra and decided to go in. There's a lot of frilly stuff, but there's also a lot of good supporting stuff, and it's not too horribly priced.The bra that I have from there was about $50, but it is a piece that you wear every single day, and paying that much is totally worth it if you really need good support. They have sales a lot too, and you can get 2 bras for 40/44 dollars, which isn't bad at all.
Zoebird- thanks a lot for the sizing. I'll definitely check for that at department stores when I go to the mall tomorrow.

[Mrrple]

*shrug* Sorry about that :[ Breast soreness is no fun at all X[

Lucky me with the small boobehs. :p

[SOFcowgirl]

I dunno what was causing the soreness, because it's not as bad now, and I haven't gotten a new bra yet. Who knows...? Anyway, I'm going today with my mom to the mall, so we'll see what's going on there.

[BendingRiver]

I dunno what was causing the soreness, because it's not as bad now, and I haven't gotten a new bra yet. Who knows...? Anyway, I'm going today with my mom to the mall, so we'll see what's going on there.

Back tension from an improper bra will cause pain/swelling off and on. Good luck at the mall!

[SOFcowgirl]

Well, the mall was good! I ended up with an Infinity Edge (Angel collection) in 34 D from Victoria's Secret. I like the feel of the IPEX more, but a D felt too big and a C was too small. It's actually very comfy. But, more importantly, it's really supportive. Thanks for all your help, guys!

[BendingRiver]

Aha! Those are the best yet, although not fitting me anymore! Glad they're working for you! :)

[Savannah]

im quite slender, about 106 right now and not quite 5ft 4 and often wear a 34c although 32d oftentimes fits better with adjustments. i dont have back pain issues but sometimes the fit of the bras definitely could be better. seems to me that mfg's think all women with c cups should wear 36c lol. victoria's secret's stuff works for me often, some Bali bras have fit pretty well. i find i have to try on many many many bras to get ones that fit right.

[ReginaCeltarum]

Try Bali. Those fit and support me really well. I am close to a 34 D. on my larger side. being uneven makes it even harder for me.

[MakaIsDeprived]

I'm a 32C and for some reason it's impossible to find (maybe it's really common and always sold out?), and 34C/34B/32B don't even begin to fit.

It probably depends on the line, but whenever I go to Victoria's Secret, the cups seem to be smaller than they're labeled (ie the C fits like a B).

[Beachbnny]

I'm a 32/34D and for some stupid reason that can be really difficult to find. I try tons of bras on but that never really give you the *right* fit for longer wear. I have wicked back pain- at 24 I have a herniated disk that pinches a nerve. Good bras suddenly became crucial- lol.

So I folloed my Mom one day to a this random store. They specialized in cancer survivors, odd breast shapes, and specific trouble areas ie. shoulder pain, under breat pain, rib pain etc. I bought this bra later from that same store (who actually figured I'd be more comfortable in the 34D as opposed to the 36C I'd been wearing forever).

Huge Difference! I love this freakin bra! I'll have to get more eventually cause it's my favorite and I wash it almost nightly. After that I started comparing all other bras to this one and I can tell a decent bra now. Also, don't know if you have one, but I actually really like Frederick's of Hollywood. Don't laugh, but they have some well made stuff... and their corsets are divine :)

[Cissy]

My bra size is impossible to find, except through the interwebz :( 30C or 30D

[bunny28]

A LOT of people think Victoria's Secret is really poor quality (even the IPEX ones, and I agree).

I think you might have better luck in a good department store.

[isowish]

with everyone complaining about hard to find sizes, we need some kind of support group! :lol:(um ... that was so not meant to be a pun ... but I'll leave it).

I'm in. Although, I do have a Bravissimo in my town so it's not that bad. Just expensive.