Choosing a bra is difficult.

[Michelle Diane]

Now I don't have to hide any more my wife and I were online shopping for some undies for me. Panties are easy as I prefer full panties and not these half hankie things. Bras are however a totally different thing. I'll be wearing forms so I don't know if I should go for a full bra, balcony, plunge?? I like underwire although I've never worn an underwire with forms as the last time I wore a bra I could fill out a B cup naturally and don't know if the wires are a good or bad thing with forms.

Factor in all the beautiful sexy styles and colours available I'm like a kid who's been let loose in a candy store....Oh dear the things we girls have to go through to be comfortable and look good.

[Davita]

As you said, sooo many choices. There is a reason for that. So you need to decide on a couple things because really pretty much any bra will work with forms if they don't jump out and become free range. That said, obviously there has to be enough cup to hold the forms in place and after that, the only other real concern is when you bend over. When you bend over, two things can happen -- the girls fall out or the girls show.

I tend to wear tops so the girls don't show and I have been known to use double stick tape to keep the top from opening up to much. I also tend to pick my bra based on what I am doing. I have mastectomy bras if I expect to be active otherwise I like my underwires. The underwires cradle the girls better I think. Get comfy bras! Cute and pretty etc in comfy styles exist so go try bras on instead of buying online. Looking at a bra is nothing like wearing the bra; make life easy on yourself. Get measured/fitted.

[Michelle Diane]

"if they don't jump out and become free range." LOL sorry I read that and had an image of forms pecking their way round the farm yard pop in my head.

[Eileen (SO)]

A natural B cup, Michelle? Plenty of girls here would be jealous! With forms, what cup size are you? Underwire bras are mostly for women that need more support, saggy or larger breasted. No wires are more comfortable for all day wear. For holding forms in place, stay away from balconette or plunge styles. What does your wife wear?

As Davita mentioned, you want to hide the girls and keep them in place. There are so many pretty bras to buy, but without natural tissue, tops that expose a lacy bra and cleavage is not going to look right. If you can't get properly fitted, online shopping can work just as well. Once you know your size and style, just wait for sales. Hubby and I rarely pay more than $15 a bra for major brands. We both prefer seamless bras and colors that won't show through clothing.

Finding your band size is easy. Skip the sizing charts as they are for a woman's torso. Measure around your chest were the bra will be, that's your band size.

Eileen

[Michelle Diane]

Hello Eileen,

I guess I was a bit vague in my first post sorry. Many winters ago (25-ish) I was a quite bit bigger than I am now and had plenty of extra flesh in the chest area and I could fill a B cup if I used a padded push up bra I could give a reasonable impersonation of a C cup. Anyway that was years ago and since I've lot quite a bit of weight I'm lucky if the girls are an A cup more in the range of AA or large mosquito bites. My wife wears full cup or full coverage, they're functional but certainly not sexy. I'd prefer something with some lace detailing.

So when I measure for a bra I just measure under my breasts where the band sits and take that measurement? I don't add this for an even number and that for an odd numbers? I'd like to get an accurate measurement rather than guesstimating from my wife's bras.

[Aly]

So when I measure for a bra I just measure under my breasts where the band sits and take that measurement? I don't add this for an even number and that for an odd numbers? I'd like to get an accurate measurement rather than guesstimating from my wife's bras.

What I've found to be pretty accurate is to measure around your chest, right up in your underarm area. If you get an odd number you can either round up or down - most bras have 3 positions on the hooks so you get about an inch either way for adjustment.

[KimberlyS]

The biggest thing I quickly learned with a bra and forms is as Davita pointed out they can be come free range. So now I only buy full coverage bras to contain the forms. I prefer underwire but both work. They do make mastectomy bras to hold the forms and those are great also but more spendy.

[Eileen (SO)]

Congratulations on the weight loss, Michelle.

I don't want to disagree with anyone's personal experience on how they measure band size. Men tend to have more muscle mass under the arms than women. If my guy measured there, the band size would be too big. If I tried to measure just under the bust, where the band is, I couldn't read the tape.

Band size is where the band will be when wearing a bra. No adding or subtracting involved. Most women can't measure there because of breast tissue in the way.
Use a fabric tape, not your Stanley 3/4', 50ft tool box tape measure. And breathe normally, it's not a contest.

Do you have forms? Lay down with them on your chest to measure cup size, the difference between band and breast measurements is your cup size.

I understand the urge to wear lacy bras, don't we all. But you want function over style, nice to have both. A pretty bra isn't much good if you sneeze and the boobies fall out.

Before responding, give us an idea of what size you are. Hubby and I both shop in the big girls catalogs, more options there than in stores. And returns are easy. Since your wife is on board to help out, mail orders are not a problem.

Eileen

[Michelle Diane]

Sound advice, thanks Eileen.

I tried measuring under the arms (well wifey did for me ) and that came out to 47" when she measured where the band will sit it came to 45". No I don't have any forms yet as I'm trying to get 'the perfect size' you know not too big and not too small. I found a calculator on hourglassfigure.co.uk where you enter your band size and choose between Demure - Curvy - Voluptuous and it tells you what size form to achieve the look I think I want something between demure and curvy.

I think you're right I'm going to play it safe and go for a full coverage bra until I get the girls wrangled in and behaving themselves. Lacy would be nice and so would a plunge but not for now, maybe further down the road.

Hugs,
Michelle.

[Anthony Simon]

the look I think I want something between demure and curvy.

If you're going to be Michelle a lot, there's also the question of weight and comfort.

[Michelle Diane]

Well said, that's also a consideration. I certainly do NOT want anything at or bigger than a D cup. I'm wavering between a B or C cup. I'm leaning towards C at the moment.

[Janet Bern]

If you are going to wear forms and have some loose breast I would like to suggest
you bring your forms with you to a Maidenform, Soma or Bali store during
the slow times. 10 AM or dinner time. Be honest with the SA and
tell her you have your forms and would like to buy a bra that fit you.
It may be hard to say it but you will be glad you did.
You may find that an underwire may work best as you will be mixing the
forms and the B size breast together.

[Eileen (SO)]

I must thank you, Michelle, for stating dimensions in inches instead of metric. After a quick look at your hourglass site, they provide a lot of information so that you are a satisfied customer.

'The Perfect Size' ? That doesn't exist, sweetie. Styles and colors of each outfit will make breasts appear different. That's why most women have different bra styles to fit the outfit. You are going to have several bras in your collection, just as your wife does.

After buying forms, work with what you have for bras and outfits. GG's do not have the option of considering weight and comfort, (Anthony, ) we just deal with it.

Getting a proper fitting, as Janet suggests, is great advice. Personally, I'm too self conscious to do that for myself. With your wife for moral support, you can get the right breast support. LOL!

I know how to buy my bras, much of this advice comes from my guy's personal experience, before I knew about his dressing. So, if I'm off base, no offense in saying so.

Eileen

[Michelle Diane]

If you are going to wear forms and have some loose breast I would like to suggest
you bring your forms with you to a Maidenform, Soma or Bali store during
the slow times. 10 AM or dinner time. Be honest with the SA and
tell her you have your forms and would like to buy a bra that fit you.
It may be hard to say it but you will be glad you did.
You may find that an underwire may work best as you will be mixing the
forms and the B size breast together.

Hi Janet,
Sorry if I confused you. I used to have a B cup, now it's more like an AA or A at best. Heck if I still had B cups I use some enhancers in my bra and call it good. So it looks like it's forms for me. I'd love to go for a personal fitting but here in Exeter I don't think the sales staff are that open minded about us. I guess the word I'm looking for is "stuffy"

I can't find any mention of Bali or Soma here and the Maidenform stockist is House of Fraser Heh heh no way I'm going there. It looks like mail order for me.
Thanks for trying to help it's appreciated.
Michele.

I must thank you, Michelle, for stating dimensions in inches instead of metric. After a quick look at your hourglass site, they provide a lot of information so that you are a satisfied customer.

'The Perfect Size' ? That doesn't exist, sweetie. Styles and colors of each outfit will make breasts appear different. That's why most women have different bra styles to fit the outfit. You are going to have several bras in your collection, just as your wife does.

After buying forms, work with what you have for bras and outfits. GG's do not have the option of considering weight and comfort, (Anthony, ) we just deal with it.

Getting a proper fitting, as Janet suggests, is great advice. Personally, I'm too self conscious to do that for myself. With your wife for moral support, you can get the right breast support. LOL!

I know how to buy my bras, much of this advice comes from my guy's personal experience, before I knew about his dressing. So, if I'm off base, no offense in saying so.

Eileen

Is that why my wife tries on several different bras with just one outfit...looking for the best match? OMG you should have seen us getting ready for the formal at her fathers club. I had it easy a dinner jacket and bow tie and I'm done. She must have gone through 10+ different outfits, dresses, pant suits, skirts and blouses before she settled on a nice teal chiffon with beaded detail on the bodice evening gown. Oh silly me in thinking she was done. Then she went through the same routine with a drawer full of bras. I'm just happy she had a limited choice in clutch purses or we'd never had made. (she did look damn hot though and I was proud to be her escort for the night)

As for inches that's how I roll. This broad is too long in the tooth for all these Centipedes and Meter thingies. Imperial measurements all the way for me.

Eileen my dear, you could never be "off base" your counsel is always insightful, welcomed and appreciated.

Hugs,
Michelle.

[Alisa]

Hi Michelle,
Your going about this the wrong way... Choosing is not difficult, it's sooooo much fun! Giggle. Anyway there are a bunch of online resources to help. Your might want to start with the Know your breasts questions on Her Room for example.

http://www.herroom.com/know-your-breasts/Questions.aspx

http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-center,954,30.html

Have fun.

Hugs,

Alisa