Find a bra that fits

Finding an AA or A bra can be a nightmare. There are plenty of 32As, but what if you need a 30A? Or a 34AA? or a 30B? If you're small-busted, the cups on your bras pucker, or you have trouble filling out a bra, these bras are for you. They come in sizes as small as 30A.

Bras in Small Sizes

The Aubade Bahia demi cup has a lovely corset lacing effect between the cups. Comes in 30A and 30B.

Natori
Natori Sheer Convertible Gel Plunge Bra It's light, uplifts, and it's convertible, so you can hide the straps under tank tops. Comes in shades to match light to dark skin tones, plus a pretty leaf print. Starts at size 30A.

Panache
(two ranges, one for smaller women, one for larger women)

The Panache T-shirt plunge bra makes the best of what you've got. Adds a full cup size without being heavy or lumpy. Sizes include 32-36AA, 32-36A. There's also a liquid-filled version, starting at 32AA.

DKNY
Donna Karen has two bra lines: DKNY bras tend to run smaller, while Donna Karen Intimates runs bigger. Sizes start at 32A or 32B.

Bras That Run Small

Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit
These bras are sized for smaller women. Many are tagless and seamless for more comfort next to your skin. Try the Calvin Klein push-up bra or the Calvin Klein t-shirt bra. Both are smooth, contoured, and stretchy for a comfy fit. Starts at 32A.

Elle Macpherson
This brand is very small in both the band and the cups. You may have to order a size larger than usual, but these bras are sexy and fun, so if it fits you, go for it!

Maidenform
Maidenform bras are styled for small to average sized women. The Maidenform fabulous fit demi bra has smooth, seamless cups and comes in lots of great colors, like Red Bliss, Caribbean Sea, and Chocolate Truffle. Sizes start at 32A.

Need a 28D or a 30DD? Unfortunately, most American bra brands just don't go there. You're not alone, I'm in the boat with you. Luckily for both of us, European and British brands have a wider selection.

If you're used to buying 2 for $24, or buy two, get one in the mail free (as I was with Warner's), you're going to be a bit shocked by the prices. Luckily, the dollar has recovered a bit, but these bras will cost more.

The good news is they last a lot longer and the quality is considerably higher.

Those Warner's bras wore out in 6 months or so. The first Chantelle bra I bought lasted two and a half years.

The French really know how to make beautiful bras. French bras tend to run smaller in the band and larger in the bust than American brands. Try these brands for sizes including 28D to 38J.

Aubade
Beautiful lace and fine construction really set Aubade bras apart. They come in sizes up to 38E

Chantelle
28D to 40FF, 42 DDD/E

Everything from everyday to wow!! These bras are beautifully made. The lace may look delicate, but they're supportive, and they last.

For everyday comfort, try Chantelle Senso. For more pizazz, go for Chantelle Chantilly.

Freya
28D to 38J

Freya Pollyanna Great fit and support, even if you're a 32H!

Freya Senses A balcony with three sections for great support without any padding.

Simone Perele
Beautiful, sexy bras in sizes up to 40E.

1. __Does the band ride up?



2. __ Does the bra pull down in front?



3. ___ Are the straps straight down your back? Or, do they pull apart?



4. ___ Do your straps dig into your shoulders?



5. ___ Do you fit comfortably inside the cups or do you spill out of them (sides, bottom, top)?



6. ___ Do the cups pull away or ride up when you move around?



7. ___ Does the underwire dig in under your arms?



8. ___ Is the bra puckering and bagging?

The band should be straight across your back and lie flat against your ribcage in front. If it's riding up in back or pulling down in front, it's too small. The band should provide 90% of the support. If the band is too big, the straps will take most of the weight, and dig into your shoulders.

The size of a bra's cups increases as the band size increases.

The cups on a 38B bra will be larger than those on a 34B, and a 40B is actually bigger than a 34D. The key is to first match the right band size with the right cup size, and then find the right brand and style of bra.

A bra with cups that are too small for you will pull away when you move and dig in under your arms. The "girls" will hang down, rather than forward. They should be halfway between your shoulder and your elbow.

If the underwire pokes you, you may need a larger cup size.

If you spill out the top, you need a larger cup size. If you spill out the sides, try a full coverage style.

If you're coming out the bottom, or if the bra puckers only on the top, look for a bra designed for a shallow profile, such as the Chantelle Africa T-shirt bra. Or, try a demi-cup or balcony style like the
Freya Millie demi-cup bra, which has more material on the bottom.

If the bra puckers all over, the cups are too big for you. Try either a smaller cup size or a brand that runs small, such as Calvin Klein or Elle Macpherson.

The band size reflects your body size, not your bust.

Many busty women wear a band size that is too large, because they think that a larger bust means you need a bigger band (that's what I was doing). It turns out that a woman with a 38 band has a larger body, not a larger bust size, than someone who needs a 32.

There are lots of bras that come in sizes not available in department stores or a certain "Very Splashy" lingerie store. And, even better, they're pretty! No more great granny bras, even if you're a 38J!

DD? E? Huh? European sizes for larger cups are different than American sizes. DD in the US is E in Europe. European bras go up a full inch above size D, while American bras go up half an inch.

Need a fuller cut? Look for words such as "full busted", "full coverage", "side slings", "side shaping", or "three-section cups". This tends to mean the bra is cut fuller and has more support on the side of the bra, to support a full bust.

Should You Get a Minimizer?

If you're full-busted, it's tempting to look for a minimizer bra. The truth is that minimizers tend to push your tissue to the side. You'll project less, but you'll also look wider!

Bras That Run Full

Full figure bras start at a D cup; plus size bras start at a 40D.

Fantasie: sizes up to 38JJ, 44DDD/E
How's this for hot?
The Fantasie Gabrielle balcony bra has it all. Beautiful lace, supportive cups, and a cherry red color.

Fayreform: sizes up to 38J, 40G.
Supportive and fashionable, these bras are great for larger women. Standouts include the aptly-named Fayreform Beauty Bra. It's got three sections for better support, plus sheer mesh and beautiful embroidered leaves adorning the tops of the cups.

Or, try the Fayreform Profile Contour Bra. It's got smooth cups, a delicate floral print, and a plunge shape.

Freya: up to 38J
Freya bras are great for larger-busted women, and many of their bras have larger size versions, cut specifically for full-figured women. Plus, the styles are fun and pretty, as well as supportive.

Freya Phoebe balcony
Freya Rosalie
Freya Clarissa (pictured above, with the purple trim).

Olga: up to 42DD
Olga is an American brand, so the bands will tend to be larger and the cups smaller, than European sizes.

The Olga Signature Support is soft, comfortable, and seamless. A good choice if you're on a budget (prices currently start at $23.10).

Customers on Amazon rave that the Olga Elegance Innerluxe Contour is the best bra ever! It's got an extra soft lining, it's seamless, and has floral embroidery between the cups and on the sides. Sizes up to 42DD.

Panache: 28D to 36JJ, 40HH
The Panache Venus Underwire offers beautiful lace and great support. So comfy, you'll forget you're wearing it; even if you're an F cup.

Vanity Fair: up to 48DDD
The Vanity Fair Satin Fantasy Underwire has smooth, satiny fabric, with a love knot centered between the cups. Currently on sale at Amazon (top price is $21.60).

Vanity Fair Superior Underwire Lace cups and plush straps make this bra both pretty and comfortable. No digging, no adjusting, just support and comfort. Up to 40DD.

Wacoal: up to 44DDD/E
Smooth and seamless, the Wacoal Bodysuede bra has a pretty applique on the straps and between the cups. Comes in sizes up to 44DDD. Customers on Amazon report the ones made in the Dominican Republic hold up better than those produced in China.

Full Figure/Plus-Size Bras

Goddess: sizes up to 38H/52DDD
Goddess Smooth Simplicity bra. This bra is smooth, and no-fuss. Not fancy, but it provides lots of support, a leotard back, and is available up to 52DDD!

Glamorise. Sizes up to 56H
Cut and designed just for larger women. Try styles like the Glamorise Front-Close Wonderwire. It's got soft, comfortable lace and a front-close hook so you can put it on easily, without reaching around your back.

Or, check out the Glamorise Magic Lift. It features an inner band for extra support and lift, plus cushioned straps for comfort.

If you're petite, Wacoal and Calvin Klein have petite lines just for you. The cups are closer together and the distance between the cup and the shoulder line is smaller — so it fits!

Shallow profile means you have more tissue on the bottom than the top (a bit like a ski slope). This can make it hard to find bras, because the wrong shape means that either the bra will pucker at the top, or you will pop out of the bottom or the sides of the bra.

A couple of tips:

1) Try a demi-cup bra like the Aubade Tulipes. These tend to fit better, since they are designed to have more material on the bottom. They also create a nice decolletage.

2) Try a molded bra. Since they're stiffer, they won't pucker.

The Natori Convertible bra can be worn four different ways: standard, criss-cross, halter, and strapless. It's like four bras in one! Note that Natori tends to run a bit small.

Or, try Chantelle New Essensia II. This t-shirt bra is smooth, comfortable, and won't show under your clothes.

Felina's Felina Hint of Skin bra is smooth, tagless,and seam-free. One reviewer on Amazon calls it a lift job for $39!