We all have heard that "such and such" percent of women are wearing the wrong bra size. After having a baby 2 years ago, losing all the weight plus some due to PPD, then gaining it all back, I know for a fact I was one of those. So last week I went I went to a local shop for a professional bra fitting. The fitter told me, "Don't be shocked by your size, we fit by the European sizing." I went with it and found out that my size was 32G. I almost fell over. The size I was previously wearing was a 36DD. I spent a good amount of money on a basic seamless beige bra and eagerly came home to put it on. After wearing it just for an afternoon and evening, the band on it was squeezing my ribcage to the point of it being uncomfortable. You can't imagine the red mark all the way around my ribcage. So I checked out the European bra size conversion online and everything I read gave me the exact same European and US sizing. I MIGHT could accept going from a DD to a G cup size with gaining 25lbs, but why did they give me a smaller band size? Did I get a clever sales pitch to spend $65 on a bra that will leave marks on me daily? Is anyone familiar with European bra sizing?
If the cups fit - I would find an extension for the strap to help loosen the band...
GOOD LUCK!!!
A lot of american fitting specialist size wrong (add 5 inches here or 3 inches if a certain size etc) to cut down on production costs. They only make about 30 sizes of a bra, whereas european makers make about 75 different sizes. There is no reason to add inches to your rib cage measurement.
With a new bra, it should be on the last set of hooks. Over time the bra stretches, hence the extra hooks - to extend the life of your bra. The support comes from the band. It should be tight enough that it doesn't ride up in the back or that you have to adjust the shoulder straps so tight to creat "lift". However, if it's truly bothering you on the last set of hooks, you can probably exchange it for a 34 band size.
Kim O. is right about the differences between fit in American and European bras. This results in lots and lots of women being shoved, smooshed and squeezed into DD bras when their cup size is actually an F, G or H (or bigger!). American manufacturers don't make bras in those sizes, their lines go up to DD, so to get them to fit we end up going up in band size (as the band size increases so does the cup, the cup of a 32D is not the same size as the cup on a 36D) to accommodate larger breasts. I would wager that most women need smaller bands and larger cups, but would have to buy European bras to get them, and in fact, probably don't even know such sizes exist. However, with only a few exceptions, European sizes are pretty similar to American, and those differences are all in cup size if I recall correctly. Which is to say that if you are a 32, you are a 32, regardless of which continent you are on.
Chances are that you were wearing the wrong band size all along and got used to your bra fitting improperly. The band should be snug, and as Kim mentioned, should be worn on the loosest setting at first so that you can tighten it up as the bra loses elasticity. I would make sure you are wearing your new bra that way and try it tomorrow to see if it feels any better. If not, return it, but remember that it is not going to feel like your previous (likely way too big) band. I'd guess that this new bra looks lots better, possibly making you look like you lost a few pounds, no?
I would take it back. I got a European bra once and I got a size H!! Ugh. My bathing suit was an H too, I am a 36 DD. I cannot find a bra that fits me either! I cannot find one that does not dig into me under my arm, the wire. I do know it is a much larger size but I am not sure which size is correct for us. I cannot seem to find anyone that can measure me correctly....if you have any ideas, let me know! Other that that, return the bra for a bigger size around. good luck!
I haven't heard of the differences between European bras and American ones, but I do know that a properly fitting bra should not creep up in the back - if it does, the band size is too large. Most women wear too small a size in the cup and too large a size in the band. However, a properly fitting bra shouldn't dig into your rib cage. I think you may need a 34 - take the bra back, ask them to re-fit you, and exchange the bra for one that feels better.
take it back and have them re-fit you... if the store specializes in fittings, then they need a "re-do"
I doubt it was on purpose, but you never know. I'd just take it back and explain the problem and then ask to be fitted again and do an exchange. I've been fitted (not in the European sizes, but still...) and sometimes it feels so great in the dressing room but when I wear it around for a day in my real life, it's not as comfy as I thought. It could just be the bra, not necessarily the size...although if this size, although converted, is the same as the one you were wearing that you thought was the wrong size, I'd have her double check the measurements and at least try on a different size. Bra shopping sucks.
Do the cups fit?
Or is just the band, too tight?
You can always, get a bra strap extender.
I think you got a bad bra consultant. Who did not fit you, properly. At all.
She gave you the wrong size. European sizing or not.
You can always go back to the store, and return it.
I am a 36DD also . I bought a bathing suit from a UK company several years ago, and the sizing, including the band, was different. I think it was something like a 32 F or something. I thought it was strange, but the tag had both US and UK sizes on it, and it fit properly. It's possible the bra is just a flub. I would take it back and exchange it or get your $$ back. If that's not an option, you can wash the bra, and throw it in the dryer. Drying bras with heat makes the elastic less stretchy over time.
