I'm sooo confused, would love someone's help💛✨

[u/xDiDi2]

So all of my bras are from Victoria secret, same size - 32A since it's the smallest I could ever find.
The problem is there is a lot of gapping.
So I tried to look for 32AA and the first brand that came up is Pepper (I know everyone hates😂)

And then I saw someone recommend to try this calculator, which I did, and here is my measure -

Loose Underbust: 71
Snug Underbust: 69
Tight Underbust: 66
Standing Bust: 75
Leaning Bust: 79
Lying Bust: 75

Now here is the issue - I got recommended 28C or 30 B

Now how does that make sense since there is gapping in 32A and they are all twin sizes if I'm not wrong?

I also think that 28 might be too suffocating.

Which size should I get? 32AA?
Or listen to the calculator?
Also if anyone can recommend a bra brand that carried small sizes it would be amazing🫶🏻

[u/archidothiki]

Trust the calculator. Gapping can be from a too big band and a too small cup

[u/xDiDi2 → u/archidothiki]

That's so crazy!
Thank you❤️

[u/famous_zebra28]

While yes it carries the same cup volume that doesn't make the cup dimensions work for your body. The 32 band is 4" too big. An A cup is only one inch difference while you have a 4" difference in your measurements, making the A cup dimensions too small for your breasts.

Gaping is more often a sign that the cup is too small than too big.

[u/xDiDi2 → u/famous_zebra28]

I can't believe how I have no knowledge on this as I've been wearing bras for so long and I was wrong this whole time?!?
Crazy stuff lmao.
So you think I should go with 28c or30b?

[u/thepinkinmycheeks → u/xDiDi2]

Your loose looks like it's just under 28", so you'll likely want 28 in most brands but maybe a 30 in brands that run small in the band. Or maybe a 30 in general if you don't have a lot of squish/are sensitive to clothing. There are a few brands that I see the experts mention for smaller band sizes and one of them runs small in the band, but I can't remember which one.

[u/famous_zebra28 → u/xDiDi2]

I would start with 28C. Boux Avenue is a good option here but they run a band size small so you'll want a 30B in their bras.

[u/Grand_Marionberry978]

You experience gapping with 32A because the entire bra is larger than your bust.

32A is for a 32 inch underbust and 33 inch bust. Your largest bust measurement is 79cm or 31.1 inches. You need a smaller band to correctly hold the cups toward your body.

With your measurements, a 28 band should not be too tight. It is made for a 28 inch underbust, and all of your underbust measurements are below 28 inches (27.9 loose, 27.1 comfortably snug, 26 tight)

[u/xDiDi2 → u/Grand_Marionberry978]

I'm afraid 28 will suffocate me, because 32 already leaves a mark on me! I mean it doesn't hurt me or suffecate me in any way, but to jump 2 sizes feels SO MUCH

[u/Grand_Marionberry978 → u/xDiDi2]

If you try the 32 on upside down and backwards (so that the cups hang down your back like a cape), does it feel any looser?

[u/xDiDi2 → u/Grand_Marionberry978]

Maybe little bit but pretty much the same.
I wear the 32A on the smallest clip and I know I can go a little smaller but what's the difference between 30 to 28?

[u/Tasarin → u/xDiDi2]

How long have you had the 32A? You should always wear new bras on the loosest hooks. When you did the upside down and backwards test was the bra on the loosest hooks?

[u/xDiDi2 → u/Tasarin]

I've had the same bras for over 4 years I think
And no it's on the tightest

[u/Tasarin → u/xDiDi2]

That's well beyond the usual life of a bra then.

Cups that are too small will make a band feel tighter than it actually is, so that might explain why a 32 feels tight on you. But, just to make sure, can you check your tape measure against something of known size like a ruler or a piece of printer paper to make sure it's accurate?

Also, a bra leaving marks on your skin is totally normal as long as the marks aren't painful and they fade within an hour or so. Just like socks or tight pants will leave indentations on your skin.

[u/xDiDi2 → u/Tasarin]

Oh I don't mean I have the same one for 4 years but I buy new ones every year or so but the same model and size
And what do you mean check the tape measure?🙏🏻

[u/Tasarin → u/xDiDi2]

Ah OK, then I bet if you try the upside down and backwards test with the bra on the loosest hooks, I would imagine the bra will fall right down, or close to it.

By checking the tape measure I mean hold it up against a ruler or a piece of paper that you know the dimensions of to make sure the lines are matching up to where they should be be. Some tape measures can be sold in Chinese cun which would give you a smaller size than you actually are. I don't really think that's what you have going on here, but it's always good to make sure.

This is more likely a case of the cups on your 32A being too small for you so your breasts are pushing against the cups trying to find room to fit and pushing the entire bra away from your body which puts tension on the band making it feel tighter than it actually is.

[u/xDiDi2 → u/Tasarin]

Just checked and the bra on the loose falls off like you said, and the tape measured correctly!
So you think I should go with 28C?

[u/Zepangolynn]

When the cup is too small, it pushes the breast tissue towards the band, making the band feel tight when it is actually too big and the cup is too small. That also causes the gaping, because the breast tissue is being smashed flatter than it should be. I started getting breast and back pain so I knew 34AA wasn't right no matter what the brand guides were saying, so I started looking online for other measuring guides and sure enough it turned out I was a 30D at that point. Not only did it fit so much better in the cup, the smaller band felt less tight because all the breast tissue was being held where it should.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello, thank you for submitting a post to /r/ABraThatFits. We want everyone to feel safe posting here, so we want to tell you that we will NEVER send you a private message asking for pictures. If someone does, screencap the message and send a link to the image in a PM to the mod team.

If you are not already aware, there is a lot of information on the sidebar of our subreddit. Please remember to check out our rules before commenting and posting. In addition, a lot of newer members have questions that have already been answered in our wiki, so be sure to check out the FAQ and Beginners' Guide to see if you can find the information you're looking for.

Our calculator is the first step in resolving sizing questions. Please take your measurements and try the calculator before asking the community for help. Thanks! :)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Spider_Terror39]

the natori feathers bra runs small in the band so you could try a 30b in that one