If you want something super supportive that doesn't hide things and won't give you the squashed-down uniboob look, check out the Panache underwired sports bra -- but only once you've been properly fitted!
This sports bra literally changed my life. I can run, jump rope, jumping jack without fearing giving myself a black eye. I echo the others, head over to /r/ABraThatFits and check your size, and then immediately get this bra.
You might want to try the Panache sports bra if you haven’t already. Zero movement, very comfy, breathes well, no uniboob, looks good. Definitely use the r/abrathatfits measurement and sizing guide if you haven't worn Panache before. It’s not cheap and it’ll probably take a few tries to find the perfect size but it’s so worth it.
Ah, this is more complex than I realized it would be!
I will purchase a 28FF this weekend and see how that fits and if I can get used to it.
I've seen a lot of people raving about the Panache sports bra. Do you have any experience with this brand, and if you do, do I keep the 28FF as well?
Thanks so much! I'm already intimidated because I just looked up VS bras, and they don't even list band size 28. Or bigger cup sizes for smaller bands. This will need some shopping around, yeah shopping!
So here's my advice.
I began developing and wearing bras in 3rd grade. My breasts were a C for all of highschool and most of college. Senior year they went up to a D. Since then I've lost about 10 to 15 lbs and not a centimeter has been off my breasts. However I've never really had fat in my breast so it's no surprise that they didn't get smaller.
That being said my best friend decided to have a breast reduction right before going to college due to back problems. She's about your same height and weight. Her doctor told her that she would need to lose weight before he would approve her for the surgery to be paid for by insurance. She ended up losing about 20 lbs. Her breast ended up shrink a considerable amount, but she still went through with the reduction. She has now gained back those 20lbs plus some and her breast remain about the same size.
The point I'm trying to make is it really depends on your body composition. I could lose 15 lbs and my boobs wouldn't fluctuate, but my friend could lose 15 lbs and go down a size.
So first take a look at your breasts and see if they're mostly fat. If they are, you have more of a chance of losing weight in them.
Second I would also consider if you're going to want insurance to cover it. If so I would consult your general care physician at this time so they're on board and know what your goals are and can advise you. If you decide to not have the reduction no harm.
Lastly I highly recommend this bra. Your boobs won't budge.
http://www.amazon.com/Panache-Womens-Underwire-Sports-Bra/dp/B005X5FG2O
Good luck!
You should check the sidebar and measure yourself with the ABTF calculator. I don't know what kind of measuring guide JCPenney's provides, but a lot of mainstream stores use the +4 method, which is more likely to give you an uncomfortable bra size.
I noticed in another comment of yours that you mention wires poking out of your bras from stress. When I had this happen with my old bras, it was before I started wearing my correct size. Since switching from 34C to 30E/F, I haven't had similar issues.
If you have a Nordstrom Rack nearby, I strongly recommend checking it. Nonstandard sizes can be found on their clearance racks, although like all clearance items, YMMV for finding what you want. But it's a good way to find cheap bras. If you don't have one nearby but are in the US, Amazon, Bare Necessities and Bravissimo are good places to look online. Bare Necessities currently has a sale going on.
As for sports bras that have bra sizes, I personally wear Panache's underwire sports bra, and I like it. However, from my normal 30E/F, I went up a band size to 32E. If I tried my regular size in their sports bra it would be uncomfortably tight.
I am a 32F and I got a great Panache underwire sports bra via Amazon. Kind of looks like a tank top under your clothes but I don't move or spill out at all!
https://www.amazon.com/Panache-Womens-Underwire-Sports-Bra/dp/B005X5FG2O
Hey there! Definitely not an expert here (I'm sure one of them will check in) but I used to have the same problems. Sports bras are the worst with a pendulous shape- I felt like I was always trying to escape out the bottom of a too-big band! I was jealous of my friends who could just buy a cheap one off the rack in some store labeled in "S, M, L" sizing and make it work. That was definitely not going to happen for me. Looking back, I think most of them had firmer tissue and were self-supporting, so they had a completely different shape than I did.
You'll definitely want to measure yourself according to the sidebar guidelines so that you have a better size to start with. Then, there are lots of sports bras that have adjustable bands and straps, and even different types of hold.
My favorite turned out to be the Panache Sports Bra (I like both the wired and non-wired for different activities). I get incredible lift and support, and absolutely no movement. It's on the expensive side, but I've never been more comfortable in a sports bra and I don't dread working out anymore. Plus, Amazon has lots of sales, so I've rarely paid full price. If it works with your measurements, I recommend trying it! If not, there's lots of other styles to try, and this sub was very helpful in making a few recommendations for me when I was looking. Hopefully you find something that works for you!
Most bras use the UK sizing when you are in the post DD size. There are a few exceptions.
Bravissimo has huge selection, as well as figleaves and amazon carries a lot of them. If you want to try on IRL nordstrom will carry your size in most stores.
If memory serves (see i dont even remember because UK sizing is king) 32K = 32H which is one band and cupsize larger than me. You have a lot of options but for me i prefer panache (particularly cleo which is a sister brand) bras mainly because they cater to smaller bands and deep (vs wide) cups.
Next step is figuring out you breast shape and trying on bras. Fyi after 20yrs of cramming myself into too small bras my initial size worked until i had the mythical “tissue migration” and went up like an extra cup size so i would warn you about buying a ton of bras initially because boobs can sometimes inflate after years of being compressed ;)
I really like the panache cleo marcie, its been my goto for several years (and sizes) now. But i probably tried on tons of sizes and styles over the years. But if you are full on top its a great place to start and has come in a rainbow of colors over the years.
Amazon isnt a bad place to start ordering bras because of free ship and returns and there are lots of shapes and styles.
Try a few and post fit results here (you dont have to post pics, just this fit great in this way but didnt work because of this...)
Odds are good you will need a deep cup vs a shallow one because generally H cups are. So panache is a good place to start. Freya is another brand (i found the bands were not firm enough when i tried them, but this was years ago) bravissimo has their own line of bras, curvy kate makes bras in your size (ive never tried them as ive heard they run wide and shallower, but i cant say for sure)
You can literally search 32H bras on amazon and scroll through options.
Goddess comes in US sizing, and a couple other brands but UK tends to be the popular big boob bras. The brits definitely have us beat bigtime on better bras ;)
https://www.amazon.com/Panache-Womens-Underwire-Sports-Bra/dp/B005X5FG2O
These can be pretty compressing so i preferred going up a size ie 32H when i wear a 30H in other bras, but id start with your size and go up if you need to. Just be aware of sister sizing. Ie 30H = 32GG = 28HH. Go up a band go down a cup, and down a band go up a cup. So 32H = 34GG is one band bigger but same cup. Confusing but bras can be ;)
https://www.amazon.com/Panache-Cleo-Marcie-Balconnet-Bra/dp/B00BKZXPZ6
https://www.amazon.com/Panache-6951-Jasmine-Underwire-Bra/dp/B01N9DCFV7
Id highly recommend using a unlined cup bra like marcie or jasmine to find correct fit. Lots of girls want/are used to foam cup bras but they dont mold to you like a “cut and sew” bra and make it hard to diagnose fitting issues. There are some foam cup and spacer options out there in your size but id start with the inlined for fitting purposes first.
Check out bravissimo’s site too and filter by your size. The options will for sure blow your mind ;)
My experience with sports bras and gymnastics (which has it's own 360 concerns) has led me to search for the elusive racerback encapsulation DD+ bra. Racerbacks are only style I get support, good distribution of pressure and full range of motion in, while encapsulation personally feels much more comfortable then compression. Both the Panache Sport and Freya Active (which are very popular, so give them a try too) have j-hooks which are completely inadequate and a bit flimsy.
I've temporarily settled on the Bendon Extreme Sport. It's a cup size small for me (only goes up to a G, alas!), but the best fit I've found: great top and side support, convertible straps for a true racerback and really strange wires (they have a sort of swoosh shape when worn) that somehow work. Worth a spot on your list for sure.
I am also a 38G and HIGHLY recommend the Panache sports bra. There's an underwired version and non-wired version. I personally prefer the non-wired version (I have 4), especially when I'm running, but I do have one of the wired ones that I usually wear to a spin or bodypump class.
RE: 32GG sports bras, they do exist, but they ain't cheap. I wore the hell out of my first one, and it lasted a year. The second one is hanging in there!
No problem. :)
And I totally live in Panache Sports Bras when I'm active. Their sizes are bit off standard though for anyone who tries one. I have to wear a 30FF in it.
Make sure you fit yourself properly first. Once you find your size, figure out your shape - different bra shapes will support different boob shapes, surprisingly. I've heard really good things about this bra though: http://www.amazon.com/Panache-Womens-Underwired-Sports-Bra/dp/B005X5FG2O/ref=cts_ap_1_fbt