How 10 Bras in the Same Size Actually Fit

One cup runneth over while another is just barely filled.

Bras can be many things—sexy, supportive, confidence-boosting, confidence-crushing, liberating, restricting—but one thing they're not is unmentionable. This week, ELLE.com is exploring all things bras, from how we wear them (or don't) and how we take care of them (or don't) to how we feel about them and how they make us feel. Here, we look at how 10 different bras in the same size actually fit.

 

I'm a 32DD. At least,

 I think I am, usually.

At the recommendation of ELLE.com's senior fashion editor, I visited Journelle a few months ago for a real bra fitting. After some measuring, I was pronounced a 32 DD (sometimes a 32 E), much to my surprise. I'd worn a 34-inch band forever―except for when I'd worn a 36-inch band―and true, there have been some weight fluctuations in my 17-year history of wearing bras, but it wasn't until I tried on the 32 DD and had the sales associate explain how the bra is supposed to fit (you're supposed use the outermost hook and gradually move it inward as the bra stretches out! You're only supposed to be able to fit two fingers between the band and your back, otherwise the bra is too loose! And maybe most surprisingly for me, most of the support comes from the band, not the straps!) that I had that glass slipper it fits moment.

 But the problem is, a 32DD in one brand isn't necessarily the same as a 32DD in another brand―or style. Which can be frustrating if you want to buy lingerie online or do a pop-in pop-out situation in a store. To see just how different one size can be across different brands, I tried on 10 different bras―and while I'm not exactly shy, there's a limit to how much of myself I'm willing to share with you, dear readers, so I recruited a professional model with the same size bust to provide photo evidence with the bonus of giving us another perspective. Because no two pairs of boobs are the same, the bras fit us slightly differently, but overall we had similar results.

Victoria's Secret PINK

 

 Right away, I felt like this bra did not offer enough support. Though overall the fit was small, the band didn't touch my breast bone (perhaps because the cups were too small?), which was also the model's biggest complaint. Sure, my boobs looked good, but there was some upward spillage―which is responsible for that double-boob effect under a T-shirt―and this model created the most offensive under-armpit spillage of any of the bras.

 

 Stella McCartney

Rosie Dreaming Underwire Bra,

This bra is so, so pretty. But its also so, so small on me. The band is a three-prong hook situation, which means it covers more of the rib area and therefore has a rather corset-like effect. It's the kind of thing I would convince myself that I could wear because it's so aesthetically pleasing, then I'd have a Sex and the City get-it-off-me moment halfway through the day. So...going to put this on my wishlist in a 34DD.

 Heidi Klum Intimates

 Dreamtime Underwire Bra

 On the fit model, this bra was almost bunching at the top. While the under netting that offered the support fit well, the outer lace was too big. I saw some of that when I tried on the bra, but was mostly distracted by the A+ cleavage (and slight popping out) the bra gave me.

 Journelle

Romy Demi Bra, 

Journelle is actually one of my go-to brands (this balconette bra, in fact, is my favorite bra in my undies drawer), but this particular demi bra was a no-go. For me, the demi cut was so low and scanty that it caused some major double boob/boob shelf action. My left areole was even poking out the top. For the model, the bra, because of its wider straps, was comfortable, but ultimately she thought it made her breasts look saggy.

 

Triumph

 

Amourette Lightly Padded Lace Underwire Bra, 

With this bra, everything is in place―and it's maybe even a minimizer. I wasn't so into what I perceived as the '40s pointy boob effect, but it's comfortable. This was the fit model's favorite bra. She noted that the wider straps felt good and the bra fit all the way to her sternum. "It's got full coverage, but doesn't feel marmish," she said.

Spanx

Underwire Full Coverage Plunge Bra,

The Spanx bra fits (and is seamless!), but it's booby. Frankly, it's actually magnificent cleavage (hello pushup deep V!) if you're into that kind of thing. For the fit model, she felt like the cup was cutting into her breasts a bit, but...again, CLEAVAGE.

Panache

Idina Moulded T-Shirt Bra, 

This was toooo small. Like a rubber band over a water balloon: It cut into my boob, created an unflattering point, and produced backfat. I'd definitely have to size up in this one.

 

Calvin Klein

Modern T-Shirt Bra, $42

For the fit model, the cup was slightly too big. I think my breasts are slightly fuller than hers, so I could fill out the cup, and the band was a bit tighter on me–I had a brief moment of "is that armpit vagina? Is that backfat or skin?" But I liked how my cleavage looked in it: not too cleavage but still haiiii.

Aerie

Sunnie Full Coverage Lightly Lined Bra, $30

This fit well. I saw some pinching at the cleavage, creating that boob muffin top, but overall, it was very comfortable. Plus, no back fat! Hoorah!

Cosabella 

 

 Never Say Never Prettie Underwire Bra, $83

This bra covered my whole boob effectively (the fit model actually found the cups to be too big), but that might be because there's too much fabric. This bra was not for me: My boob shape looked saggy, like a sad teardrop, and I just found it very unflattering.

So, what did I LEARN from this experiment? That like boobs, no two bras are the same, even if they're the same size. Because, I'm not knocking any of these bras; in fact, I'd put my knockers in any of them, they just have to be the right size (and style) for me. I learned that, for the most part, if you stray from your usual brand and style, you're going to have to try the bra on before you buy it, because even when I tried a different style from my same-ole brand, it didn't fit me in the same-ole way. And because every boob is a unique butterfly, how these bras fit or flattered my 32DD breasts will not be how they fit yours. But that's kind of nice.