How to Find a Bra That Actually Fits

If you opt not to wear bras because of wires poking, straps digging, or cups fitting funny…you’ need to find a bra that fits! You may think that having a well-fitting bra is only important if you have a large bust, but small busts also benefit from form-fitting support!

Finding the right bra size AND shape (I’ll talk about both) is the secret to finding bras you can wear all day without feeling like you need to rip them off the second you get home!

Let’s find you your perfect bra!

Finding The Right Sized Bra

I got really nerdy about bra fitting back in college—because, honestly? My bras sucked.

I was constantly adjusting, worried about popping out if I leaned over, and don’t even get me started on summer boob sweat. The worst part? I avoided working out because the bounce hurt, and I lived in fear of a rogue nip slip.

At the time, I was wearing a 32D padded bra because that’s what seemed to fit. Turns out, I should’ve been in a 30H.

When I finally found the right size, shape, and brand for my body, it was a game-changer. I felt confident, supported, and—dare I say—sexy in all my clothes. Suddenly, movement felt freeing instead of frustrating. I could do yoga, acro yoga, and all the playful, physical things I wanted without discomfort or self-consciousness.

Step #1 Find Your Bra Size

Head to a shop like Sol Intimates in Cherry Creek, where they have professional, career bra fitters who will put you in the most beautiful, supportive, and well-fitting bra you’ve ever worn. 

For a top-tier bra fitting experience, you’ll spend around $120-200 on a single bra—but in return, you’ll walk away with a gorgeous, high-quality French bra and skip all the trial-and-error of figuring out your size on your own.

Not in Denver? Not looking to drop $150 on one bra? No worries.

A great first step is hopping on Google Maps and searching for “bra fitting” in your area. Check the store’s website—if they offer a wide range of sizes (think 28AA to 42J), you’re in the right place. But if their selection is limited (like 32A to 38DD), they might not be able to find your perfect fit.

Nordstrom is another solid option. Their size range isn’t the most inclusive, and some of their styles lean a little plain, but their fitters know their stuff. Odds are, you’ll walk out with a bra that fits well—even if it’s not the most exciting one in your drawer.

TIP: Bra sizes vary by country

French brands, UK brands, US brands, Australian brands, Polish brands, etc – there all use a different sizing system. The good news – it’s pretty easy to convert between them!

The DIY Route: Measure & Size Yourself 

Finding the right fit takes some trial and error—there’s no way around it. It might take longer than having an expert size you, but trust me, it’s totally doable. This is exactly how I found my correct size—it’s just about patience and commitment to the process.

With time and persistence, you will get there.

Here are some super helpful resources to guide you:

• Breakout Bras Fitting Guide (Simplest place to start): Breakout Bras Fitting Guide
• A Bra That Fits! Bra Size Calculator (Get your best starting point): Bra Size Calculator
• A Bra That Fits! Wiki (A deep dive into everything bra fitting): Beginner’s Guide to Bra Fitting

Give these a go, and before you know it, you’ll be rocking a bra that actually fits—no more digging straps, slipping cups, or discomfort. You got this!

Step #2: Find Your Shape & Brands

Breasts vary in size and shape – fullness, projection, density, root size, post-breastfeeding, post-surgery, etc. Different styles of bras are built for different shape boobs.

If you go to a shop like Sol Intimates, you will find shapes & brands that work for you. But even if you can afford $150 for a single (incredible) brand, you may not want to spend that much on every bra you buy.

Here are the steps I used to find the specific bra brands & models that fit my size AND shape best. 

1. Check out the A Bra That Fits! Shape Guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/shape_guide/
2. Get a general idea of what shape you might be
3. Buy 2-5 bras that work for your initial size/shape from an online retailer that does free returns- don’t let perfectionism stop you here. Know that you probably won’t find the perfect bra in your first or second haul. The purpose is to give you a starting point to identify fit issues and get closer to finding your perfect fit.
4. Post in one of the online communities I list below to get help finding your perfect fit!

I highly recommend joining a community where you can post your measurements and get suggestions on specific brands/models to start ordering!

• A Bra That Fits Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/
• A Bra That Fits Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/595966803905201 

TIP: Your bra size is made up of 2 parts

The number represents the band (ribcage) measurement. The letter indicates the cup size.

Step #3: Feel The Support, Lift, Comfort, And Confidence Of A Properly Fitting Bra

It’s game-changing when your bra fits right.

Back when I was buying those 30Hs, I mostly purchased bras from UK and Polish brands. Some of my favorites were Panache and Freya.  I was wearing beautiful designs, cute colors, and pretty lace bras even in a large size. So no, it’s not impossible to find pretty, feminine, show-off-able bras in big sizes!

So, are you wearing the correct bra size!?