Thanks for nothing Victoria Secret....

I totally get that bras are shaped differently, but come on, they were all the same brand!

The only saving grace is that the salesperson accidentally gave me all of the money back on my credit card instead of putting it back on the gift card, so at least I don't have to go back!

Their bras are not as good as they used to be. I fit different in different styles. Finally I said fuck it and now get my bras at Kohls or JCP.

I am so over VS, honestly. Try Soma or Third Love!

I personally love Aerie. They have each size of each fit for you to try on in store, and if the color/style/size you want isn't in store they ship it to your house free.

They don't measure correctly. The way most stores fit is totally wrong for anyone bigger than a B cup.

I suggest measuring yourself CORRECTLY (measure tightly under your bust around your rib age just below where your breasts join your chest. That's tour band size. Measure bent forward so your back is parallel to the floor, across your breasts, over the nipples and completely around your back. Add one cup size for each inch of difference from the band. )

Jcpenney, who measures the way VS does, said I was a 40DDD even though I was spilling out everywhere. Tried to tell me it was normal. Turns out in US sizing I'm a 36O/P, so I have to get bras from the UK, where sizing is different and I wear a 36K.

I no longer have back pain, straps that dig or slide off, red marks from my bra, or issues with no support.

Wow that's a terrible experience. I read an article once too that the US doesn't even measure women correctly period. Such a shame. I literally hate bra shopping.

I hate VS. They are overpriced for what you get. I started shopping at Aerie and have enjoyed their bras and the price.

At least you got the money! I was gonna say just buy underwear instead of bras.

@mna- I thought it was odd that they didn't measure me the proper way. I can't even describe how they measure.... Over the clothes, over the bra and diagonally over the top of the breast, near the armpit... bizarre.

@Nauti- When I was telling the story to FH, I was like "ugh, what else would I get there with the gift card?? Sexy underwear??" If I didn't really need new bras.

I will check out Aerie- I've never heard of them.

KDS: definitely try it. The "American" way of measuring was designed to fit women into a narrow range of bras instead of fitting the bra to the woman. Basically, US companies can sell a woman an ill fitting bra that falls in a very narrow range of sizes, so they don't have to manufacture as many different sizes. It sucks big time.

Also remember that as you go up a band size, the cup volume goes up as well. So a 36D has the same volume in the cup as a 34DD or a 38C.

VS is hit or miss for me. Can anybody please explain why preteens hang out there shopping for stuff?! When I was in middle school that place was forbidden lol

I love soma. But i didnt have them fit me....

Every time I've gotten measured there it's been different. Their bras aren't as good as they used to be either and most of them I find really uncomfortable.

@mna, how do you do the cup size? I assume you start with A, then B, then C, but what about when you get to D? If someone is 5 inches more when bending forward, do you go A, B, C, D, DD?

I worked in lingerie for a number of years before going into medicine. Please at all costs avoid Victoria's Secret. They don't train their employees at all in fitting a bra properly. I highly recommend both Nordstrom and Macy's. Also there are many small, local bra shops that do a great job. As a general rule, women overestimate their band size (thus, straps falling off or riding up in the back) and underestimate their cup size (which leads to wires poking where they shouldn't). When you do get properly fit, please do everything in your power to ignore the number and how it feels emotionally to be that number. A lot of women would walk away from a perfect bra because they didn't like the number. It's just a number, just like pant size or anything else. Does it fit? Does it feel good? Great!

Reddit.com/r/abrathatfits -- it will change your life, seriously.

Ditto to Everything @whitney just said!!!! I can't recommend enough getting fitted at a local bra store where they are truly experts in fit. You don't necessarily have to buy your bras there if it's out of your price range - but at least then you'll know your size and can shop around accordingly.

I second Nordstrom!

I have never even noticed a local bra store in my area.... I will have to investigate. The VS bras were $50, so not exactly cheap.

I have always gone to Macys in the past and had good luck. The VS manager tried to tell me that this process was normal and that shopping for bras isn't easy. So why have I always had luck with just one quick trip to Macys in the past.....

I totally agree, go to a small local lingerie store! Or at least a Nordstrom's. And if you're above a C cup, don't go to cheap mall stores like VS - the straps are adorably flimsy and cut into your shoulders like they're made out of piano wire. If you're stuck with only mall options, I like Bali (good sales at Macy's) and Soma for comfy big bras with great padding.

VS is horrible. Whenever I have gone they "fitted" me into ridiculous sizes I couldn't even get on. I'm a DD and I don't need three inches of padding but that's all they tried to pass off on me.

Also look up sister sizes...if you're a 36 DD, you can also wear a 38 D, or a 40 C. Explore your sister sizes to find the most comfortable bra for you. Surprisingly Kohl's often has an amazing selection on good sales.