Breast Reduction, Breast Augmentation, and Bra Fitting
Every body is unique. I’ve written before about differences like projected vs. shallow breasts, or why your fitter pays attention to your shoulders when selecting a bra for you. But how does bra shopping change when you’ve had a breast reduction or augmentation?
Size Surprise
Surprised to hear that someone who’s had a reduction would still shop at a full bust boutique? A doctor’s estimate of what their patient’s new bra size will be is just that: an estimate. They don’t have experience in lingerie and very often lack an understanding of the full spectrum of bra sizes. That’s why a lot of people, post-reduction, still can’t find what they need at a mall lingerie store. This happens with breast augmentation, too. (Ideally in either case, your doctor will talk in terms of breast volume, not bra size.)
Breast Reduction
Boobs that have undergone reduction are often shallower in shape and firmer than they were before the procedure. (Shallow breasts are spread out across the chest, with a bigger “footprint” than projected breasts.) This means that a bra with shallower cups (like Panache’s Clara, right) is likely to fit best. You may find that there’s a small gap between at the bottom of the cup between your breasts and the underwire, but as long as it’s not uncomfortable, that’s not a huge deal. Just make sure to do your movement tests!
Breast Augmentation
Breasts tend to be firmer after augmentation as well, so again there’s likely to be a space between boobs and underwire at the bottom of the cup. Augmented breasts are also often more projected in shape, so a projected cup is your friend here. (Projected breasts take up less surface area than shallow breasts, with a smaller “footprint.”) And keep an eye out for stretch lace! It conforms to the body beautifully and is much more forgiving, fit-wise. Ewa Michalak’s Bibi, right, is projected and has stretch lace, making it a great choice for augmented breasts.
Smooth or Seamed?
T-shirt bras (bras with smooth, moulded cups that are invisible under a t-shirt) are a common request. These guys are tricky because they don’t conform to the body the way a seamed bra can. A t-shirt bra has structured cups that sort of require that breasts “fall” into them. Since augmented breasts and reduced breasts tend to be firmer, they won’t do that.
But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have t-shirt bras! You just may need to compromise a bit. If you have your heart set on one, talk to your fitter about what you want. The same guidelines as above will apply: shallow cups (like Fantasie’s Rebecca, top right) for reduced breasts, and projected cups with a flexible top edge (like Panache’s Cari, bottom right) for augmented breasts.
We all have slightly different wants and needs when it comes to lingerie. Knowing your bra size is just the beginning! For more information on breast augmentation and bra shopping, An Enhanced Experience is a great blog. It’s a little harder to find information on breast reduction and bra fitting, but if you know of good resources, let us know in the comments!
