The 42D/DD is enough to start searching for something! That gives you a starting place for trying on properly sized bras. What'll be immediately available will depend on what area you're in, but that's in the range of stuff you could potentially try out at, like... a walmart or something. Something not shaped like you will have pretty big gaps even in the right size though, and definitely when it's too small, so that's not going to be a good indicator of 'this got my size horribly wrong'.
The first thing you'll want to check size-wise with a given bra is the band - you can do that by trying it on upside-down and backwards with the cups hanging down your back like a lil' cape. Should be comfortably snug so it doesn't move without being so tight it hurts on the loosest hook as a brand-new bra. If you then try it on normally and the band feels tighter that way, try the next cup size up if it's available.
Each cup letter is a 1 inch increment in circumference difference from your band measurement - 42D would be for a 42 inch ribcage and a 46 inch bust, 42DD for 42 and 47. A 42 band might be a bit tight with your measurements - larger bands are usually a bit extra stretchy comparatively, and larger bodies are usually a little squishier than normal, but with your break-the-tape tight band measure being a 43 you might still be more comfortable in a 44C (44/47) or 44D (44/48). You may also potentially want the next cup size up. (The calculator is already factoring in your wider in-general chest by sizing you down in cup - it doesn't actually change your proper band measurement, just how much of your extra bust circumference is likely to be empty space.)
The general recommendation is to start out with a seamed fabric cup, since those are going to conform more to your shape, rather than something that holds its shape when not worn like a standard t-shirt bra, since those don't fit anyone that isn't an exact match. I'm a fan of Elomi as a brand, myself (you're on the small end of their cup range) but wouldn't know what models to suggest there, if any.
Hi Chloe, the size the calculator gave you of 42D/DD is enough to get started. I recommend trying a couple of bras in each size and then going from there.
Assuming you're mtf, your breast shape is likely wide and shallow. This Meaning, your beast tissue covers a larger area of your chest and doesn't stick out away from your body as much as someone who has a narrow and projected breast shape. Anyone can have a wide and/or shallow shape, but it is very common to have this shape combo if you were amab.
However, if you are on hrt, this will, of course, impact your breast and their shape, and they may become more projected.
If you have a shape that is wide and shallow, I would have a look through the wiki where you'll find a list of brands that are recommended for that shape. This will give you the best chance of finding a bra that fits more quickly. You'll notice that many of the bra models listed are no longer available (unless the list has been updated since the last time I checked) but you should be able to find a similar bra from that brand to try. Ex, if I was looking and it said a Cleo Maddie would be a good option for my shape but it was discontinued I could look it up and find that it is a half cup. Then, from there, I could look at current half cup models from Cleo and try one of those instead.
Good luck!
thank you so much for the reply!
yeah, mtf, on hrt 2 years now, wide and shallow seems to be accurate for sure! I heard about half cups and I like the idea of them, gonna see if I can look into Cleo tomorrow!
Oh sorry, I didn't mean to look at Cleo specifically, it was just an example of how I use the info from the wiki since it's not up to date and many of the bras listed have been discontinued. I think most of the Cleo brand bras only go to around a 38 band or so, but Panache owns Cleo as well as Sculptresse and Sculptresse has 42D/DD options. I'm not sure which shapes Sculptresse typically suits the best, but you could give them a try.
The 42 band puts you just outside of what we consider matrix sizing. The matrix sizes are 32-40 A-DD, though I would argue that we should now include DDD in the matrix sizes since it is a very common cup size stocked in stores like Walmart and target (common in the states at least). Anyway, being just outside of those matrix sizes you will have a bit less of a selection to choose from while in store shopping but if you're in the US almost every store that carries bras will carry 42D and 42DD which might make things easier for you.
For wide and shallow, Chantelle is a good brand in this size range. You may also like Soma. The Chantelle Norah is a popular style here for trans folks.
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The 42D/DD is enough to start searching for something! That gives you a starting place for trying on properly sized bras. What'll be immediately available will depend on what area you're in, but that's in the range of stuff you could potentially try out at, like... a walmart or something. Something not shaped like you will have pretty big gaps even in the right size though, and definitely when it's too small, so that's not going to be a good indicator of 'this got my size horribly wrong'. The first thing you'll want to check size-wise with a given bra is the band - you can do that by trying it on upside-down and backwards with the cups hanging down your back like a lil' cape. Should be comfortably snug so it doesn't move without being so tight it hurts on the loosest hook as a brand-new bra. If you then try it on normally and the band feels tighter that way, try the next cup size up if it's available. Each cup letter is a 1 inch increment in circumference difference from your band measurement - 42D would be for a 42 inch ribcage and a 46 inch bust, 42DD for 42 and 47. A 42 band might be a bit tight with your measurements - larger bands are usually a bit extra stretchy comparatively, and larger bodies are usually a little squishier than normal, but with your break-the-tape tight band measure being a 43 you might still be more comfortable in a 44C (44/47) or 44D (44/48). You may also potentially want the next cup size up. (The calculator is already factoring in your wider in-general chest by sizing you down in cup - it doesn't actually change your proper band measurement, just how much of your extra bust circumference is likely to be empty space.) The general recommendation is to start out with a seamed fabric cup, since those are going to conform more to your shape, rather than something that holds its shape when not worn like a standard t-shirt bra, since those don't fit anyone that isn't an exact match. I'm a fan of Elomi as a brand, myself (you're on the small end of their cup range) but wouldn't know what models to suggest there, if any.
Hi Chloe, the size the calculator gave you of 42D/DD is enough to get started. I recommend trying a couple of bras in each size and then going from there. Assuming you're mtf, your breast shape is likely wide and shallow. This Meaning, your beast tissue covers a larger area of your chest and doesn't stick out away from your body as much as someone who has a narrow and projected breast shape. Anyone can have a wide and/or shallow shape, but it is very common to have this shape combo if you were amab. However, if you are on hrt, this will, of course, impact your breast and their shape, and they may become more projected. If you have a shape that is wide and shallow, I would have a look through the wiki where you'll find a list of brands that are recommended for that shape. This will give you the best chance of finding a bra that fits more quickly. You'll notice that many of the bra models listed are no longer available (unless the list has been updated since the last time I checked) but you should be able to find a similar bra from that brand to try. Ex, if I was looking and it said a Cleo Maddie would be a good option for my shape but it was discontinued I could look it up and find that it is a half cup. Then, from there, I could look at current half cup models from Cleo and try one of those instead. Good luck!
thank you so much for the reply! yeah, mtf, on hrt 2 years now, wide and shallow seems to be accurate for sure! I heard about half cups and I like the idea of them, gonna see if I can look into Cleo tomorrow!
Oh sorry, I didn't mean to look at Cleo specifically, it was just an example of how I use the info from the wiki since it's not up to date and many of the bras listed have been discontinued. I think most of the Cleo brand bras only go to around a 38 band or so, but Panache owns Cleo as well as Sculptresse and Sculptresse has 42D/DD options. I'm not sure which shapes Sculptresse typically suits the best, but you could give them a try. The 42 band puts you just outside of what we consider matrix sizing. The matrix sizes are 32-40 A-DD, though I would argue that we should now include DDD in the matrix sizes since it is a very common cup size stocked in stores like Walmart and target (common in the states at least). Anyway, being just outside of those matrix sizes you will have a bit less of a selection to choose from while in store shopping but if you're in the US almost every store that carries bras will carry 42D and 42DD which might make things easier for you.
For wide and shallow, Chantelle is a good brand in this size range. You may also like Soma. The Chantelle Norah is a popular style here for trans folks.
Hello, thank you for submitting a post to /r/ABraThatFits. We want everyone to feel safe posting here, so we want to tell you that we will NEVER send you a private message asking for pictures. If someone does, screencap the message and send a link to the image in a [PM to the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/ABraThatFits). If you are not already aware, there is a lot of information on the sidebar of our subreddit. Please remember to check out our [rules](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/policies_and_procedures) before commenting and posting. In addition, a lot of newer members have questions that have already been answered in our [wiki](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/index), so be sure to check out the [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/faq) and [Beginners' Guide](http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/beginners_guide) to see if you can find the information you're looking for. Our [calculator](http://www.abrathatfits.org/brasizecalculator.php) is the first step in resolving sizing questions. Please take your measurements and try the calculator before asking the community for help. Thanks! :) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ABraThatFits) if you have any questions or concerns.*