Unusual bra size

July 23, 2018 10:48 AM

I need to find a bra that is size 26C. What website sells this size? Or store in the US?

"Training" bras (which are this small around) are insufficient for this cup size. And non-training bras seem to start at 32. Where do busty middle school students shop?

posted by The Sockout Bois and the Avocado of breath to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Firstly, double check that measurements are correct with this calculator and use this fit guide.

A Bra That Fits reddit thread about this very thing. (And it looks like a few other threads on there as well.)

How much support is required? Bralettes may be a good option - including padded bralettes. I am a 28D/30C and wear a ton of bralettes. Target often carries juniors bralettes that go to an XS (for example smaller than my under-bust of 28").
posted by Crystalinne at 11:05 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]

Are you using the sizing from A Bra That Fits? Here is a list of manufacturers, many of which start at 28.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:07 AM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]

Also, this is the best fitting bra I've ever owned. It's sheer and no padding, but it's like magic. It goes from a 28A + and fits quite snug on the under-bust for me in a 28D. (The sister size should be a 28B but the cups in this are half- cups so you may need a 28C depending on the shape and size.)
posted by Crystalinne at 11:13 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]

I would try some bras in the sister sizes (28B/30A) both of which are pretty readily available online. Bare Necessities carries a pretty large selection in 28B and has lots of sales that make it easy to try multiple styles without spending too much.
posted by assenav at 11:15 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]

Decent exposures
posted by brujita at 1:51 PM on July 23, 2018

The Little Bra Company.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:41 PM on July 23, 2018

If none of the bras you find are small enough, there's still the option of altering an existing one, either by just adding hooks or by actually shortening the band (here are a few examples of how that can be done). If you don't know how to sew, it's the kind of thing a seamstress or tailor should be able to take care of.
posted by trig at 12:48 AM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]

I wore a 32G for a while, which is a comparable size in terms of availability, and I did not find any brands that would accommodate the combination of larger cup and smaller band.

What I did: buy a bra in the appropriate cup size and have the band altered to fit. The alteration was not expensive and made it work---a tuck in the band to remove some width on both sides, as well as moving the straps in the back to the adjusted location. Any tailor or seamstress that has experience with stretch knits should be able to do this for a reasonable fee or if you sew you can do it yourself.
posted by epanalepsis at 6:01 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]

I wear a band size 26 or 28. The higher end bra companies like Freya, Panache and Fantasie carry smaller band sizes. And btw a 26C is like the opposite of “busty” so you might want to get the kid a proper bra fitting.
posted by pintapicasso at 10:01 AM on July 24, 2018