You’re a 32 in the waist and your bra reads: 46 DDD. Your dress size could easily be a size 12, but you’re forced into the plus-size section of your local department store because of your breasts. You’ve considered a breast reduction, not because of the pain you often experience when jogging, but because you’re tired of going out of your way, spending cash on special order bras and the gawking from hungry men on the 2 train. And when you’re menstruating, they seem to get even bigger. You want out. Plain and simple.
Trying out for the cheerleader squad in high school was a no go. And in undergrad, you thought for once, “Let me embrace my girls.” You began showing cleavage, wearing low-cut blouses and after a few evil stares from the all-down Black power society on campus, you concluded your plus-size pride sent the wrong message. Your breasts became a silent killer to your often ceaseless self esteem incubator.
In your heart, your ample bosum dampens your ‘fashion-loving’ knack for eclectic style. And your friends–they don’t seem to ever understand. Your man would hate it you even went down one bra size.
Now in your mid-twenties, the problem you thought would go away still lingers. And although plus-size options have come a long way, you see big butts–something you oddly lack– becoming increasingly trendy, while your extra baggage remains an out of vogue aesthetic you don’t see coming into style anytime soon.
But here’s where the sky opens… Have you ever thought that you’re not alone? Do you realize there are loads of women around the globe sharing your same eyes-closed thoughts?
Your triple Ds will not go away. What can go away is your continued despair. Snatch back the pride you lost sophomore year. Step into your brilliance and reclaim your boundless, unflinching love. You’ve earned it.
–Geneva S. Thomas
lol I love Coco and Creme! Actually, this list was spot on! All of these ladies are beautiful and talented in their own way but their fashion sense are more misses than hits! It’s sort of sad because each of them have an unique beauty and bodies to shut a red carpet down if they dress right
Story of my life. I have to get bigger tops and I hate it. I really am thinking about a reduction. But, my mom doesn’t approve (im grown but you know….lol) Still thinking though.
Sooo true. Shout to “DD-G” crew. Now haven’t really had a lot shame with the twins or back problems. But our bras are expensive (especially if u want cute ones) and can sometimes set a sista back. Thanks goodness for Nordstorms, Freya, lane Bryant and Enell {the best damn sports bra in world; at a whopping well worth it 70 backs)
But my girls are worth it…although I wouldn’t mind a little more in the back to match.
Wow. This hit home. I’m a size 14 who wears a 36 HH. I’ve gone through all these emotions and then some. I was even one Dr.’s appointment away from a reduction in my 20′s, but at age 36 I’ve come to accept my body for what it is. And while custom bras are expensive, getting fitted for one was the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Having the proper support makes you look better than you can imagine.
I am so glad to see that I am not alone in feeling this way about my chest. Finding cute clothes that do not pull in the chest area is the hardest part when it comes to shopping. Usually I either have to go up to a larger size or I buy male shirts. But what I am finding out now as I work out more is that my chest makes me look bigger than what I truly am. Does anyone have any advice on how I can remedy this problem?
Love Love love this article. I have done everything short of surgery to get my top parts proportionate to my bottom with no luck. I have since given up and just decided to deal with it. All I really wanted was to rock some of those one piece dresses that are so popular these days but given my top size and bottom size I simply buy two pieces and rock it flawlessly. Glad I am not alone in my dilemma just wish more designers would acknowledge the issue.
Do you think there are enough of us that it would sell? Shoot, lets collaborate….
Im way big up top with an average sized waist…Many tops and dresses that fit my chest will make me look huge if I don’t get them fitted by a tailor. I’d rather do that than even think about a reduction!
Grrr…this is a pain on my chest literally. I had this problem at a young age because I always been consider…busty. I love tops and dresses but it irks me when I can’t find the ones I want in my size because my chest is consider plus size. I never thought about breast reduction surgery because it seem a bit extreme. So, I just shop for tops/dresses in stores that often a larger sizes with different variety and just tailor them or even go online, plus a minimizer bra helps A LOT! But I wish more people would acknowledge this problem because these designers seem to think if you have a larger chest or bottom then you must be plus size when that is so not the case
Finally! Somebody who understands where I’m coming from! I read this article and i wanted to cry. It’s always been so difficult to find clothes, bras, formal dresses, etc.
As much as I love them, I would love to be “normal”. My jeans are a 14, but my breats are a 38K and finding clothes is hell. Fortunately, I’ve found a few great places in NYC and online that have bras in my size. They are expensive, but soooo worth it.
Although I have an average sized frame. My bra size is a 34G and I can totally relate to this article. It’s so hard to find cute bras and I always have to go up a dress size or 2 in order to fit my bust. Let’s not even talk about bathing suit shopping.
Where do you ladies shop for bras to fit your fuller busts?
“Trying out for the cheerleader squad in high school was a no go. ”
Not true. I have been a DD since 10th grade and went out and made the squad my 12th grade. Wearing two bras got me through those toe touches….lol.
I used to consider a breast reduction, however, I got used to my girls and learned to embrace wearing an extra large shirt even though I am a size 12. I refuse to try and squeeze these bad girls into anything smaller.
I went to a Lane Bryant Store to get one of the bras you can wear 7 ways (?) and as soon as I walked up to the sales woman, she said we don’t have anything to fit you and walked away as if I insulted her for even walking in the store. So I never found out if those bras would work for me.
It is hard to find cute, GOOD bras unless you go to the department stores or get them from boutiques. the best bras ever are from victoria secrets, BODY…OMG…they are wonderul!!!!
This article rang so true! coming in at a 38DDD bust and size 10/12 bottoms my breasts invoke alot of attention from men and women. Everyone seems to have an opinion. i have thought about breast reduction surgery but its extreme and expensive especially for a fresh out of college 22y yr old. Instead I have decided to lose some weight to see if the boobs go down and like you ladies have suggested get pretty better fitting bras that make me more comfortable and feel supported.
Great article!