Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Where Are the Plus-Size Bras?

Sizes above 38DD are hard to make, but we could soon see 52N

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2010 11:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – With American women’s breasts getting bigger and bigger, one has to wonder where the plus-size bra section at your local Target is. You’ll be hard pressed to find bras larger than 38DD (though the national average is 36DD) at most retailers, which is “totally crazy,” one design director tells New York. Stocking only sizes 32 to 38 “leaves out two-thirds of the population.”

So why the dearth of DDDs? Mostly because they’re a risky, and time-consuming, proposition. One company spends up to 2 years developing a 44H bra—which must support two 12-pound breasts. It pays off for some, but Frederick’s of Hollywood's president still calls it “a big risk.” Even so, sizes keep rising: The design director has heard talk of 52M and 52N.

A model walks down the runway February 5, 2001 at the Lane Bryant fashion show at Studio 54 in New York City.
A model walks down the runway February 5, 2001 at the Lane Bryant fashion show at Studio 54 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
16%
20%
18%
13%
25%
9%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
Genericname
Sep 3, 2010 8:33 PM CDT
I'm a 40B-D (conventional bra size is bullshit, I ignore the cup size and look at the bra-- and even then, there's 'vanity sizing') and it's very difficult to find a bra with my broad chest. There needs to be more variety in bra -shapes-, I've only recently found a bra that will fit with my wide gap between my breasts.
misskittyplum
May 9, 2010 7:52 AM CDT
I have a lingerie boutique that stocks european brands that go up to an I cup. They size slightly differently and there are no double letters i.e. DD = E. We find that even I isn't large enough for a lot of our customers. I did see an M size bra at a show once, it was particularly unattractive, just plain white and v functional. The average size I sell is an F...
Linda Bailey
May 8, 2010 12:50 PM CDT
Yeah, where are they? I order most of my bra's online. Sometimes I can find the right size at Macy's, but it's limited. I don't want a flimsy bra either, something attractive with good support.

More Newser Stories

Bra Size Is On the Rise

Crystal Renn: Why I Lost the Weight

'Fatties' Article: Not a Good Idea, Marie Claire

More Women Flaunt the A-Cup

Good Luck Finding a Sports Bra That Works


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment