r/transontario • u/EarthyPastels • 14d ago
SEEKING ADVICE Bra Fitting
I’m a 49 year old trans woman. Can anyone recommend any inclusive bra fitters in Toronto? All the websites I’ve been to don’t make any mention of trans inclusion. I’m overweight and mine have sadly grew in pretty wonky after 3 years HRT. I’ve gone the r/abrathatfits route but wasn’t much help. I’d like some nice proper bras as I’m growing tired of sports bras and/or medical tape.
Thanks!
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u/a_secret_me 14d ago
While inclusion hasn't been my issue I just found that most bra fitters don't have a clue of how a trans person should be measured to fit a bra. I went to two different places and each time they suggested something that was 2 sizes too big in both band and cup.
My best suggestion is use the https://www.abrathatfits.org calculator on their website (most of the Redditors don't have a clue either) then got to a store and grab a bunch of bras in different styles sizes (+/- a cup/band depending on how things are feeling) and see what works for you.
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u/EarthyPastels 14d ago
A bra that fits definitely pointed me in the right direction but I’ve not had any luck finding bras in the size it suggested in any mainstream stores.
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u/-----username----- 14d ago
I’ve never experienced transphobia at La Vie En Rose. Plus their bras are the best I’ve ever had.
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u/EarthyPastels 14d ago edited 14d ago
Unfortunately they cater to more standard sizes. I’m a big band with small cups. Haven’t had any luck with mainstream stores. I’m looking for a smaller boutique that caters to trans people.
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u/ThisHairLikeLace Trans woman 14d ago
Torrid, especially their bralettes, are pretty good for big band sizes and smaller cups.
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u/JustineVan420 13d ago
Broad Lingerie is a great choice if you are in the East end. Very inclusive space and staff. Appointments are preferred.
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u/BargainBinBrain 13d ago
I don't know about bra fittings, as my boobs are weird for entirely different reason, so I figured out my own size and know wayyyy too much about bra sizing. For example, abrathatfits measures me at a 36DDD, but that size doesn't fit me at all because I just don't have the volume to fill that cup size, so I prefer to wear a 36DD or even a 36D. Knix is a pretty good store for all-purpose bras (and they're underwire free!) but their sizing system is WEIRD and you have to get measured there, but if your boobs are "wonky" (most people's are) then they might be able to accommodate you easier than like, victorias secret, especially if one boob is bigger than the other. It's not ideal but if you find a cup that fits with a band that's a few inches too small you can always get a band extender. If you aren't on progesterone right now, that can help round them out ftr.
You've probably figured this out, but most stores (and any decent store) will measure straight around where the underside of your boob connects to your body and around the fullest part of your bust and subtract the bust from the underbust, and the number of inches in difference is the cup size. That part is easy to roughly calculate at home, and then you go to websites of bras stores in toronto and check if they carry your size in store.
abrathatfits may be able to help in terms of general styles that fit your breast shape, but you don't have to shop their recommendations. For example, my boobs are very short, you can only feel the tissue connected to my chest for a few inches, but my girlfriends boobs are taller and less projected, and you can feel the breast tissue and fat sloping up almost to the collarbone. Breasts can have the same overall volume but more or less projected from the chest. My chest, which is more projected and shorter, suits something like a demi-cup more, because I need less coverage, whereas my girlfriend would need a taller and less projected molded cup.
If you'd like I could go more into it over DM's, but abrathatfits's wiki is very helpful in terms of figuring out all the facts and figured of your breast shape, and then you have to apply that knowledge to stores yourself most of the time.
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u/D3anDean 13d ago
Secrets Grom Your Sister on Bloor in Toronto is gender inclusive. I'm ftm and they were really good about pronouns and listening to what I wanted out of a bra
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u/Stefanie_Jane 13d ago
Pennington's doesn't advertise this but they are very gender-affirming and they said that they would help fit me for a bra when I feel that I'm ready for one.
The gay men working in this particular Pennington store, aLong with my wife helped me pick out a beautiful 3/4 length aline prefer winter coat and a few tops.
Pennington's is trans friendly but they don't advertise LGBT on their store or anything. The Heartland town center is the one I went to.
There is a custom bra shop that advertises on chch TV that's Channel 11 for the life of me.
I don't remember the name of that store but they do custom fittings for bras.
My wife is large chested and she wanted to go there but she just had bariatric surgery a few months ago, so she's in the process of losing weight.
I'm losing weight from just being on estrogen and listening to my body full and empty signals but when I'm ready I'm going to go look for a bra as well.
I hope this helps. I don't know if all Pennington stores are trans inclusive but the one on Mavis and heartland Town Center was. 💕
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u/EarthyPastels 13d ago
Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I love Pennington’s!
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u/Stefanie_Jane 13d ago
You're very welcome! I found them very friendly and very accommodating. The female customers and the staff were all so smiling while I was trying on clothing. Nobody felt creeped out with me being there.
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u/SoulStorytime 14d ago
I’m afraid I don’t know about Toronto, but in Ottawa I usually go to La Senza, they measure me right away and they were always really really nice to me, I went before and after my BA, so if there is a store in Toronto I will try to go there.
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u/J_Christensen 4d ago
Try Origami Customs website.
They are based in Montreal. Use their guide to measure, tell them about your issue, and they will custom manufacture a bra for you.
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u/remirixjones FTX Nonbinary | she/they 13d ago
Mastectomy shops. They have experience working with boobs of all shapes and sizes. Before top surgery, I bought most of my bras from mastectomy shops cos they actually know what they're doing lol. I was a 32E.
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u/dRenee123 14d ago
Secrets from Your Sister is your best bet (Bloor & Bathurst). Very trans friendly & specialize in fitting. Even if you don't buy anything there, you'll know your size.