Why this size group is so often missed
Two things work against it. The first is stock: many chains concentrate on bands 32 to 38 and cups A to E, and a 30G is outside both. The second is the measuring method. Add four inches to a 30-inch ribcage and you get a 34 band, and the cup letter drops to match. The person leaves in a 34D, the bra never fits, and the shop never learns that a 30G was needed.
If you are slim around the ribs and have always found bras loose in the band and small in the cup at once, this may be you. The reasoning is in why the +4 method is wrong.
The letters are less dramatic than they look
| Small-band size | Same cup volume as |
|---|---|
| 28F | 32DD or 34D |
| 30F | 34DD or 36D |
| 30G | 34F or 36E |
| 32G | 36F or 38E |
| 28H | 32G or 34FF |
Who makes these sizes
The UK is unusually well served here. Several British brands were founded specifically for D cups and above, and most of them start at a 28 or 30 band. Ranges are set per style and change by season, so check the product page.
| Brand | Published range, broadly |
|---|---|
| Freya | Bands from 28 to 38, cups to K |
| Panache and Cleo | Bands from 28, cups D to K in core styles |
| Curvy Kate | Bands 28 to 44, cups D to K |
| Bravissimo own label | D cup upward, to an L cup |
Where to buy
- Bravissimo, in its shops and online, sells its own label alongside the brands above and fits in store.
- Independent lingerie boutiques. Many specialise in fuller cups.
- Online lingerie retailers. Filter by band and cup before browsing.
- Department stores that carry the full-bust brands, though they may not hold every size on the shop floor.
What to look for at these sizes
- Narrow wires. A slim ribcage usually means a narrow breast root. Wires that are too wide end up in the armpit. Plunge styles and brands cut for projected shapes tend to be narrower.
- Deep, seamed cups. A lot of volume on a small frame generally means breasts that stand well forward. Unlined cups made of three or four panels have the depth for that. Moulded T-shirt cups often do not, and get pushed away from the chest.
- A firm band. Slim frames have less surface for a band to grip. Check firmness in reviews.
- Straps that are fully adjustable and not set too wide, as narrow shoulders often go with a small band.
Shape matters as much as size here. Best bras for projected breasts goes into the constructions that work.
Get fitted by someone who stocks your size
A fitter can only put you in what is on their shelves. At these sizes, go to a retailer whose range includes them: a full-bust specialist or a well-stocked independent. See bra fitting for large busts.
Frequently asked questions
Is 30G a real size?
Yes. It describes a ribcage of about 30 inches with a bust nine inches larger. It holds the same cup volume as a 34F or a 36E, and several UK brands make it as standard.
Why do I measure as a small band and a large cup?
Because your ribcage is slim relative to your bust. Cup letters count the difference between the two, so a small band produces a higher letter for the same breast volume. It does not mean your bust is unusually large.
Can I just wear a bigger band with a smaller cup?
You can keep the cup volume that way, but the band will be too loose to support it. With a fuller bust on a slim frame, that shows up quickly as riding up, strap pain and wires that move.
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