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Bras are the primary foundation garment for the modern woman. We have long ago left behind stomachers, crinolines, and corsets. Even the slip has fallen out of use since the 90's. No, underneath it all we are down to our panties and bras. Therefore, fewer allowances must be made in the fit. If the bra band creates a little roll here or there, there are fewer pieces of fabric which can mask it. Even the modern "cami", which is highly elasticized and therefore clingy, only accentuates the problem rather than mask it.

Also, it is very easy for a bra to be uncomfortable. If a wire is an inch or so too close to the arm, you could have pinching. Or, sometimes bra manufacturers play with the positioning of the straps so that the garment tips at an odd angle or the cups leave a gap between the skin and fabric. On top of that, there are the subtle differences between brands. Some fit smaller, some fit larger, others fit true to size but you still have to double check. So why is it that they never have my size at stores?

For the past five years, I have bought Maidenform's t-shirt demi bra size 38C. I buy it from the same store each time because I know that they will have what I am looking for. This is probably because the store also sells full-figure bras as well as smaller teen sizes. This wide range as well as constancy in brand selection assures me that they will always have my bra. But sometimes I long for something a little different.

So I go to a store like Gap Body or Aerie, where they have delicate lace items or adorable cotton underthings that make me drool. I paw through the racks, past the As and Bs until I find C. Then I count: 32, 34, 36.... and then it jumps to D. When did a 38 inch ribcage become taboo? Why are there size 32D bras but not a relatively average 38C? They promise sizes up to 40DD online, but why not in the store? Is it clutter? Do they not want "fat bras" to contaminate the image of the slim yet well-endowed teen that is hung on the wall?

This is like stores that only carry sizes small, medium, and large and yet are reluctant to throw a few XLs into the pile. These also tend to be the stores that cut their clothing smaller than other companies, so that a size large is really more like a medium. Sometimes you can make allowances, letting yourself get the large when you really need the extra fabric, telling yourself that you can hid the rolls with a cami. However, you can't do that with a bra. The sizing is more specific than the vague S,M,L,XL guidelines of outer garments. When you wear a size 36, you need the two extra inches that a size 34 does not have. And even then, there is no guarantee that it will fit. Sometimes you need the next size up, but that's not certain.

This goes beyond a matter of selection. I am truly wondering why upper sizes are forced onto company websites when they are the ones who have issues with the fit of clothing.The worst part is, I don't think that my bra size will really ever change. I may lose weight and slowly ease myself down from a large shirt to a medium, however the width of my ribcage isn't likely to change.