This list is going to start out from most helpful, or what I recommend, to what I found to be least helpful. I am mainly going to look at content but also how they arrive to suggest bra fitting help. So for example,anyone who suggests the plus four, five, or six method probably wont rank very high on this list. Here we go:
Top Pick:
Busted: The Fab Foundations Guide to Bras that fit, flatter, and feel fantastic by Ali Cudby- This book is very educational, and suggests trying stuff on, rather than working with the tape measure. She suggests if you don't know your size, work with bringing the band down until it fits, then adding a cup size. This formula works out really well because I wear a 34 C that doesn't fit, and with the suggestion, we can reduce it to a 30 DD/E. I have yet to try a 30 E bra on, however there is one that should be arriving in the mail shortly, and that will be my next review. She says there really is no such thing as being a cup size, and that makes sense. For example, a 36B is a 34C is a 32D, is a 30DD/E. They hold about the same amount of volume (or breast tissue), only difference is the band. Ali's book also gives helpful hints on how to find your size for different models, helpful tips for washing, helpful charts, and a plethora of other helpful things. This book is so good I actually keep it in my purse so if I am hanging out with a friend whos having the same issues I am having, she can read it, and apply it to her current bra knowledge. This book is extremely educational, and I like that about it. I think in fact to take it a step further, this should be taught in High School as a staple text book. Get this book, you wont regret it. My only regret with this book is not buying it sooner.
Bottom line, this is the best book on bras available from my perspective.
If you have to choose only one out of all these books, I would say choose this one.
I also wanted to add this, because I forgot to mention it but I think it is very important and awesome. With purchase of the book, you get access to the webpage that allows you to print off the charts and tips in this book, as well as actually email the author. Ali has done a wonderful job answering all my questions, and being nice at answering them. I ask a lot of questions and she was always happy to answer them.
So to sum this up- I think every woman should own this book.
Second Place:
Boobs: A guide to your girls by Elisabeth Squires.-This book really covered a lot about breast health and breasts in general. I really enjoyed the very wide range of topics, and even some little known tidbits about American Culture and breasts. The bra fitting advice was a little confusing in the book because she used a different bra sizing method from a plastic surgeon, she also offered the "go down a band size, up a cup" method which isn't flawed. The plastic surgeons method put me *not surprisingly* at a 34C but its clear to me that size doesn't fit. I would argue most American fitters would peg me at that size, but it doesn't work for me. This is the other bra book I keep in my purse, and covers more on breasts than just bras. Busted is great but mainly focuses on Bras, this one is more about breasts *how fitting for the title*. I love this book, and would definitely read it any day.
I think every woman and girl should own this book too.
Another book to check out on the topic of breasts is:
Breasts by Meema Spadola. This book is wonderful because it explains the different perspectives on breasts from different women. It offers perspectives from different points of life too which I think is wonderful. This book really paints a picture of the diversity of perspectives on breasts from women. I haven't fully had a time to read the entire book however I did watch the documentary entirely, and watch some of the book. It definitely made me feel better about not having bigger breasts, like American Culture seems fixated on. I would recommend this book as well but I would argue more for a women studies course, or female anatomy course. This book didn't help with bra size much though so it doesn't really have a place, I included it for kicks.
Third place is
The Bra Book by Jene' Luciani. I enjoyed how colorful this book was, and the illustrations included. This book is good for when you have actually found your size, and want to know more about bra fashion. She suggests different things, such as possibly add two inches, or add nothing. I like how she suggested to do whatever formula works best for you, and recalculate it from there. She says to be prepared to fluctuate bra sizes a lot until you find your fit. I felt that the other two books were more educational, and this one was more colorful but I felt there could have been a bit more content, or diversity on content. She says there is no standard size for bras, and just to try things on. Bottom line is its trial and error. This books emphasis is on fashion but it still is a little helpful in finding your size. The book included some male perspectives on bras as well which was interesting. I liked how the author showed the fax-paus, and used photographs to explain things instead of just writing about them. This book is great because it is so colorful, and helpful.
I would also recommend this book for everyone who wears a bra, its a great book.
Next up is
The Lingerie Handbook by Rebecca Apsan.The Lingerie Handbook had alot of photographs which were pretty on its pages, however in terms of bra fitting it just suggested trial, and error. I felt like this was mainly focused on fashion more than Jene Luciani's book, and I didn't find it to be too terribly helpful in finding my size out. I felt like the book was interesting however it wasn't very focused on being education about bras, rather it was fashion oriented.
The last book on my list was
Bra Talk by Susan Nethero. This book was written differently than I expected. The book gives personalized stories/accounts of bra fitting issues, as well as how to fix them for the most part. While this isn't bad, I liked how Ali Cudby's book was easy to pick up, and flip through to the right page. I wouldn't call this a reference book. I was a little disappointed with the book but it offered good fitting help as well. I thought that writing the book via stories was interesting but perhaps could have been executed better.
The last book wasn't necessarily disappointing but I didn't think their advice was very helpful. As stated earlier, anything that suggests adding plus four, five, or six is going to be a problem with me because of all the pain it has put other women (including myself) in. Again, I am in no way shape or form putting these books down, rather I am stating how helpful I have found them to be for myself.
Busting Out by Shirley Archer gives the terrible advice of plus four or five. The book isn't all that bad but its more about stretching and helpful tips to make your bosoms appear a bit bigger. I didn't find the book to be too helpful but if you are looking for exercises to increase your bust, this isn't a bad little book.
So, the top three most helpful were :
1.) Busted: The Fab Foundations Guide to Bras that fit, flatter, and feel fantastic by Ali Cudby, 2.)Boobs: A guide to your girls by Elisabeth Squires and 3.) The Bra Book by Jene' Luciani.
