Literally, Darling
Literally, Darling

“Tits McGee:” Growing Up With Big Boobs

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If you’ve got C-cup or larger-sized breasts, chances are it feels like you permanently have a toddler attached to your body, and like most demanding children, they dominate your whole life. Oh yeah, you can fill out a sweater like it’s nobody’s business, and you certainly get male eyes on you, but with your giant ta-tas comes a life of watching your boobs pop out of bras, shirts, and dresses like they’re rampaging bulls on the streets of Pamplona.

And if you think breasts don’t have a mind of their own, well, honey, we really have to beg to differ. Remember when you were 12 and growing mosquito bites for the first time and were so absurdly proud of yourself? Well for some of us, we went from throwing water balloons at the boys to sporting them on our chests in a little over a summer. Yeah, while guys were having shin splints from growing too tall, too fast, the big-titty-committee exploded stretch marks over bean-bag boobs that hurt if you even looked at them. I went from a training bra to a C-cup at the age of 12, and a D by my 13th birthday. It’s no wonder I was mistaken for an 18-year-old since no one was bothering to look at my face.

Fast forward through middle school and high school, where many of the less-endowed girls were all glaring daggers at you and often not-so-quietly calling you slutty and dumb behind your back, because you know, there’s apparently a complex algorithm in which the bigger cup size correlates directly to the amount you spread your legs and your level of intelligence. Or so it seemed. Meanwhile, we’re left trying to figure out how to find prom dresses that don’t make us look like p*rn stars, button-downs that don’t pop buttons so fast they take your eye out, and attempting to get guys to look above your chin when they talk to you.

As girls with huge boobs, we are often told by friends and family to “Stop complaining. I only WISH I had boobs like yours.” Jokes aside, there are a lot of drawbacks. Amidst the obvious clothing issues and drooling stares, there is also back pain, posture issues, hindrances when it comes to running and working out, and postpartum inflation/stretching that we’ve heard only makes the situation worse. Feeling sexy with boobs so heavy they really don’t look great without a bra is a feat. I know what you’re thinking—all men love boobs, right? Well, maybe. But with a naturally large chest it can be hard to feel good naked since your comfort in cleavage is stripped away when the bra comes off. Celebrities and p*rn stars post-plastic surgery have created the illusion that big boobs are perfectly round and stand up on their own. Wearing a backless dress is not a problem, because gravity doesn’t exist and nipples are perfectly even. Not true. Even at a young age, the giant girls sag from the sheer weight and flip-flop about in pretty much the least sexy way possible. Not a great visual, right? We can only fear for how Left & Right will look 20 years from now.

So the next time you think us ladies who have been blessed (or cursed) with G-cup breasts need to realize how lucky we are, remember that we are just as insecure with ourselves as women who only need a camisole. We carry our own (very heavy) insecurities every day too. Like everyone else, we learn how to cope with our own body image issues. You either hide behind giant clothing and pretend your breasts aren’t the first thing anyone sees, or you learn to break the ice, make the first joke, and just acknowledge the elephant(s) in the room. Because if you don’t, someone else will.

Top Ten Big Boob Problems:

  1. Under boob sweat

  2. Your bras being mistaken for ass-holders and/or hats

  3. Budgeting to afford a bra that actually fits

  4. Finding the right specialty bra shop with a correctly trained fitter you actually trust, or at the very least just finding a store that actually carries your size

  5. Packing a larger suitcase to fit your bras into

  6. Figuring out ways to get your insurance to pay for a breast reduction

  7. Demi-cup overspill

  8. Shopping for clothes based on whether or not you can wear a bra with them

  9. Wondering if a guy is actually looking at you or only interested in your chest

  10. How not to look crazy while holding your boobs to avoid black eyes during a run

 

Have your own big boob problems to add? Tweet us @litdarling 

Click here to see @KirstieRenae on Huff Post Live discussing this article!

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View Comments (69)

  • So. True. Every single word.

    I can’t help but laugh when my friends recommend some dresses with built-in bras in them with those cute little spaghetti straps. hahahah oh honey. No.

    Reply

    • I remember when in late high school early college I was wearing a black swimsuit with a spaghetti strap tie around the neck was okay until I actually went in the water and swam then my boobs popped out and were floating free of confinement it was the last time I wore that suit needless to say. I was filling my mom’s french bikini better than she could by age 14. And frequently people would mistake me for being older but I think it wasn’t just because the size of my chest. I also tended to talk and act more maturely as well.
      Thing is I think many women are dissatisfied with the size of their chests. mine at times do cause me to have trouble breathing if lying on my back for instance. And yes if offered a free reduction op I would likely take it even though I know it will likely be painful for a bit. I won’t however spend money I cannot afford for one however.
      My mother has had breast cancer twice but managed to keep her breasts thus far.
      They did miss one very Painful part as well but as mentioned elsewhere it is likely they had not had this experience yet. Mammograms Those pesky x-rays that are recommended ever year or so after age 30-40. I am 55 and thus far have only had 2 the second was just this year the first was in 1984 I think. I was a bit smaller then wearing only a d cup I believe but imagine having someone squeeze your breasts whatever size they are but especially bigger or plumper ones between two metal plates and trying to make them an inch thick or less (at least that is how it felt). After my first experience I was ready to tell a male doctor I would do it again if he was willing to get his testicles done first. This last time however was done a bit better and by a woman who understood that It was very painful to me. I would be a bit more willing to have it done again if I could get it done by her or someone like her.

      Reply

  • I love this. Spot on. And finding bras is hell size and money wise! I also hate those shirts that you really want but it’s either get a size that fits everywhere else but the ladies or, fits the ladies but the rest of the shirt is all baggy. Like you said, it’s like a toddler has been strapped to your chest.

    Reply

  • This is not written by someone who has big boobs. It is clueless, i think the author might be a man. Not even one of the points touches on real big boob problems, and it would be nice if you could even include a topic on boobs after menopause – t hey get bigger and hungrier, you know. This article is Total BS. This site is off the list.

    Reply

    • Thanks for your feedback. I can assure you both Kirstie and I are female with DD and G breasts, for the record. However we are twenty-somethings and aren’t quite equipped to write about breasts after menopause. We’re not there yet and our target demographic is all in their 20s. But if we’re still in business by the time we hit that time of our life, we’ll be complaining about menopausal big breasts. Adolescence and puberty are still fresh in our minds though, so we decided to start there.

      Thanks for your response and I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the piece.

      – Katie
      Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Literally,Darling

      Reply

        • you’re right, it’s not equal. Cup is the most important.

          On my side, 36J is enough to make me appreciate what Katie talked about.

          (and sorry for my english, i m not native english spoken)

          Reply

        • I read this wrong at first but I think I understand now you aren’t saying there is no DD or G size cup but rather that all cup sizes are not equal in a bra. The thing is they are talking about cup size more than Bra size. I have a bit of trouble finding a bra my size locally especially one that closes in the front which I needed due to Shoulder problems. I ended up buying them over the internet. Which was interesting because the first one I bought the invoice said DD the Package it came in said DD but the tag on the bra (which I looked at after I tried it on and I over-flowed the cup in all directions) said B.

          Reply

        • There are DD even DDD, G, E, F,FF, H.. ect. it depends on where you shop. In high school I was a 36DD, now after having 2 kids, at one store I’m a 38 FF, at another I’m a 36H. But in reality they are practically the same size, just slight differences. So please don’t put down others opinions just because you don’t agree with it. I’m 29, and this article is very relatable for most women (in their 20’s).

          I just can’t understand why bra’s for lager breasts have to be so expensive and trying to find a physical store that carries the size at a decent price is beyond reachable in less you want to drive to the city.

          Katie and Kristie, thank you for writing this, there’s always going to be some sort of backlash but I loved the article and will definitely be checking back to read more articles.

          Reply

  • You guys say the worst of the worst issues is under boob sweat. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve tried powders and wrapping tissue around the underwire. Got any other ideas you’ve had success with?

    Reply

    • I created a product call Boobalicious which is an all organic and natural breast deodorant for Boob Sweat and rashes. Check it out on Facebook or Etsy.com and search Boobalicious. You will love it!!!

      Reply

      • Yes! That’s actually exactly how the item ended up on the list. We were joking about before dances in high school we used to swipe Secret under our bras!

        Reply

  • You’ve obviously not tried brayola! They are amazing at finding new bras, AND if you add them to your wishlist, they will email you when they go in the sale…WINNER!

    Reply

  • I know many women who actually like their big breasts and have told me they would never consider getting them surgically reduced. It seems like there are just a lot of women who just don’t like their bodies. These same women would be just as unhappy if they were born flat-chested. This seems to be a uniquely female thing, can you imagine a man wanting to get his “junk” reduced because it was too big.

    Reply

    • Actually, there are men who have an issue with wanting their “junk” reduced.
      And big breasted women don’t want to be flat-chested. They want to be in the sweet spot where they are not too big or small, like a B or low C.

      Reply

  • this is the first article i have ever read on this website and i have to say it is absolutely identical to my experience! i’m a 32E so a fairly petite girl with the cup size that just does not match. it isn’t really ever easy dealing with big boobs but i try to make the best out of it. for the time being, i feel like they’re somewhat a part of me in a weird way… but this article was hilarious and will definitely be back to the page! thank you for your humor when dealing with this seemingly desirable issue. i love it!

    Reply

  • Might I add, that breastfeeding was a major issue for me. With large boobs, it was hard to see how well baby was attached, and I had to use the football hold. No quickly popping baby under the shirt for a meal for me.

    Reply

  • 28F, however, I live in the US. So no one sells band sizes smaller than 32 besides specialty shops. Did I mention I live in the middle of nowhere? So while my breasts aren’t huge (my closest size in US is 32C) I can’t find a damn bra that fits without paying a ton for the bra, and shipping from overseas. Plus returns and all that fun stuff.

    Reply

    • 30FF and terrified of losing any more weight (I was a 34FF 16 months ago). For right now, I’m lucky that I live in a place where there’s a Nordstroms nearby (for when I need something soonish or need to try some on, but they cost a fortune), but in the near future, I’ll be moving to Atlantic Canada, and I already know that there’s not much there. The one specialty store my husband and I found had only 2 bras in my size. And, of course, they were about $100 each. I live for clearance bras. I will say that I’ve had the most luck with a site called Bare Necessities in terms of price, sales, and shipping costs

      I was 23 before I figured out that squeezing myself into some bra from VS wasn’t going to work, and that flopping out of my bra wasn’t exactly normal. My sister is much smaller than me and wants to hear none of my complaints (her response is always the same: well then SHARE)

      Reply

      • Oh my lord. You must be so tiny! Do they effect your balance? I remember at high school dances if I went up on my tip-toes I’d start to tip forward (this probably should have been on the list) and lose my balance. I’d joke that I’m top-heavy, but I have peasant hips that balance me out a bit. Good luck with the bra hunt!

        Reply

    • Wacoal carries 32 band to H cup and 30 band to G cup.
      Natori carries 32 and 30 band- 32 to H cup and 30 to F cup
      Also Chantelle sold in US stores Dillards and Nordstrom carry 32 to H cup and 30 to H cup. The top three brands can be found at Dillards and Nordstrom and Wacoal at Macy’s as well.

      Reply

    • SupportEDD has Panache, Cleo, Curvy Kate, and Masquerade bras – good! But you can try also Fantasie, Elomi, Freya or Gossard, maybe at some other shop. As a sporting bra I would recommend Panache Sport, Shock Absorber or Freya Active. And HotMilk bras for nursing.

      Reply

  • I don’t know about all of their stuff, but the Chantelle t-shirt/memory foam bras are a godsend for me. Not only did they actually have my size (32DDD), but they are actually cute, comfortable, and supportive.

    The only downsides are that they are a bit pricey upfront (~$78), (but they are built to last a year, which most bras are usually only for 6 months, so I would say it actually balances out in the end), and you have to be careful about the hooks slipping for the first few wears, but that issue does go away.

    http://www.chantelle.com/

    Reply

  • Yes, the mammogram machine is a torture device, and if men had to put their balls in one, they would have invented a better way to do it by now!

    I also related to the fact that when you start out with such big boobs (skipped the training bra all together and was suddenly a C cup at age 10) they’ll be sagging by the time you’re in college. I’m so jealous of perky breasts.

    Reply

  • thank you! my daughter got a kick out of this ~ in 8th grade and already DD she finds little humor normally in having a large chest but this was a treat “someone gets it!” i couldnt sympathize. i was so flat in jr high girls taunted, looking at my chest stating that the boys pe change room was over there and granted i could of worn a bra if i wore it backwards so my shoulder blades would at least fill it a bit. i was the shy flat girl secretly wishing for a shapely body but after 3 kids and nursing bras decided they are not all they are put on a pedestal to be. i saw something in comments about menopausal breasts and for whatever it is worth i can say that mr. gravity is very unkind. a bra with a roller in it perhaps?

    Reply

  • Or how about when it rains and your boobs get dotted with raindrops, but your stomach is completely dry. When they act like umbrellas, it’s so awkward and so conspicuous. As if they aren’t those things already.

    Reply

    • I am an archaeologist, so I get really dusty in the field. Apparently boobs work as dust umbrellas, also (boobs covered in dust, rest of torso totally clean). Very conspicuous!

      Reply

  • I have read both articles and they are really great. i have a strange relationship to both the “Tits Mcgee” article and the small breasted article. till the age of 23 i was a 34A and by the time i was 24 i was a solid 34D. now I’m 28 and a 34DD. It was like i woke up and there were boobs. So for most of my life i pined away at the thought of having boobs like my Cousin with her 38Gs and now I’m just like, Please stop! the number one frustrating thing is having to wear incredibly uncomfortable minimizer bras at work because I’m short and i work at a high school, and i want my coworkers to take me seriously.

    Reply

  • E. Sorry, My comment wasn’t specifically directed at you, it was more for generally all to read. (I should have put it in a completely new comment instead of reply) I do apologize. And I do understand what you are saying.
    There’s been quite a few commenters that have just been very negative towards the authors for writing about their opinion/ experiences, and all because the commenters don’t agree.
    There is cup size and band size. Unfortunately a lot of women who are larger busted don’t get measured properly and end up in the completely wrong size. Or Purposefully get the wrong size to get a look they think they should have.

    Reply

    • > Unfortunately a lot of women who are larger busted don’t get measured properly and end up in the completely wrong size.

      Yes! And that’s why I think Katie should write an article on brafitting.

      Reply

  • I went from wearing a 32A to 32C to a 32D to a 32DD. When I finally reached the 32DD point I said enough is enough and I decided to get professionally fitted because my bras just weren’t working for me. Needless to say, I was professionally measured as a 28F (UK size). I mean I was dumbfounded about wearing the wrong bras my entire life and for once in my life I have bras that fit me without me having to go to crazy lengths to make fit. Do I even mention how crazy it is being a 28F (UK) and being only 4 foot 11 inches? Try being quite petite and having big boobies.

    Reply

    • That’s incredibly rude. I’m 5’2″ and wear a 30GG. Short girls CAN be thin and have big boobs. That teensy little ribcage? Makes it a bitch to really get bras that fit. Plus, it makes your torso look extra short, and no matter what you WILL probably look round, especially if you have hips to go with the girls. Don’t be an asshat.

      Reply

  • Hello Literally Darling! I saw six days ago you mentioned the Enell sports bra in your comment below. My product BreastNest was featured with them in an xoJane article a couple months ago. We give women comfort and support when they don’t feel like wearing a bra, cup size DD through H. You should check out the article on xojane here : http://www.xojane.com/clothes/enell-sports-bra-breast-nest
    Thank you! :)
    -Susan

    Reply

  • An opinion of some experience….Bras:
    1) Forget minimizers. They are not flattering and IMO, there’s no reason why I should be trying to hide the truth.
    2) If in doubt, get the larger cup size and a smaller band size. The sensation of weight is related to too tight bra straps. The straps should not be tight and the support should come from the band.
    3) Enell is a good sports bra, but not proportioned well for those with a higher cup to band difference. Still, my favorite so far, though it is ugly.
    4) Not everybody sags pre-30/40, but I tend to think that having a good fitting and comfortable bra tends to slow down the inevitable. Also, not everyone is the same shape. Some of us are roundish, others not.
    5) The cost of bras for DD+ is a form of institutional sex discrimination, I think. It’s not about finding the right sale or a bra outlet store. I have simply never ever gotten a good fitting bra for less than $70 (~FF).
    6) Bra cup sizes differ by country, and by brand. Primarily the US uses the multi-D sizes. Other countries have sizes that go straight to E after either D or DD. (So a US F is not the same as a Euro F).
    Other topics:
    7) sleeping position. I’ll just leave it at that.
    8) drippy foods likely to stain. spaghetti sauce. catsup. chocolate sauce.
    9) I strongly dislike the word ‘tits.’ Have heard it used in a demeaning way so many times, and sometimes in an aggressive way.
    10) There are men who prefer small breasts. Once on a second date, wtf, and another time from a different guy, similar situation. Really, why did they waste my time?
    11) Serena Williams, like her personality or not, is one of the greatest athletes ever and she has big boobs. Never think that boobs are a disability!
    j.

    Reply

    • I have to disagree with the minimizers. There are some beautiful ones out there that allow you to wear a v-neck shirt and still not have that terrible jiggle. I don’t wear them so much for the minimization, because they do lose that after a few wears, but for the control they offer. I hate feeling like my ladies are jello-jigglin’ all over. I’m a 32/34 (depending on the bra) DDD-E (depending on what I can find and how it fits) and I won’t wear anything BUT a minimizer, except when I wear a Genie bra to sleep. It helps with the sleeping position issues. I also sometimes corset (which has helped my posture and migraines immensely) and sometimes the underwires get in the way of my stays, so two genie bras do the trick there.

      Reply

  • YES! SO true. I never wanted to have boobs as a kid, and while my older sister was excited to get her boobs, wearing those tiny training bras, I was more content hanging out with the guys, I was always a tom boy. Then When I was 10 (about to turn 11) I went from nothing to a C cup. My mom forced me to wear a bra because they were super noticeable and I’d cry and say I didn’t want to. By middle school I had a D cup, and would wear a bra and two sports bras everyday to bind them down, and wear loos fitting clothes. It was really awkward being the only 7th grade girl in my school that had boobs. I’ve since learned how to deal with them, and have had (based on my weight) from a size 36F to 34DD. Girls are always jealous, but Id kill for a C cup!!! Bras are expensive, hard to find and kill my back.

    Reply

  • Would someone please explain to bathing suit designers that if you just make the cups the same design as the smaller sizes but just bigger, we end up with gi-normous cleavage. This is extremely humiliating for any mother of teenage and older sons at the beach. Please…even you companies that claim to have DDD cups…give us a more consider the cleavage. Please, for the mental health of my children, I beg you. (I’m a 32F. When I go to the beach with friends for the first time I also have to brace myself for all the “OMG look at those bazookas” comments, since I am pretty good at hiding them other times. It’s like I grew a second head. Come on folks. Be a little more sensitive. I don’t make comments about your big body parts.)

    Reply

  • I really enjoyed this post! I went from an A-C cup in one summer (grade 7) and by grade 12 I was a G cup! My friends even called me tits-McGee.. Growing up with a large chest was hard. Being sexualized by boys or teachers and being sent home because tops didn’t fit properly and it was “distracting”. Glad to know there’s other ladies out there who have been through the same hell as me!

    Reply

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