Weddingbee boards

So I am trying to find a long line bra that will work with my lower back dress.  I think I've found one that meets all the criteria, but I am not sure which size to buy.  I am normally a 42DD (professionally fitted), but when I tried the lace longline bra at David's, it was really tight in the waist and no support in the top.  I tried the foam molded in a 42 D, it fit but still no support for the "girls" (it was strapless).  I've tried looking at Macy's, Nordstrom, Cacique, and a few other shops and have struck out everywhere to find something that would work. 

I've moved on to online stores and the one I found online is foam-molded and has straps with a low back.  My question would be:  it is true the you should go up a size band and size smaller in cup for bustiers?  I've seen this mentioned a few times online, but I'm not sure whether to follow this advice or not.  Or should I just buy my normal size? The online store does have a return policy, but I'd rather get it right the first time.

at davids i had to go up a band size and down a cup size! thankfully my divinci dress has a built in long line bra its a amazing!!

I buy bras online all the time. I really think it depends on the brand. Bras are not supposed to get their support from straps anyway, its mostly from the back band so you're right in trying different styles of cups.

The best advice I have for buying online is to email the company, tell them what size/brand you usually use. They should be able to help you with sizing for a new brand. Otherwise I recommend trying them on in a shop then ordering them online.

I guess I am going to have to go the online route.  I've beento every non-bridal shop I can think of (cross Von Muar, Saks and Kohls off the list, too).   I going to try a couple of bridal shops today to see if they carry bustiers.  Where I live there just doesn't seem to be a true lingerie shop.  I draw the line at Wild Man's Leather and Lace .

I my bras at home are a 38C and at Davids I was wearing a 42-44 longline bra. I told them a D, but I think they had roome for two sets in the cups.

Warning:  Rant Ahead

I don't know whether to bawl or slug someone.  I go to one shop and get measured-48B!?!?!  Then she says she doesn't have that size and puts me in a 46DD.  Proceeds to tell me it looks good.  Ummm, did your see how the girls are just lying flat and there's gapping in the cup fabric? Oh, don't worry honey, the dress will push the fabric in.  What!!  I may as well go commando with that philosophy. 

Out of desperation I go back to David's.  No help there either.  I even tried a B cup.  Simply put-There..Is..No..Way I wear a B.    The sales clerk couldn't even tell me where the underwire should fit on my frame.  I finally just started trying on sizes. 

The best I can tell, I am a 44C for a bustier.  It was the only size that gave me any semblance of lift. I'm ready to chuck the whole thing and see if my seamstress can add cups to the dress since the bodice is already boned.  I am frustrated and embarrassed and don't want to do this any more.