Mothercare nursing bras - what's with the sizing? Also, a warning!

[Essie3]

I measured myself - I was 32C before pg, and am still 32 (but bigger cup). Went to mothercare today to get a nursing bra, and was measured by the lady there because I needed help with the cup. She said I was 80cm 'so 36'. I protested and questioned, but she insisted, and brought me a 36D which fitted perfectly. Totally confused, I sneaked a look at her tape measure when she was gone, and 80cm is not 36 inches - it's 32inches. So the 36 bit is not actually inches - unless it's special Mothercare inches!

I had wondered why Mothercare didn't have any bras at all in my size online, so just as well I wasn't buying online!

The Mothercare I was at only had own brand bras but I think some might stock other brands - which means I could be well confused.

[PortAndLemon]

If you were 80cm (32 inches) under your bust that would mean you were a 36, because you add on four inches (or five for an odd number). If she measures people all day she probably mentally translates the measurement directly into inches-plus-four, as that's the number he needs for sizing.

[Essie3]

Maybe this is stupid...but is this +4 inches true of all nursing bras or just mothercare?

[bigcar]

+4 on ALL bras

[PortAndLemon]

All bras not just nursing bras. You measure under the bust, add 4 (or 5) to get the back size, then measure round the bust and compare that number with the back size to get the cup size. If you were 36D it would imply that you were 32 inches under your bust and 40 inches round your bust.

[PortAndLemon]

Sorry -- 39 inches round your bust. I can't count...

[PortAndLemon]

That's the official way of measuring, anyway. Women who go to Rigby and Peller or somewhere like that often come out with bras that aren't what the officially measure as but that fit perfectly, presumably because the standard method works better for some shapes than fo others.

[BouncingTurtle]

Essie

You mean she got a tape measure out?
Didn't bother with me - just stuck me in a 40F.
Assumed since I was fat I must be a 40.
The fact that I have a narrow back and shoulders escaped her.
I got myself measured by an NCT bra fitter - I'm actually a 36J! Boobs are supported, and Heavens! I have two of them! (crap fitting bra gave me a monoboob look )

[Essie3]

But this is news to me! All of my bras - which do fit (or did before I got pg) are 32s.

I went to Rigby and Peller once - didn't buy anything, couldn't afford it - and they don't even use tape measures. They measure by look and feel .

[Essie3]

Poor you, bouncingturtle. I assume your name was accurate previously??

[TinkerbellesMum]

You should be wearing a 32 still. You shouldn't add anything on, I don't know where that one started but it is a factor in 75% of women wearing the wrong size. The extra room is factored in to making the bra. I go to Bravissimo - highly recommend if you think you are a D or over, even lower if your back size is bigger than you think is right, because they bring the back size up so they can bring the cup size down so they don't have to send you to Bravissimo- my bra size is my back measurement and always has been.

Actually, it's probably so they can fit you in a smaller cup that this +4 or 5 thing came about.

If you want to let me know your exact measurements (id @blueyonder.co.uk if you don't want to say it on here)

[TinkerbellesMum]

BTW, I am a former fashion designer and I've sold bras, so that's not just me making it up.

[solo]

I was a 32C and MC measured me at 36D.

The correct way to measure...

Keep your unpadded bra on and measure in inches around your rib cage directly under your bust.
When measuring you should always round down. The tape should be snug.
EG if you are 29.5 inches, round down to 29 inches.
If it is an even number - add 4 inches. If it is an odd number add 5 inches.

This gives you the underband or back size, for example your under band measurement is 29 inches, then add 5 inches, you're a 34.

The cup size.
Now measure around the fullest part of your bust. The full bust measurement, less under band, equals the cup size.
When measuring cup size always round up. The over bust measurement should be generous eg if you are 34.5 inches round up to 35 inches.

34 back size and 34 full bust size = A cup.
34 back size and 35 full bust size (plus 1" difference)= B cup.
34 back size and 36 full bust size (plus 2" difference) = C cup.
34 back size and 37 full bust size (plus 3" difference) = D cup etc...

[ThingOne]

Mothercare are shit. Don't buy maternity bras from there.

Helpful comment No634.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I'm big - 30G atm, and Mothercare made me cry when pg last time, telling me I was about a 38D and bringing me a revolting elasticated sling thing that they called a maternity bra.

I'm sticking with Bravissimo after that, just a shame that I have to travel miles to get to one of their shops (their fitters are great)

[FrannyandZooey]

are the bras shit, or the fitters?

[FrannyandZooey]

a lot of people seem to have had problems with m+s but I find if you ask for the senior corsetier you get a good service
I had one fitted wrongly once there and took it back - they refitted and gave me a new, more expensive one for same price

[CarGirl]

YOu don't add anything on anymore, the industry changed the way they "measured" their bras so now when you buy a bra you buy the size that you actually measure around your ribcage. A bra should feel "tight" and unless you a very skinny you will have flesh hanging out over the top of your bra at the back.

[kayzisexpecting]

Mothercare are the only place I can get maternity bras from. They have always been brilliant! I am now a 40DD they got it spot on, where as Bravissimo told me I was a 32C after all 3 of the fitters got confused!!

WTF is confusing about my norks I don't know?

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

I found the bras shit as well. They looked quite pretty but were a complete waste of money.

[Eirlys]

I'd always thought you were meant to add on the 4 or 5 inches (remember a bra-fitting feature in Just 17 when I was 12!). However John Lewis don't add the 4/5 inches and I've always found their fitting service excellent.

[kayzisexpecting]

I've always added the 4 inches. I am 36 inches under bust but can not get into a 36 bra in a million years.

[CarGirl]

some MN is a trained bra fitter and she said the industry as a whole changed it quite some years ago so no more adding inches on.

[solo]

I'm still wearing my MC nursing bra's and Dd is 17 months. I did have problems with their prettier range, but they exchanged them for me.
I was/am definitely not a 32 any more, wish I was! I know this because none of my blouse buttons meet the button holes! and having tried to wear bra's from before being pg, they don't fit!
I also found Anita bra's to be excellent. I wore mine with Ds in 1998 then my friend borrowed them then I'm using them again since 2006. Good value me thinks!

[CarGirl]

I measure 31" around the back and after a few day my 32" get too loose and move up and down my back, 34" would lift up over my boobs!!!!! The band is meant to be tight as that is what is supposed to give the support not the shoulder straps.

I have about 5 different brands of bras and they are all 30's and 32's measured my different shops. Only M&S ever tried to put me in a 34".