Mumsnet Talk

AIBU to think that I could find a bra that is uplifting, but not wodged full of foam, which will be flattering on those of us who are not overendowed on the boobicular area?
At the moment it either looks like I'm completely flat chested, or have two bean bags shoved down there.

I am struggling to find a bra that's pretty and supportive. Any recommendations?

Figleaves , lepel fiore. HTH

Yes, but the bean bag look is good if you want to wear clothes (t-shirts) over the top....are you wanted a boosting bra that looks good with nothing on top?

Just noticed your posting name. Do you want lift and seperate, 1950's style, or lift and push together as per the last 20 years? (I'm sure we are due for a separate revival)

Balcony bras are good for an unpadded cleaverage

I have no tits to speak of and wear underwired, slightly padded M&S finest. They're not all full of foam - more of a thin layer of foam.

Are they small enough to wear no bra?

M & S have some great balony bras without padding

balcony, not balony, ffs!

at balony bra. Sausage bra

What about the teenage range? I've noticed quite a few pretty bras there that aren't childish and padded to teh nines.

Chorizo bra?

H&M sell some really pretty smaller size bra's. Im a tiny 34a and they fit well and make my boobs look rounded without making them look padded and a strange/false shape. They are a good price for day to day wear xx

I have 34a's and the best bra I have that fits really well without loads of padding was from avon. Cheap too.

Thanks for all those!
Especially H&M because there is one of those just around the corner from me. I never even thought of them. I was looking more at Wonderbras/Ultima etc and some vile things at John Lewis, so will have a look at avon, figleaf (never heard of that).

Defintely not small (or perky - thanks DCs) enough for no bra. I'd feel weird without one after wearing one for way too many years.

I'll try the bratwurst bra as well, while i'm at it.

I am also small of boobage, and my pet hate is the really thick lumpy under-wired bit on most padded bras. Nothing says 'I have no boobs and am cheating' like the under-wire wodge sticking out on one's side on profile.

I've largely given up on padded and wear M&S balcony styles. M&S angel range for teens occasionally has some nice lightly padded bras though.

M&S everytime!

I'm a 32B (not sure if that qualifies as small or just average) but I've updated my bra wardrobe in the last couple of weeks from Debenhams own range and they're really good - way better than M&S.

You could try a Doreen for a 1950s bullet look

Don't laugh I have one they are comfy

I used to wear nothing but wonderbra's but I've tried some on recently and they just look weird!!! My fav bra's now are the next ones, got two plain black and one set of coral / cream / blue print and they fit well and make my v small boobs look a bit bigger (dh says I am a a cup but I definitely a b cup...)

36A.

Deffo M&S.

Yeah i love H&M bras too, just been shopping for underwear post baby and found some lovely natural shape ones in Debenhams, pack of 2 navy and white with a pretty lace trim xx

I just hate wired bras. They dig in. They leave red semi circles on your skin. They give you a weird shape. But it is very hard to find an attractive non-wired bra. Why oh why?

OK, I'm on a bra thread roll today! Apologies to anyone who knows all this already but are you all sure you're in the right size? I don't know anyone (from my size 8 teen niece to my size 14 mother) who is bigger than a 34 back.

OK, here goes. Measure under your bust (hold the tape tight) to get your band measurement. Do not add on any inches to this measurement. Then measure across the fullest part of your bust. Each 1" of difference between the two measurements equals a cup size.

So, let’s say you measure 30" underneath and 34" across? That would give you a starting point of 30D.

The best way I've found to test the band size is to put the bra (in your case a 30 back) on back to front. If you can breathe but if feels tight and you can only fit two fingers underneath the wire at the front, then that's the correct back size for you. If it's so tight it's unbearable then go up a size.

Once you've got the back sorted, it's time to get the cup right. The cup will differ much more between brands and styles than the back (IMHO). Turn the bra round the correct way, lean forward and using your hands, scoop all your breast tissue into the cups (make sure you get all the flesh from round your back and under your arms in). The put the shoulder straps up and adjust as necessary (not too tight as it's the back that should be doing most of the supporting work). If for example, you've started with a 30DD, you will probably find that after scooping, you have some bulging over the cup and quadraboob going on! This means you need to go up one or more cup sizes. Keep going up through the cup sizes until all your breast tissue is firmly in place.

I do not know anyone that is genuinely an A cup. This would mean an across bust measurement of only 1 inch more than the under bust measurement.

Shops like M&S etc are useless as they do not stock a good range and combination of back/cup sizes. Their measuring is also appalling and wrong! No one needs to add inches to the under bust measurement any more. What you measure under your bust is the back size you need to wear. Honestly

Oh yes, if wires are digging in then the bra is a) the wrong size and/or b) the wrong brand/style for your shape. It's a minefield out there...

I don't know anyone (from my size 8 teen niece to my size 14 mother) who is bigger thana 34 back.

You must have lots if petite friends Sorrel! I'm size 12-14 usually and if I wore less than a 38 back measurement it'd be cutting welts and creating attractive bulges.