Bra intervention - have I got this right?

[Wenchelda]

Hi - I'm new, hope its ok to come straight on with a question....I Somehow stumbled across one of the bra intervention threads a couple of weeks ago and have been following them in amazement ever since.

I've always worn an A cup (32/34 pre pregnancy, currently 36A) - never been measured professionally but always done it myself based on the "add 4 or 5 inches" rule. I have pretty much constant back ache and neck pain but never ever imagined this could be caused by boobs as they really are so tiny!

But after reading your fascinating threads, I think I should be a 30/32D! My measurements are 31 under bust, 35 at fullest point when bending over to 90 degrees, and 34 above. Have I got that right? If so I am truly truly in shock that my almost-not-there boobs are a D!!

Thanks

[StatisticallyChallenged]

WIth your measurements I would suggest trying a 30D, 30DD, 32D and 32C to start with. You're more likely a 30 though - most people who measure an odd number get on better with the next number down unless they are very slender.

[Wenchelda]

DD!!! I find it impossible to think i could be a D cup, never mind a DD faints in shock I don't actually fill the A cup i am currently wearing, so i would never have thought i needed a bigger cup. However i now realise this is probably because my band size is far too big ... i can easily pull it 6+ inches away from my body and can feel everything escaping underneath.

For the first time ever i am actually keen to go bra shopping!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

That's exactly it - the 36A is designed for someone who measures (roughly) 37" around their chest. So it's too big for you there. If you have been wearing a 34A previously it is essentially for someone who measures 35" around (like you ) - but 34" below. Which is how the old +4 routine gets you in such a wrong size.

It's really common - I think in all the bra threads we have had over the last few months there has been one lady who was a "true" A-cup. Most who thought they were A's are actually C/D/DD/E

[Featherbag]

Sorry to hijack but can't find another bra intervention discussion thread! I followed the guidelines today as I'm pregnant with expanding and very sore boobs, I was recently measured as a 40C in Mothercare but never felt comfortable in that size, plus really didn't understand how I could be a 40 back at a size 14! So I measured myself and went shopping armed with the new measurements. Turns out I'm actually a 34E! My boobs have never felt or looked so good!
I've had to get underwired as none of the shops I went to had non-underwired in anything over DD, but I understand from previous threads that's ok too?

[SorrelForbes]

Welcome! Underwired is fine as long as the bra fits properly.

I bet you feel much more comfortable and supported in your new size? I t

[SorrelForbes]

Oops! Stupid phone.

I took someone from a 38A to a 32FF the other evening

[Featherbag]

I feel so much better, even though I bought cheapie 2 for a tenner bras, figured I'll need more in a month or 2 and money's tight.

[Featherbag]

In fact, early pregnancy paranoia (I'm 11/40) has me poking my boobs every now and then to make sure I still have the normal pregnancy soreness as they were hurting constantly before and now not at all!

[TheCatcherInTheRye]

Looking to benefit here from your wisdome. OP your thread has had me measuring for the first time and am likewise a little shocked.

Bragurus, I'm measuring a band size of 32, that's fine, I was buying 34 so not so shocking. I'm measuring 38 inches, loose, how snug should my second measurement be?????

[SorrelForbes]

Keep the tape measure loose for the second measurement. It's often better to take it whilst les ing over at 90 degrees to the floor.

[Oldraver]

How do you figure your cup size (I realise its the difference between the two measurements but what inches equals cup size ? I've seen a few bra threads but have never found this vital bit of info

[TheCatcherInTheRye]

Thanks Sorrell, I measured in the 90 angle pose. 38 loose. To compare though I then measured while sitting up and was only 37 so not much different. Liek Old raver said, how then do I choose the cup size? I've seen "add an inch for every size up from A" and "subtract band from bust to get cup".

[GibberTheMonkey]

Sorry to crash
I am currently wearing a size that is one of my suggested size and it fits.
I just ordered a couple online in that size online and they're a bit small,I get slight spillage. Am I right in thinking I should order the next cup size up?

[SorrelForbes]

Gibber. Yep, sticks with the same band size but go up a cup (or more!)

[sparkle12mar08]

To work out cup size subtract the underbust measurement from the over bust measurement, and then it's one cup size per inch. UK sizes mostly go as follows:
1 = A
2 = B
3 = C
4 = D
5 = DD
6 = E
7 = F
8 = FF
9 = G
10 = GG
etc

But the important thing to note is that this is a starting point only. A good bra fit depends on style and cut as well, and this is where brands vary enormously.

So I measure 31.5 underneath and 42 dangling over. That gives me a core size of 32GG - 42-32 = 10 = GG. However I'm squishy of torso and after large amounts of trial and error I know I am most comfortable in a 30 back, and I mostly wear a 30H, which is the same cup volume as a 32GG. When you go down a band size, you need to compensate by going up a cup size.

Very occasionally a particular brand might miss out FF (M&S I'm looking at you!), but it's pretty reliable overall.

[HalfSpamHalfBrisket]

Oh how I laughed when I started reading these threads! How could so many people have the wrong size...
I have just returned from M&S with a 34F bra thats fits perfectly. Rather than my usual 36/38 DD ones that don't.

Thank you MN Bra Fairies!

[glamstretchmarks]

A REAL challenge for you -

ok I am really gonna need help from you bra fairies... I have a flat rib cage so my tiny boobs are further apart than the cups for my band size IYSWIM? That also means that when I measure my loose boobs I am measuring the larger gap too!! What should I do?

[sparkle12mar08]

Put a call out for marriedinwhite - she knows tonnes about different styles - it sounds to me as if you need a style/brand with a very wide central gore (the bit between the cups). PM her if needs be, she's brilliant!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Marriednotdead is the poster you are after. Can you give us an indication of the size you think you need, roughly, so we can suggest bras? What do you measure?

[BreakOutTheKaraoke]

I could do with help finding styles too please! I need either a 30C/30D depending on fit, but find I often have to buy a 32B/C as it's so hard to find 30 backs in shops. I have wide-set boobs, plunge and moulded cup bras never fit me properly. I need balconette bras, but ones where the straps start at the edges IYSWIM? Otherwise I end up with it hanging out under my armpits. I have a wide gap inbetween my boobs.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

BreakOut have you tried any of the Bravissimo half cup styles? IME they run small in the cup so it would be worth trying the DD, but are relatively wide in the middle. They're terrible on my (very close set) boobs! this is an example

In general you may quite like Panache (and cleo, a sub brand) as they normally have quite a wide central gore. The Indina has been recommended recently and the cleo Juna is a favourite with lots of ladies here. These start at D cup

[JaquelineHyde]

Right ladies I have missed all of these bra threads and now having read this one I think I had better do some measuring and work out what I should be wearing.

So can someone please give me a fool's step by step guide to measuring and working out my size and I shall crack on and report back once I have done it.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

have a look here thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html and then post your measurements.

[leelteloo]

I just wanted to let the bra fairies know that I finally found a bra that doesn't rub or hurt. I am so happy and relieved as my bra mission has been going on for many months and involved many trips to m&s ("bra fitting service":joke of the century!) and several trips to Bravisimo (awesome fitters but bras were still not right). I am now in a 32dd minimiser from m&s and its like a glove and I have finally found bra peace

[AKissIsNotAContract]

Thanks to these bra threads I've gone from wearing the 36C that M&S measured me as, to a 32DD that actually fits.