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Style and beauty

Bra intervention - can someone help?

20 replies

Birdies · 22/07/2014 14:20

I can't find a current thread on this but I need help working out bra size please! Am still wearing a nursing bra and fed up of jiggling about (stopped bf 5 months ago).

Measurements are: just over 34 inches chest, 39.5 inches round boobs and 42 inches leaning over.

Does anyone know what this means size wise?

Also can anyone recommend nice supportive bras?

Thanks

OP posts:

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Birdies · 22/07/2014 14:30

I just found a link showing how to measure (here in case anyone else wants it):

thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/bra-fitting.html

so would I be a 34FF? Sounds a bit big cup size wise compared to what I'm used to. And 34 always feels really tight on me.

OP posts:

StatisticallyChallenged · 22/07/2014 15:24

What are you wearing currently? You're correct that the measurements suggest a 34FF

Birdies · 22/07/2014 16:26

36DD. I hate bands that feel tight. But then that's probably why I have zero support. Will try some 34FFs and see if they're any better :)

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Birdies · 22/07/2014 16:28

What does the measurement round the boobs when standing up mean? As it's obviously quite different to the leaning forwards one.

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StatisticallyChallenged · 22/07/2014 16:33

it doesn't tell you a huge amount IME - if it's really dramatically different then it can indicate that you'd need an in between size but the dangling measurement tends to get you pretty close.

About 70-80% of the support comes from the band, so if it's too loose all that happens is your shoulders take the strain.

Apart from being too big in the band, how does your 36DD fit? Can you pop it on and try scooping?

Birdies · 22/07/2014 16:43

There's a bit of spillage at the top and the middle bit doesn't sit flat to my chest (although I remember reading somewhere that that doesn't really matter).

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ilovepowerhoop · 22/07/2014 16:45

not sitting flat to the chest tends to mean the cup is too small and probably does matter in order to get the correct sized bra

Birdies · 22/07/2014 16:49

I've just had a dig around in my bra drawer (I have many different sizes in there). One of my old maternity bras was a 34FF. Tried it on and it's surprisingly ok except my boobs actually feel less supported than with the smaller bras. I've tightened the straps but they're still not really lifted. I'm not fussed about having cleavage (I think they're too far apart for that anyway), but I don't like the jiggling about when I walk or sagging. There isn't any spillage at all though and no loose material not filled in the cups so it does seem to fit better. Maybe it's the style?

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StatisticallyChallenged · 22/07/2014 17:40

Is a non wired maternity style? They're generally not great for lift etc.

From what you have described your existing bra sounds about 2 cups too small so the 34FF in a good bra should be about right

Birdies · 22/07/2014 17:45

Yes it's non-wired so that makes sense. Thanks for your help, going to order a few online and see how I get on.

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Birdies · 27/07/2014 09:13

So, I am wearing my new bra (34FF). In the shop it seemed to fit really well but now I'm home the straps are digging in to my shoulders. I've read this means the band isn't tight enough but I would rather have digging into shoulders than an even tighter band.

Do I just put up with it? I've been wearing such a soft saggy old bra before this that maybe I'm just not used to the difference. Help!

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Birdies · 27/07/2014 09:14

Just looked and I have marks where they're digging in as well so that doesn't sound right.

OP posts:

goodasitgets · 27/07/2014 09:38

Red marks are ok, it's like sock or waistband marks

I would give it a few days to sort of get used to it, it may just be the fact it's new and unusual

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/07/2014 09:56

Did they adjust the straps? They're maybe just a bit too tight, often when people wear the wrong band they over tighten the straps to compensate and then do the same in a bra that does fit. Most of the support comes from the band, the straps are just to hold the cups up.

Plus, you will have a dose of new bra syndrome!

Birdies · 27/07/2014 10:05

I'm back in the old saggy one! Ok I might try it again. I haven't taken the labels off though so could still take it back. I can actually do the strap up at the back on the tightest hooks and it's still not too tight but I can't see me being a 32 (although I couldn't even do up a 34 in another style so maybe this one is a large 34).

I've got the straps on almost the loosest setting. If I do them up too much they dig in even more.

I don't like bras!

OP posts:

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/07/2014 10:23

Which bra is it?

Birdies · 27/07/2014 10:40

It's this one

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_150010714241_-1

OP posts:

goodasitgets · 27/07/2014 10:46

That range is notoriously small in the band but I don't know that particular bra

Birdies · 27/07/2014 10:55

The band is really comfy and soft, normally I get loads of scratches and sore bits from the band. It's just that now the problem has shifted to the brs straps.

OP posts:

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/07/2014 11:03

It could be the strap material - sometimes those with the fabric up the straps aren't as comfortable.

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