bra intervention for a pre-teen

[steppemum]

went out with dd1 today, she wants a real bra. She is a well developed age 10

I measured her before we went. She is 27 inches under neath and 29 inches at the widest point.

Her book on puberty has a how to measure yourself for a bra section. Before I gave it to her I had crossed out the 'add 5 inches' stuff and written in 'measurement 28 inches = 28 inch bra' She was happy with that. But I don't know how to calculate cup size. The book said that 2 inch different = C cup.

So we tried on different sizes. The only one that fitted nicely was a 28C, but it was underwired and the assistant said she shouldn't have an underwire (and I really don't thing she should have an underwired) but it was the only 28C in the shop and nowhere else seems to have them.

So what size should she be in?

[chocolatespiders]

Did the shop measure her as well?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Her measurements would suggest a starting point of a 28A/B, but a 28C wouldn't be crazy. Unfortunately they are the rocking horse poo of the bra world - John Lewis does a few but they aren't easy to come by.

Underwires are actually safe so long as you keep an eye on the fit. Many shops like to say no underwires for teens, or pregnant women, or breastfeeding etc - but the reality is that in many sizes there are very few alternatives and they are fine so long as they fit.

[blahblahblah2000]

Underwires are completely safe.

[steppemum]

chocolate - no the shop didn't measure her, it was M&S and they are notoriously bad at correct bra fitting.

really cross that I didn't buy the underwire now, it was a very nice fit and she really liked it.

Thanks all. We did try a couple of 30A and 30B, but the cups were huge. The 28C the cup was just right.

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

Check these out

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_152010604605?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=6517651&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=6517651&gclid=CKfFlpqe2McCFQjlwgodRQ8M0Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

Bolocks just realised they don't have the right size

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

www.noo-noos.com/bras/missy-white-cotton-teen-bra-7138

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CA0Y78O/ref=twister_dp_update?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[steppemum]

lots of ideas - thanks.
trouble is, I need her to try on at the moment, so can't really order on-line

[Branleuse]

marks and spencer definitely do 28 c and 28 b in their first bras range, but make sure you dont let them measure her as they are universally shit at it

[Branleuse]

just saw you already went there, dur

[balletgirlmum]

We had that problem with dd. She liked the underwire ones but she was 12 at the time coifnt get non wired in m & s so got a couple from John Lewis.

She hardly wore them as she developed into a 28 D. I'll have a look tonight to see if I can find them.

[flatmouse]

What are the rules? i have seen these threads in passing but never before looked. Really should check daughter has correct size. Thanks! (Although for her she likes the slightly padded "t-shirt" ones as being more comfortable, and we've purchased from BHS - however their adjustable straps are rubbish and keep slipping.

[NotTodaySatan]

I find Ebay a bugger to link to but there are some lovely underwired M&S first bras in 28C on there OP?

[AngelicaDelight]

Why can't you buy the one that fitted her well, online?

[AngelicaDelight]

flat straps that slip off mean the band is too tight.

[AngelicaDelight]

Too loose sorry! The band is too loose! I'm tired haha.

[SorrelForbes]

AngelicaDelight Sorry, no it means quite the opposite. Straps slipping off the shoulders is a sure fire sign that your band is too big.

[SorrelForbes]

x post

[steppemum]

I will go back and buy the ones she liked on-line, just cross I didn't follow my gut instinct and buy them at the time.

The 'rules' are that you measure underneath and that measurement in inches is your band size. eg measure 27'' then wear an 28'' bra. Measure 34'' then wear a 34'' bra. Most people are wearing bras that are way too big in strap size and way too small in the cup.
eg most 36 B people should actually be in eg 32 E

The next step is to measure round yourself at widest point. But I never know how to then translate that to cup size

[flatmouse]

Thanks steppemum. Angelica when i mean slip off, i mean the adjuster doesn't hold it's place and slips meaning the straps end up too long.

[Helenluvsrob]

This is the perpetual myth of " you can't have an underwire at your age" If the bra fits well and the wire isn't pressing onto breast tissue but sitting flat on the rib cage it's fine.

May sure you know what fits, get the bras that fit and get her to bravissimo as soon as she's a D cup 9 they will advise on fits of smaller bras too even if they haven't sold them I understand).

Bra fitters can be evil witches ( esp in M+S) with the throwaway comments like " You couldn't have wires it'll damage you" when the only bras that fit are wired! or even better something that amounted to " we don't sell that size .... noone is that size...... try this one that is a cup smaller and a band bigger! "

Dd has been a bravissimo gal since aged 10/11. Apart from the gentle sobs of my credit card all experiences of fitting /purchase have been hugely positive. I then buy the same bra in last years colours on ebay (and they are cheap because, as M+S said ... noone is THAT size!)

[howabout]

As she is only 10 I would caution against getting too hung up on her size at a point in time. Bra shopping is embarrassing and my 2 never volunteer when they need a new size. Also one of mine prefers sports bras as she reasons she is doing sport at some point during most days and finds them comfier generally.

[steppemum]

howabout - she would love sports bras, where do you get little sizes from? She needs white / neutral ones because of school shirts.

[howabout]

M&S Angel range used to do a sports bra which is what my dd had. They don't seem to be stocking them at the moment though. I tend to keep an eye out at Sports Direct and Decathlon.