Flippin bras..i hate them...

[idobelieveinfairies]

I finally got a lovely bra off bravissimo that fits...i bought it a couple of months ago.

The last couple of times i have worn it.. it has been rather unconfortable...the strap at the back is riding up and the underwires are digging in under my armpits..ouch!

SO i was thinking perhaps it is now a bit too stretched....so i ordered a new one in same size....but a differnt style and it has come this morning and it is too big also, it gives me wrinkies at the end of the cup and it makes my boobs look very sticking outy just at the ends...kinda like that madonna bra many moons ago.

So my question is.....how often do you need to replace your bras???

Don't think i would have lost weight over the christmas period...very unlikely

no bravissimo shops over here so its back to ordering ans trying ans sending back i guess!

[beansmum]

Sometimes you get wrinkles at the end of the cup if the bra is too small and your breast can't get all the way in iyswim? Maybe you have got bigger?

[NorktasticNinja]

Well, I agree with beansmum that the cup is probably a bit small and if the bras riding up your back then the band is definitely too big.

You'll need to go down a band size which means you'll need to go up two cup sizes to get one cup size bigger. That's because the cup of a 36B is actually the same size as a 34C IYSWIM. So, if you're wearing a 36B which is to big in the band and to small in the order a 34D.

You need to fit a new bra so that it is tight on the band when done up at it's loosest setting, that way it will still fit as it relaxes with time.

[NorktasticNinja]

So, if you're wearing a 36B which is to big in the band and to small in the cup order a 34D.

Am I making any sense at all

[idobelieveinfairies]

yes you are bean and nork thank-you.....took so long to get the right style and size and now this.....i seem to be forever bra size selecting....back to the drawing board, so wish there was a bravissimo shop here rather than having to order and return. Different makes and styles makes it harder as they can run slightly big/small too can't they.

thank-you

[NorktasticNinja]

Absolutely! There is a lot of variation between makes and styles, just like with other clothes. It's so annoying.

BTW, you'r not adding anything to the band size when you measure are you? That is the most common cause of problems...

[idobelieveinfairies]

I don't measure...i just ordered a selection of bras in differnt sizes and went for the best fit which has been fine....but now these are getting uncomfortable.

Its rding up too high so the wires are right under my arm and the back strap is now going up at the back...wasn't sure its whether i have lost weight..or hte bra has had it's day!

I think i will order the smae style bra in the same size and one smaller. Not sure whether to get plunge, balconette or full cup though......should larger ladies avoid any of them do you know??

[Fimbo]

Tbh I like Debenhams Gorgeous range better than Bravissimo

[Metatron]

When new the strap should just fasten on the widest catch round the back. This allows for stretch as the bra erm ages.

[idobelieveinfairies]

yeah, i am thinking it has aged....it is all on it's tightest.....

considering soft bras too......are they ok for support?

[NorktasticNinja]

Oh, it's definitely worth measuring, you never know what sort of revelations you might have! As the bra you now have is clearly totally the wrong size it would be a really good idea

You need to measure around your ribs directly under your breasts and then around the fullest part of your breasts. If (like me) you have 'long' breasts you might need to but a bra on to get a good measurement around the fullest part.

The measurement around your ribs is the band size and your cup size is dependent on the difference between the two measurements. Band size + 1 inch is an A cup, + 2 inches is a B cup, and so on.

Really the sort of cup (balconette or whatever) shouldn't matter as long as the bra fits properly. It depends on the look you prefer really. The ladies on the Bravissimo fitting line are really helpful, by the way.

[NorktasticNinja]

A bra should always last longer than a couple of months unless you've severely mistreated it! Only repeated very hot machine washes and tumble drying could destroy a bra in that length of time.

[idobelieveinfairies]

I have loonnng breasts too-would need to wear a bra to do this, will give it a try.

Thanks for your help.

[moonmother]

I have the same problem Idobelieve.

Before Xmas I had 1 bra, that was comfortable to wear, all day. The other like your's by the end of the day , were riding up and the bones sticking in my armpits.

Dp took me Xmas shopping, and bought me 2 beautiful and more importantly comfortable sets from M+S.

I was wearing a 36DD, and the backs had stretched too much, so that was causing the 'riding up'.

I now have 2 beautiful 34DD bras that are heaven to put on.

and I'm heading off tomorrow, to buy some more in the sales

[NorktasticNinja]

Moonmother, you really should measure too

If you go down a back size you need to go up a cup size. The cup of a 36DD is exactly the same size as the cup of a 34E. Either the first bra was too big all over or the cup you are now wearing is actually too small...

M&S bras are absolutely fine, but, whatever you do, never let M&S measure you. They add inches to the band measurement which means that they will always sell you the wrong size once they have measured you (adding used to be necessary, but the industry standard changed years ago).

[moonmother]

Thnks, Norktastic.

I tried to measure before I went to get my new bra's, but there are so many conflicting instructions on how to do it , I got fed up,lol.

These ones are really comfy, no digging in anywhere, and no cup bulges.

Here's my measurements, perhaps you can make head or tale of them, I can't

Band size 34

Cup size 39

so that would make me a 34???

[moonmother]

by the way, I'm not sitting here with my nork's out, I had the measurements on my mobile from when I was going shopping before .

[NorktasticNinja]

YOur measurements make you a 34E. Your true rib measurement is your band size and your cup size is the difference between the two, with one inch being one cup size. So 39 - 34 = 5 inches difference, which is an E cup.

Bra fitting is a minefield isn't it! Obviosly there will always be variations between makes and models but a size based on your measurements is a really good starting point. Just remember that if you go down a band size with a particular bra, you need to go up a cup size too!

[NorktasticNinja]

lol. Glad to hear your norks are tucked up safe and warm, as they should be!

[moonmother]

Ooh Thank You

I trawled the net looking for measuring guides, before Xmas, and no 2 came up with the same size.

Be very useful for when I hit the undie shops tomorrow

[higgle]

I know how the A,B,C,D etc sup sizing thing works, but where do AA DD EE ....HH etc fit into the scheme of things? does anyone know?

[NorktasticNinja]

AA is band size plus 1/2 an inch, just to confuse things even more!

DD, EE etc are just plain weird naming conventions, especially as the universal AA is smaller than an A whilst a DD/EE/FF is bigger than a D/E/F! One inch is one cup size, regardless of what the cup size is called IIRC. A bra in an F cup from a brand that doesn't do an EE will actually be the same cup size as an EE.

[NorktasticNinja]

moonmother I have been very dim a forgoton to count DD cup in the scale of sizes You are a 34DD.