Mumsnet Talk

Following on from the thread the other day about visible bra straps, I need some help.

Bought a lovely dress in Fatface today - size smaller than usual too and it skims over all the lumps and bumps so feeling rather chuffed . It has thin straps, not spaghetti but close so bra strap is visible. The straps are well positioned though so they do line up with bra straps which I find things often don't.

Anyway, mindful of the verdict on here that it was ok to have bra strap on view if it was a nice colour I went into La Senza and M&S to look for something to wear under it.

Nada.

I am a 40 DD/E, or a 38 E depending on the style and shop. It was so depressing. Everything colourful didn't go big enough, everything in my size was hideous hideous hideous and either white, black or beige

Please help me so I can wear my lovely (smaller than usual!!) dress!

Bravissimo? PITA isn't it!

Bravissimo, even.

def bravissimo, was in thgere today and they had lots of diff coloured ones

Ooh what dress> And if not too personal what size are you normally vs new dress?

Ooh - will have a look on the website, not sure there is a shop near me.

Princess I am normally an 18, and the dress is a 16 and fits beautifully. I was so surprised.

yummy dress!

Oh that is lovely, just my style too, hmm - thanks Alibaba, I'll have to have a look, I'd avoided FF lately due to it all looking crap!

Def have a look at Bravissimo, great customer service too. Or is there a John Lewis near you, I found them good too.

Well that was a quick way to spend £50! Have ordered a couple of very pretty ones without industrial straps!

Thank you

try brastop (online) or figleaves (ditto) though I tend to see more pinky than bluey bras and I am a similar size to you. worth a try though.

32E here (in my non-pg state anyway) and bought a £6 bra from Matalan once - they have a Dcup plus range. It was a slate blue/grey colour, and a perfect match for a dress I had bought for a wedding.

I thought it would die shortly thereafter, but has so far given nearly 2 years of good service with no special treatment from me - gets bunged in the wash with DH's socks and pants.

I would suggest that based on your dress size you are wearing the wrong size bra - get down to bravissimo and get fitted

I second Eldonave

Eldon really? What would you think I should be in?

The bras that I have fit well, no gap under the band at the front and no riding up my back. The cups are a smooth fit - no four breasts here They are comfy, don't rub anywhere etc.

I'm a large 16 and a 36E, so I suppose I would expect you to be a 36 or 38 band size; the 40 surprises me.

<takes note of dress and described lump and bump skimming and plans trip to Fat Face>

Do get fitted Ali, but look out for Freya bras, they come in lots of colours and styles, but it can be a hit or miss... they are not old lady-ish in style though and usually flattering.

Port I would love to wear a 36 bra, but they don't do up!

I'm pretty sure I'm in the right size, following the old M&S fitting method they'd have me in a 44C I worked out - most people you talk to seem to go down a band size or two and up a cup or 3 when they move away from that.

I know I should get fitted, it's a question of where though. AFAIK there is nowhere near to me to get fitted properly. The nearest Bravissimo is over an hour away and M&S are to be avoided I've discovered.

John Lewis can be good for fitting but a bit hit and miss

Bravissimo will advise you over the phone if you can't get to a store

I would expect you to be in a 34/36 poss 38

You could always have one made for you, there are plenty of us lingerie makers around

dxx

Sorry for hijack alibaba - wondering if dawntigga can tell us more about how to get bespoke bras made...

Have you got a john lewis or large dept store near you? They are usually better than m&s I find.
Check the bravissimo fitting guide online and have a critical look at whether you really fit your own bra.

Find a local person who makes corsets and ask them - I'm not taking any commissions at the moment due to having a 11 week old! - most people who can make a corset can make a bra as well due to a particular corset type. They aren't cheap but they will fit and be the best bra you've ever owned. If you have a bra that fitted you but is a bit old now take that to them and they can usually take a pattern from that and make you bra's that fit, look lovely and come in a rainbow of colours.

Dxx who has to many corsets she no longer fits in due to ds and the same for bras!

Got fitted at Bravissimo originally - was wearing 36D, should have been 32F, just bought some really pretty coloured ones in Asda, two for a tenner. Sort of nautical, if you know what I mean . Now deliberately having my bra straps on display!

Alibaba - thanks again for the heads up on the dress, I got one today in a 14

ali if you have any small lingerie shops go there, we have one in the very small town near me - the people in these shops really know what they are doing - I first got measured properly in Jenners in Edinburgh, but since then I have always gone to small independent bra shops.

I actually bought a 38F turquoise t shirt bra from Primark for £4 yesterday! They are doing a few in larger sizes now in lots of colours. I didn't try it on so it could be crap for all I know.