total loss of boobs...need to take drastic action in the form of an amazing bra...help??!!

[cloggs142]

My ds is 18 months old. I had no boobs to start with...was a 34b on a good day....but they were perky and i actually began to quite like them! Then ds happend, and bf totally destroyed them. i went up to an E cup when feeding....and now...literally there is nothing left. i tried on a AA cup the other day and didnt fill it. Just empty bits of skin....and bloody wonky now too! :( Would really like to feel a little bit sexy just sometimes. I have ripped stomach muscles, an elephant bum tummy and so many stretch marks i look like ive been attacked by a wild animal...so im thinking some nice underwear will make me feel a bit nicer?!? And do chicken fillets actually work? please help. lol. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!?! :)

[SorrelForbes]

This has been a busy day for me [hgrin]

OK, first things first is to make sure you're actually wearing the correct size. An AA cup would mean you measure exactly the same under your bust as across the fullest part. I would guess that you need to size down in the band and up in the cup and try some balconette padded shapes.

Measure under your bust (hold the tape tight) to get your band measurement. Do not add on any inches to this measurement. Then measure across the fullest part of your bust. Each 1" of difference between the two measurements equals a cup size.

So, let?s say you measure 30" underneath and 34" across? That would give you a starting point of 30D.

The best way I've found to test the band size is to put the bra (in your case a 30 back) on back to front. If you can breathe but if feels tight and you can only fit two fingers underneath the wire at the front, then that's the correct back size for you. If it's so tight it's unbearable then go up a size.

Once you've got the back sorted, it's time to get the cup right. The cup will differ much more between brands and styles than the back (IMHO). Turn the bra round the correct way, lean forward and using your hands, scoop all your breast tissue into the cups (make sure you get all the flesh from round your back and under your arms in). The put the shoulder straps up and adjust as necessary (not too tight as it's the back that should be doing most of the supporting work). If for example, you've started with a 30DD, you will probably find that after scooping, you have some bulging over the cup and quadraboob going on! This means you need to go up one or more cup sizes. Keep going up through the cup sizes until all your breast tissue is firmly in place.

Boobs that are fuller at the top usually suit plunge and those that are fuller at the bottom (like mine) usually suit balcony I'm not a fan of the unpadded full cup style but many love them.

[cloggs142]

wow! thankyou!! ok, shall go on a hunt for a tape measure! :) am wearing a 34 a now, as havnt bought any new yet, but it just gapes. lol. will definatley try going for the balcony style bra like you say.
one one side i am literally flat ( unless its cold) haha and the other i imagine is going to be only an inch or so bigger :/ so should i just go with the bigger side once ive measured? ( god this is embarrassing! :/ )

[Countingfriends]

M&S do a bra that is "" sizes bigger" and they do work. Lots of padding etc and wires.

I also suggest you go for push-up plunge styles which push what you have got up and inwards so you get a cleavage- and bras that have inbuilt " shelf chicken fillets" in the lower part of the cup work. M&S Limited Collection has a range of these that are quite pretty but you do need to find the right size.

[QueenCadbury]

You just need to try on as many different ones as possible. Since having dc there is only 1 bra that even remotely gives mine some shape as it wasn't so much the size I lost but the fullness. I wear panache super bra t shirt bra but I'm an e cup so may not be any use to you.

[cashmerewebsandspidersheads]

I'd have a look in La Senza too as most of their bras are heavily padded so you'd have lots of choice.

[SorrelForbes]

The biggest issue I have with M&S (apart from the shocking and inaccurate fitting service) is that many of their bras only start at a 32" back. Even the ones that do start at a 30 are rarely in stock. I couldn't find one 30E, 30F or 30G in my local (very large) store last week.

[SorrelForbes]

cloggs142 Ewa Michalak makes bras with removable pads which are great for evening out your shape.

I think that La Senza only go up to a D and also only start at a 32 back. Their fitting is also rubbish (same goes for VS).

[Countingfriends]

John Lewis do plenty of 30 backs and even 28- but we don't know if the OP is a 30 do we?

[SorrelForbes]

Yes, John Lewis are very good (Debenhams are much better than they used to be). I was whinging about my own frustrating bra shopping experiences

[reliablemillipede]

Check out this site:-

www.maxcleavage.com/1165/Panache-Atlantis-Cindy-Balconette-Gel-Bra/white/

As others have said balconette style will probably be your best bet and gel filled will give you the shape your looking for.

[Countingfriends]

John Lewis do a great gel filled T shirt bra - it's listed as a plunge bra- in white, nude and black- I think it's £20. Most sizes are out of stock but you might be lucky if you want an A cup.

[cashmerewebsandspidersheads]

La Senza might not be fantastic quality but they have a lot of choice for smaller boobs. I also like the fact that some are cotton lined. If you buy knickers check they have a full gusset though- don't know what that tiny diamond in some is about....
They do stock a range of 30 inch backs and generally the back sizes come up small anyway.
I think those with larger busts can forget that the selection for those less well endowed isn't great.

OP I'd just try loads on. When I was a bit uneven when feeding I found balconette styles least forgiving and was concious of the gap. The best style was a padded plunge. However, looking for those with shorter/shallower cups were most flattering as they cut across my boobs a bit like a balconette. Fuller cups were less flattering.

However, as everyone is a different shape I'd try loads on.

[cashmerewebsandspidersheads]

If you are wanting to spend more... Marie Jo and Lise Charmel have the type of shallow plunge I think might work. I've tried on the Marie Jo and it gives a nice boost and would be a good everyday bra. However, all are only subtley padded (not necessarily a bad thing and an alternative to my 'bring on the gel' La Senza suggestions).

www.justemoi.co.uk/details/1/3018/marie+jo+avero+majestic+purple+padded+bra.html

www.justemoi.co.uk/details/1/2058/lise+charmel+5+recital+bleu+plunge+bra.html

www.justemoi.co.uk/details/1/2976/lise+charmel+creation+diademe+plunge+bra+a+-+c+cup.html

www.justemoi.co.uk/details/1/2599/lise+charmel+3+fashion+nautica+plunge+bra+a+-+c+cup.html

[cloggs142]

wow thankyou soooooo much everyone. having a wonderful time (online) window shopping now!! :)

[SorrelForbes]

Excellent [hgrin]

[UntamedShrew]

I'd recommend Marie Jo too. I thought I was a 36a after feeding but I got measured locally and a 32b from MArie Jo is much better and it has very light padding so gives a good shape. Hth.