A well fitting, smart/sexy and preferably push-up bra size 38A... impossible???

[justkeeponsmiling]

I am sooo fed up with trying to find a well fitting bra, preferably nice looking and adding a bit of "volume" in my size...
I'm starting to feel like a freak!
Am i really the only person in the world with really small breasts and a slightly larger ribcage?
Every bra I find is either too tight around my chest or has gaping cups. I need a wired one as any others leave me looking completely flat-chested.
Any suggestions of shops or online retailers would be greatly appreciated!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I'm sorry, I have to ask...where have you been fitted?

[squalorvictoria]

I guarantee you aren't a 38A!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I'll expand a little in case you think we are frightfully rude. Most high street shops and online bra charts are still using an old method which results in a recommended size which is actually pretty wildly wrong. A few places do it right, and there are a bunch of us on here who are trying to help as many women as possible get comfortable and supportive bras.

If you truly need a 38A, then I'm sure we will find some gorgeous ones. But when measured and fitted correctly an A cup (any A cup) is actually really very rare. We've probably refitted thousands on here by now, and I think I have seen one person who was a true A. The reason for this is that most big shops are fitting what is basically a bra too big in the back and too small in the cup. So M&S, for example - temple of bra fitting and all that. They fit me in a 36F. I promise you, I am not a 36F. I get fitted at Bravissimo and know bucketloads about bra fitting. I'm (roughly) a 30HH/J. That's pretty far out.

If somewhere like M&S say you are a 38A, then changes are you are more likely a 34DD. I promise, all marbles are intact - they are getting it that wrong. The issues you mention are all classic bad fit problems.

If you have one, grab a tape measure and take your bra off. Measure underneath your boobs firmly (in inches) then lean forward so your boobs are hanging down, and measure around the biggest (so now the lowest!) part of your boobs. This shouldn't be pulled tight - you don't want to squash the boob tissue.

If there is around a 1" difference between these measurements, then you are a true A cup and we;ll start hunting bras! If not - post the measurements and we'll help find you a better fit.

[justkeeponsmiling]

No I've got to confess, I've never been fitted. I've just tried every size in every shop in the world (or so it feels...) - 36A/B/C, 38B/C at least...
The A cups usually fit fine but 36 A cuts into my ribs and leaves me with horrible bra marks (like backfat overhang!) visible through a tight top, and I'm not even very big!
And the B cups seem massive and if I wear a low cut top they actually gape, so you can see absolutely everything... Can't see how fitting might help me

[piprabbit]

Listen to the lovely Statistically, please. My life has been hugely improved by a recent bra fitting thread.

[piprabbit]

x-posts.
Go on, grab a tape measure and fit yourself (with a bit of help from MN).

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

Do it do it do it

[justkeeponsmiling]

Wow statistically thanks!!
I'm working a nightshift at the moment so not really practical :) but will try tomorrow and get back if that's ok.
Would love to find out that i was a DD, haha!
Thank you again!

[HairyLittleCarrot]

I clicked on this thread just to watch the magic happen. I thought I was a M&S 36 A. I even have some old 36 AA bras from pre children times.

I am currently and very happily wearing .....




a 32D

[StatisticallyChallenged]

ok...backfat. I know about backfat. I get backfat. And I will always have a bit cos that's my shape. But. A bra which is too big in the back makes it worse, not better

and to complete the embarrassment here is some photographic proof

thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/back-fat.html

[Solo]

Proper fitting is very important and a real eye opener.
Years ago, I was buying myself 36A bras. I went into a Contessa looking for a strapless bra and was asked what I was looking for; I told the lady who took one look at me (through my unfastened waxed jacket!) and declared 'You are not a 36A, you are a 32C!' Phft! says me, but I tried one of that size and wonders! I had a bust and cleavage! Now, I always get fitted and if you are anywhere near Bluewater, John Lewis are best. M&S are utter crap!

[LegoCaltrops]

Listen to the wise lady. I was recently wearing (actually, struggling to find) a 38A, as that's what I was 'supposed' to wear. Am now in a 34C (sometimes 34D) & have never been as comfortable!

[HerrenaHarridan]

I love bra intervention threads.

Listen to the mad bra ladies and your boobies will love you and look HOT

[Solo]

Also, when you buy a new bra, you should be doing it up on the first hooks and only progress to the second and third set when your bras have become looser with washing and wearing.

[HesterShaw]

Listen, listen listen! M&S would have me in a 34A, the wankers. I am actually a 30C/D.

[Solo]

M&S put my friend into a 40F when she was actually a 36DD and she could get her whole fist into the cup! I can't work out why or how they are so bad!

[gymboywalton]

marks and spencer had me a 42f

bravissimo-36 h and i had a new waist and looked like i had lost a stone!

[123rd]

Sorry jumping in on this... I've just measured myself how you explained..first measurement was 32" second measurement was nearly 42"... I'm currently wearing 34dd. Am I way out???

[cafecito]

I need a bra intervention, I have no idea what size I am after 2 x BF DCs and one wildly wrong M&S fitting

[pebspop]

why do m&s still measure like this? surely they should have caught up by now

[StatisticallyChallenged]

123rd - fraid so, try a 32GG!
cafecito - measure as described :)
pebspop, cos they are stubborn, lazy and don't want to have to manufacture a wider range of sizes so they wedge us all in the ones they make :) If they sized us properly half of the population probably wouldn't be in their range

[123rd]

Thanks...will try some new ones on

[HesterShaw]

They are so arrogant. They have had it proved again and again and again and again and again and again and again that actually they are wrong but they insist they are right. They believe their main custom is old ladies who would faint if they had to buy more than a D cup.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

123rd...try this with your existing bra for confirmation - I suspect if you do this you will discover significant quad boob which has been hiding at the back or under your arms.

Scooping!

All those bumps, lumps, back fat, armpit fat - they get yanked in to the bra! However it only works if A: the back is small enough and b: the cup is big enough.

Basically, put bra on, then stand side on to a miror. Lean forward, put your right hand inside your left cup, reach round as far as you can and pull/scoop/yank all the flesh/soft tissue that is bumping under or over the back, around the straps or the armpit and haul its ass in to the cup. Repeat at other side. You might need to do it a couple of times (as doing one side knocks the other out slightly)

Bonus points if you can top the poster who, after trying this on a bad bra, used the phrase " I look rather ridiculous. My breasts look like they are wearing ear muffs"

[HesterShaw]

Though actually when I try that the flesh just slides back to where it was happy! There is no way I can get my back into a bra!