On MN recommendation.... I finally hauled my norks to Bravissimo...

[alltoomuchrightnow]

thanks to those of you who recommended this
When I wrote my original post, I was complaining about the back band cutting in, and had started buying wasting money on 40DDs.
When I measured myself at home, I was approx 37 inches under boobs
I finally got to Bravissimo and was surprised that they measure with their eyes , not tape measures, but she was pretty spot on considering I'd given up on bras and had them scrunched into a too small Nike bra top! She said no way was I a 40....
She guessed I was a 36 G. I tried some bras on in those sizes but, a little snug on the back band, normally though, when I am slimmer, my normal size is a 36 but I have gained weight. I still think I'm a 37 . But for comfort I bought a 38 G and it's fine. She checked it all out for me and adjusted the straps and said it was perfect. When I put my top back on I couldnt believe how different my shape looked. I had a night out last night so tested it out and I actually felt more confident for the first time in a couple of years. Although I still felt 'big of nork',I wasn't hunching or as self conscious, my posture was better, because I felt I had shape and structure. To be honest I was on cloud nine ;-) A woman even commented on how good I looked and my hour glass shape as my waist looked small (it doesn't, but compared to my norks I guess it does!) this was a compliment from someone I'd never met before by the way... and we weren't even talking about bras!)
Although I still wish I had smaller boobs, at least I know now what size I am and feel shapely, womanly again --instead of sack of potatoes, or having a 'shelf'.

[alltoomuchrightnow]

so.... is G considered to be very big of cup?? is this very hard to dress for and buy bras for outside of Bravissimo? I don't want to buy them blind e.g. eBay (where they don't seem to be any cheaper) because I'd rather have advice of the sales assistant... as the shape can really change, with half cup, full cup etc ( i tried on a half cup and the back band came up way too small... but my full cup one that I purchased is fine)
I'm really happy I'm not a 40, but how hard is G going to be? should I try Freya etc and get sales assistant to check fit for me each time (e.g. in a department store where they are not so experienced in fitting), or take a chance?

[MrsPepperMintonCandyCane]

I'm a 36 GG and only buy at bravissimo. If you have a Freya full cup bra for example you could buy another Freya full cup online with confidence I would say, but different companies fit differently.
It is amazing how good a fitted bra makes you feel, isn't it

[alltoomuchrightnow]

so Freya would be a very accurate match for Bravissimo?
cos I looked in M&S and they look different, bigger of cup
I didnt have much time to look at range in Brav so I just bought the first one she picked out for me
It pees me off that different companies fit differently! i know clothes do e.g. vanity sizing but it's so important with bras to be totally accurate!

[chelsbells]

Well done on getting yourself 'measured' and sound like you feel a million times better for it! :)

I'm a 38H and have tended to buy most bras in Bravissimo but have started ordering from Figleaves... Especially as they have lots of sale days!

It depends if you want to stick to a certain brand or style.. For me only plunges fit properly and either Freya or Elomi fit me best and last the best - bravissimo bras don't fit me properly at all! So it's a lot of trial and error to begin with... Go into stores to try lots of styles and brands on first and you'll soon find out what fits you best. Debehnams, John Lewis, HoF all hold stock but I've found it harder to get hold of larger sizes in their stock... And online as mentioned I use Figleaves which has more brands than bravissimo do.

[alltoomuchrightnow]

to go to that Bravissimo store is about 25 mile round trip for me but i would say it will be well worth it considerng the money i've been wasting. and the bra I bought from them was £26. I was spending a lot more than that on Triumph 40DDs

[MrsPepperMintonCandyCane]

If you look on the sale tag it should say which brand you have all then you could look for the same online.

[Trills]

The best thing that this bra can do for you is to help you to know what a bra that fits feels like.

You may need a bra with different numbers or letters on the label if you buy from a different brand, but now you KNOW what it should feel like.

[alltoomuchrightnow]

I do thank you all for the recommendation as i was feeling so foul, unwomanly and miserable. DP said it showed in my slumped posture the whole time. I'm 5ft 9 and I can't just hide away.. having slouched shoulders didnt help. I felt confident enough at pub last night to attract compliments just due to feeling better re what people couldnt see i.e. my bra! which is mad. but good! I felt, well yes I have norks but they are shapely now! they looked like sagging sacks before. I've never breast fed etc as am childless and just thought gravity was taking its toll and to give in to it. but a good bra is a miracle worker!

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I tend to have a "bra shopping day" once a year or so, where I go specifically to be fitted with the right bra. My shape has changed over time (gaining/losing weight, breast feeding etc) so I usually come home with the new "right" bra in a couple of different colours.

Recently I've found that only bravissimo brand plunge fits properly, so I'm a bit limited, but in the past when I've bought Freya bras I've also used figleaves or brastop.com (lots of sales).

[Hopingforpeaceandgoodwill]

I buy off of Bravissimo online. They have a sale at the moment too. I like the Panache Tango on me and have several in a variety of colours. I've managed to pick up a couple of G cups in Asda but it can be hit or miss with sizing.
After kids, I am a HH cup so it is bravissimo or a structural engineer I need.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

When I first got intervened 18 months ago i went from m &s 38b to 34e. I ordered loads from bavossimo and sent them all back. All either a bit small or bit large in the cups then I went to a large debehams and tried on everything from 36c to 32f.
A particular style of freya was The One. Since then and another big bravissimo order sent back, I only buy freya and mostly their 'side slung'style.
as someone else said, once you discover how a well fitting bra frees, and makes you feel, nothing else will do

[JiminyCricket]

Look for bravissimo or freya on ebay - you can search by bra size (also great for swimming costumes)....although ebay does now list 36ff as `one of my interests'

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Now that I know my perfect style I get them from eBay (new) for usually at least £10 to £15 off the debehams or bravissimo price.
any time I've bought other brands online/ebay, they don't fit.