Bra gurus - buying first bra for DD

[amazonianwoman]

Do the same "rules" apply for first bras?

Just measured DD - 28" below and 32" at fullest bending over (31" when standing straight up). She's not very full yet though. Should I try 28C or 28D?

And where to order them from?! Typically, M&S have a rubbish selection in those sizes (whoever is in charge of stock control ought to be sacked, can never get hold of the right size for anything I order from M&S these days). John Lewis are quite pricey. Any suggestions please? They need to be pale to go under school shirts, non-wired and lightly padded/moulded.

Thanks!

[amazonianwoman]

Anyone?!

[balletgirlmum]

Dd is 28 D & she gets hers from John Lewis teen range.

[Sallyhasleftthebuilding]

Try new look or peacocks? Hard to find teen white undies for school shirts!

[balletgirlmum]

New look & peacocks don't do that size.

[Chilliandbanana]

I took my DD to debenhams, they measured her and had a range of 'first bras'. They were very kind to her as she Beas really nervous about being measured and didn't want it done.

[amazonianwoman]

Excellent thanks, didn't think about Debenhams. They measure properly don't they? Ie not the M&S way?

Could only find £18 ones in John Lewis, thought that was a bit pricey for starter bras!

[amazonianwoman]

Just found the JL teen bras. I love John Lewis. Thanks!

[amazonianwoman]

Have managed to find all the right styles online. But not the right sizes 28C or 28D not available anywhere

[CraftyMissus]

Take her to Debenhams and get her measured properly.

I measure and fit lingerie for another chain (not the dreaded M&S, who can be horrendously inaccurate) and you have to pull the tape under bust firmly... Then add inches on to allow for the fit and stretch in the bra and comfort in moving etc.

Its better if she goes and gets measured properly because they can explain what settings straps need to be on, how to get the bra in right position, styles etc. I see customers regularly who are convinced they know all that but are wearing the size they were measured as as a teen when they've grown extra inches and had four kids etc...

[KatharinaRosalie]

what about ordering online? I would go for 28D with those measurements, and Figleaves for example has plenty in this size. Order several to try and just return the rest. www.figleaves.com/uk/sets/lingerie/Bra/19073/19070?#term=&answerhandle=19079&page=1&sort=&pagesize=&cat=19073&dept=19070&styletop=&stylebottom=&sizetop=28D&sizebottom=&colours=&brands=&minprice=

[MeadowHay]

For first measurement I would recommend taking her to get fitted by a professional, would recommend Debenhams personally, have had a few fittings there and taken my little sister there too, staff always very friendly and kind and helpful. It is pricey, but you can look around for multi-buy packs and things if possible, if not, well it's worth it to get her the right size bra? Then after you know her size properly, you can buy from wherever really that stocks it. I'm only a 30DD myself which I now find quite embarrassing considering this is going to be your daughter's first bra and I'm not much bigger than her!! So I understand that it's a pain finding underwear in a small back size. I buy most my underwear from Debenhams, John Lewis, Figleaves and Boux Avenue. I try to take advantage of sales really otherwise yes it would get very expensive.

[balletgirlmum]

Debenhams don't do those sizes as far as I am aware. M & S do a 28 C but only with a wire. John Lewis is your best bet or there are a few online places.

[balletgirlmum]

Crafty - there is no need with modern stretchy fabrics to add inches.

[Mabelface]

M&S angel range do 28c and d

[amazonianwoman]

Yes that's what I'm not happy about - the "add 4 inches" method (or whatever it is). I put up with ill fitting bras (measured by M&S) riding up my back for 35 years before I listened to wise MNers.

Will try to persuade her to go to John Lewis with me!

[amazonianwoman]

M&S do those sizes, they're just rarely in stock

[CraftyMissus]

Ballet, you add the inches because if the fabrics used, hence the firm measurement underneath. The fabrics are designed to stretch but the construction and sizing of lingerie hasn't actually changed since off the peg designs began.

I'm 37 inches under the bust, a size which doesn't exist if you didn't need to add inches on, a 38 wouldn't fasten if I tried. With the added inches I'm a 42 on the back, and it fits perfectly.

[CraftyMissus]

You're supposed to add the four inches but the tape must be firm before they're added. I mean pulled to the point where you feel like you're maybe about to saw someone in half with a measuring tape.

+4 if its an even number +5 if its odd.

I've been measured at M&S before and they don't usually pull the tape tight enough... Then if you're anything over a E at the nearest branch here they either give up measuring and guess (which led them to guess once that I was an L cup) or try and stuff you into anything with the nearest letter on the cup... Too bad if its a DD and you're a G.

[KatharinaRosalie]

You are not supposed to add 4 or 5 inches any more. Fabrics stretch and with most brands yes you can wear the size you measure. If I added 4, this would put me in a 36 back and I'm very comfortable in a 30. If you can't fasten the bra in the size you measure, it's probably because the cups are too small - you can check this if you try a bra back to front. I have some size 36s that I wore when pregnant and if I tried them now, they would just flap around my body, offering no support whatsoever.

[balletgirlmum]

You are using theold method that most of us in the bra interventionist threads are complaining about. It's why we don't go to places like m & s, la sends etc any more.

Bravissimo measure correctly. Sorry crafty but you have been wrongly trained it's the reason why must women arecwestingca bra far too big in the band but not big enough in the cup

I measure 31 inches & do go up to a 32 DD rather than down to 30 Ebut when I used to wear 34 or 36 band I was so unsupported.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

There is no need to add inches in the majority of cases. As a 37 you absolutely would be able to close most 38s but you would need to increase the cup size to compensate

Whilst bravissimo don't use a tape measure you will find this is essentially how they fit - a 32 inch underbust will on average wear a 32 band.

[amazonianwoman]

Yup, I'm 36" under bust and wear a 36F or 36FF. I used to wear 38D or 40C and the wires never sat right and boobs looked a saggy mess.

Bravissimo agreed with my "new" size, as do John Lewis.

[poorbuthappy]

I am now worried that there is another chain of underwear shops apart from M&S which add inches?!!

[Clayhead]

I got my dd fitted at Bravissimo (measured 28 when I measured her, was fitted a 28D in Bravissimo) and we have bought some of the same style on line. The Bravissimo bra was a bit expensive but we learnt loads about her fit and the lady who served her was ace.

Her bra was Cleo by Panache.

[amazonianwoman]

Thanks. Bit of a trek to Bravissimo but will see if I can persuade DD. She is adamant she won't go to be fitted! Looked at Bravissimo online but there's nothing remotely appealing in 28D for an 11 year old.