Times Style shopping guide ‘ideal for those with a bigger bust’

[Fanthorpe]

There’s a a piece about underwear with a picture of a set from MaisonLejaby, the text reads ‘This T-shirt bra is ideal for those with a bigger bust - it goes up to 42D’

That’s not a bigger bust, that’s a bigger band size, a D cup is not a big size! That’s a bra for someone with a broader back with relatively small boobs.

Or am I wrong?

[MinteeFresh]

I'm a 38D and I think ive got a big bust, or large breasts anyway. No good for people with DD+ of course, of which there are many so I take your point, its not really a bra designed for people with large breasts.

A 23y old fashion writer probably can't imagine anything bigger than 42D! Id be surprised if a bra made in a 42 didnt actually come in DD, E, F at least, they've probably got it wrong.

[nailsnailsnails]

You are right: I thought exactly the same when I was reading the magazine this morning.

[Fanthorpe]

Interestingly they do feature a woman with a larger body in another picture, so they’ve obviously considered offering a range, it’s not just the usual stuff.

I’m a size 16 in clothes and take a 38 band, I do have big boobs, I’m an F cup.

I think it’s just a lack of understanding about how bra sizing works, and sadly lots of people do wear the wrong size.

[nickEcave]

Agree I'm 32FF and whilst my breasts are certainly not small after 2 DCs, they are not huge, heaving bosoms either. So much ignorance about bra sizing. Bloody M and S had me in 36 C bras for years and I used to see a chiropractor for shoulder and neck pain until I finally got measured properly.

[lindyloo57]

It's like you read sometimes in a magazine stars with big bust for instance dolly Parton bust 40 dd ,I don't think so, I would think more like 28 j

[StCharlotte]

But in "old money" 42D is a big bust.

[drspouse]

Bra sizing hasn't changed, has it?
No, those are not big boobs.

[StCharlotte]

Bra sizing hasn't changed, has it?

I really think it has.

I'm in my 50s. It used to be really difficult to get anything in a mainstream shop above a D cup (and rare even in M&S) - now you're getting 32FF as mentioned above which would probably have been a 36C or D 20 years ago.

I've been a 42D/DD most of my adult life - if I got measured now I'd be a 38H or something. It seems the band size has gone down and the cup size has gone up.

[PhoneLock]

Bra sizing hasn't changed, has it?

It think it has. Back sizes have gone down and cup sizes have gone up... at least on the labels. I'd suspect vanity sizing but it actually makes more sense to have the band size the actual chest circumference. They just need to standardise the cup sizing now.

[Fanthorpe]

There’s a difference between brands in terms of sizing I think, and styles and fabrics have an effect on fit as well. Bras in my size which offer no support are useless to me.

[Bienentrinkwasser]

Bra sizing has changed because of the increase in elasticity of the fabrics used. There is a lot more stretch in the band than there was 30/40 years ago. But for some reason places like M&S have forgotten to pass this information on to women so they still think a 42D is big!
My grandmother was a 32b when she got married in 1960. She was a tiny wait of a thing. She would definitely be a 28 or more likely a 26 by today’s sizing.

[ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords]

That’s not a bigger bust, that’s a bigger band size, a D cup is not a big size! That’s a bra for someone with a broader back with relatively small boobs.

Sort of, it's more that a D cup is not necessarily big and it depends on the band size, but it's not like two women with 32D and 42D have exactly the same size boobs just that one of them has a broader back - the cup of the 42D bra will be much bigger.

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

Bra sizing has definitely changed and there is definitely some vanity to it. You sell a lot more bras by convincing women that a) they're thinner than they thought - it turns out it was just their giant sexy boobs that made them think otherwise and b) (probably more importantly) every single bra they own is the wrong size and they should throw it away immediately. I'm always surprised that 'get yourself measured and discover that you're not a 36C you're a 26GG' is seen as some kind of empowerment rather than the obvious marketing trick it is.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Weird. I don't think of it as a marketing trick

My actual chest band under my boobs is 34 - over the boobs is 46

So clearly I have frankly a small frame and enormous norks

[ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords]

@LisaSimpsonsbff

Bra sizing has definitely changed and there is definitely some vanity to it. You sell a lot more bras by convincing women that a) they're thinner than they thought - it turns out it was just their giant sexy boobs that made them think otherwise and b) (probably more importantly) every single bra they own is the wrong size and they should throw it away immediately. I'm always surprised that 'get yourself measured and discover that you're not a 36C you're a 26GG' is seen as some kind of empowerment rather than the obvious marketing trick it is.

But if that was the case then the bras would be exactly the same but with different labels, whereas in reality bras with a GG cup are more structured and usually have sturdier straps.

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

I'm not trying to be rude, but is 34 a small frame? My underbust is 32 and I'm 5'10 and a size 14 so not a small-framed person. It sounds small because 34 'used to be' a small size, but that's with the traditional four/five inches added on - ie those women had underbust measurements of 29/30. And that's exactly the marketing trick. Most women would far rather be told that they're a 34H than a 38E and I just don't really believe that bra companies don't know this.

[StCharlotte]

Most women would far rather be told that they're a 34H than a 38E

I wouldn't. I hate having big tits. Moving up to a DD was a real blow to me (ridiculous I know).

[PhoneLock]

34 isn't that small. I'd say I had a small frame and I measure 28 underbust.

My 28FF bras are the same size as my old 32E bras. Both are equivalent in cup volume to a 42A (710 cm3!) according to Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bra_size

[ClientQ]

See M&S tell me I'm a 40HH which results in a bra band round the back of my neck and no cleavage/uplift
I'm a 34K which is a firm supportive band that doesn't move and actual separated and lifted boobs (size 16)

[randomer]

I would like to read this but £26 a month seems a lot?

Mind you, I am having serious bra issues.

[Fanthorpe]

randomer honestly not worth it for bra info, it was just a editorial advert for bra and knicker sets from various suppliers. I’m sure there’s a really good info resource on Mumsnet for bra advice, anyone?

[Fanthorpe]

That wiki link is fascinating, I’ve learnt some new things!

[LaurieFairyCake]

You're quite right 34 isn't small but it is small for me considering I'm a size 16

When I was a size 10 it was 28

[PhoneLock]

When I was a size 10 it was 28

You'd probably be a six now. My Australian bras are a size six.

[Katiepoes]

M&S say I am 36DD, they are insane. Boob or Bust says 30G. Posh lingerie shop said 32E. I have ordered a couple of 30G to try, but it sounds freakish. 32E worked but only in some brands, mainly French, I am curious to see if 30G works. 30G though 😳