Big boobs

Same! I have a wide rib cage and small boobs, 38A, as confirmed by proper bra fitters.

people do come in all shapes and sizes.

I think am important consideration is also the shape of your breasts - I have to find bras that support the sides rather than underneath as mine tend to sprawl outwards rather than downwards. A push up bra is actually a good choice for me, but now that I'm almost 50, overweight, I'm just not willing to go there!

OP I agree with everyone else that you are very unlikely to be a 38 but unless you get a proper fitting, and probably with a cup size that is way in excess of what you are currently wearing - eg a 34JJ or something - I don't think you are going to solve this problem.

Right, so you tried on ones with too small a cup size. If a 38f fits, then a 36f would be too small (and dd and e far too small), you'd need at least a 36g or even 36gg (which is basically the same size as a 38f, but will offer better support).

You could be a 38A and a size ten. Band measurement could be between 36"-37.5" for a 38 back. So say if you were 36" ribcage and 0-1 inch difference as an A cup you could be a size ten in tops (36.5" on Oliver Bonas website).

You're not fitting into a size 10 with a 38inch ribcage. Either the clothes or bra are the wrong size.

That makes sense - see the Boobydoo chart I posted earlier. Your full bust measurement will likely be no more than 37" or 38" - size 12 clothes are usually 37 or 38" round the bust, sometimes up to 39".

I ask men to speak to me not my boobs. That usually pulls them up sharp ☺️
42DD and well used to the male gaze despite being modestly dressed.

We're not all made to the same proportions, I don't think it can be worked out with a formula. Maybe we just have big ribs 😂they seemed to get bigger during pregnancy and never shrank back, I'd stand no chance getting into my pre baby bras

I'm puzzled by this. I wear 38A bra but am size 12? Rib cage/back expanded during menopause. I've had a fitting at John Lewis.

What's your under bust and full bust measurement (the latter wearing a bra)?

I'm a size 12 and a 34DD, my under bust is 33 inches (84cm), full bust 38" (97cm)

https://boobydoo.co.uk/how-to-find-your-bra-size-using-a-tape-measure/

If you are much more than 38" around your bust, size 12 is going to be a squeeze in most shops, and size 14 is up to about 41 inches/102cm.

If you are wearing a 38GG you must be about 47" inches around your full bust and 36-37.5 inches underneath, so you'd be about a size 22 not a 12.

I feel your pain! I hate hate hate having big boobs. I think it makes me look fatter than I actually am (5'5 size 18). If i wear shirts or vest tops or anything with a neckline below my collar bone i look like I'm flaunting myself. I look droopy and gross in swimsuits and have basically given up any activity involving jumping or bouncing. Or i wear two bras. I was a 38F but after breastfeeding two babies I dread to think what they are now. I've been saving money to get a breast reduction as soon as i finish breastfeeding. I hate even looking at my boobs - they are so large and gross. Not attractive at all. They give me the boak.

Where you are buying your bras is an important point. If its somewhere frankly rubbish like M&S you will be a bigger band size there as the bras are crap and they also don't go up to high enough cup sizes. I too recommend bravissimo. Even if your size is correct the bras will be 100x more flattering and they will help you find ones that suit you

Are you anywhere near a Bravissimo, or could you travel to one? They will fit you and if you don't want a super tight back, they will take that into account.

The OP who wears a 38 back at size 14 does say she's had broken ribs, so understandable it might be more sensitive. I'm a size 20 and wear a 38 back, and I have quite a wide ribcage. The band around the ribcage is what does the most support, so you want it to be fairly firm otherwise all the weight is on your shoulders which causes back and neck pain.

When you go down a back size you go up a cup size - and if your boobs won't fit in the cup, you'll have to order online unfortunately. But do try to get to Bravissimo, they're brilliant.

I’m a size 10-12 & a size 38, so I’d ignore the comment from the person who was doubtful about it seeing as they also wanted a pic. Honestly some people!

Well I'd argue they're wearing the wrong size too. Approx. 80% of women do after all!

You haven't answered any of the questions on the actual fit, or whether you've ever had a proper fitting though so it's impossible to tell.

From what you've posted you don't sound sure about your size at all so just wanted to give my advice that, when you have big boobs, half the battle to accepting them is to find the right bra in terms of size, shape and support.

I’m a size 10 and wear a 34 back. Your bras must be very tight. Mines probably a bit loose, I’m probably actually a 32, but I really hate tight clothing and I don’t have huge boobs to support so rather go a bit bigger.

Yup 36f here currently and hate it, been a DD since i was a young teen though. Day to day they are heavy, sweaty and grt in the way. Nightmare not to look slutty or matronly in clothes :( big bras are expensive too!

People are so funny about bra sizes. There was a whole thread about it a while ago, I am roughly the same height and dress size as you OP and there's no way I could be anything less than a 38. I could just about do a 36 up and be insanely uncomfortable. Anything smaller literally won't go round me, I physically can't do it up.

You could definitely be size 14-16 and be 38F. I’m 5ft 2, was size 14/16 and wearing a 38F and now I’m 36E after losing a bit of weight (more 10-12 now) so if you are a size 14-16 at a short height it sounds right that you are a size 38 in the back.

I know it’s not the end of the world and I’m grateful my breasts are healthy but like you I’d prefer smaller boobs too. It is what it is though! An ex made a throwaway negative comment about them which hasn’t helped either.

The only thing I could suggest if you want to reduce them is to lose weight. When I’m a size 8-10, I find I’m a size 32/34 DD. It might help.

I truly understand. I had E cup boobs at 14 years old (they're an F/G now) - I've literally been sexualised since I was a child. Some tops/dresses I see others wearing and they look amazing, I try them on and my boobs just spill out no matter the size!

I'm looking into getting a breast reduction tbh but I'm only 24 and I'm not 100% sure if I'm done having kids yet so it's difficult.

I know you're saying not but I genuinely don't see how you can be a 38 back based on your size (even size 16).

Does the back strap sit flat across your back or does it ride up as you wear it? That's a sure sign the back is too big. It should be snug with just enough give to fit a couple of fingers underneath.

And as PP have mentioned, when you go down a back size you need to go up a cup size to get the same cup volume. So instead of 38ff you would try a 36G or a 34GG.

The shape of your boobs also makes a difference to the bra style/shape that would fit best.

I don't know what brands of bra you wear but I can't recommend a bravissimo fitting enough. They really know their stuff and the bras they sell (expensive, but once you've found a style that works you can search for them cheaper elsewhere) will change the way you feel about your boobs. Cheap supermarket/M&S/Next bras just don't cut the mustard when it comes to support for bigger boobs.

Try Boux Avenue -their bands can come up a bit small, but start at a 28".