bra intervention for dd

[steppemum]

need your help ladies.

dd needs bras, only wants veyr plain sports bras, the more androgenous the better.
She didn't want to be measured and won't go to a shop, up until now she has worn thicker crop tops, but they aren't really doing the trick.

She measured herself, and I went and bought a selection (she told me 36"
They are all way to big.
I persuaded her to let me measure, and she is 29" underneath and 35" on top.

I cannot imagine she is only a 30 band as dd2 is skinnier and a 30/32. She does not want a tight band.
I can buy a whole set of sizes, but I am struggling.

if I got a 32, what cup size would that be?

any help much appreciated

Yes - so according to BoB/Bra intervention - if you can swivel it it's too loose, and I think this is correct if you're wanting boob support/immobilisation.

But I do not find a 34 is so loose that it's coming away from my skin when I breathe or anything. And I think I'm about 29 inches underboob. This is where the +4 inch method comes from - it's flush to the skin but it's just not tight enough to support properly. But when you are very skinny and don't have much padding there, it can be really uncomfortable. I struggle to do a 30 band up.

I think I would just ask her which she finds comfortable?

Asda have t shirt bras for £4 try a 34 b and see how it fits. Dd would only wear those at first (how times change, she now wants proper lingerie!)

really katherine?
I though many women did their bras up this way!
Mine all fit well, and I can swivel them, but as they are underwired it doesn't really work.

She apparently tried to do them up behidn her back, but couldn't stretch them as the elastic is so strong, so couldn't make them reach. Which is why she did them up in front and swiveled.

Bertie, so your back strap doesn't ride up at all?

Have a look in Primark as they have bras that still offer support and have a nice shape but aren't underwired. They are sized small, medium, large depending on her dress size. She might find that a bit easier.

M&S do minimiser as well

I know many women do, but as others also said - if you want proper support, the band has to be tight, which means it would also not be easy to swivel. But she might prefer her bras more loose.

Haven't read full thread but could you look at taking her into Bravissimo if you have one near you? They are very body positive and their measurements would at least give you a place to start if you're having to order 10 sports bras and send 9 back.

ps if it's for actual sports rather than comfort or minimisation, I recommend the Fabletics site. They have a few front fasteners which sounds like might suit her.

The trouble with sports bras is that they need to be tight to give the right support. That means they will be a bitch to get into and out of. I now only use sports bras when I'm actually going to the gym. (I'm a 38DD.)

Was in sports direct today and noticed they have a good range of bras. They do online as well. Might appeal if she wants sporty styles

thanks all,
hmm I wonder if the sports ones are just too strong and elastic.
Style wise she wouldn't consider anything else, she won't do any lace at all, and only black/white or a few specific colours (no pink/purple/red etc)

Nearly every other bra apart from sports are more girly. that is out

Would she try the Molke ones?

Sports bras are very tight to fit; agree if she can swivel then they are probably going to be too loose to be really supportive. But then ROme wasn't built in a day! If you can get her used to a tighter style then you might be able to move towards a better fitting bra next time (what age is she? Has she finished growing?)

I have also had very boring not very lacey t-shirt bras from Debenhams. They are not padded or moulded but might still be too 'bra'like' for her. these you could take off the little bow/rose thing!

More expensive again but Sweaty Betty and Lululemon do crop top style sports bras which are not lacey but a bit more interesting. Might be worth a try!

Per a pp, try the booborbust website. It follows the "band measurement = band size" way of doing things. If you can swivel it, it's too loose. It has videos on how to measure, fit and put your bra on (never backwards!), so she can do it herself if she's uncomfortable having you help her. Under 18s are slightly different, in that they should fit on the tightest hooks first and loosen (adults should go the other way), so she may have a slightly different starting size, but all info and help is on the pages.

SUCCESS!!

moving comfort 32 DD

she LOVES them.
I ordered these on=line and quite by accidnet found them at 70% off, and paid for next day delivery, and then when she said the others were too tight I was kicking myself.

But they arrived yesterday, soft, supportive, not as tight etc as sports bras, wide straps, very plain, black and white. They look good, they fit, she loves them. They don't create a bust shelf at all.
(and they are the size I would expect, so no weird sizing to make her feel more comfy)

Thank you all so much for your help, and all the links you've posted, I feel much more equippped to help her .

That's great news!