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Original poster

Getting bras for 12 yo during pandemic

21 replies

Mymindblown · 12/12/2020 15:42

Hi everyone. My daughter is 12 nearly 13 and has been wearing stretchy sports crop top type bra and also a few cotton bras with hook fastening I'd bought her to try and get used to - which until recently she was reluctant to wear but has got used to them now.

I've not been in any shops during this whole time apart from a few times supermarket/ household shops, so I've no idea what's going on in clothing shops, we're in tier 2 currently but don't have any large shops anywhere near us and I really don't want to be going into busy areas anyway. What have other people done about getting proper bras for girls who have started to need them during this time? I don't feel we need direct help with sizing I think if we can try a load on, I can do the fitting myself.

Any advice on how to do this safely would be appreciated!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 12/12/2020 15:45

Have you measured her to get an idea of size,?

Measure fairly tightly under the bust = back size

Measure around the fullest part of the bust - difference between under and over gives the cup size. Each inch difference increases cup by 1 size e.g. 1 inch - A , 2 inch - B, 3 inch - C (then its D, DD, E, F, FF, G, etc)

Original poster
Mymindblown · 13/12/2020 01:13

Thanks @dementedpixie I will do this. That way I might be able to order some to be delivered and then send back what doesn't fit.

OP posts:
Mally2020 · 13/12/2020 03:48

Agree with above either measure her or if more comfortable show her a youtube video of how to measure for a bra you might have to switch sizings up or down if it's not a comfortable fit and really take into account types of bras. I measured and used the m and s guide and bought 2 bras half price from debenhams, it was a snug fit but the larger size would've been slightly bigger than needed for 20 pounds to cover me for the next 6 months I can't really complain

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Clothing
pisspants · 13/12/2020 04:25

I recently used boob or bust to measure my dd14 then ordered a bra in that size off ebay for a fiver (new but no tags) fits perfectly.

Stilllivinginazoo · 13/12/2020 04:34

I was going to start a thread how to measure a 13yr old for a new bra...
She's slight and her breasts are big(wears sports type ones at mo) according to demented pixie guide I should be looking for a 28D...

pisspants · 13/12/2020 04:38

boob or bust is really good and comes out with odd sizings (dd was 28ff I think!) but it fits perfectly.

BuffaloCauliflower · 13/12/2020 04:42

Use this to measure www.booborbust.com/

GreyBow · 13/12/2020 05:43

Google and look for an independent bra shop.

Our closest one is half an hour drive away but it was worth it as they measured older teen (safely!) and sorted her out. I happened to mention that I didn't know what I'd do when the younger one needed a bra as M&S etc weren't measuring, and they pulled open a drawer and showed me all the young teen bras. They just don't put them on display in a grown up underwear shop.

So that's where I'll be taking the younger one. She's still okay with the stretchy crop tops though for now.

GreyBow · 13/12/2020 05:44

PS they only allow one family/person in at a time so it felt safe.

UnbeatenMum · 13/12/2020 07:19

I had to do this, I measured DD the traditional way then bought a selection of bras that size and bigger (went up 1 cup size and 1 back size so 32AA, 34AA, 32A). I then bought more of the best fitting size online. They actually all fitted to some extent but she had a bit of space in the cups of the largest ones IYSWIM but still liked them (t-shirt bra style) so I didn't need to return any. DD is 11.

TheRubyRedshoes · 13/12/2020 08:28

Mine is still waring those tops and cotton bras.

ReetPetitePois · 13/12/2020 08:35

Mine is still waring those tops and cotton bras.

So is my 14 year old.

Asda is good for both wired and unwired teen bras. Also Matalan. I ordered loads online and send lots back after she tried them on.

Bacter · 13/12/2020 08:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

dementedpixie · 13/12/2020 09:21

@UnbeatenMum

I had to do this, I measured DD the traditional way then bought a selection of bras that size and bigger (went up 1 cup size and 1 back size so 32AA, 34AA, 32A). I then bought more of the best fitting size online. They actually all fitted to some extent but she had a bit of space in the cups of the largest ones IYSWIM but still liked them (t-shirt bra style) so I didn't need to return any. DD is 11.
If the traditional way involved adding extra inches to the back size then you end up with a bra that is too big in the back and too small in the cup. P.s 34AA is bigger in the cup than 32AA as cup size relates to back size. 32AA has the same cup volume as 34A
Original poster
Mymindblown · 13/12/2020 10:40

Thank you so much everyone for the suggestions. @Stilllivinginazoo I'm glad this thread has assisted you too! @GreyBow I'm off to Google independent shops now, that is great to know that they may well have teen ones not displayed!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mymindblown · 13/12/2020 10:55

@Bacter that's really interesting thanks for passing that on... it is reassuring as things are different these days to when I first needed a bra, there are so many more styles of bra tops sports bras etc being worn and marketed, so if she's comfortable with what she's got then we may be able to carry on as we are for a bit.

I'm off to do lots of googling now, already found a local independent bra shop so I'll contact them to see if they do teen styles.

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 13/12/2020 11:06

I have a small back and bust and it is a PITA trying to find much below a 32" back.
I wear the size of family around 32B to 28D. It does vary depending on the cut of the bra and there is a bit of flex by swapping back/ cup size when chouce is so limited. I do look better with the smaller back and bigger cup when I can get it.

snookercue · 13/12/2020 11:34

I don't feel we need direct help with sizing I think if we can try a load on, I can do the fitting myself.

Just order online, return what doesn't fit?

AuditAngel · 13/12/2020 11:45

I was lucky that a friend who works for M&S used to be a bra fitter. She looked at DD1 in a sports bra, i told her the size I was planning on buying (based on previous bras I had measured/fitted for her) but she told me to go up another cup size. She was right

AndreaTwo · 13/12/2020 14:12

If her current bras hook and eye bras still fit OK then why not just order some more of the same online?
If they are getting a little tight, then order the next size up.
If they don't fit you can return them.
My mum bought me my first bras as a surprise birthday present without measuring me.

dementedpixie · 13/12/2020 14:21

But if they are getting tight it could be that the cup is too small rather than the back. Its a good idea to measure to get some sort of idea of size

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