Do You Reckon You Wear The Correct Size Bra?

[BunnyLover7]

Apparently something like 70% of women wear the wrong size (not sure if that’s UK women). I’ve been for 2 fittings at M & S in the last month or so & hoping the lady I saw today has got it right! Her colleague that I saw before ended up selling me a bra that was actually smaller than the one I’d arrived in ( I didn’t question it until later on as I presumed it was because it was a different style) but it gradually got tighter as the day went on. She’d said that if it turned out that I needed to wear my extender with that bra, which I did, I could then try the next band size up with the same cup size. I ordered 2, meaning I’d spent just over £50 altogether,but unfortunately the same thing happened even with the extender on.
Today, the assistant reckoned I was another band size up & that I fell between 2 cup sizes. I bought 2 different styles of non wired bra in a 42C & so far so good, although obviously I’m allowing for a certain snugness as it’s brand new. Fingers crossed! I was in pain & it even affected my eating so more often than not I went bra less after a certain time of day to get comfortable. Do any of you struggle with bras?

I can only wear cheap supermarket bras, as most better quality / more expensive ones have at least some latex in the elastic somewhere. Latex gives me a rash, so that's that.

Is the band sized linked to your dress size? Eg, if you’re a size 12 you’re probably a 34 band, and size 14 is a 36 band etc etc?

People with big boobs tend to need a tight band for support. I sized down in the back and up in the cups, which took a bit of getting used to but cured my bad back. It’s probably not something that’s so necessary if you are of smaller chest.

Nah it’s just supposed to be the same as your under bust measurement, although if you’re very lean you’ll probably have to add a couple of inches so it’s not painful on your ribs.

I’m an 18

Very roughly, add 20 to your dress size.
So a size 12 likely wears 32 but depending on shape, could be 30/32/34/36.

42 doesn't sound right for your dress size then. Do you have a tape measure to measure yourself?

M&S are notoriously shit. I got measured and Boux Avenue and they were fantastic.

I am a 16/18 and wear 38HH. I think 42 is too big. I took DD to M&S and took so many size combination into the changing room for DD to find one style which fits.

My worst experience was Rigby and Peller I was given a card blanche by my husband to treat myself for my birthday (he knew I loved buying underwear, it's for me what handbags are for others). Absolutely useless. I am a Bravissimo customer for over 20 years and R&P tried to go big in the back and small in the cup. They were annoyed when I queried the size and even more when I was adjusting the straps and cups.

I did leave with a set but it was definitely not the experience I hoped for.

Sizing is so variable that it really depends on the fit checks being good. I was a 32D in M&S but actually a 30 back in Bravissimo. Boobs have varied through the breast feeding years up to 30E but recently shrunk! I’m guessing I’m a 30DD now but my old 32Ds are doing me fine for now. So yes - probably in slightly wrong bra but they fit well - no back fat, boobs nicely in cup, underwire all good and not in the armpit.

Not at the minute for one bra but I think that's because my shape has changed. Or more that I've put weight on.
But I'm confident I do normally. But then to be fair I don't have much choice I can't get bras from normal high street shops so.

Yes. I have been ever since I started measuring myself using boob or bust.

Fwiw I'm an 18/20 and a 40 back. Although they are starting to feel loose. (Currently losing weight)

I’m another boob or bust advocate. I was a 38D at M&S and I knew it was wrong. I’m a 34G with boob or bust and I was convinced that it couldn’t be right but it is so comfortable, no slipping straps and great support.

I hate bras and only wear them for work and going out. After years of uncomfortable ones I've gone for the stretchy pullover ones which fit all sizes, some with pads.

I think if youve got bigger bosoms then it's important to have the right fitting for support. If smaller, like mine, it doesn't really matter that much and wearing no bra or just nipple covers is better. Xxc

I think these only work for big breasts.
If you're small like me it really doesn't work.
I've been measured and they wanted to put me in a 32C. It cut me in half and the cups were empty.
I'll stick with my comfortable 38A.

Actual bra sizes don't actually seem to be very relevant to me. They vary so much that it seems to be very rare that the measurements and the bra actually match up.

The only way to get a correctly fitted bra is to try on a range of styles and sizes until one fits properly. I've recently found an absolutely great fit with the M&S body flexfit range. I'll be buying several as it's rare for me to find a perfect fit.

Any place without fitting rooms is a complete no go.

I'm size 14 and 35" underbust measurement, I wear 36C which appears about right. 34D is too tight

I’m convinced that M&S use a different tape measure to the rest of the world. I was wearing a 36D at M&S, got measured in an independent department store with a good lingerie department and am apparently a 32F! Various different brands all fit in that size, albeit they feel tighter than I’ve been used to, but are visibly more supportive. Stopped at M&S the same day and a 32 there doesn’t even meet around my back, not a chance of fastening at all.

Size 10 and a 30G/32F depending on cycle. However last time I went to M&S I was much much smaller and they insisted I was a 36E.

bravissimo multiple fitters have ‘measured’ me by eye as a 30G. As does boob or bust system! It was honestly life changing for me.

Boob or bust doesn’t work for everyone- it tells me my measurements are impossible

I’ve got a very prominent rib cage and can’t cope with a tight band at all. Have given up and only wear non-wired bralettes now.

I know someone who is a 46B. It's possible. (She wears a size 26.)

(Not me, though I am disproportionately small for my size.)

I say generally, it isn't a hard and fast rule, but your clothes size plus 10-14 is usually your back size in a bra.

Surely that can't be right. Do you mean plus 20-24?

Same. I've got tiny boobs and just wear bralettes, much more comfy. I was a wearing 32b but boob or bust makes me a 30c/d. Nothing fits me properly. I've got narrow shoulders too, So the straps are often too far apart too.

Oh Bunny, the irony of your thread title and then you have been to M&S, where they measure you incorrectly. There is absolutely no way you are a 42C, not in a million years. Please get a tape measure and share your measurements and we will sort you out!

Almost and I'm no longer young! Freya are my go to bra..you can get a fitting online randomly and weirdly correct it turned out..who knew?
They aren't cheap but if you buy the wrong size from the initial fitting they will replace or refund if necessary.