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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that any bra measuring services are utterly inaccurate.

238 replies

microfight · 09/07/2011 15:42

There is always talk of so many women wearing the wrong bra size but I have been measured differently in three different shops! From a C to an F and 34-36!

Shouldn't they all measure me the same?

OP posts:
Lunabelly · 10/07/2011 09:26

Bloody M&S made me something like a 36C. I was actually, as I discovered in the wonderful independant bra shop in Sterling, a 32FF. (Way past that now, mind)

Orbinator · 10/07/2011 11:28

I was so surprised the other day when a friend insisted on getting measured at M&S (despite my protests and demanding we at least get her checked at Debenhams afterwards) and when we got to the desk the changing room assistant looked at us as if we were mental for just assuming we could walk in for a measurement! THEY HAVE A BOOKING BOOK and you actually now have to ring our local store for an APPOINTMENT for them to tell you the wrong size and stuff you into a bra 3 sizes too small! I don't live in London, it's a fairly small town in Kent! Amazing.

trixymalixy · 10/07/2011 11:31

What's wrong with Bravissimo's swimwear range? I got fitted for a bikini there after struggling to find anything to fit anywhere else. Made a huge difference to my beach confidence on holiday.

MABS · 10/07/2011 11:40

i have a fab Bravissimo bikini, keeps my 32ff norks where they should be :)

StaryNightSky · 10/07/2011 12:10

Ok,

I used to take a 38 DD to FF from a fab little independent store very expensive bra´s but were brilliant. However, weight gain, pregancy, weight loss, BF, weight gain and now weight loss again, have left me large but deflated. Current bra is 44 FF but the fabirc is pucking, my boobs are nearly below my rib cage, and I have dig marks on my shoulders. So question is do you think Bravissimoe will have bras that might fit?

I can´t get to a randp.

and my old shop has gone! :(

brighthair · 10/07/2011 12:15

StaryNIghtSky have you measured yourself? Worth a go for a starting point

SchrodingersMew · 10/07/2011 12:16

LaSenza don't measure you, they fit you with bras until they get your perfect size. :)

SmethwickBelle · 10/07/2011 12:18

I've said this before, don't know if its been said on this thread before but there seems to be a modern trend, started by Rigby & Peller for taking two inches off the back and adding two on the cup. So you think you're a 36B you go in and low and behold you're a 34DD.

I'm glad other people have had good experiences but I'm not convinced it always works. I had this treatment at R&P and sent the bra back in the end, I looked better supported but just too much fabric on the bust and too tight at the end of a long day.

I think you just have to take a batch in to the changing rooms and try them on, the different shapes come up differently whatever size you are. And over time your shape changes so the chances of being a precisely certain size from one year to the next is fairly slim.

Orbinator · 10/07/2011 12:19

Starry the figleaves link further down the page has suggestions for different problems such as you describe. I'd go to Bravissimo though if you can - heaven knows I would if they had one in my area!

StaryNightSky · 10/07/2011 12:20

Yep, I have, but the "old method never seems to work.

I ethier end up with a back measurement which digs in. or one that hangs down my back.

I know that cup size is wrong, as it is either pucking (not the right word, but there is LOADS os spare fabric) or The bonning is not touching anything other than boob!

I´m fed up of being uncomfortable!

But I think Bravisimo only go up to a 42?

Thanks

AuntiePickleBottom · 10/07/2011 12:25

think i will have to do a trip to bravisimo, all my bra's are uncomfortable i got measured and bought M&S bra and still found them uncomfortable, hence using the same size when going to other shops and still finding bra's uncomfortable and leaving a red mark under my breasts.

if i measured 36E in m&s i dread to think of the size in bravisimo

StaryNightSky · 10/07/2011 12:31

OK, Now I am really confused.

I measure 38, so According to "old" thinking that woudl make me a 42, no I have 24 bras, (NEW ONE´s) and they are so baggy I could fit another person in there!

Argh!

StaryNightSky · 10/07/2011 12:33

Duh,

42 bra´s

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 10/07/2011 12:34

If you measure 38 around your ribs then you are a 38, no adding on.

I have just started buying correct sized bras and omg the difference is amazing.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 10/07/2011 12:34

I did think 24 new bras was some serious shopping Grin

MilyP · 10/07/2011 12:35

M&S are utterly poo. But they don't measure you any more anyway. They just look at your boobs in a bra and start guessing. However the woman guessing my bra size just tried everything. I mean, I could do that! Before i was pregnant i was told I was 36C. However I could only then find a few 36C that would actualy fit in M&S. Once pregnant decided I might as well do the guessing myself. And tried measuring in Mothercare using the guide on their bras. But that didn't work so just ended up trying on endless bras until some felt and looked fairly well fitted (although still not convinced they are actually the right size)

Need to get some nursing bras but dreading it. Sounds like Bravisimo is the place to go, but when I went all the bras looked to be underwired and I don't recall seeing nursing bras. Do they do these?

AuntiePickleBottom · 10/07/2011 12:37

i think with all this free publicity to bravisimo all MN should get 10% using a special code

StaryNightSky · 10/07/2011 12:40

Right, off to riffle through my draws and see if anything is approaching the right size, so I have SOMETHING To wear into Bravisimo to get a good fitting bra!

10percent code sounds like a good idea!

ragged · 10/07/2011 12:49

If I take a deep breath my under-bra measurement changes by 2-3 inches. If I get measured without the deep breath, I end up with a bra that gives me backache, indigestion, and makes it hard (painful) for me to breathe. The few times as an adult I have been measured I was told to wear 34-something... now you lot are saying 32?! When I know that 36 is what allows me to breathe (sigh).

I wish I were brave enough to go to Bravissimo but I'm sure they'll try to squeeze me into a bra that doesn't allow me to breathe, too. So, I will continue to wear comfy but somehow "wrong" bras forever.

From what I read wearing the wrong bra "damages" your breasts... although I can't figure out what the signs of damaged breasts are (I've nothing on these checklists). Mine don't seem any saggier than you would expect any 44yo mother of 4 to be.

Cynical view on the hype about damaged norks.

MilyP · 10/07/2011 13:03

I think I might have scars under my boobs now where I was wearing a bras that were too small after I got pregnant. I hope there is no damage that could interfer with breastfeeding. Guess I will find out soon...

brighthair · 10/07/2011 13:09

MilyP they do have nursing bras and normal non wired ones Smile

MilyP · 10/07/2011 13:23

Thanks brighthair. I will go down once baby comes and get measured up properly. I must admit I didn't have a proper look last time as there were some very vacant looking Saturday girls in there who didn't look like they would have a clue!

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 10/07/2011 13:27

Ragged, most of the support for your bra should come from the waistband, putting the weight onto your shoulder is what causes alot of the back pain type problems many ladies of norkage have.

you should comforatably be able to get 2 fingers under tha band of the bra, however it will feel tighter and different than one not properly fitted. It may be that you could build yourself up adjusting to the new senssation (wearing for 1/2an hour then an hour etc etc until you are used to the sensation) but that depends how much you want the improvement to your boobs!

Orbinator · 10/07/2011 13:30

MilyP I actually do have a purple scar from wearing the wrong size. Now i'm pg (congrats btw!) it's migrated about 2 inches below my bra line and seems really obvious! :(

Are Bravissimo nursing bra's nice though? After my look in M&S and Debenhams all we seem to have locally is a mono boob forming selection of hardy crop top style nursing bras. The ones of Brav's website look quite scary and what I would have called "over the shoulder boulder holders" IYKWIM. Aren't there any nice, fairly sexy nursing bras with some colour anywhere?

HeavyHeidi · 10/07/2011 13:31

Another Bravissimo convert here. After years and years of four-boobing, middle part of the bra nowhere close to the chest and straps digging in in my 36D-s I'm now a happy 32F.
And as others have said, no adding. If you measure 32, you are 32 and probably a few cup sizes bigger than you think.
Yes, the bra is tight, it has to be tight, as it is the band that is supporting the breasts, otherwise they just hang on the straps. If you are a size 10 or 12 then it is highly unlikely you are a 36/38 bra. Even if M&S told you so. Get yourself to Bravissimo!