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

[microfight]

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?

Yes I head that one too LeQueen. And yet was also told that the front of the bra should be snug with my ribcage....but when the 32Cs came out they never did and I was made to feel like a freak of nature. The fitters just could not work out why it wasn't fitting snugly. Mind you, when I first got fitted as an adult I remember the back measurement being 26" and still having to wear a 32 because that was the smallest they did, and there were no cup sizes bigger than C. How flipping ridiculous is that?

Well, I have just done my measurements, wearing my 38C bra. Actually it is an Aussie 14C (as they do it in dress size rather than inches so 38" is a bit approximate) And guess what! I have a band size of 34.5" and a bust size of 40.5". Guess that makes me what? A 34 E? I would be amazed, I have to say - the C cup does feel about right, or in fact a little baggy if anything - but I don't have the snugness of fit on the band, so I'm sure that is wrong. Mind you if I have to come down two sizes in band size, it makes sense that I'd have to go up 2 sizes in cup, no? So, DD or E, depends on brand, yes?

Bugger. None of it gets any easier!!

just for a laugh here is what I got when I googled Bravissimo in Australia. Actually there is a useful link down there suggesting Freya instead, so I'll trot along to Myers and see if they have it in stock and then try on about 4. [hgrin] But only if they have no wire. I hate wire. If they all have wire I'm screwed. :(

What I hate most of all about trying on bras is having to adjust all the shoulder straps, because they are always boxed or displayed tightened to the max, ie doubled over. WHY do they do that?

For short, scrawny shouldered folk like me! I generally find the opposite, that they are enormously long.

TNAS look to see if there are any Anita stockists in Aus, they have a range without wire.

oh now that's odd - why didn't my [hgrin] work? I typed it correctly, why did it fail? [hconfused]

OOOOOOOOO!!! Wizard smiley fail!!

Thumbs, yes, 34E or F is a good starting point. Even if the cups of your 38C seem to fit, the middle part is probably not flat against your breast bone, right?
Yes, it's correct, if you go down band size you go up cup size. Also, with this size you really should have wire, it will look a lot better - and it will not feel uncomfortable if it's the right size, really.

You sure? Because I bought a bra that had no wire in the cup but had it down the sides and I had to take them out because they hurt so much. I have taken boning out of dresses as well for the same reason (not all of them!) - I seem to be super-sensitive to hard stuff in clothes. :(

Ooh Glitter, just realised you were talking to me!! Sorry, didn't recognise the acronym, so used to just being called thumb(s)!
Thanks for the tip, will look out for it. :)

i was a 30 ff, until recently i could only buy bras in a few shop, now i am a 32 it is easier

in m&s they measured me as 34c, the bra sat on my boobs but the sales assistant told me it was a perfect fit. i didn't buy it

well if you wear a 38 on your 34 body then sure the wires are all twisted, at weird angles and poking, just try something that's the right size before you decide.

I haven't worn an underwired bra for years, not ever when I've been this size. The last one I had was a 34B wonderbra - I could wear it for a night out but not all day without pain.

I will try it but would be very loath to pay out for one with wires, even in the right size, only to find that it still hurts. :(

I have just put my measurements (32/37) into the bra calculators on the first page of google and this is what they came up with:

32DD
34D
36AA (!!!!!!)
36C
36B
36F

I do in fact wear a 34G (measured by sight and fit though have lost a bit of weight so might try 32 next time) and by no stretch of the imagination am I an AA cup.

Another Bravissimo fan here, definitely get fitted there.
However for nursing bra's, M&S cotton nursing bras have the best combination of comfort and support I've ever tried. IMHO better than the Panche ones, the inner support is too small so had to go up 2 cupsizes to prevent cutting in, therefore lost out on support.

Brambly

No wonder so many women are wearing wrong sizes - if a calculator tells you you are AA, you will not go and try a G.

Thumbs, wonderbra is supposed to push and squeeze you, no wonder (pun intended) it is not the comfiest. I'm wearing Freya at the moment and it is totally comfortable. Try them and jump around in the changing room a bit, stretch and bend, you will see even there if it would be wearable.

PMSL at me jumping around in the changing room! They'd think a herd of elephants had got in (I have lead feet). . Will try the bending and twisting though and if I put my back out I'll blame you!

Will let you know how I get on in a couple of days (housebound due to sicky DS at the mo).:(

I don't see why you have to be fitted for a bra by someone else any more than you have to be fitted for a pair of trousers. You just have to try it on and see if it is comfortable, gives you a good line and if there are any lumps and bumps in the wrong places. Not rocket science.

That said the last bras I bought cost £5 in Sainsbury's. I bought one and just thought I would try it as it was so cheap, not expectng much, it fitted so well that I went back and bought 4 more in different colours. I've had them about 2 years now and they wash really well.

Pity that the matching pants were the itchiest, most uncomfortable things possible.

I think when one is young pert and boobs more or less hold themselves any bra size within reason will look okay. BUT....for anyone like me middle aged, post kids and slightly over weight a bra that totally holds everything in without squeezing is difficult to find.

I would never have entertained trying on an F. When I was young a C fitted fine and size wise I am not much different. It's the fact I need the cup to cover my whole boob now whereas when young the cup could be anywhere and I still had round ones.

Brambly hedge

Insomnia, this would be true if women knew what a well fitting bra looks like. (People often don't know this about trousers either, otherwise we woud not see love handles over too tight waistband, bum cleavage and camel-toes.)

When i first started wearing bras (and I grew seemingly overnight), there was barely anything over C available and this then started from 36, even 34D was a rare find. So of course I just found the one that was the best fit from the selection available. I thought it was fine and fitted more or less, as surely, if you are somewhat bustier than average, some issues are to be expected. I had never had a bra that did not give be 4-boob look, I didn't even know it was possible.

So even though it's not a rocket science, there are other women out there who believe those stupid calculators and wear a totally wrong size.

I really begrudge paying bravissimo prices, they are about the only place I can get bras in my size but everything is quite expensive. Wish I could pick one up at the supermarket, as soon as I finish breastfeeding im going on a diet to reduce my bra size, cannot care less about my dress size, I think once they are smaller everything else will look better. Also I love the Bravissimo 'Pepperberry' Clothes, but again just too expensive for me.

Got my norks out in bravissimo for the first time today. So THAT'S what a well fitting bra feels like.

I found Bravissimo good but expensive. John Lewis is good as well. Some bras fit me better than others in the same size. Debenhams ones were okay too. I am a 30dd. i find Panache fit well as did Triumph. M and S bras don't fit me particularly well

Sainsburys do at least up to F cup from what I could see. Worth a look.

I'm glad you think I am young and pert, must be the way I type . I have two kids, am approaching middle age and a bit plump, though granted, not massively boobed at 36C. In these bras my breasts are almost approaching pertness- definitely go out rather than down anyway .