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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To despair at EVER finding a bra that fits?!

999 replies

Silverstar2 · 06/02/2013 17:41

So, I have read every website on the subject, been measured at Bravissimo, and STILL find every single bra uncomfortable - even the ones that Bravissimo said were the right size. I just want to rip the thing off as soon as I get in from work. They seem fine for about an hour, then start to dig in.

I find that they just 'curl up' at the back, and I get horrible back fat, or dig in at the side/arm pit, but mainly on just one side! The band never seems to sit flush to my side iyswim. I have tried going up a band and down a cup, down a band and up a cup etc, have tried every style going..........

I found when I wore my saggy old too big bras they gave me no shape or support, but my god they were comfy!

I think I am about a 36/38 E/F. I have ordered and sent back about ten bras this last month as they just all HURT.

So, AIBU to just let 'em all hang out and be pain-free??!!!!

OP posts:
SorrelForbes · 08/02/2013 16:54

MrsKoala Sorry, had another thought! I really, really feel that going down a back size (perhaps to a 38) and up a couple of cups (maybe a D) and then scooping like a mad women multiple times a day, will result in your breast tissue gradually moving back to wear it should actually be sitting.

I've been scooping twice a day for over a year (I did it before but not regularly enough!) and have gone from an F to a G/GG with absolutely no back fat whatsoever.

SminkoPinko · 08/02/2013 16:59

Thank you, thank you, thank you sorrel. Flowers:)

MrsKoala · 08/02/2013 16:59

How do I scoop it back? My breasts are quite far apart so have always found baggy cups but overspill on the sides and at the top where the crease of the arm folds. If I wear a bandeau top I have loads of podge over the top at the corners.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 08/02/2013 17:06

MrsK I completely agree with Sorrell - I think you are the best candidate for scooping that I have ever 'seen' on MN! There is a good video on Ewa Michelak's website - but basically you lean forward and put your opposite hand into your bra cup (left to right cup and vice versa) and then scoop all that armpit fat forwards into the cup of your bra. In all likelihood there will be no room for it in your current bra and it will all try to come out of the top - so you go up a cup size or two.
The success of the method relies on you having a tight enough band and reasonably well-fitting cup to hold the fat there when you are going about your day. In my current bra I need to scoop very regularly - because it is too big in the band.

MrsKoala · 08/02/2013 17:15

At the moment I am wearing various colours of the bravado nursing bras. They are stretchy and comfy so not suitable to scooping. Once I stop bfing I'll get a tight bra and go on a scoopathon to see if that helps. What size do you recommend?

soaccidentprone · 08/02/2013 17:34

agree that the video on the we website is good and worth a look.

I also had a thought. what about buying a bra with removable padding, the remove the padding from one side and putting it in the other side to balance you out - like this bra

i was fitted a couple of months ago in jl and was told I have got 'wide' boobs. I ended up with the least sexy bra I have ever seen (not actually true just look at the miss Mary of Sweden ones Confused ) which is a fantasie. it is very comfy now, though it took a couple of weeks for the elastic to 'give' and for me not to have massive red weals on one side (I have a curved spine so my body isn't symmetrical).

AgathaF · 08/02/2013 17:39

MrsK I think you may need to get your hands far round the sides, and even onto your back as you can, to scoop. As Alibaba said, you may need a tighter band and bigger cup size to get it to stay put. The wires at the side shouldn't be digging in to breast tissue, they should sit round to the side, well back of the breast tissue and be quite firmly in place to hold the scooped tissue in place.

MrsKoala · 08/02/2013 17:50

Okay ladies, I will do this and if it works I will buy you all a drink!

Thank you.

ihatethecold · 08/02/2013 17:56

Sorrelforbes. The 34 e felt ok in the cup size bit tight on the band. The wire felt like it was going dig in.
Looked ok.
At the side of the strap at the front I have a small amount of fat that was not comfy. Some straps felt scratchy and it made the fat there bulge.
It just all
Felt too tight. The freya fitted the best out of all of them. I tried triumph. Panache. Playtex Freya and John Lewis own brand.

I'm
Scared I'm going to be trussed up in rigby and peller when I go on Monday

SorrelForbes · 08/02/2013 18:04

Ok, did the band on the 34e feel ok before you put the cups on and straps up? It's best to try the bra on back to front first to get that fitting right. The 34 might be ok and just feeling tight because the cup is too small. Or it just could genuinely be too small in the band. It sounds to me that you need bigger cups in all those brands.

You will have a great time at R&P!

ihatethecold · 08/02/2013 20:04

I did try the band first back to front. I tried to follow all your previous advice that you wrote yesterday.
I felt ok not too tight.
When all was hiked in place I did the scooping several times to ensure everything was in its place.
I think maybe I just don't like the too tight feeling it all gives me. Sad

TripTheLightFanjotastic · 08/02/2013 20:10

Err, can I just say a ma-hassive thank you for this thread. New to mumsnet and been out today to buy new bras. Gone from 36E to 32GG. Yoinks! Unfortunately in nursing bras, so boobs still don't look great and not much choice, but looking forward to overhauling my underwear drawer when I stop. Grin

Pigsmummy · 08/02/2013 20:15

Have you tried a maternity bra? (not feeding one), very supportive.

TripTheLightFanjotastic · 08/02/2013 20:21

Not going to get far with a maternity bra for 3mo greedy DS2 Smile. But won't be making the mistake for next time!

EnchantedBunny · 08/02/2013 22:09

Could someone size me please, I am 37 inches under boob and 48 at fullest point.. I am currently in a 38ff in Emma Jane nursing bra, still bf my 8 month old, but think I should be in 36h or 38j. Is this right?

EnchantedBunny · 08/02/2013 22:13

Oops, think i mean 36j or 38h Confused

porridgewithalmondmilk · 08/02/2013 22:22

I stopped wearing bras a few months ago Blush I don't have very big boobs (B cup) and to be honest I don't care if they're a bit droopy! Life is SO much simpler now! Grin

SorrelForbes · 08/02/2013 22:25

EnchantedBunny Try a 36HH, 36H, 38GG and a 38H

SorrelForbes · 08/02/2013 22:26

ihatethecold It does take a little while to get used to a tighter band but it is worth persevering with.

EnchantedBunny · 08/02/2013 22:31

Thank You Sorrel, I shall hit the shops tomorrow.

polosareverynice · 09/02/2013 01:47

just been through my entire bra collection not one bra fits properly either too big or too small im measuring 32 tight fit underband and 38 overbust please wise ladies what would you reccomend spun out by this thread Blush

CelticPromise · 09/02/2013 08:27

Polos I'd start with a 32F, maybe also try 32FF and 30G. what size do you normally wear?

SorrelForbes · 09/02/2013 10:20

MrsKoala Interesting article here

SorrelForbes · 09/02/2013 10:23

polos You have a six inch difference between your measurements so try a 32E. However, as Celtic says above, it'll be well worth trying a 32F and sizes around that in different styles. You may even need a 30 in some brands.

When trying on, think about which style actually looks/feels best. I can't wear any plunge styles and also struggle with Panache Superbras and most Freyas!

polosareverynice · 09/02/2013 11:34

i have been wearing 38d and crop top things with stretch my top feels unsupported i have 34e in nursing bra but dont fill out the top - quite a lot of gape at top iyswim