To despair at EVER finding a bra that fits?!

[Silverstar2]

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??!!!!

I would try a 28DD or 28E

SoftKittyWarmKitty Try a 28D and sizes around that. I would be vey surprised if you needed a 30.

In case you haven't read this up thread:

Testing the band and cup
To test the band size, put the bra (in this example a 30 back) on back to front on the loosest hooks. If you can breathe but if feels tight and you can only fit two fingers underneath the wire at the front, then that's the correct back size for you. If it's so tight it's unbearable then go up a size.

The cup will differ much more between brands and styles than the back. Turn the bra round the correct way, lean forward then take your right hand and put it inside your left cup. Reach right round under your armpit/towards your back and scoop all the backfat/escapage forward in to the cup of the bra. Repeat at the other side.

Then put the shoulder straps up and adjust as necessary (not too tight as it's the back that should be doing most of the supporting work). If for example, you've started with a 30D, you will probably find that after scooping, you have some bulging over the cup and four-boobage going on! This means you need to go up one or more cup sizes. Keep going up through the cup sizes until all your breast tissue is firmly in place.

Sorry, just re-read your post Soft. If you're getting four boobage in a 30D then it'll be the same in a 28DD as they are the same volume cup. As brighthair says, try a 28E.

The 30 is probably giving you red marks as it's too big and is moving around.

Someone on the first page has mentoned the bra spa here

I haven't read the whole 18 pages! However, I can really recommend the bras here - I got some a few years ago before they had all the choice. They weren't the best looking ta the time but SOOO comfy and interesting theory behind posture etc (working with chiropractors etc)

Those are still going strong and I've just bought a couple more attactive ones (today in fact!)

I got one from Ann Summers in the end

Just kidding

I have a bit of an odd dilemma regarding bras:
I am currently wearing a 30GG which is fine in the cups, though I can get one arm in the chest band on the tightest hooks.
My current measurements are 27 under, 37 over.
My problem is that I'm mid-weight loss, with a stone still to go (lost 4 stone already this year and changed bra size from 36G )
I know about scooping etc. but will I be better finding a tight 28 and wearing it like this one, or try to find a 26H/HH/J bra (with all the hassle and cost this entails) and risk it not fitting when I lose more weight?

Thanks for the link ninja. They are interesting looking bras alright and the theory makes interesting reading too.

Unfortunately the bras here don't look like they are giving those ladies a good shape or lift. Might just be that I'm used to this type of look

AF! Something uber sexy in 100% scratchy nylon?

I'm that I could ever be a 28E and more that the band I'm wearing might be causing red marks because it's too big. But I'll bow down to your superior knowledge BrightHair and Sorrel.

What's the difference between a D cup and a DD cup? Does the cup order go in the order C, D, DD, E, F etc, meaning DD is one cup size up from D?

AF was it this one?

I found boux avenue to be a bit expensive for what you get

And a bit Ann Summers

AF any luck?

SoftKittyWarmKitty Yes, the cups go A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J and so on.

Technically, yes a DD is one cup up from a D but a D on a 28band is totally different in volume to a D on a 36band.

This explains it better.

skwk

yes

a,b,c,d,did,d,f,ff etc

so a 28e is the same cup size as a 30dd, but obviously the band is bigger on a 30. it also depends on the cup type ie plunge, balcony, full cup etc. some brands have wider cups than other brands, and some are much more stretchy than others. so just because a bra from one manufacturer fits doesn't necessarily mean that a different bra from the same manufacturer in the same size will fit.

and they are usually quite tight in the band. you should buy your bra so that it just fastens on the loosest setting, so that as your bra wears in and the elastic 'gives' you can move up through the hooks to keep it tight.

but you must be able to breathe in it otherwise it is probably not good for your health

sorrell - I clinked on the link within the link you posted - for Curvy Kate. just wondered whether the bra's are worth a look?

I've got a couple of the Curvy Kate Tease Me bras (bought from Brastop). They're very nice, comfy and a good fit. I have a 30G and it's fairly roomy in the band. I would possibly size up a cup next time.

Just got home < phew > < pours >

I got a pretty bra from Marks and Spencers out of desperation in the end, but there was 20% off. It's a 36D and fits really well. All the balcony bras I tried today just felt like a really tight band around my trunk, and the cups were just empty at the top, so gaping..

This one is a vintage "push up" style, not described as Balcony, but it has the same effect and a more covering cup with no gapeage. There are 3 fasteners at the back and it is very comfortable. Picture here but it's of poor quality and you need to zoom in to see the detail.

sorry, meant to type 32D

I'm tempted to return my haul back tomorrow. To be honest I went a bit crazy, spent too much & now I'm not convinced by the back flab.

Also I am a DD/E depending on style but I still don't look very well endowed, surely I should look a little busty?

I'm carrying a wee bit more than I'd like so fully accept I might have a bit excess, it's whether or not this is unavoidable

MrsH, that's only cos most celebs lie or are wrong about their size and most people are in the wrong sizes. So a celeb with pretty full breasts will say she's a C and then the message that DD is hugely busty comes over.

AF, that's pretty

I will keep looking for Holy Grail in the meantime, Doc. The bra is prettier in RL...those pics are rubbish.

Aaagh - similar issues.

I'm a horribly difficult to dress 30 G. And in my mid 40's so that's not much support for all that boob tissue.

I'm not a big fan of bravissimo and I'm not liking freya stuff that much as it doesn't seem to last long. Also increasingly not liking rigby (except for measuring and only at shop in west end).

I've tried every bloody make and I go back to fantasie in my size (ie ok looking bras - comfortable and very supportive and wash well).

What I'm not bloody liking is spending about £50 on a sports bra that was fitted for me and on friday at the gym it gave out (had only worn it about 10 times) the hooks straightened out mid jog and that was that. I was straight down to the changing rooms and out of that place. I've tended to wear two bras over each other (cheap things and soft cup) to give me the best support and I'm going to go back to that.

Which makes are the small back big cup ladies wearing? And what are you doing for sports bras?

have you tried Curvy Kate? Sorrell said they are OK and they all start at a 28

this one