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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:
EllenJaneisstillnotmyname · 11/02/2013 22:31

They look lovely, a bit racier than I'm used to, don't normally do a 'plunge' style. Good colour choices, too.

soaccidentprone · 11/02/2013 22:33

hot air 3 at bravissimo

2 36k's at rugby and peller but they are ugly!

a few 36k's at fig leaves

3 36kk's at ewa michalak

StatisticallyChallenged · 11/02/2013 22:34

There is a half cup version too. If you get on with it there are various versions of it - e.g. the Taylor - basically any moulded Freya bra is the deco underneath.

Another good one is the Wonderbra everyday t-shirt bra. I wore these for years (when I was small enough!). Fantasie do some too.

SorrelForbes · 11/02/2013 22:39

EJ I'm a recent covert to the Cleo Juna.

Beanie. If you're wearing the 34 on the middle hook then it's probably too big. Try a 32F, FF and maybe a G!

soaccidentprone · 11/02/2013 22:54

beanie - try a balcony style bra, so lots of uplift from underneath and one with a good amount of Lycra in so nice and stretchy

soaccidentprone · 11/02/2013 22:59

beanie something like this?

AgathaF · 12/02/2013 07:25

MrsK I can't wait to hear how you get on at Bravissimo. You need to report back here immediately Grin

This isn't some kind of elaborate mn joke is it? - this made me laugh. I felt just the same last year after one of these threads - went from an uncomfortable 36 C or D (had even got a few 38s in an attempt at finding something comfy) to a much more comfortable 32F/FF. Sorrel and Statistically etc rock with their bra knowledge, as do the fitters at Bravissimo.

MerryCouthyMows · 12/02/2013 07:33

I have the same issue. My measurements are 27 underneath and 44 across the top. Apparently it works out to something ridiculous like a 29L.

Thing is, you just can't BUY a bra in a 29L. I often wind up wearing a 32G/H as it's the closest I can get, but they are always uncomfortable.

MerryCouthyMows · 12/02/2013 07:41

I also suffer from puddling boobs.

AgathaF · 12/02/2013 07:49

Merry could you get them made anywhere? I read a blog recently from someone who started hand-making her own bras after she had done a course - I've had a quick look but I can't find it.

Would this be of any use - hand made?

SorrelForbes · 12/02/2013 08:14

Merry, on those measurments I would recommend trying a 28L and a 28LL. Some of the polish sites will make to order but you could order the closest stock size and then work out whether to size up/down.

StatisticallyChallenged · 12/02/2013 08:52

Merry, not as big as the measurements but Brastop stock 28Ks as do Bravissimo - have you ever tried these? if these felt close but not quite big enough in the cup, what you could try is getting something like a 30K so the cup is correct, and getting a seamstress (or doing it yourself) to take a small tuck out of the back. There are quite a lot of guides online to doing this as there are a few girls blogging about bras who actually need 26 backs.

I think you will be able to get something better than a 32g/h though

AmazingDisgrace · 12/02/2013 13:04

34F fitting much better than an E..after a good scoop. I just don't like this bra though, it's too much of a full cup with too much lift and separate. Its like I have a couple of missiles attached to my chest. Its the Fig leaves divinity one. Looking at all my other news I suspect they are half cup balconettes

AmazingDisgrace · 12/02/2013 13:05

bras not news stupid autocorrect

ClairesTravellingCircus · 12/02/2013 15:07

hello ladies, I have been lurking on this thread for a few days now, but I've now lost track of stuff, I desperately need help!
I am just finishing breastfeeding (down to 1 feed at night only) and desperate to get into some 'normal' bras, but my old ones do not fit me at all, (32E), the band feels incredibly tight, despite the fact I have lost 5kg compared to before getting pregant Confused.

Is it possible my ribcage had expanded because of the pregnancy?? (twins)
Or is it that I ahve got used to wearing a wider band now?

Anyway, I am no in the uk, so can't get measured, and I was hoping that some of you very clever bra experts might be able to advise on styles? I also suffer from cocker spaniel ears sindrome, and used to wear lots of plunge bras (with spillage Blush), but think I need something different now?

pretty please Thanks?

MrsKoala · 12/02/2013 15:17

RIGHT! Went to bravissimo. Tried on 34f 34e 36f and 36e in bras. The full cup bras cut across the right boob and 34s were too tight. The best fit was one style in a 36e. However, the left boob looked so utterly ridiculous in a baggy cup I felt really upset. With 40b thy didn't look so unbalanced, but seeing the right boob in the correct size has made me realise quite how awful my tits really are :(

I will need substantial padding on the left now. So will need to look for something. Also not many styles will discreetly hold such prosthetics, so I will need to find something fuller I think.

Ds is self weaning ATM so the fitter suggested I go back when my right boob has returned to some semblance of normality. However, we will be trying for dc2 later this year so not sure how long it will remain like that.

The fitter was lovely and I will return to bravissimo. But my issues are with my terrible boobs and all this has done is confirm my need for surgery to balance me out.

I may look at mastectomy bras which have pockets for padding on the left side. I also need swimwear for a holiday in April. I now feel really self conscious.i fucking hate my shit body. :(

Thanks for all your help. 36e does seem the size I would need if I wasn't such a freak and could feed from both sides.

AnyFucker · 12/02/2013 15:24

Aww, MrsK, you are not a freak

Hopefully things will settle down when you stop bf (or after the next one)

You have the rest of your life to get your boobs sorted out.

MrsKoala · 12/02/2013 15:31

Thanks AF, we are hoping for 3 dc so my knockers are going to be lopsided for the next 5years I reckon. Then it's straight down the plastic surgeons! I just want a matching pair fgs, but that's too much to ask apparently.

AnyFucker · 12/02/2013 15:35

Mine are slightly different sizes. And one works better than the other. It must be a complete pain if they are very different.

soaccidentprone · 12/02/2013 15:41

Mrs k - none of us have 'perfect' bodies. I have a very curved spine which means one hip sits slightly higher than the other, and I get quite a lot of back pain. I think you sound like a loving mum who is trying to do her best. (and none of us are perfect)

this is as nice swimsuit which could hold some padding on the smaller side and also comes in a longer length (I seem to remember earlier in the thread you said you were tall?)

MrsKoala · 12/02/2013 15:47

Well I do look like I've had a mastectomy, which is very confidence knocking not to mention impractical. I try not to look at myself anymore. This added to the excessive dark body hair I just feel the least feminine or desirable person in the world. What with this and the birth trauma of ds, massive scarring, double incontinence, dreadful pelvic floor muscles, stomach covered in stretch marks, I don't think want to leave the house let alone strip off and have sex ever again.

I feel so weak and vain to let it upset me so much. I know we are lucky to be healthy. Sorry for my whining.

AnyFucker · 12/02/2013 15:50

Oh my goodness, you have every right to have a good old whine!

Are you seeing anyone medical about some of those things (that are treatable) ?

ClairesTravellingCircus · 12/02/2013 15:55

Mrsk I'm in the same situation as you. Breast surgery on one side means that I cannot feed from that side at all, there is some 2-3 cup sizes between my boobs, and during pregnancy/breastfeeding it was awful.
I have learnt not to let it get to me and even feel proud if my body and what it's been through. But it's not easy and has taken a lot of time. Hope you can get there too. Thanks

I

ClairesTravellingCircus · 12/02/2013 15:57

Oops xpost, mrsk (awfully slow typing). I had not seen your last post Blush. Hope I didnt sound patronising!

MrsKoala · 12/02/2013 15:57

Yes, I see a physio (I had a thread recently in chat about co-sleeping which also explains my gyny and physio's advice, which is, it's never going to feel the same again and apply some topical numbing cream on my fandango so I can't feel anything but at least my poor dh will have sex as it's been 5 months and I am married, I must add dh totally disagrees with this too) for the pelvic floor. I think I need the electric thingy. I massage olive oil into the hard painful extensive scarring but nothing seems to work. Sorry I seem to have hijacked the thread. Ignore my wallowing. I'll snap out of it. :)

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