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??!!!!

[Chickengirl]

Statistically, thanks for those links, Mimi Holliday looks promising!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

The measurements are only ever a guideline - if I am fitting friends (or me!) I don't even bother.

It definitely sounds like your existing bra doesn't work for you. Just before you try a different size though, have you tried scooping quite vigorously? This became a lot more necessary for me after I had my daughter - I had always jiggled myself in to the cups, but post baby it became more of a "shove hand in opposite cup, half way round back and yank everything forward" job. If I don't do this my cups are empty and my back is far too tight.

[Rotkehlchen]

Hi, can any of you lovely bra experts help me, please? I am looking for a first bra for my daughter. Her measurements are 27 under and 30 across(but it varies enormously whenever she breathes in or out!).

Anyway after reading this thread and armed with my new mumsnet knowledge I went to M&S with her - we live in a small town with no JL, Debenhams etc. - where she tried on a 28C and 28b . (don't worry i gave the fitters the evil eye and they stayed well away!) The 28c was probably the better of the two, but I think she really needs a 26. The cup was too small though as the wire seemed to be resting on her boob and she had a sort of overhang by her arm. Am I right in thinking that she really needs a D cup (!!she really is tiny and probably still developing) and really should be a 26 back?? Where on earth can I get that size,without it costing the earth?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Unfortunately 26's are nigh on impossible without special ordering which may be expensive when her size will change fast. 28d is an ok size as a few of the d+ ranges like curvy Kate and freya do then. It sounds like she needs the cup of a 28d, so in theory she is prob a 26dd. But if you could get a 28d with good cups then you can adjust the back or get the back reducer device I linked to about 15 or so posts back. Ewa michelak do 26s but they are special order so non returnable. Hth.

[Rotkehlchen]

Right, thanks SC, I'll try a 28d then (but obviously not M&S, as they only go up to 28c! I love the idea that my daughter is too busty for the M&S Teen bra range! If you could how tiny she is, and I'm not much bigger so how they are supposed to fit a 'normal' sized bust..

Is there any difference in the sizing of teen bras and adult bras? Is a 28d the same in both?

[soaccidentprone]

rotkhe....

maybe something like this with one of the bra clips SC mentioned earlier.

one of the bra blogs mentioned that Panache are going to be bringing out a 26 band bra in March, which is only a few weeks away

[soaccidentprone]

[[http://www.mycurvesandme.com/sale/jude-bra-in-mulberry-pink.html this 28d is a bargain

[soaccidentprone]

[[http://www.mycurvesandme.com/sale/jude-bra-in-mulberry-pink.html this 28d is a bargain

[soaccidentprone]

this

[Velve]

Hey ladies,
so technicall I'm a 28 back but not a small 28.
I'm bored of the lack of choice in bras in my size so was going to try some 30 back ones. I was wondering if you clever ladies know which brands tend to be smaller around the band than others?
I have a nursing bra in a 30 back, which, despite stretching with wear is still pretty comfortable (and unmoving) across the band.

[coraltoes]

Velve, Elle McPherson intimates have come up small on me...a 32 in some brands but a 34 in hers. Worth a try?

[Velve]

Thanks, coral, but I think Elle bras only start at 32. Annoying as they're so pretty.

[ICBINEG]

have new bras in the post...soooo exciting!

I am getting the same kind I had as a 36 G as a 34 F...as have lost weight and lowered BF rate....

[soaccidentprone]

Verve

have you tried Cleo's?

[soaccidentprone]

velve stupid autocorrect

[marriednotdead]

SC I'd say that the Jasmine is at least a cup smaller than an Alana- on par with a Tango but a more up front shape.

hotair
That makes more sense now. It may be that the cups are not deep enough which is a common issue. If that sounds like a possibility (think boobs oblong outwards getting squashed into/overflowing out of a circular bra!) try a 36k Panache Jasmine if you can find one. Other styles at Bravissimo that usually work for that shape are Boudoir Beau and Aleya. Neither are permanent styles ATM but they are a better shape than Alana if you need cup depth and although they only go to a K, they sometimes fit bigger and better than their L cup counterpart.

I've fitted the Fantasie Kara in the past. IIRC it's quite generous in the band so may be worth trying in a 36k?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Thanks MND, might give that a try.

Velve, for smaller backed 30s try Ewa Michelak, Debenhams Gorgeous I think is quite small too. Some of the Bravissimo own brand bras are quite tight too, although they are all available in a 28 anyway. Curvy Kate (showgirl range) is the opposite, I would say it runs big so if you are a big 28 you may like them ( I think you said you were trying some soon)

I've got a vague memory that Miss Mandalay run small. Also, they stop at a G but it might be worth trying some Wonderbras in a 30G. I used to really like their everyday tshirt bra which came in loads if colours. this one

[ComeAlongPond]

Velve, I'm a 28 back and have found the Ultimate (not Ultimo, which is different) range from Debenhams is ok in a 30.

[SorrelForbes]

Some Miss Mandalay bras now go up to an HH. However, I've tried this in a 30G and this in a 30GG. The backs were fine but the cups were too small in both.

[AltogetherAndrews]

Hoping there is still room to post on here!

For years, I have been wearing the wrong size- m and s said I was a 44C, and would offer me the most hideous granny bras. So I would buy 40D from anywhere on the basis that it was usually the biggest band size available.

I've just measured, and I'm 37 under bust and 46 over. So my band should be a 36 or a 38' yes? How do I work out the cup size?

It's always really bothered me that they said I was a 44 and therefore unfit-able in anything attractive. I'm a size 16 at the moment, and could never work out why that made me too big to wear a bra designed for someone under 90.

[SorrelForbes]

Ok, a 36 or a 38 band (most people who measure inbetween sizes end up sizing down). What's your across bust measurement? Measure loosely across the fullest part whilst wearing your best fitting bra or measure without a bra, leaning forward so your boobs fall towards the floor.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

AltogetherAndrews, you are most likely a 36. Most people who are in between sizes prefer the lower back size. Make sure when you measure your underbust you pull the tape measure tight as the bra needs to be supportive, so if you find a 36 too loose (which is possible, I measure nearly 32, generally wear a 30 but have some 28s as I am relatively,erm, squishy!) don't be afraid to try a 34 as well.

I would suggest trying a 36G and GG as a start, but also search further up for my name as there is a post which explains how a bra should fit. Don't be afraid to try different cup sizes to get it right as the cup is much harder to measure for accurately.

[AltogetherAndrews]

Thank you! Bra shopping at the weekend it is. I usually wear moulded cups, as my boobs are bottom heavy, and look quite matronly in soft bras, but I usually end up with either four boobs syndrome, or a gaping cup. I might try the balconette style instead, having read the above advice. My boobs are wide set, and plunge bras do nothing for me, as they push the bottom together but not the top, and give me two cleavage lines rather than one, which is not attractive.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

A lot of people who are in the wrong size (especially too big in the back) feel like they "need" moulded cups, because they give the illusion of better support. And bad fit isn't quite so obvious in them sometimes :) I actually get a far better lift in a non-moulded bra, but it has to fit well. I recently bought this for example, and the lift it gives me is incredible

If your boobs are wide set then you are quite right, plunge is not a good look for you. Try a good balcony bra as a start point, generally something which is fairly high in the middle will suit you better. Also, where you have a choice you will probably find a thicker band at the back better. If you get near Freya bras, you will see that most of them change design at a GG cup - straps get thicker, extra layer of fabric in the cup and 3 clips instead of 2 at the back. They are much comfier that way!