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??!!!!

no sorry, 34EE or 34F (got my subtraction wrong)

happy You may find some nice bra in M&S (just don't let their fitters come with 5 feet of your boobs!) but I always struggle as they sell very little in a 30 back.

mummytowillow YY to R&P. My absolute favourite shop. Unfortuantely I live a fair way from London so have to limit myself to a yearly trip (twice a year if I'm very lucky/flush). Funnily enough, I find that whilst I love their own brand balconnette bra (Vintage), they are very shallow in the cup and don't actually sit quite flat between my boobs. They give a great shape and lift though so I ignore .

I remember you, MTW

Am only teasing about the big boobiez, I wouldn't like to have them (remembers with horror the breastfeeding days)

I am going bra shopping this weekend, and I am going to spend more on each one

HotPanda Try a 34F and a 34E. If the 34 is really unbearable then move up to a 36 with a DD or E cup. I would expect the 34 to be a better fit though.

28GG???

yeesss! < punches air>

I've been into m&s today, in the stupid misplaced hope that I would find a bra to wear under a dress for this weekend. Tried on 3, 2 balcony bras and 1 plunge, 34/36 gg none of them fitted, in fact both styles flattened the boobage down. Bloody crap.
A little approx 11 year old came in for fitting, they added the four inches on as usual and measured her as a 36 band.
I wonder if M&S are the reason most women wear the wrong size?

can't read whole thread, but shape/style of bra matters alot. i used to work for the posh bra shop in london. i know stuff and would recommend Fantasie Helena every time.

Balcony style in everything, for the side support. If you don't like balcony look try a full cup.

yes Rigby and Peller i s where i used to work. Fantasie bras were the cheapest we did, but they are fantastic bras.

Fantasie Cally is a great bra too, as is Fantasie Belle. they hold their shape and wash well an can last erm yrs! If yo manage to try one on in Debenhams or House of Fraser type places, you can then find out your size, and do eventually what i do, buy on ebay.

Right I'm going shopping to JL tomorrow.
I'm 30 under and 33 over so i should try 30C - is that right?
I've been in a 32A for years. Wish me luck!!

It sounds as though I am v v similar to sorrel- my most comfortable bras at present are Fantasie, a balconette style, but I forget what the name is I'm afraid, I bought 3 though as the one was so comfy! (32E AF)

The most comfy bras I've ever had (and I have been through a great many) were the Hot Milk ones I had when bf my youngest- the cherry one, a gorgeous dark grey& silver one, and a teal/black one- honestly, so supportive and comfy, I never wanted to stop wearing them really, and wore them for 3 or 4 mo after stopping bfing, until my boobs went down a size.

Binkyridesagain I firmly believe that M&S are responsible for so many women wearing completely the wrong size. It gives me the rage.

I don't own any bras from there now, mostly because they stock very little in a 30 back and secondly because the one's I tried had the very odd flattening effect you describe above.

I stick to Fauve, Cleo, Bravissimo, R&P and Prima Dona.

[envious] of piratecat for having had my dream job!

Cheddar that's a great blog about bra volumes, thanks.

Dream job as in helping other women be all perky, not dream job as in staring at lots and lots of boobs every day

I'l never forget learning the 'down in the cup, up in the back' 'down in the back up in the cup' mantra. It was like a whole new world. I loved working there and helping people who really had come to the end of their tether. Ladies with mastectomies, ladies with very uncomfortable stories of bra experiences, and fitting problems

Just cos your actual breast fits in the cup of something doesn't mean the band is right for you. It's a real jiggling game! It's great that there are so many more bras out there now for smaller backs/bigger cups. No more bra's up round your earholes!

Look out for bras that have at least 3 hooks vertically, if you have bigger boobs. Look out for straps that don't stretch too much when you pull them, and for straps that are wider than a bit of string! It all adds to the comfort and support.

I hate those straps that split into two thin strings

34F! I'm sat here in a 38C!

Thanks for working that out SF, I will be off shopping soon.

I really wanted to tell the little girls mum that they were measuring her daughter incorrectly, I don't think it would have gone down well.

when i started at R&P i was wearing a 36b. on my first day i was whipped out of that pronto, and into a 32d! suddenly my breasts were quite high up!!

YY,I'm a big fan of three hooks, as the wider band gives a much smoother line.

HotPanda...I worked it out too !

I'm a newbie bra sizer, I got it right ! < overcome >

Just returning to the thread an hour later to say that i am walking round the house just shaking my head, with a dumbstruck expression and talking to myself along the lines of 'a D cup, my boobs, a D cup ...'

I am seriously dumbstruck.

I dont know how i will be able to wait until Friday, which is my first opportunity to go shopping.