To think that I can't be the only one who would like a better selection of 'bigger' bras

[100DaysofSummer]

As a 32 to 34 E-F I've alway struggling to get nice pretty and comfy bras in my size. I always shopped at La Senza but didn't realise how awful and overpriced their bras were before I discovered M&S cotton rich bras.

They're amazing, so comfy, brilliant value, great fit, and pretty designs. Only gripe is they have a far smaller selection in their bigger bra range than their smaller bra range. Browsing some of the smaller bras I wish they did those in my size.

I'm hardly massive, I'm not big I'm a size 10-12, I wouldn't say my boobs were huge either so I can't help thinking surely I'm not the only one who finds this a problem.

I also wonder if lots of women are wearing bras too small for them as I know people who say that they're in a 38c when actually they appear to have bigger breasts than me. I know I'm in the right bra size as get regularly measured and fitted.

What do you think? Anyone else have this problem? If lots of people agree I might send the thread to M&S!

If M&S are measuring you then you probably aren't in the right size. They're dreadful! Generally you need a smaller band and a bigger cup than you think. I'm a size 22 and wear a 38 band.

Have a read of this thread.

I think most women do wear the wrong size, and M&S surely deserve the crown for worst measuring service.

Have you tried Bravissimo or John Lewis? Both have a decent selection. Also Brastop.com, if you are sure of your size.

IME M&S have a lot to answer for in selling ill-fitting bras!

they were the biggest advocate of the measure your back size and add a certain amount on depending on whether your actual measurement was an odd or even number and then some bizarre formula for the cup size

since i ditched that and started trying on bras that were my size, they've stopped slipping off my shoulder, riding up my back and i no longer get the 'pit tit' as i call it, where your breast ends up in your armpit as there's no room in the cup

100 there is a good bra thread running here currently. If you measure yourself and post the results I'm sure one of the lovely, helpful people will let you know if you are in the right size.

I don't think M&S have ever measured somebody correctly.

Didn't realise that this had been done recently.

I didn't know that m&s had a bad reputation for fitting. I was initially fitted at La Senza and am roughly the same size in m&s, I'm fairly sure I'm in the right size now as they are a perfect fit. No lumps or bumps underneath my clothes, comfy, no riding up my back or 'tit pit'. The cup is nice and the wire sits nicely on my side rather than digging in anywhere.

I went off Bravissimo when they fitted me in a horrible underwired bra when I was pregnant which left me really uncomfortable.

Still think there needs to be more bigger cup size bras anything dd+ is really limited.

But, but I'm not complaining that I'm in the wrong bra. My bras fit beautifully, I'm asking if people think that there should be more selection of bigger bra.

And when I talk about comfort, I don't mean comfort because they don't fit, I mean nice material.

I don't think anyone was saying that you were in the wrong size, just agreeing with what you said yourself. Although I think people are naturally suspicious of the poor fitters at M&S (and La Senza)....

I think actually that there is a really good range in bigger cup sizes, although I understand that women bigger than a kk or l cup have problems, and likewise women with a back size of 28 or less.

M&S measured me at a 32c for years and then finally 32d but when the bras didn't fit properly the lovely ladies ran around until we found one that did fit - a 32f which just seems like I must have massive boobs but it was all about the shape of the cup or something. But they don't have much of a selection to choose from and after several washes they don't fit as comfortably so have taken to wearing those bras like tops like genie bras.

Freya do lovely bras in larger cup sizes too

fantasie do larger sizes but they aren't pretty IMO

I am a 32G and find bras to fit in house of Fraser and online. I am a 12-14 BTW. I really would consider getting measured again. I was sure my old 38Ds were fine until I wore 32Gs. The difference to my comfort and figure is amazing.

Have you looked at curvy kate?

Yes leaving the bra crimes of M&S aside I think the range isn't bad as long as you can shop around. If you're a 34B then yes you can buy a bra in any supermarket and you can't if you're a 38HH but nice bras are out there for bigger cupped women. Dh bought me a Curvy Kate set for christmas and it's really pretty here

100

yes you are right. most shops seem to adhere to the m&s way of measuring which is to measure the chest then add 4 inches. if course if you then measure again across the boobs the difference isn't going to be great, resulting in many women wearing bra's which are too loose and too small in the cup. this means the shoulders take most of the weight, resulting in shoulder and neck pain

there are loads of places to order dd cups and bigger online ie fig leaves, bra stop, bravissimo etc, but as different brands and styles differ so much you can end up sending loads back before you eventually get the right fit.

John lewis are OK, but have a much bigger selection online of larger cup sizes than in store. I managed to find 1 bra in JL which fitted.

Love,love, love Bravissimo - I am a 34G and they have a great selection. One thing to remember is that breasts change shape as we age (and all sorts of other stuff that we go though )- mine are now much 'rounder' than they were if that makes sense...??? I think we should get measured once a year maybe?

I bought some new bras at the weekend - I'm a 34 DD and struggle to find good, comfy bras.

After trying on about 30 the ones I settled for this one. pretty plain but v.comfortable

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-janie-full-cup-bra/p260020?colour=Black

Next stock Curvy Kate too but my favourite brand is Freya by a mile.

yes curvy Kate, Freya and fantasies also have bra's in larger sizes.

I personally like the curvy Kate, but it depends of the style ie balcony, plunge, full cup etc as to what fits best.

Hm, perhaps, although my meausrement is 32.5. I know what people mean about people being in a bigger cup size and smaller back, but think I've cracked that. Years ago I was in a 36d, now I'm wearing an F cup! And between 32 and 34 back, usually 32 for my sports bras. Won't hurt to try somewhere else though next tme I'm in town.

Perhaps I need to look further afield for different designs...

Whenever I think underwear I think M&S, La Senza and Bravissimo.

Ii wish there waa a campaign to updatse the measuring methods as the vast majority of websites and many in store measuring services at non specialist stores are using out of date methods.

For what its worth...Thanks to thread on mn I measured myself...argued ad nauseum...but then confirmed my new size in debenhams. I went from 38A/AA to 32D in minutes.

Fwiw I am a size 12-14 top so I would question whether you are a properly fitted 32F.

That said I dont mean to detract from your op...because if you go down in band size you will neeed an even bigger cup.

I think it also reinforces that the problem that there is a poor selection in larger cups because people are being measured and sold bras that are smaller in cup letter than they should be. If people were being sold the correct size bra size, many people would need a D+ cup and therefore the selection available would improve.

I really like this one

I was looking at the range of bra's in Top shop and they start at a 32!

I mean, I think of size 8's etc shopping there who I think should probably be in a 28c, d etc, not a 32b

That said I dont mean to detract from your op...because if you go down in band size you will neeed an even bigger cup.

I think it also reinforces that the problem that there is a poor selection in larger cups because people are being measured and sold bras that are smaller in cup letter than they should be. If people were being sold the correct size bra size, many people would need a D+ cup and therefore the selection available would improve

Thanks EdwiniasRevenge yes I think if more women were wearing the correct sizes then there would be more demand for bigger cup sizes.

I think if I were to go down a band size any further I would have to go into a G+ cup as there's no way a 30F would fit. But I'm considering getting measured elsewhere now having read this.

I really want nice comfy bras, not made of nasty nylon and polyester, and I don't always want lacy stuff even though these are nice, I want soft cotton comfort but pretty. I'll certainly look into some of these other places people have recommended.

www.curvykate.com/proddetail.php?prod=portia-black-pink-curvy-kate-bra&cat=63

I got a bit distracted by the colours of the model....

My gripe would be for us with fat backs too. I am a 40D/DD (I think!) and most bra ranges stop at a 38. Im a size 18 so there must be loads of women needing larger back sizes too? Ive never had the guts to be properly measured I just wear whats comfy until I've washed it a couple of times then it rubs

I wear a 30E and my main gripe is that most bra ranges only begin at a 32 - I'm looking at you, supermarkets and Primark, I want more cheap everyday bras and you do them in E cups and bigger but only in bloody 36+ backs.

And I agree soaccident, I was recently baffled by Jack Wills whose bras start at a 32A and end at a 34D. Surely all the skinny teenagery types who wear them would be a 26 or 28 if measured properly.