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!

I am a 32G - I go to Bravissimo. They are the only ones that do pretty bras that actually fit properly and are supportive. They are expensive though.

I always use www.brastop.com/

Great selection & reasonable price.

They have a lovely range of bigger bras in debenhams - I usually buy bras from their gorgeous range.

Im a 32J only Bravissimo stock my size def need more selection.

Good brands for attractive bras in larger sizes are Fauve, Cleo, Miss Mandalay and Ewa Michalak.

I always spot tiny little things in Top Shop and New Look walnuts round with their 36As around their ears!

Errrrr, walking around

Vacant

this is nice at fig leaves fig leaves go up to a 50

yes, Brastop have a good selection in a 40dd and at bargain prices. I ordered a couple of bra's from them earlier this month and they came within a couple of days. I think I paid around £21 including delivery for both of them.

I really like this one

SC

I thought that was a euphemism

Vacant I doubt you are a 40. I'm a size 20 and probably a 36J. Just need to find some to try. Measure yourself and post on here, you will be amazed at the results.

Vacant, I suspect you probably aren't a 40.

OP, i do agree with you re size ranges. Things have got a lot better in recent years but there is still a long way to go. There are still a silly number of ranges which stop at a D/DD, but when you get in to bigger sizes it can be quite tough. Many of the "bigger" ranges stop at a G, or an H. Then there is a further massive drop at each progressive cup size. There is a lady on the other thread who is struggling to find a good bra because she is around an L cup. Bravissimo has a choice of 1, it's a lot better than anything anywhere else sells but it doesn't fit or suit everyone.

I think we need:
-Better fittings - none of this +4 nonsense that is still going on!
-A bigger range of back sizes in both directions. I wear a 30, and I'm a size 14-16. When I am a 12 I wear a 28. That suggests to me there are a large number of women who (assuming correct fitting!) should be wearing a 26, 24 or even 22. This is probably particularly true of teens, who may well be too slim for a 28 back when they get their first bra.
-More range in the really big cup sizes. I would like to see Freya, for example, go up a few more than they do.
-Newspapers/press to stop printing bullshit sizes. Katie Price is not a dd, Halle Berry is not a 36c, and kate moss is not a 32A. It's no wonder women perceive that they can't possibly be d cup

Our M&S only stocks one bra of each big-bra style in my size (34H). If I don't get that one - nada.

HofF doesn't stock any at all in my size. Everywhere else that does do big bras is a train ride away.

Just to update.

I've only ever been measured at La Senza who had me at a 32F, I've had the thumbs up on a 34F from the M&S lady but not a proper fitting.

Today after this thread I booked a proper fitting at M&S, I went in not expecting much after what I'd been told here.

I was wearing my 34F M&S bra which I do love. The woman said it was an ok fit but the cup was a bit big, and went to fetch me a 34E in the bra I liked, I knew it would be too small and it was. I asked to try on a 32G based on what people have said about smaller bands. She didn't think it would fit and to be honest it didn't, it was too tight round the band and the cups didn't sit well. She decided 34F was my size, they didn't have the bra I liked in 34F but she bought me a selection of every bra they did have in a 34F. I tried them all on, different styles, full cup, plunge, padded, none padded etc, tey said a balcony bra wouldn't be right for my shape. She could not fit one of them to me. She even got her colleague in to help but not one of the bras was a good fit and she couldn't recommend any.

In the end they said I'd need to buy a branded bra such as gossard as none of their bras were for me. They were very lovely and helpful and critical of the M&S range to suit womens shape and their selection of DD+ bras. But I did leave feeling quite miffed.

I'm not that much of an odd shape honestly, when I get chance I will arrange to get fitted in House of Fraser, John Lewis, Bravissimo & Debenhams.

I strongly suspect their bras may just not suit you. TBH I have never found their large cup bras very good.

Do you know what your measurements are?

I was wearing a 36C (measured at M&S) and was not happy with the fit so I saw the other thread on here and measured my self 33 under 38-39 over. Went to a small independant lingerie shop in my small town and they said they only measured under bust and then as a guide only and went by 'looking and trying on'. I bought 2 bras from them 34E and 34F and both were very comfy on - I also tried a 32F and although it felt good in the cup it was a nads too tight, so I bought the other 2 as I could tighten the band to 2 other settings as I got used to the tighter underbust band.
I can't believe the difference - excellent. Now I need to save up for another 2 so I can bin all the ill fitting ones' I have been wearing.
Thank You to the other thread which guided me in the right direction.

Well round my back as in just below my bust I am 33 inches. Where else do I need to measure? I am ready to ask for help!

I fell in love with some M&S cotton rich bras, I thought they were the bees knees, but that was after some very painful La Senza and Bravissimo ones where I literally felt relief once I'd taken it off. They're 'ok' I'm not falling out and the wire sits well not digging into my boob, there's no lumps and bumps underneath clothes. but the cup is empty at the top.

It's so frustrating, I bet most women are over a DD in reality.

Measure firmly under your bust, and then measure over the widest point of your bust. There are two ways to do this top measurement, either in a well fitting bra, or braless. If you do it braless however, you need to bend at the waist so your boobs are hanging down at about 90 degrees from your body, then measure round the lowest part.

Ynbu

Check out fantasie and freya in debenhams and johm lewis as thwy often have reduced rails etc which in my experience means you can pick up a good bargain in these ranges at m and s prices

Measure under bust quite tight. = band size
measure around fullest part of boobs = working out cup size
VERY roughly per inch of boob over band is a cup size BUT you do need to try them on as bra cups come in different shapes and sizes.
see I am 33 band 38-39 bust =
I tried and bought 34E and 34F - could have worn a 32F & 32G - but went for 34 as band on 32 uncomfortably tight and with the 34 I can fasten on the mid or end hooks - must say I feel so 'well fitted' now.

Try asda for bras, think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

I'll join you in your call for bigger bras, although I fear I'm heading for "bespoke" territory. 27 under, 37 over, 1/2 a stone still to lose (lost 4st 3 already). Currently in an ill-fitting 30GG with underwires in my armpits until the 26" bra comes on sale next month. Hopefully by then I will be a reasonably stable size!

There seems to be quite a large range of bigger cup sizes but many ranges stop at 38/40 - those of us a little cuddly find it hard to get the bigger sizes.

Oooh good another bra thread - I was sad to see my one closed today!

Nothing new to add, expect to say that I agree that more high street shops should stock more sizes - both for smaller backs and bigger cups.

Oh and M&S measuring is crap!

SS2 x

I think M&S and Debenhams are god-awful at measuring bras - I go to a small independant shop where I found the excellent Hot Milk bras when I was bfing. I also use Bravissimo sometimes but I do find that different bra manufacturers size differently. The small shop I go to generally has a reasonable choice of pretty ginormous bras (I'm 32FF - M&S told me I was 36DD) but yes, it is hard to find a really good selection of inexpensive bras in larger sizes - I usually pay around £50 per bra.

There is a bra thread going over on S&B too