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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this bra doesn't fit?

464 replies

StuntNun · 23/02/2013 18:30

I went to John Lewis for a bra fitting last week as I have changed size post-pregnancy. The sales assistant sized me as a 34G which I was surprised at because I have been wearing a 36 on the second set of hooks so I'm not convinced a 34 would do up. Anyway she brought me three size 36F bras to try on as they didn't have any in 34G. I bought one because I really needed a new bra but I feel a bit squished in it - my boobs are pushed together at the front.

AIBU to think this bra doesn't fit and I should just order in size 36G from the Internet?

OP posts:
HerrenaHarridan · 26/02/2013 16:27

You are all amazing. Today I am wearing my first well fitting bra.
It even sits down in the middle ( I thought this was a myth)

I bought it for ten pounds on eBay.
Ten pounds for an i cup!

When I measured I was so astounded I nearly came on here for confirmation but was too Blush

So I put the size I calculated into eBay and there are a few sellers doing them in extra jumbo up to a k.
Free returns so I thought go on then!

Wow, thank you mad bra ladies, I am so happy Thanks

HerrenaHarridan · 26/02/2013 16:28

Oh and new bra is pretty with lace and silver orchids instead of resembling scaffolding

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 16:31

A good bra really does feel soo much better doesn't it?

Btw, not sure if it is a typo but most UK brands don't do an I cup - they skip straight to J so if you are searching for bras bear that in mind.

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 16:33

Oopslateagain, sorry been at work. What bras do you tend to wear? The size sounds about right for your measurements, so I am wondering if the actual bra doesn't work with your shape?

HerrenaHarridan · 26/02/2013 16:36

Is typo should read h so not sure how I managed I?

It's unbelievable. I nearly fainted when I pulled it out the packet but put it on scooped and voila!
I used to hate bras now I'm so excited, the challenge is to find pretty ones in my size that don't cost £40.
Brastop had a couple for 12 but eBay came up trumps.
Why don't girls get taught this in schools!

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 26/02/2013 16:40

I now have the correct fitting bras thanks to Mumsnet. For years I had thought I was 36D, measured myself following the "mumsnet rules" and I am a 32G.

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 16:40

Herrena, check out Leia, MyCurvesandMe, CrazyClearance, Debenhams gorgeous range (may need to go up a back size) and of course brastop. Amazon are also very good for bargains especially for curvy kate.

ConfusedPixie · 26/02/2013 17:04

Another with correctly fitting bras thanks to MN! I was wearing 34B's. Measured myself at 31 under, 35 over. Went to bravissimo and the girl said I was a 30DD (with no measuring from her! But she guessed perfectly spot on according to my measurements and what I was told on here! I bought three bras then, and one more last payday as I found three wasn't enough to last the week and the frequently forgotten washing pile

I just did an online calculator which sized me at 36AA Hmm

I can't wear bras for very long though, the fact that they are made to be tight aggravates my chest problems :( I like my new bras too!

Can anybody recommend some bras without wires? Wires also aggravate the above chest problem but are fine on short days at work, but not my two longer days!

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 17:08

Confused you could try the Freya Deco soft cup, it has a fairly good rep? A good fitter should be able to go it by eye/trying out bras. I'm always wary of a fitter who uses the tape as anything more than a rough guide really.

Catbag · 26/02/2013 17:16

Sorry to be a pain, but could you help me too? I am breasfeeding twins at the mo so I am aware that this size isn't permanent, but I have just measured myself and I am coming up at 34 under bust and 42 over. Bit mortfied as I have been wearing 38E which is obviously way out :(

ConfusedPixie · 26/02/2013 17:31

Thank you for the recommendation Stat :) I know that they should be able to tell by eye, but it amazed me! Their service in there amazes me actually. I went in, was seen within a couple of minutes, the surprisingly young woman (same age as me I think, but I was amazed!) fitting me was great, told me that nude is less obvious than white under white tops which is true but never something I realised and was very discreet about it even though I didn't really care about being discreet Grin

I will happily sing their praises from now on! Went back in to get another bra and was left to my devices but offered help, they called out to the changing rooms that if anybody needed help just shout, offered to swap bra sizes for me. Brilliant in there :)

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 17:34

Catbag, start with a 34FF - you're wearing roughly the right cup volume, just on too big a band.

Catbag · 26/02/2013 17:39

Thanks :) I'll go scour ebay now!

oopslateagain · 26/02/2013 19:04

Statistically, I like balconette style but I've also got a full cup and a couple of plunge bras, they all hurt. It's only recently though - I've lost weight so I'm wondering if I've lost some 'padding', but my chest size hasn't changed so I'm really not sure.

Somebodysomewhere · 26/02/2013 19:23

I think im something like a 28Cor possibly a D but no chance of find one of those that isnt in the childrens training bra section. Grrr.

HazleNutt · 26/02/2013 19:58

Somebody what about something from here, some are quite pretty
figleaves

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 20:02

oops, have you tried a 30? I'm wondering if the rib pain is due to your bras collapsing forward due to the backs being too loose? It sounds like something has changed along with your weight loss and that is the most likely culprit. I measure nearer to 32 than 30 but a 32 is always too big.

teaforthree · 26/02/2013 20:10

I am utterly horrified at myself for accepting whatever M&S say. I'm wearing a 36G but it really doesn't fit, the back is somewhere near my neck and I've got sixboobage rather than 4. Not to mention the middle bit not lying flat, more sort of poking the tops of my boobs practically...

I've read through this thread and a few more linked to it and should I be wearing a 32HH? I'm a 32 under and 45 over. And where do you buy that kind of scaffolding on the high street?!

oopslateagain · 26/02/2013 20:17

Hmm, might try a 30. The 32 is pretty tight, I can pull it out just over an inch if I put it on backwards.

Would I need to go up a cup size?

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 20:17

Teaforthree, I just tried on my "recommended" M&S size this evening - also a 36g. It was hilarious (if you know how a bra should fit) as it was half way up my back.

At 32/45 I would suggest trying a 32J as a starting point. Did you do a firm measurement underneath?

On the high street - Bravissimo, John Lewis, Debenhams, Leia

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 20:18

Yes oops, you would need to go up one or possibly 2 cup sizes to counteract the back reduction.

It may not be the solution but given that this is a new issue since you lost some weight its a possible.

oopslateagain · 26/02/2013 20:21

It seems counterintuitive to buy a smaller band when this size is hurting, but it does make weird sense!

teaforthree · 26/02/2013 20:25

faints do Debenhams actually do a size J? I don't think I have ever one anywhere. Looks like a trip to the next big city or an online shop.

I'm sat down at the minute, slightly hunched (trying to get a pita child to go to sleep grr) and I can feel the metal hooks almost horizontally in line with my shoulders, that's definitely not right is it!

I pulled the tape fairly tight when measuring, and I wear a size 12 top normally so 32 seems right.

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/02/2013 20:26

If the back isn't tight enough, then the cups kind of fall forward and put pressure on the ribs. If the back is actually too tight the pain tends to be more on the back/sides. It's quite common for ladies who are wearing a bra which is too big in the back to not believe me because their old bra digs in

HazleNutt · 26/02/2013 20:34

What SC said - I was wearing a bra in slightly too big back size today, as pregnant and growing and thought it should fit already. I was wrong - ended up with a nasty back ache and deep red welts, so it might indeed look like the bra was too tight. In reality it was too loose and climbing up, therefore also digging in.