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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:
cjbk1 · 23/02/2013 19:36

and others I just must post; I almost cried in M&S too i think she tried to give me an awful a-cup bra so i just left it and since that day iv been eyeing teen bras in the end I bought a nasty 2 pack in john Lewis so do we think they were wrong? (as I said in the 'small boobs' thread I'm BF'ing dc3 atm but just dreading after I stop Hmm) I even refused the offer of being measured in debenhams because of the threat of "ordering in AA-cups Blush
sorry for thread hijack x

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/02/2013 19:38

cjbk1, could you bear to measure yourself using the guide I put near the top of the thread? I would put money on you not being an A-cup in reality.

ilovepowerhoop · 23/02/2013 19:42

to be an A cup there would only be 1 inch difference between your under bust and over bust measurements which is highly unlikely. Your bra size is probably bigger than you expect.

manticlimactic · 23/02/2013 19:44

I was wearing a 38E then went and got a fitting. I was a 34FF/G depending on style. I did try loads of bras on to get a comfy fit. DD was wearing a 34B and she went to a 28F. She was horrified but agrees that bra fits her well.

manticlimactic · 23/02/2013 19:45

Oh and M&S are shite at measuring.Last time I got measured there she measured me over my jumper.

Squeakygate · 23/02/2013 19:52

I was amazed the difference a well fitted bra makes. I actually have a bust!

Catbag · 23/02/2013 19:54

I am usuless at working out what size bra to take. I have had six children and so have spent a bit of time going up and down. I usually just up the back size and the cup if I need more room. I never got my head around adding four or five inches etc to get correct size Blush I suspect that the 38F bras that I am wearing are waaaay off, given your experiences.

Just to clarify, I should measure back, and then lean over to measure boobs? Is that right?

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/02/2013 19:55

Yup, measure your back FIRMLY in inches. Then, whip bra off, lean forward so breasts are hanging straight down, and measure around the fullest/lowest part of your breasts. This measurements shouldn't be pulled tight

ouryve · 23/02/2013 20:02

I perused the M&S bras, this morning. Nothing smaller than a 32 back and not much over a DD, even in the massive Metrocentre store. And rack after rack of padded bras. I understand if you want to avoid visible nipplage - like I did when I was pregnant, but not good for day to day.

And they were offering £5 vouchers if you got measured and then spent £30 on bras. I wonder if that has to be in the size they decided you were? :o

Catbag · 23/02/2013 20:04

I shall do this tomorrow when not stuck under babies as I am now. Genuinely intrigued...

cjbk1 · 23/02/2013 20:58

ok iv braved the tape measure I got 31" under bust and 36/37" across boobs as advised but I am BF'ing a 5mo...

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/02/2013 21:06

OK cjbk1...I have news. You are not an A cup. You are not a b cup.

You need to try a few sizes because your measurements aren't definite. My best guess would be a 30E/F, but I would also try a 32D/DD/E

ilovepowerhoop · 23/02/2013 21:10

I agree, you are far far bigger than an A cup! M&S and some other places dont measure correctly as they add inches to the under bust measurement which makes the cup size smaller than it should be. What you want is a well fitting band and proper sized cups.

cjbk1 · 23/02/2013 21:13

aww thank-you statistically (the bold and italics don't work anymore do they?) I was waiting for you to come back on! that does make me feel a lot better x

cjbk1 · 23/02/2013 21:14

*now they do Blush

SausageInnaBun · 23/02/2013 21:32

I'm confused as after reading some threads on here and measuring myself I thought I must be in the wrong size bra (was wearing a 32FF). I measure 28 inches underbust and 39 overbust. I went to bravissimo and was told my bra fitted perfectly and my size was 32FF so it seems for me I do need to add four inches? Very confusing. I did have my bra on the tightest hook at the fitting though.

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/02/2013 21:45

Hmmm, that doesn't sound right tbh sausageinabun. How does the back of your back fit? Is it completely horizontal? If you buy a new bra, does it fit firmly on the loosest hook? Can you pull it away from your body by more than an inch or two?

CockyFox · 23/02/2013 21:45

I'm also very confused, I have just done my measurements leaning over and got 32" under bust and 44" over, now I wear a 32G or GG bra but that is based on a 41" full bust should I really be wearing an H or HH (does such a thing exist?)

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/02/2013 21:47

CockyFox, cup size is much harder to measure than underbust, it can only really be an estimate. But, are you scooping all the underarm/back fat in to the cups? Sometimes this is to blame for a discrepancy as many people don't realise that underarm tissue is actually breast and belongs in the cup. Try vigorous scooping, you may find you suddenly have quad boob!

SausageInnaBun · 23/02/2013 21:53

Well I can fit a whole hand under the band and pull it quite a way from my body but it does sit horizontally. The cups fit fine. I think I'm going to have to just go and try a load on and not bother with a fitter.

Noodled · 23/02/2013 22:00

God am torn really want to see if have more boob living in my armpit but it's really cold here and our heating switched itself off. Can I brave the cold. Am wearing a 36C, it is fraying! Actually it is beyond frayed on the left side...bigger or more friction from extra jiggle? I have worn it before pregnancy, during and now whilst bf! I have two nursing bras but they aren't comfy. I hate shopping but have now meant to buy new bras each week for over a year!

CockyFox · 23/02/2013 22:00

Interesting results of vigourous scooping - 3 boobs, I've only got double boob on one side, must have one bigger than the other, think I'll pop to bravissimo and try a bigger cup on and see how it looks but don't want one side not full.

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/02/2013 22:06

Cockyfox, if you pop over to S&B, Marriednotdead has just posted some advice an hour or so ago about how to fit breasts with asymmetry. Definitely sounds like bigger cup needed though

Sausage - whole hand = back tooooooo big :) Based on your measurements, I would say a 28H. This is broadly in line with the cup size you are wearing just now (it's roughly down one back=up one cup to maintain volume but it's not exact)

chickydoo · 23/02/2013 22:06

Hi
Could do with some help, tape measure in Hand.
Back is 28.2
Fullest part of bust without bra is 33.6
I was measured as a 32 c
Doesn't feel right. Any suggestions
Thanks very much

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/02/2013 22:10

try a 28DD and 28E chickydoo