To think this bra doesn't fit?

[StuntNun]

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?

Any suggestions where I can buy a bra that fits?

I measure as a 27" underneath, and 43" across the fullest part.

Most online bra sizers cry tell me that my measurements are too varied to compute. (!)

The only one that DID give me a result said I should wear a 29L.

So, my current bras are a 34G. It's the biggest I can get in the supermarket. Anything over £10 a bra is unaffordable for me as I'm on benefits.

My bras ride up at the back, dig in in between my boobs, cut into my shoulders...

I can't even FIND anywhere that does bras in a 29L, and even if I could, I probably couldn't afford them.

However, I have some back pay of benefits coming soon, and I NEED to rectify this. So where can I buy a bra from?

The most comfortable style usually is a balconette. I don't wear lace. At all. I prefer satin (or satin style at least, smooth and shiny) bras. I don't want something my granny would be embarrassed to wear.

Not much to ask?!

Fuck me, if I measure it like you say, statistically challenged, I'd measure far more, surely, overbust?!

Still coming out as a 27/28 underneath.

Overbust...FUCKING HELL!! 48"?!

So what Jeffing size is that then?!

If I conservatively say 28" underneath and 48" over the top?!

Can't even begin to guess what bra size THAT would be!

MerryCouthMows...
The larger measurement would, in theory, make you a 28MM. Which, you are quite correct, is impossible to get without getting something custom made. Based on the smaller measurement, you would need a 28K, which is a bit more achievable!

Brastop sells a 28K, and has these in stock and some are very reasonably. The curvy kate sizing is a bit variable, so google for review of the particular bra before buying as their are some great lingerie bloggers out there. Although it didn't suit me, I think the Emily is qiute big in the cup for a Curvy Kate
Bravissimo fails miserably, and has these
If the 28k isn't big enough in the cup, then the easiest thing to do, in terms of figuring your size, is to go up a back and try those bras which are available in a 30k (which would be equivalent to either a 28KK or 28L roughly) such as these as well as what Bravissimo and brastop have.

The reason I suggest trying the 30s is that it is relatively simple to take the band of a bra down by a size. Any more and it's a bit tricker, but shrinking it by a couple of inches is quite simple, so if you can get enough space in the cups in a 30 back, then you just turn it in to a 28.

There is a polish bra company called Ewa Michelak, which custom makes bras on request for reasonable rates and may well be able to make you something that fits well, but I would try to figure out your size based on what is available in the UK at the moment as anything custom is also non-returnable.

You must be so uncomfortable in the 34s, you poor thing!

I call my bras 'torture instruments', and absolutely HATE wearing them.

I KNOW I'm not the right size - but I can tell you that even done up back to front, a 30 is too large. I can fit my whole hand in there, and pull it away from my body a good 2-2.5 inches.

So I really MUST be a 28 back. So I guess the 28MM (?!) must be about right.

I will try those you mention, and may well resort to a custom made one or two while I have the cash to do so.

The first thing I do when I get through the door is take off my torture implement bra, and go bra-less.

I'm only a size 14 on the bottom half, and I haven't worn a blouse since I was 13 - even my school have in and let me wear a stretchy t-shirt as it was impossible to find a blouse that would stay done up across my hooters!

I just think that it is awful how little people with 'unusual' bra sizes are catered for.

I have long wished to set up a bra company specialising in small band sizes and larger cup sizes.

Maybe I can do some research on that.

(Have tried a 28k from bravissimo, cup wasn't large enough, had a massive four-boob look going on!!)

Statisticallychallenged - thank you very much, I will try the Bravissimo ones you mentioned. I've always worn Freya, but you are right & they don't seem to be as good as they used to be.

And thank you for the help and advice. I will update once I have something comfortable!

Style wise, is there anything I should look for?

I have a massive aversion to lace. I like patterned bra's. I dislike full cup bras for sensory reasons.

I don't want something 'grannified'.

My boobs are like spaniel's ears heavier at the bottom after bf 4 DC's.

I wear a LOT of v-neck tops, so full cup is out because they show above my t-shirts.

I prefer balconette and plunge. I HAVE to have at least one plunge bra.

Many moons ago, I used to wear a Gossard ultrabra, but they stopped making them in such large sizes and I put on weight too, so my size changed. They WERE comfortable when I was 2 stone lighter and wearing a 28G. They were a satiny plunge style.

But that was years ago, and due to meds, the extra weight is proving impossible very hard to shift.

I just tried an old 32DD that I had knocking about for no reason and it did up when on back to front. So the 36F John Lewis sold to me is completely hopeless then. I think I'll venture out further afield and try and find a lingerie shop to try next. Unfortunately there aren't any Bravissimo branches in Northern Ireland.

Thank you so much for your help ladies, particularly StatisticallyChallenged. How do you know so much about bras? Are you in the business?

MerryCouthyMows, annoyingly whilst Bravissimo make their Alana up to an L-Cup, they only do so in their larger back sizes which is really quite infuriating! It also runs small in the cup IMO.

Curvy Kate make a bra called the Daily Boost which goes up to a K, I don't know how it fits though. It's relatively plunging.

I think until you can get something customised, then you might struggle to get something which fits perfectly on the market. Have you ever tried something like the melody? It goes up to a KK in a 30, which would be the equivalent of an L/LL in a 28. I would be tempted to try this and other bras around the K/KK range in a 30 and maybe even a 32 to try and get the CUP right, then look at adjusting the back. I definitely would not go bigger than a 32 as any adjustments from say a 34 will leave you with a distorted bra. There are a few different (relatively simple) alterations which can be done - you can either take the clips off the back, cut and resew, take a small fold out of the central gore to make the cups closer together (which shrinks the back measure too) or take a little out of the side before the straps meet the back. If you are adjusting a 32 I would possibly us a combination so you don't end up with straps joining in a really weird place.

I'm a 34HH

I've only read half the thread so sorry if I'm repeating .

Before now M&S measured me as a 38FHouse of Fraser measured me as a 36G. It was only trail and error with Bravissimo that I'm where I am now.

I despair that I can't go into a shop and pick up a pretty bra in my size (there's no Bravissimo shop near me).

Nearly all friends I know where a cup size too small. Some of them several sizes too small. For some reason, there seems to be some weird stigma or embarrassment in wearing a large cup size. People ask me my size and make exclaimations and faces as if its a size I've chosen.

I wish I was an F cup with all my heart.

I'm also recommending Bravissimo, they are amazing. I went from a 36D to a 34 FF/G in a matter of minutes. The fitters are lovely and teach you that it's not all about the measurements but more how the bra fits that matters, and that you always need to try a bra on before buying it because styles vary so much, and as someone up thread said, one style doesn't suit everyone's shape.
They are a bit expensive, but definitely worth it not to have that urge to get out of your bra by teatime! I'm overdue a visit, my nearest one is an hour away but it's on my to-do list.

Only just spotted this thread!

Everything that Statistically said.

I love Bravissimo sapphirestar - measurements are only ever a guideline really, hence the reams of "how it should fit" advice on these threads too. UNfortunately there are an awful lot of useless fitters around using the old method which puts the size miles off.

I agree statisticallychallenged, m&s fitted me originally and I was never comfortable. When I went to uni in a town that has a bravissimo, it was my first stop and I've never looked back!

I'm with StatisticallyChallenged on the whole back size/band size confusion.
I measure 29" and a bit and can fit comfortably in a 28 or a 30 back as different brands or even different bras from the same brand can have tighter/looser bands and bigger/smaller cups (so as to make it really awkward and make you spend that cash, is my very cynical guess).

If I went by band size I would be a 28GG but a 30FF. 30FF is too small in cups but I fit nicely into a 30G. So for me the measurement are right if going by smaller band size but wrong if going by larger band size so I use my back size instead.

Mind you if frogboy hasn't fed in a few hours and my boobs are rocks then all bras create a lovely fourboob effect.

I was a 36dd before pregnancy but about a stone heavier and 11 weeks in I measure 38" under bust, and 45" on the fullest part. Anyone know what this might make me?

Try a 38FF

This thread is mindblowing, although I'm sure it shouldn't be quite the revelation it is. I hate wearing bras, find them all ridiculously uncomfortable, despite having rather small boobs. Most of my bras are 34B. Just tried some of the fitting 'tests' posted earlier - sod being able to get two fingers under the band, I can fit both fists on top of one another under there! What the bloody hell am I supposed to be wearing?!

Time for an emergency trip to bluewater this afternoon...

Syncope - what are your measurements?

28 under bust, 35 over bust?

around a 28F probably

That's a huge difference - no wonder I find bras so uncomfortable if that's the size I'm supposed to be wearing! Off to Bluewater now, will report back.

as in fainting? x

Yes indeed, as in vasovagal - and fainting is exactly what I shall be doing if I turn out to be a 28F!

Syncope. Follow the advice up thread to get the back right first. Then sort out the cups. Be brave. Any underarm bulge, back fat, quadraboob then go up another (or more) cup!