The bra Interventions continued....

[StatisticallyChallenged]

We filled a thread, so here's another!

Can anyone give me an idea of the sort of shape/type of bra I need to look for?

As I've said, in my head I've got small/no boobs. But my measurements are 36/42.

I do seem to have a lot of bulge by my armpits though, which I now know should be in my bra. I usually wear padded bras to give me a better shape but they gape at the top (in a 38B - which is why I can't imagine a 36E doing a thing for me).

Looking at my boobs objectively, I think they are wide with a lot of tissue towards the armpit. They are kind of triangular? That sounds weird doesn't it!?

I'm thinking balcony bras might help me to push them up from the bottom to give some cleavage??

Any thoughts? I'm off shopping in a bit, but there aren't any decent bra shops with me so I'm going to just try a few in Asda to start with to see what the fit is like.

BTW, what is it that causes red marks round your back? I always get sore red welts in a 36, which is why I'm in a 38 - so I'm a bit reticent to go down a backsize as I find a 36 so uncomfortable. Are the red marks more to do with the cups not being big enough?

Crikey! Makes you wonder how places can get it so wrong!!

Thanks for your help! I'll be shopping very soon and will let you know how I get on

ToothGah - you definitely do have boobs and are right to start with a 36E. I would start with a balcony as I think it is a good "basic" bra. There are some which are particularly good for thrusting you forward like my new Ewa Michalak but try some sizes first to get that sussed.

Although you have tried on a 36, I suspect it wasn't paired with an E cup? If the cup isn't big enough, then the cups start stealing fabric and the back "feels" too small even though it isn't really. My friend (30G) tried on an M&S 30F the other day and described it as "cutting her in half" even though when on back to front the back was the right size.

Hi Sc, hope I'm not too late! Am currently in 34E or DD, measurements are 34.5 under and 40.5 around boobs. Looking forward to your wisdom!

You're not far off at all - I would say between a 34E and 34F, but I am guessing if you are here you aren't loving your current bras? Can you describe how they fit and we'll try to suggest an improvement!

To my shame I'm still wearing nursing bras despite finishing (v extended) feeding over a year ago, they just don't feel as supportive as they should. I think I have a good excuse to go bra shopping though!

Underwired Anita nursing bras, but they are v. Old now

Have a look at the bra fitting guidance (over on the blog and all over this thread) before you go so you know what to look for.

Sorry SC, just looked at measurements again -34.5 under and 42 around.

OOh, in that case try a 34FF which should feel very different. Remember to scoop!

I've just been clearing out my bra drawer and found the bras I got in La Senza when I was pregnant. Even allowing for some potential increase in back size at the time, I think they measured me badly....

They're a 38B!!! No wonder I only wore them once!

As an aside, if anyone needs bras in that size, I'd be willing to send them on. They were bought to wear under posh dresses for my anniversary holiday and weren't worn for more than 2 hours each. They're lovely but they felt so uncomfortable, I never wore them again.

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So I measured myself bending forward like the picture & am 34ish under & 41/42 around. Any ideas where to start. I tried a 34E from bravissimo but couldn't get rid of the back fat so felt very disillusioned.

The E was probably still too small in the cup so there wouldn't have been enough space for the scooping to work. On those measurements I would try a 34F and 34FF.

I always used to wear a 36B until I went to an independent department store in a local town and got measured as a 32DD. This was years ago, but they explained about the proper fitting and how 'certain other stores' often get it so wrong. The difference in the support was amazing!

I now currently wear a 32E having got measured in John Lewis recently, however I just did the measuring method at the start of this thread, just to see what it would come out as. I got 31 under boob and 37 on the boob which I work out as about 32E, yes?! Or should it be a smaller band size?

Its crazy as well isnt it, that the vast majority of people on here are at least a D or above, yet they are seen as 'specialist' larger sizes?

Scarletsalt sounds like you found a good fitter there! A 32E could well be the right size for you but you may also be better in a 30F. How does the back feel? Quite often women who are between bands get better support from the smaller band.

It's astonishing how few women are, when fitted correctly, actually the sizes the high street are pushing.

Yes I might try a smaller back. When I last got measured in JL she didnt even measure me round the boobs and certainly didnt do the wierd M&S was of measuring. She measured me underneath, and then asked what bra I was currently wearing and how it felt, and she looked carefully at how my boobs were in that one and then suggested some sizes and I got them for me and I tried them. So it seems that JL may have the right idea when it comes to bras.

I also like JL as they have a good selection of the 'specialist' (expect they are not so specilast!) bra sizes, by brands like Freya, that are still very pretty. Pricey though, ouch!

This thread is great!

That's how my local JL does it too. Sometimes especially if you are in between back sizes the need for a smaller back only shows up once you actually see how the bra moves and wears with you.

OMG thank you do much! I'm a 36DD/E!!!!!!!!

I think my boobs have been hiding under my armpits!!!!

Posting from the changing room as we speak surrounded by 30-odd bras :)

Haha, love it when we get "in changing room" updates!

32F just a standard t shirt bra from M and S as they had virtually nothing in that size! Going to have to find somewhere else for something prettier

How does it feel?

Loads better! I actually feel that there's some support there. Been for a huge walk with it on and haven't had to adjust myself once! So comfy :) Thank you

May I beg some more help please.

I gave my measurements as 29/35 so went to Debenhams today to try on some 28Fs in the gorgeous range.

The back seemed too big. I could get my whole hand under the front and pull more than an inch at the back even on the tightest setting. It seemed to give me back fat which vanished on scooping but as soon as I moved escaped from the cup. Is that because the cup is too small and / or back not tight enough?

I've re-measured and it turns out I'm 27/35 so would that make me more of a 26FF/G?

I can't see anything in that back size. Are there brands known to come up small? I read up thread the Pureda one would.

Thank you so much!