The bra Interventions continued....

[StatisticallyChallenged]

We filled a thread, so here's another!

Can I ask you another question experts? I got 32F yesterday on advice and trying 34E (which had some boob spillage and felt too tight). Followed all the advice and my boobs feel and look much better. Bra really comfy, but when I take it off, I do have red marks under my boobs/armpit area as if it's too tight. It doesn't feel at alluncomfortable until I take it off. Does this mean I've gone for the wrong size, or do I just need to get used to it?

It's a bit like wearing a pair of socks or jeans, you will get marks from wearing a good fitting bra. However, as SC says up thread (or on another bra thread!) it'll be more like one mark rather than multiple marks caused by a big band moving around. The fact that it's not causing you discomfort is a good sign.

Phew! Thanks Sorrell you're a star!

A few pearls of wisdom.

In case I didn't mention it earlier/elsewhere, a size change down two band sizes equates to THREE cup sizes up. So for example a 36D equates to a 32F not E.

If you're not sure if you need the next cup size up, try it anyway. You may need to adjust the straps but often it will make 'ok' into 'perfect'.

Different shape breasts need different style bras. If, for example you try on a Bravissimo Alana and the cups have a wrinkly bit by your nipple, it means that the cup is too pointy for the shape of your breasts.

If, no matter what size you try, the top of the cup digs into the top of your breast and distorts the shape of your breasts, then you need a more 'open' cup shape e.g. Freya Deco, Cleo Juna or a half cup.

If you try a Panache style and it flaps about at the top of the cup, the shape is too wide for your boobs or shoulders. Try a non moulded Cleo instead.

That will do for tonight

Awesome thread - I wish I had found it years ago! Please may somebody help me with my size, and (I know I'm asking a lot here) try to recommend some styles to try based on the information below?

My measurements are 29" and 41", and I've never felt quite right in any of my bras. I'm very petite - I have a narrow back, narrow shoulders, I'm quite thin, and my boobs are very rounded and close together. Balconettes don't work on me at all (painful), high-cut bras don't look right with my clothes, and I fall out of plunges even when they seem to fit perfectly.

Any advice would be gratefully received!

I think you are a 28HH/J. What size are you wearing at the moment? Not sure it's easy to judge right style if you are in the wrong size.

Thanks for your reply, TheDoctrineOfSnatch - you've confirmed that I need to go bra shopping! I realised that my bras were probably wrong, but I had no idea they could be that far out. I'm currently wearing some 30Gs and some 32FFs, which don't fit brilliantly but were the best I could find through trial and error. I assumed that they were right since other sizes puckered/gaped in some places, but reading this thread has led me to think that the others were probably the wrong shape...

If you scoop in your 30G do you get quadroboob?

Yes - I have a slight quadroboob effect without scooping for 2 weeks of every month, which I've only just noticed ...

I could weep :( have just invested in three beautiful triumph bras which I was convinced (until I read this thread) fitted me perfectly.

Have since measured as per diagram and I am 31/32 under bust pulled tight and about 37.5 over (kinda loose and not on largest part as per diagram - did I do that right?)

I'm lost! Worse, I've wasted my precious money. Please tell me what I should be wearing

My new beautiful bras are 36C...

I think you are about a 30FF - did yiu measure leaning forward for the over bust? - but the experts will be back in the morning.

Where did you buy the triumphs? Can you exchange/return?

'Night all!

Yes wilting 30FF to start. Did you get fitted when you bought the bras? Would you name and shame for the better bra campaign?

The cavalry has arrived!

Sorry, the diagram isn't perfect. You do want to measure on the biggest part of your breasts when you are bending over.

No, didn't get measured, have had no faith in the measurers for years! Just thought it felt right. O dear. I'd say probably an extra inch on biggest part of boob then, will re-measure tonight. Don't think I can bring them back, all tags are pulled off and I've worn 2 of them. They've stretched on wearing too so definitely too big :(

30ff you reckon? Jesus. I must get my sister to read this thread, she will be serious shocked and she has much bigger boobage than me!

So, are there ANY 36Cs on this thread????

Can I ask, please?

I was 32 under and 37 on the hanging measurement. Currently wearing 34b.

Thanks!

There have even very very few people who have turned out to be under a D on these threads. In RL I don't know anyone under a DD!

Jenga try a 32DD

I don't think we have found any 36cs actually. A few cs but normally on a 28 or 30 back. Most ladies who have thought they were, for eg, 36A have turned out to be DD,E and F!

Do you know, when I was in Hse of Fr buying my beautiful badly fitting bras, I noticed they were wall to wall with Freyas and I wondered who had all the giant boobs , turns out it's us!!!

Well, much I was loving the v pretty Curvy Kate bra that was delivered yesterday, the postman has just brought my 30HH maximum support bra - I realised yesterday that, although I was wearing a 'good' sports bra, I've still had to clutch my boobs as if they were falling off during running/star jumps/cycling malarkey.

Admittedly, it was rather like clambering into a straightjacket but goodness me, I can't stop jumping up and down with the firmness of it all! Can't believe I've managed for 25 years of exercise without it!

Am pleased to see all the bra-fitting stuff in the press today. I s'pose the trouble with M&S is that they're not going to promote something they don't stock. 'Yes, Madam, you're a 30H but we don't stock anything along those lines. Here, have a 34DD and carry on clutching...' Marks & Sparks are going to need a major re-think and re-stock...

Thanks again magical bra ladies

Probably been mentioned already but does anyone know where I can donate bras to? Have 2 worn once M&S 36B's if anyone is interested very much doubt anyone has measured that size though and a 36DD maternity bra. Otherwise would like to donate them.

Statistically - that's it! A new or freshly washed 32 is fine around the back, but after two days wear, or once they've been thoroughly broken in after a couple of months, they're too big. I thought I was in my right size and have been aware of the whole plus four thing for years, but even I've been getting it wrong - I thought an arch was normal and hadn't associated it with too big a band size. And I don't really have the money to have 7-8 separate bras so that I can wash every single wear.

Am just on M&S website at the moment and things are complicated by the fact that they don't do a FF but jump straight to G, they also don't stock and H in anything under a 34 back, sigh.

cantilena which sports bra did you get?

Going I believe Oxfam take them and send them to somewhere in the developing world.