to ask about your 34C boobs?

[SnoozyGiraffe]

So I'm considering a breast reduction and surgeons generally recommend a C cup size. I haven't been a C cup since puberty and I can't imagine it at all! Anyone who's a 34C - I'd really appreciate some info :-)

For example....
Do you feel completely secure in a strapless bra, or can you even go braless occasionally? (on holiday or if a special outfit demands?)
Is it easy to find flattering swimwear?
Can you wear shrug-type cardigans and do they look nice?

I'm pretty tall, no hips but a bit of a muffin-top - is my tummy suddenly going to be bigger than my boobs? I'm used to being voluptuous, but part of me wants the novelty of a boyish figure. Is this a nice compromise or a neither-here-nor-there middle ground?

All advice gratefully received!

Snoozy - most women enjoy having larger breasts. I'm not judging your opinions AT ALL (don't want to be misunderstood ) but I'm interested as you seem to prefer a "boy" shape?

I'm. 34 C/D pre dc they were ok to go bra less, nice size not took big not too small, I'm a size 8-10.
Then I had 2 sons breast fed for 5 1/2 years and counting and bra less is no longer a option

Can I just jump in and ask if you all are sure about your bra size and have you seen the bra intervention threads on Style and Beauty? It is quite unusual to be 34 back and otherwise size 8, for example.

And lay off boyish shapes! I'm a bit boy-shaped (have very subtle difference between waist and hips, for eg) Yeah, It'll go out of fashion...and then come back in...and then go out again...and it's hard to care really as there's bugger-all I can do about my physical outline :D

I'm a size 16/18 and my back size, please go get yourself an intervention on Style and beauty. Not just OP put others on this thread. The right sized bra is a life changer.

*My back size is 32/34

I am a 32C, 5'8 and about a size 10. I think it's a perfect size TBH. There are many things I would change about my body but breast size isn't one of them!

Never had a problem with swimwear or tops and no, my tummy is not bigger than my boobs! And it would be a very strange shaped boy who had the same figure as me... think a C cup might be a bit larger than you are imagining!

No way would I walk round braless though. I think that might be to do with pertness or lack thereof rather than actual size.

Ooh heck this is getting a bit heated - glad I didn't survey my RL friends!
I'll try to catch up...
I'm currently a 34J, losing weight doesn't make any difference, and I think I look really out of proportion. It's impossible to find clothes that don't look ridiculous, think a marquee on a lollipop stick!
I am a bit worried that a C will feel too small after years of being a J, but I don't want to go through the surgery to only make a small difference.
I don't think C is boyish, but I'm tempted by a more androgynous shape after years of my boobs being the first thing anyone notices about me. Big boobs look great on some women, but in my head I'm not one of them, I'm not an ultra-feminine, long haired girly girl and smaller boobs just feel more "me".

I wasn't offended by the use of the term "boyish" (sorry if it can across that way) its just I have an image of what I would describe as boyish and it is much flatter than my C cups and I didnt want you to be disappointed. As many pp have said its probably because I am shortish though, 5'4".

Ha thanks Hazlenutt and co - saved me saying it re size checking

And yeah, I was a 36E for a while until I stopped going to M&S

Snoozy as a not hugely dissimilar size to you now, I can completely understand why a C cup seems boyish in comparison. You're talking about reducing your overbust measurement by roughly 10 inches. That's a huge change and will totally change your body shape

Heehee I know, there could be some wardrobe disasters in my near future! Bye bye empire lines....

a lot of surgeons don't know what they are talking about when saying you will be a C or D cup - especially considering that cup sizes change depending on bad size. Being a true C-cup (and not M&S measured one) means that there's roughly 3 inches between your underbust and overbust measurements, so it would be quite modest. I would ask the surgeon to be more specific about the size they have in mind for you.
(a friend of mine had implants, surgeon claimed she is now a D, she is actually an FF)

I'm sure there should be some kind of computer program for this. God knows computer games designers seem to spend enough time animating boobs, they could at least make a decent simulator!

Yup Hazle, I would totally agree with that - I think they don't understand the back vs band thing.

Actually come to think of it, MIL also had a reduction, also told she'd be a C. She's an E. Was a G pre surgery

Sorry, I wasn't offended by the 'boyish' comment either - just didn't want you to be disappointed if that's what you were after.

Waterlego, I also didn't mean to be negative about boyish shapes - it just isn't how I would describe myself.

yy to bra intervention. Is 34J your true cup size or M&S measured size?

I think OP is sorted - she said M&S had her in a 36E upthread.

I don't think M&S have ever heard of a 34J

Ah right-ho! Thanks.

I am an M&S 34C (or a Harrods 32D). I like my boobs

Having extolled the virtues of 34C-ness, I wonder if I might not actually be a 34C after all. I have read some bra intervention stuff on here and always meant to do something about it but kept forgetting. So I wear a 34C but might not actually be one. So in fact, I have no business replying on this thread

littletabby- I see that now- just ignore me...I think the 'real women have curves' mantra has got to me. Not that anyone has said that on here...but it's something you hear and see a lot these days and I think it's making me a tad defensive

Waterlego - measuring guide here

Thank you Stat! Am going to do it this weekend.