To be really irritated when someone insists that the Bra Guru method of measuring is wrong?

[cunchofbunts]

On another forum a lady is insisting on adding inches to her band measurement and advises others to do so.

She measures 33 and wears a 36. Says that a 32 or 34 cuts into her but this this must be because she's wearing too small a cup if she's adding inches to her band measurement.

Head desk.

Garlick, thanks for this! I didn't know that, I'm not an expert on sports and the like. Will be remembering this for recommendations :)

Keep that's very odd and definitely not standard for bravissimo as they don't normally use a tape measure at all. Whilst I would wear a sports bra for proper exercise I go about my normal life in a bra and never worry about it. Genuinely don't know what that fitter was up to but that's not standard bravissimo or bra guru chat

:) Lashes

I went bra shopping my lunch hour and had NO luck. I know a 42" back is big but if all the women who are actually 36-38" are being told they need a 42", shouldn't there be a market for them? Bravissimo only go up to a 40 and there was nothing in M&S bigger than a 40. TK Maxx had one 42" but the cups were bloody massive, I could have got my head in them.

I suppose I have to order online. I'm just really unsure about my cup size because of the shape of my breasts so I'll have to order LOADS. I wanted to try some on in-store first.

Ted might be worth trying the 40, sometimes larger ladies size down in the band as they have ribs with more squish

I like the bra intervention way of measuring, it works well for me.

Someone mentioned bras which are low under the arm. I need a bra for a sleeveless dress that needs to be low under the arm and smooth cupped. I've a bravissimo balcony one but my boobs fall out of the cups and end up in a squish in the middle. I'm sure I'm in the right size - 30ff, the style is the issue!

Any suggestions very welcome!

Been reading this thread with interest as I desperately need new bra's, especially nursing ones.

So I self measured using this method and got 36 under bust and 43 bust, (hopefully I've done it correctly but I'll try again later when I have a bit more time). So that makes me a 36F, right? Seems mad, I've always imagined F cups to be massive, pornstar style nunganunga's and I've always worn A or B cups which seemed okay but after reading this thread I've realized I've probably been wearing the wrong sized bra ever since I started wearing them. Even though my breasts are obviously bigger at the moment due to breastfeeding, I've never really seen myself as having big boobs, especially compared to my friends. I think I'm going to go and try some sizes on at some point this week. I'm weirdly excited about the prospect.

My oh is going to be chuffed when I inform him of my potential new size

Hons, Ewa Michalak bras will be the best for low under the arms

Spud 36F sounds like a good starting point - if you've been wearing A and B, you might have shallow breasts. Look for half cup shapes

Ted might be worth trying the 40, sometimes larger ladies size down in the band as they have ribs with more squish

I have, it's too small. I measured 43 and a 42 feels really good - tight but not too tight. I can feel the band but I'm not getting any fat overspill, so I think it's right for me.

Funnily enough George at ASDA have a pretty wide range of 42s for £6 each so I've ordered a bunch to try on, fingers crossed.

Good luck! I know it's annoying at either end of the back spectrum - 32-38s everywhere, nothing if yours larger or smaller!

OK, I have not RTFT, although I have read some of it. But, I measure 29". If I tried to get into a 28 or 30 I'd be suffocated. Even going up several cup sizes would not help. I wear a 32D and sometimes, if those are a bit snug, I put an extender thing in the back. This is homemade because whenever I'm measured I'm told "you're either a 32 or a 34 and either a C or a D, go and try on variations of those" so I found the best fit was (usually) a 32D with the option to add an inch to the back size.

I have a fairly small rib cage, with little extra fat and I don't know, moderate but defined boobs? I'm not really sure how I'd describe them. Anyway, this works for me.

I think instead of insisting that someone should measure in one way or another they should be taught what a well-fitting bra looks and feels like. Then they can just try things on until they find a make and size that they like. For anyone to dictate how other people should do this is BU.

Gabilan what do you measure around the bust? If 30 feels small it might be the cups are small

People should be taught what a well fitting bra looks like, as there are variations!

Thanks Lashes, I'll have a look at those.

Thanks Lashes, I'll definitely bear that in mind. I can totally relate to what's been said about a bra basically just 'sitting there' and not really doing much supporting/lifting.

"Gabilan what do you measure around the bust? If 30 feels small it might be the cups are small"

Thanks, but I've tried smaller backs with larger cups and I end up feeling suffocated, with cups that are obviously too big. They don't just cover my boobs, there's room in them for more boob, whilst I can't breath.

What I'm wearing fits and is comfortable for horse riding and cycling (although I have sports bras as well). A bra guru can tell me as often as they like to try size 30 but if I feel like I can't breath, I'm not going to wear it. We're not just different sizes but different shapes as well

Gabilan if it doesn't work it doesn't work, people do have different bodies. It's worth a try but if you prefer a larger band then go for it

Under: 30
Over: 40

What does that make me then?! There's no chance I can fasten a bra up the way it suggests on there, as I have to fasten at the front then spin round and pull on

Stocking 30GG.

Spinning bras is really bad for the bra, try putting it on the right way without the straps and putting the straps on after

I want to believe you, people, really I do! But the bra intervention method has me at a 32F. I have tried bras in this size in SO many shops and they are just so tight and uncomfortable. 34D feels so much better. What am I doing wrong?

Blank what are your measurements?

BlankXpression Are you scooping? I find that when I first put a bra on, I need to scoop (with vigour!). This ensures that the cups are full but it also alleviates any feeling of tightness in the band.

I'm probably being really thick but how could I possibly get the straps on after?

This is a more detailed description;

Bra clip is fastened at the front (cups at the back)

Pull it round
Drop boobs in
Put arms through straps

Stocking I'm probably explaining it badly but I meant could you kind of fasten the band at the back, put your arms in and then scoop the boobs in?

"It's worth a try "

Indeed, Lashes. It's worth keeping an open mind and trying things, then you can get a better idea of what does and doesn't work for you.