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.

Using the guru method I am a 34c. I've only found ONE bra that fits me correctly in that size (I purchased 4 of them ), everywhere else I'd need to size up to a 36 band.

That's the bit that confuses me about it. Why don't the damn bras fit?! Some 34s feel like I'm cheese slicing myself in half.

I will say that my miracle bra was m&s per una!

Agrestic because different shapes affect the fit. I can't wear plunges without my boobs trying to escape. Some cups might be too shallow causing the band to feel tighter

If you size down in the band but size up in the cup you are basically swapping space around the back, where you don't need it, for space in the actual boob bit, where you do need it.

On the other hand, if you size down in the band but not the cup then you are just wearing something that is too small.

It is a minefield.

I've been trying to get nursing bras recently and it's a bloody nightmare trying to find them in high street stores in less than a 34 (I'm a 32). I initially didn't want to get them from Bravissimo just because I don't know how long I'll need them, whether my size might change again etc, and they can be expensive.

In the end I did get one from Bravissimo and then ordered another exactly the same from Amazon (£9 cheaper! So always worth checking).

I was going to order some from Hot Milk but noticed that they still suggest the adding inches method. So frustrating.

I work in a lingerie shop. Tbh none of the measuring methods work and you've really just got to fit to the bra and know what you're looking for to know it fits. Different brands all come up differently.

The bra guru method is still a better home starting point than the plus inches method though.

The problem with buying on Ebay is that a lot of them are imperfect and seconds - not always clearly marked as such. There are a few decent stockists who I've bought from but you do have to be cautious!

Agree cunchofbunts - it gets you an awful lot closer than adding inches. It's a start point which you adjust from.

I don't see why it would irritate you. I hate bras digging into my flesh. Presumably your friend feels the same way. Bra methods on here would have me wear a 28FF - I've tried one and could hardly breathe.

The "intervention" method appeals to vanity sizing. Nobody wants to an A or B cup anymore apparently.

It's nothing to do with vanity sizing, surely? Most people still consider a DD to be a 'large' cup so finding out that they're a G usually comes as a shock!

9 times out of ten, if you measure 28 (or 30 or 32 etc) and it feels too tight, you need to try a bigger cup. It's also take a time to get used to wearing a much tighter band, especially if you move down more than two band sizes.

That is plain nonsense. There is no vanity sizing involved in wearing a bra that doesn't sit on the end of your boobs and ride up. With the m&s method, my boobs are on my belly, straps around my elbows and fasteners almost up to my neck.

I went shopping, this afternoon. If I had a pound for each example of low riding quad boob I saw, it would have paid for the whole afternoon.

Also can't wear underwires with the markses method.

It's also take a time to get used to wearing a much tighter band, especially if you move down more than two band sizes.

I don't want to get used to a tight, uncomfortable band that pushes flesh out on both sides. It looks as bad as it feels.

But whatever, glad it works for you.

On the vanity sizing, I meant there have been a lot of posts along the lines of "Wow, always thought I was a B cup, turns out I'm a D - brilliant!" Like M&S putting size 10 labels on clothes which are clearly 12 or 14.

Can someone explain the different measuring methods?

I can't get a bra to fit properly as I have a big back but small boobs. The £6 avon t shirt bra is all I wear these days!

if you are lucky enought to have small boobs, you can choose to wear a bra with little or no support . Those of us with big boobs don't have that luxury, please don't scoff at us and call us vain .

Whatever cup size you have though, the diameter of the band is the diameter of the band. That method had me at a 36D, anything under a 40 just won't go round my ribs, however big the cups, I've tried it.

I am another one who the bra intervention doesn't work for. I have a wide bony ribcage with next to none back or underarm/side fat and fairly pert, compact (small) boobs sitting hugh on my chest. I wear a 36C. A 34 or 32 band size doesn't fit, because even with a lot bigger cup size, I have no "extra" flesh to try and stuff into the cups. My favourite bra, which I have several of, is a cotton rich, underwired, unpadded bra from m&s. Or those cottony, tank toppy, stretch bra things.

Bra intervention didn't work for me either. However, l can see how it should.
I'm supposed to be a 30f 32 e. Those lower bands kill me, leaving nasty deep marks just under my armpit. I have an obvious rib cage. I'm very slim there - so I've returned to a 34dd, most of the time they are comfortable.

I don't want to get used to a tight, uncomfortable band that pushes flesh out on both sides. It looks as bad as it feels

Have you tried scooping the flesh from under arms and getting in the cup? That fitting tip made a big difference to me and I found I ended up with less back fat being pushed out than with a bigger band size.

I bloody love Bravissimo. Took me from my ill fitting m&s C cup bras to F cups nursing bras just by looking at me. Brilliant.

Vanity sizing? You're kidding me surely?

It is the very opposite of vanity sizing. Most of us would love to fit into the tiny range of sizes that the high street shops sell. It would be amazing to be able to buy a bra for £5. And I've never heard of anyone being delighted to discover that they are actually a 32GG and not a 36D as they thought. Because in people's minds GG equals huge comedy boobs/old lady/fake boobs/overweight (delete as appropriate). Whereas 36D equals walking into Asda and throwing a £5 bra into the trolley along with your groceries. It is in no way like labelling size 12 jeans as a size 10.

How do I measure properly? I'm a 36F/38E according to local shop that I got measured in.

I was exactlythe same measured by bra intervention, M&S and Bravissimo. Bravissimo "fitted" bra fitted really badly and I won't be going there again, I'm back in M&S ones which are perfect for me.

Yep the smaller back - the 'correct' size 1 hurt me too. I have very little spare flesh on my ribcage, it's probably that. I've gone back to my m and s sizing, that doesn't hurt!

I dismissed Bra Guru - I am one of those people . I hadn't worn a bra for years.

I now wear 'Triumph' bras - their 38" band measures 30" from end to end.

It is not remotely an exact science.