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.

Sorrel and Statistically I'm sure there are many women here (not necessarily aware of this thread) that are very grateful for your help. I know I'll be back when I get the end of my weight loss.

I think referring to women who do nothing but try to help others as tossers is unbelievably rude.

Lechien there's a post on asymmetry over on the bra guru blog linked upthread which might help

Thank you, I'll go and have a look.

Really, really wish I'd found out about this before going to get new bras on Monday. After two pregnancies/breastfeeding I went to get measured for the first time in over four years. The size the fitter told me didn't quite feel right but I thought I must be wrong. After looking at the Bra Guru's page, I'm pretty sure the underbust strap should be tighter. I was in such a rush, though, and thought it would sound like I just wanted to be skinnier if I said I thought I needed a tighter size! But now I've wasted £40. Ugh.

I did it and looked terrible in the size I came out as too high and pointy and unnatural looking plus I couldn't breathe I think that high constricted shape ruins clothes look like hattie jacques

Looks really "high and constricted"...

I don't like that look think the left one is more natural and feminine but I am 50 and unlikely to change my mind All my clothes looked terrible so I ditched the cardboard strait jacket look I don't think women need to be told how their boobs should look by anyone else but if you are happy with that its all well and good No 2 people the same

Noddy, really?! It looks saggy, I guess it's "natural" though. If you prefer that look might as well go for crop tops or no bra as wearing a bra that size can cause shoulder indents, breast tissue displacement and all sorts. Agree people like different looks, never heard anyone preferring the lower look but fair enough :)

Yes I prefer it I hated the torpedo effect and felt huge like my boobs arrived first.Plus the bras were all matronly with thick straps which I hate too! I am busty but slim and no indentations etc I didn't like feeling the bra all day I like to forget it. I have said this before and know its an unpopular view but I like a bit of droop :)

Fair enough! You can get bras with thinner straps in bigger sizes, but they're hard to find and if you prefer the shape there's no point. I guess everyone likes different looks :)

Yes its not an exact science its about individual taste and comfort I don't like that thick strap full coverage look think its matronly on me I like delicate strap and lightweight sheer cup other wise I feel frump tastic!

Noddy you can get sheer non full coverage bras in large cup small back! I dont like full coverage bras either and I find plenty of half cups and balconettes. Thick straps don't bother me though

But if you don't like the shape of them anyway that's different

I find something in-between the two works best for me, old method is 36B, new way is 32D and I wear a 34C.

Yes I am not keen on the shape I buy different sizes and can pretty much tell to look if it will fit

This bra is made in a wide variety of sizes and I wouldn't say it's matronly

so if my measurements are 43 & 53, what size should i be working with?

This is a revelation to me! I've used the new method (albeit using a metal tape measure which isn't sufficiently flexible, so I'm probably a few inches off) and now have an entirely new bra size.

I'm a little confused about the shops though. If someone does awful measurements (like M&S and SimplyBe) does that mean their bras won't fit if I buy them according to my proper measurements? What I mean is, if M&S measured me as a 40B and I an actually a 36DD, is it likely that an M&S 36DD will fit me? I know I need to try some on and see how it goes but I don't even know where to start.

FWIW I think I will order a selection from SimplyBe, since I have a large back size.

ASorcerer, I'd start with a 42GG/H. Be aware you might size down in the band and up in the cup as a lot of ladies with larger underbusts prefer a firmer band

Ted, if your real size is 36DD an M&S 36DD will fit. They measure badly but their bras fit like normal bras, quality isn't great but the fit is like a normal bra

Someone asked up thread why the bra enthusiasts care what other women wear and I'd like to echo the comment made shortly after. I care because I spent my teenage years believing I was the wrong shape, that I was the only girl in the UK with a small frame and big boobs. Because everyone else was wearing 36B from M&S whilst I was a 32GG stuck wearing a Triumph Doreen because it was the only bra available in my size. (And if you're not familiar with Doreen, have a google and you'll see why I was self harming at 15 to deal with the panic of having to get changed in the school changing rooms wearing that contraption).

That's why I care about other women wearing ill fitting bras. I don't care that individuals say 'well, I've tried it and I prefer my old one'. I care that people write it off as crap without giving it a chance and tell other women to ignore it.

Forgot to say, the more women demand well fitted bras, the wider size range will be made to accommodate that. Everyone wins.

I think a bra needs to be firm round about as then the back supports the breasts otherwise the straps support the breasts and that's heavy on my shoulders.

But now I'm older the bras cut in more, probably as my flesh is a bit softer and, unfortunately, flabbier.

Answer is not to wear underwired all day.Change out of it when you get home into something comfier.

If you can only find a metal measuring tape , use a piece of string / fabric belt to measure around your body and then measure it against the flat metal tape .

Treacle I could have written that :( I was wearing a badly fitted 32FF at 14 and literally hated how I couldn't get any pretty bras, how I had shoulder marks, how I felt my boobs looked. But that was the smallest I could get in the band and I couldn't be bigger than an FF?!

Got fitted into a 28GG/H at 16 and it literally made a massive difference. I had nice boobs! Bras that looked good on me! I didn't feel like a freak

I don't want other women feeling shit and uncomfortable because shops can't be bothered to make a better size range

Ted, if your real size is 36DD an M&S 36DD will fit. They measure badly but their bras fit like normal bras, quality isn't great but the fit is like a normal bra

Thank you. :)

If you can only find a metal measuring tape , use a piece of string / fabric belt to measure around your body and then measure it against the flat metal tape .

I can't believe I didn't think of that