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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Finding a bra that fits

52 replies

Exileinengland1999 · 05/03/2017 17:51

I am 44 and have never had a bra that fits. M&S measured me at 38 D but it was literally baggy at the back. I went to another shop and they measured me at 34 D- how can there by such a wide discrepancy in size? I measured myself and it came in at 36 D but then that seemed baggy at the back. Someone else suggested going up a cup size but down a strap size so have tried 34DD and now the cup seems too wide.
Aarrgghh.
AIBU to think bra fitting seems like a bloody dark art?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Exileinengland1999 · 05/03/2017 17:54

Meant to say that M&S measured me at 38C

OP posts:
TittyGolightly · 05/03/2017 17:54

M+S have their own sizing. So do panache, Freya and all the other bra manufacturers.

Highly recommend bravissimo for fitting. There are different sizes and shapes of boobs that need different sizes and shapes of bra. They know their stuff.

user1484394242 · 05/03/2017 17:55

I recommend Bravissimo

M&S are really bad at measuring

JennyOnAPlate · 05/03/2017 17:58

M&s are awful when it comes to bra fitting. If you measure yourself where the band would sit what do you get (without adding on 4 inches like m&s do!)

allchattedout · 05/03/2017 17:59

If you let us know your underbust measurement (measured just under your boobs, pulling the tape measure tight) and your overbust measurement (measured around the widest part of your boobs, keeping the tape loose), we can recommend some sizes.

If you were measured at 38C, 34DD certainly sounds like a possibility as they are the same cup size, but with different band widths.

CreepyPasta · 05/03/2017 18:03

Ann Summers do a really good fitting service too. They actually fit you into the bra rather than using the tape measure method. As PP's have said, the measuring and adding 4 system is really outdated and not necessary nowadays with stretchier fabric used in bras. If you were measured at a 38D in M&S then a 34D should fit you.

user1484394242 · 05/03/2017 18:04

M&S measured me like allchat suggested above and sold me bras in size 36C. They were never comfortable and a friend recommended Bravissimo who don't use tape measures. They look at what you're wearing and how it fits and go from there. They fit me into 30FF bras which sit perfectly.

Mysteriouscurle · 05/03/2017 18:08

Will never go back to bravissimo. I got measured there and the measured me at back 38. I though it felt a bit tight at the time but they said jt was perfect for me. Spent over £100 on 3 bras and by the time i been wearing one all day I was so sore. When I removed bra at night I had red marks on my skin where the bra had been digging in all day. I wouldnt touch them with a 10 foot bargepole now. I go to m&s. Didnt get measured by them. Just experimented until i found a comfortable fit. Which is 42 back. As far as I remember bravissimo dont go up to size 42.

user1484394242 · 05/03/2017 18:10

Did you go back and tell them, Mysterious? They refund in full if you're not happy, even if the bras have been worn. They probably just needed adjusting but you won't know if you don't try.

Happyandhungry · 05/03/2017 18:15

Bravissimo and Rigby & Peller

allchattedout · 05/03/2017 18:16

Mysterious, a few red marks when you first start wearing your bra is normal. It will stop after the elastic stretches a bit. If you wear a band that is too loose, you are not supporting your breasts properly because the support is coming from the straps, not the band.

And as a previous poster said, you could have taken the bras back. No need to write off a shop that on the whole has transformed the bra-shopping experience for many women.

PlayOnWurtz · 05/03/2017 18:18

I had a nightmare today. I'm a 32H currently so went into debenhams and in their fuller bust range it's advertised of racks of bras going up to an H. So I had a look, couldn't find any, asked a member of staff who checked their computer, 3 fucking bras, and none of them in their 2 pack t shirt bras. All the horrible flimsy show your nipples jobs that I loathe.

I fucking hate bras.

allchattedout · 05/03/2017 18:19

By the way, that boux avenue link advocates adding on 4/5 inches, so don't use that. It says that a 68 cm measurement underbust equates to a 32 band. 68 cm is 27 inches.

IWillOnlyEatBeans · 05/03/2017 18:20

I can't find a bra that fits either! Measuring myself the Mumsnet way puts me in a 32C, but none of the 32C bras that I have tried so far actually fit. My boobs are small/pert (too small to sag!) but sit quite far apart I think? All the C cups have faaaaar to much space at the top, but the B cups aren't wide enough and dig into the sides of my boob...

The first thing I do when I get home and know I'm in for the night is take my bra off - bliss!

Mysteriouscurle · 05/03/2017 18:21

I havent written it off. Just said no way will ibe ever shop in there again. No I didnt take them back because I lived 70 miles from the nearest shop. It was a rare trip. The red marks were absolutely not normal. It had dug right into my skin and left deep indentation marks. And I dont think I should have been uncomfortable all day

Original poster
Exileinengland1999 · 05/03/2017 18:25

So I just measured myself and my underbust is 33inch and my overbust 38 inches- any thoughts? Thankyou! Smile

OP posts:
allchattedout · 05/03/2017 18:27

I would try a 34D or 34DD. Maybe a 32DD if you like your bra band really tight.

HateSummer · 05/03/2017 18:30

You're a 32D.

user1484394242 · 05/03/2017 18:30

It definitely shouldn't leave marks Mysterious but their customer services really are brilliant . If it was recent, call or email and explain the distance to the shop. You may be able to send them back by post.

Original poster
Exileinengland1999 · 05/03/2017 18:30

So I have a 34DD but feel like the underwire sits under my armpit a bit so feels wide? Also is the 'only fitting 2 fingers under back to check if it's tight enough' thing correct?

OP posts:
treaclesoda · 05/03/2017 18:31

I measure 33 around the ribs and always wear a 32, a 34 is huge on me and rides up at the back. Smile

Original poster
Exileinengland1999 · 05/03/2017 18:31

Right- will try 32D aswell

OP posts:
Tartle · 05/03/2017 18:31

Yeah I would say a 32dd or a 34d so it's probably a bit big. You might need to try different styles as well.

treaclesoda · 05/03/2017 18:33

I think a 32D sounds small. That's a five inch difference which would be more like DD.