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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for a MN bra wisdom?

33 replies

Fluffywuffyunicorn · 27/07/2018 08:34

I'v been plodding around in an I'll fitting bra since ds was born (9months), but I need to buy a new one for an upcoming wedding that I will be bridesmaid at. I'm clueless as to what size I actually am now since my boobs have changed so much since having dcs. They are no longer as full, so some times just fall out of my current bra Blush
Can you point me in the right direction?
Back size 35in
Bust size 41in

OP posts:
nogrip · 27/07/2018 08:49

Bravissimo all the way

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 27/07/2018 08:52

Look at boob or bust on Facebook, there is an online calculator on their webpage too. I've just done mine and it's telling me I should be a 30GG but I haven't tried it yet (from a 34B!) You'll need more than those two measurements though.

Fredthefrog · 27/07/2018 08:53

Second braviasimi. They are really good fitters. Plus bring the bridesmaid dress if you can to try head on underneath

monkeysox · 27/07/2018 08:55

34f or 36e at a guess

Orangesox · 27/07/2018 08:59

Definitly try Bravissimo. Personally, with those measurements I’d look to start around a 34E or 36DD depending on how firm a band I like (its got to be firm to hold my juggernaughts up). It’s not just about the size though, you’ll also find some brands will work best, and some shapes will suit your breast shape best. Once you get used to what a well fitting bra should feel and look like on you then you’ll never look back!

Iizzyb · 27/07/2018 09:00

Definitely bravissimo but also I have just bought from brastop online & when my usual size didn't fit I spoke to a lady on the phone & she helped decide what size to try next.

Reason for trying a different shop was to get a different brand as the t shirt bra I used to buy is discontinued and I can't find one of theirs to fit me.

Bravissimo ladies on the phone are also helpful if you can't get into a shop. They are used to the fact that things change after having dc's and can suggest bras that are easier to fit if that makes sense.

Once you find a brand or style which now fits that will also make the world easier.

FWIW I recently took dm to Debenhams and they did a good job of fitting her too. She was happy. Seemed ok fit to me but mostly I was extremely grateful to have 5 mins to sit in a changing room swinging my legs playing on my phone rather than running in & out of the shop doing the fitting myself (I am 46!)

thegreylady · 27/07/2018 09:02

I went to M&S and asked for a proper fitting . I had to wait a while but she was very good. I needed a smaller size with a bigger cup and a firm control so 42 D to 40 E and no underwires. I had breast cancer 11 years ago with a lumpectomy so one breast is much smaller than the other which makes it difficult.

CycleWoman · 27/07/2018 09:14

Bravissimo! Once you get a couple of bras from there at the right size you’ll get your eye in for what fits/supports you well and you can then shop around online.

Original poster
Fluffywuffyunicorn · 27/07/2018 09:17

Just had a look at the bravissimo website but they don't do measurements. The nearest shop isnt overly close either. Will ask dp if he could take me at the weekend. Will take more measurements and do the boob or bust calculator. Last time I used one of the calculators though it was very very wrong, couldn't even fit in quater of a boob!

OP posts:
NameChangingParanoid · 27/07/2018 09:19

Definitely Bravissimo & you need to go to a shop to be measured correctly.

Original poster
Fluffywuffyunicorn · 27/07/2018 09:59

Redone the measurements.
Tight: 32.5in
Snug: 33.5in
Standing:41in
Leaning:44in

The boob or bust calculator suggests 32HH
I currently wear a 38D wouldn't 32 band size be very restrictive? I won't want aload of back fat bulging out Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
Fluffywuffyunicorn · 27/07/2018 10:15

M&S online calculator say 36DD that's closer to my current bra size. Quite a difference between calculators though.

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 27/07/2018 10:18

M and s totally wrong!

Go with boob or bust size, or go to bravmismo

bluebiro · 27/07/2018 10:18

Give it a try! Back fat is worse when the cups are too small and back is too big, so the breast tissue can’t all sit in the cups and boob and flesh are pushed back around. You’ll probably find it much better!

If you’re unsure if the band size, try the bra on backwards to test It - this is so the boobs/cups don’t interfere with the fit. It should be tight but not uncomfortably so - will leave marks like socks do, but shouldn’t hurt! Bras usually take a couple of wears to wear them in to be totally comfortable.

You could try 32 and 34. Don’t forget that if you want to go up a band size from a 32HH, then a 34H will have the same cup volume. You might need to try some other cup sizes around that too - the measurements give you a starting point. And also try different styles eg balconette, plunge etc to see what suits.

Bombardier25966 · 27/07/2018 10:19

Please don't go to M&S. They still use the add 4 inches method that is completely outdated.

Sometimes you will get back fat. The band needs to be firm to give you support, if it's hiding the squidgy bits then it's not going to do that. You can get bras with wider backs that will help though.

AwkwardPaws27 · 27/07/2018 10:42

M&S are bizarre with their sizing. The band band should be tight (its where most of the support should come from), but not uncomfortable.
If your back band is too loose, then you put strain on your shoulders as you are relying on the straps instead.
I've usually found Debenhams staff good at checking fit etc, plus they have a decent range of brands so you can usually find a brand and fit you like. I tend to stick with one brand (Freya) as I know my size and their bras tend to be the same size across different styles, so I can easily order online.

AlmostAlwyn · 27/07/2018 11:06

This was exactly me last month! Tried the boob or bust calculator and came out as 32/34h (I did it twice and got different answers), but when I tried that size the cups were just massive.

I went to a small local shop and tried on a few and ended up with 34E (Passionata), though I did try on a couple of other brand 34Es and they didn't fit as well as the Passionata one! Start with a 32 or 34 band size and have a try! I think the main problem with M&S is that you'll struggle to find the larger cup sizes...

Good luck and let us know if/when you're successful! :)

dizzydaisies · 27/07/2018 11:11

Will Bravissimo measure you if you're definitely not going to fit their bras? Everyone says they're really good but I'm much, much smaller than their target market!

Original poster
Fluffywuffyunicorn · 27/07/2018 11:52

I think I'm gonna have to try go to bravissimo before the wedding, which I don't have long!

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 27/07/2018 13:29

I bet you’re not dizzy Davies, what are you basing you information on, as you are probably wearing the wrong size bra and need one that bravissimo do stock!

Inkstainedmags · 27/07/2018 14:16

I know lots of people rave about boob or bust but it wasn't a good fit for me. The cup size may have been alright (can't remember) but I found the band size so excruciatingly uncomfortable that I ended up getting rid of the two expensive bras I bought as a result. To be fair though I despise bras with a fiery passion and am on the verge of giving up ever wearing one again despite being self-conscious due to having only one saggy post-breastfeeding, post-breast cancer breast.

BrazzleDazzleDay · 27/07/2018 14:42

I agree Ink. Boob or bust say a 28ff for me, I wear a 34d Hmm Cant stand anything being tight on my ribs though

monkeysox · 27/07/2018 19:27

Your boobs will look droopy if wear wrong size. Agree m and s are shite

FloraHiggins · 27/07/2018 19:30

Avoid m and s and get thee to a bravissimo! They are amazing

dementedpixie · 27/07/2018 19:32

28FF = 30F= 32E= 34DD with regards to cup volume (same cup volume with different back sizes). You just get more support where it's supposed to be with the smaller back sizes.