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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what bra size you are?

173 replies

Blondie1993 · 04/08/2018 19:20

I got myself measured for the first time today. I have been wearing a 34A basically my whole life. Apparently my back size (not sure if that’s is the correct term!) is 27 but the lady advised I would probably find a 28 too tight so to go for a 30. After trying a few on she told me to go for a 30D for plunge/t-shirt styles and a 30C for balconette styles. Does anyone else have to get different sizes for different styles? My friend thought it was weird the assistant suggested that! I can’t believe I have been wearing the completely wrong size Flowers

OP posts:
71HourAchmed · 05/08/2018 00:08

36 GG / H here, although when I was breastfeeding I went up to a 36M, which was v expensive.

M&S measured me at a 42c - you could have fitted a whole person between the band and me...

SirVixofVixHall · 05/08/2018 00:16

28H, or HH. I wear a 30GG/H in my Polish bras as the 28 is special order ( so you can’t exchange them) and their 30 is like a UK 28 anyway.

LustyBusty · 05/08/2018 00:18

@71HourAchmed same here - asked the woman in m&s if they had any J cups or if they still stopped at GG, she told me I wasn't a J and could she measure me. I humoured her. She then suggested a 44D... I politely declined. I tried a 42D on out of interest (they had a single bra in 42d). It was beige and had inch thick straps, i had back fat and quad boob and my boobs promptly took up residence around my waist and the back fastener ended up between my shoulder blades. M&s lady pronounced it "not bad, but definitely need the 44"... Confused

71HourAchmed · 05/08/2018 00:32

@LustyBusty - my M&S experience was horrific - she was desperately trying to convince me it fitted - band was practically at the top of my shoulder blades and the front was sort of balanced on top of my boobs while giving me quad boob - was not a good look.

LustyBusty · 05/08/2018 00:41

@71HourAchmed, I know, and it bother me so much when I see people around that I can tell have been measured by m&s, but I don't want to be that weird woman walking up to randomers in the street telling them to go to bravissimo....!!

ferrier · 05/08/2018 00:42

M&S bras, sized the old fashioned way, fit me perfectly. As do Debenhams. Both 34B. I'm size 10 and no it's not bullshit! I have no backflapping, shoulder divots, cup spillage etc. My boobs are held in the right place all day long and they are comfortable all day long.

lostinjapan · 05/08/2018 00:56

I used to wear a 32FF, now wear a 30H after discovering the Boob Or Bust method.

Horridhenry88 · 05/08/2018 01:01

38j

Horridhenry88 · 05/08/2018 01:03

When I was a 12 to 14 I was a 32f

rightknockered · 05/08/2018 01:24

28ff. Should be a 27g but impossible to find. Am a size 6. Broad shoulders and narrow hips. Always have to lengthen shoulder straps and wear balconett and plunge bras. Would love to find a nice bralette or triangle bra

huha · 05/08/2018 01:28

32A. Used to be 34B-C!!!

JuneFromBethesda · 05/08/2018 06:46

I’m a 32G, have been for years. I’m almost tempted to go and get measured at M&S just out of curiosity to see what size they’d put me in. How are they still getting it so wrong all the time??

AlbertaSimmons · 05/08/2018 06:58

A year ago I went to R &P for a fitting because my 32C bras just didn't feel right. I have very little "bosom" as such - I'm quite scrawny across the chest and can't fill out a full cup. I came out a 30E in the Marie-Jo "Tom" bra. Went back yesterday as I wanted a new bra, unmoulded, unpadded to go under a specific dress for a special occasion. This one is a 30D, again with less of a cup, lacy, no padding and a narrower band with a single hook. Lovely but so expensive!

AlbertaSimmons · 05/08/2018 06:59

Oh, and according to M&S I'm a 34B.

sunlighthouse · 05/08/2018 07:14

34B but that's using the "old fashioned" way of measuring.

When I try using the calculators suggested on MN I get a different size but it's so uncomfortable, I feel like I'm suffocating! It doesn't look any better either, I get back fat.

I know it doesn't work for everyone but the old school sizing is so much better for me (and yes I may occasionally change size depending on shop e.g. 32C sometimes fits better).

OrcinusOrca · 05/08/2018 07:20

30E or 30F occasionally in some brands.

clary · 05/08/2018 07:21

30G, sometimes 30GG, my sports bra is 30H I think.

Awkward size because so many women wear too big a back and too small a cup so narrow-backed women with big boobs (me, but not just me!) struggle.

M&S measure me as 34F Hmm

TheWineDarkSea · 05/08/2018 07:52

28G and only Freya or Fantasie has the right width and shallowness of wires. Went up to 32 back in pregnancy which made life easier, but came right back down again afterwards, annoyingly.

I get measured every year or two at Bravissimo, buy a bra there, then buy a few more of the same size and style from eBay, Amazon, figleaves etc much cheaper.

MrSpock · 05/08/2018 07:54

A 30G usually.

n0ne · 05/08/2018 08:02

I was in a 36D for years, came across a bra intervention thread on here and discovered I was a 30HH! But after ordering and sending back numerous bras I've discovered I have the best luck in a 34F/G depending on brand. I don't live in the UK so can't just pop along to R&P or Bravissimo for a proper fitting, but it's on the to-do list next time I'm over there.

Rowgtfc72 · 05/08/2018 08:32

38j here but wear a h as that's all I can get without online shopping.

Would love a good multiway bra with straps that aren't two inches wide in a size that fits that doesn't cost a second mortgage!

olderthanyouthink · 05/08/2018 08:38

I was a 28D. Should have been a 26 band but they don't really exist, apparently no one (not even teensHmm) have a rib cage as small as I do even though I was slim like the women modelling clothes (not bragging stick thin my whole life, too short to be a model though).

I'm pregnant now and my ribs have gotten a little bigger so now more 28 than 26 and cup size I would guess at E/F but I gave up looking because bras in that size are hideously expensive (especially as they won't fit for long). Sports bra style ones for the time being.

I got a primark basic bra for £2 in a sister size a couple months ago and boy are the nasty compared to my lovely panache ones.

olderthanyouthink · 05/08/2018 08:38

I was a 28D. Should have been a 26 band but they don't really exist, apparently no one (not even teensHmm) have a rib cage as small as I do even though I was slim like the women modelling clothes (not bragging stick thin my whole life, too short to be a model though).

I'm pregnant now and my ribs have gotten a little bigger so now more 28 than 26 and cup size I would guess at E/F but I gave up looking because bras in that size are hideously expensive (especially as they won't fit for long). Sports bra style ones for the time being.

I got a primark basic bra for £2 in a sister size a couple months ago and boy are the nasty compared to my lovely panache ones.

Notquiteagandt · 05/08/2018 10:33

@olderthanyouthink im a 26 back too. I find quite alot of the polish and russian brands do backs that small.

Other then that I wear a 28 ff/g. Depending on style.

My sholders are really narrow so cant wear triangle bras etc as the cups too long.

Pregnant now and wondering where does maternity/nursing bras in smaller backs. If anyone has any reccomendations?

slashlover · 05/08/2018 10:42

Bravissimo measure you in the bra, my back is generally the same in all bras but the cup can go up and down a letter depending on the style. I'm currently wearing a 34K but I have some in a 34JJ, when I was a my lightest I was a 34H.

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