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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think I just have awkward boobs?

17 replies

pigeononthegate · 27/08/2019 23:36

Please don't tell me to go to some ferociously expensive shop and have a proper bra fitting, I can't afford to spend money on really good bras and I'm far too self-conscious to let a stranger anywhere near them.

I've been wearing the same ill-fitting, misshapen bra tops for years. I'm overweight and generally look a bit of a mess. I've lost a couple of stone lately and am still losing (diet and exercise), and want to take a bit more of a pride in myself, so I did the self-measurement thing with a tape measure and discovered I was wearing entirely the wrong size. Ordered a couple of bras in the new size. They arrived and they do give me more of a shape - but the cups are much too roomy for my old envelope flaps so I wobble, and the underwires seem to dig into my armpits which is driving me bonkers. Should I just go for a smaller cup size? I'm confused

OP posts:

Bambamber · 27/08/2019 23:38

If you won't go and get a proper fitting, at least go and try some bras on. I find certain style bras fit differently

pooboobsleeprepeat · 27/08/2019 23:40

Take a look at molke! They are so comfy and have not horrible wires!

IsobelRae23 · 27/08/2019 23:41

What size did you think you were? What are the new bras? What size clothing are you?

Original poster

pigeononthegate · 27/08/2019 23:43

I was wearing a 48B, the measuring suggested I was a 42FF. I'm currently a 24-26 but I'm losing weight quite quickly

OP posts:

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 27/08/2019 23:43

I’ve been and spent so much money on proper fittings and they were crap
Just go and try some on

MRex · 27/08/2019 23:46

You don't need to pay for a fitting, nor buy any bras there, just say you'll think about them. Go and get fitted, then look online for bras in your size. Bravissimo if you have one near you.

Original poster

pigeononthegate · 27/08/2019 23:47

I really, really can't do a fitting. The thought of it makes me curl up in a ball

OP posts:

PickAChew · 27/08/2019 23:52

Sounds like you have wide set boobs, if the wires are digging into you armpits. Try some curvy kate or freya balconettes, look up the signs that a bra fits well and adjust from there, if they're not perfect - I typically take a different size in the two brands.

PickAChew · 27/08/2019 23:53

And shop online at somewhere like brastop - you can try on at home, then return.

ASandwichNamedKevin · 27/08/2019 23:56

If you're losing weight quite quickly don't buy too many bras until you reach the size you want.
Maybe after a bit more weight loss try eg a 36F or G from Asda with a bra extender, or perhaps try ebay.
Hope you find a comfy bra, it's so good when you do, my fave ever was from Debenhams Gorgeous range.

Boots20 · 27/08/2019 23:59

Maybe just try some of those slightly padded sports type bras until you've reached your goal weight, then save up & get measured &treat yourself to some nice fitting bras x

Apileofballyhoo · 28/08/2019 00:00

Different styles makes a difference definitely. Did you lean forward and scoop your breast tissue from the sides into the cup? Your breasts are kind of used to being flattened to the side if you've been wearing a cup that's too small.

LellyMcKelly · 28/08/2019 00:01

Agree with Asda bras. Take a handful into the fitting room in various sizes.

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 28/08/2019 00:05

The best ones I got were from ASDA, they don’t last long but they are cheep

36 quid for a bloody tee shirt bra at bravissimo and it gave me backache

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 28/08/2019 00:06

Oh and the ASDA ones are about £4 🤷‍♀️

Skittlesandbeer · 28/08/2019 00:25

Even within one brand and one size, some bras will or won’t fit me. The style is pretty important too.

Find a shop with a good range of brands, sizes and styles. Have a quick word with a friendly-looking sales assistant, tell her you prefer no help in the changing room while you try on a heap of bras. Ask if she’ll come by (staying outside) in 15 mins, in case you need to swap sizes or give back the bras that definitely don’t work for you. Expect to spend a lot of time in there!

And you never know, after a bit of interaction, you might actually feel more comfortable letting her in to measure you. They’ve seen it all, and have no doubt got loads of experience with trickier boobs that yours. Including women with post-surgery issues.

gavisconismyfriend · 28/08/2019 00:32

Have you tried adjusting the straps? I braved a bra fitting once (and only once) and was amazed at the difference it made to the fit of the cups when the sales assistant tightened the straps and moved the back fastening in a notch - which I would never have done as I’d have thought it would be too tight. For wide set boobs, I found that the bras with a triangle of fabric between the cups rather than the cups being attached directly to each other made a big difference too.

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