Boob or bust - surely that's not right??!!

[HariboLectar]

I've not bought bras in a long time, about 20 years ago I was measured in M&S as 34a... I've not massively changed size over the years (no kids) when I do put on weight it goes around my stomach not my boobs.

Decided I would measure myself using boob or bust method and it has me at 30FF seriously can't see how this can be right? For a start, I can't see how I've lost 4 inches from the band(?) size.

Has anyone else used this method and found their new size to fit well?

Having spent my whole life as a B cup (other than when pregnant/breastfeeding). I'm now the proud owner of G cups. No more sagging boobs, constantly fiddling with my bra or back ache!

M&S, and a lot of places actually, add 5 to your band measurement. I was told it's because bras used to be made from less stretchy fabrics and they haven't moved with the times. But that's possibly not the reason.

I am definitely going to try this tonight! I always thought I was a 34C until I was measured and she said 34E. Jaw dropped to the floor. I never thought my boobs looked particularly big?

She said "you do have a really small back though... no offense" and it has made me and my boyfriend laugh ever since because we didn't know having a small back was such a terrible thing 😂

I will measure later and report back🤓

Boob or bust does also tell you what styles to try depending on where your breasts are fullest.

Thanks all, quite reassuring that for most of you it's been successful.

Obviously I can't go trying on loads of different bras at the moment but I've seen some pyjamas I want at Boux Avenue so will add a cheaper bra to the order.

What's the Facebook group called please?

I'm gobsmacked, I've been wearing 34B and just done BoB... 30FF?! Never in my life would I have said I was anywhere near a FF but I am definitely going to buy one that size out of sheer curiosity!

I found it to be a load of crap; no use measuring as 28FF if you can't get even a 30 to fasten around you!

However I will say after years of buying bras in M&S I have now gone smaller in the band and bigger in the cup in John Lewis. Not quite to the extremes suggested by BoB but clearly there's something in it.

I've just apparently gone from a 34b to a 28FF...that CANNOT be right. Where would my ribs go? I feel constricted just thinking about it.

Bras do stretch after a couple of weeks, so they're supposed to start out tight. I wore a 38Bfor years, until I felt I needed a bigger size. Went to a bra shop to be measured and they put me in a 34C - I felt amazing!

M&S told me I was an A cup. I’m a DD...

@Pukkatea but the larger cup size compensates for the smaller band.

I’m a 32F and it’s really comfortable. I couldn’t get for example a 32B on though as it would be too small.

What I don't understand is that if everyone using this method is suddenly an F cup, who are the actual a, b c cups?

I can’t get on with BOB sizes, they put me at a band size that just doesn’t do up no matter how hard me or others try. The M&S ones are comfortable but not very supportive, i need to try elsewhere and see how I get on.

An a cup is virtually no breast tissue.

Bbang have you tried your sister size? Up a band size and down a cup size.

34 E for years.

B o b. Now 32 F.

They are the same?

I’m a 32F in “proper” bra shops like bravissimo but 34E in places like M&S.

You can drop a band cup size and add a band size.

Bbang I found my "new" size a bit tight too but bought a bra extender to add a tiny bit of extra room. I also found that you have to experiment a bit as sizes vary. BoB put me at a 30d - in reality I am either that or a 32b. I think ideally I'd be a 31c if it existed!

When shops are open again try getting measured at bravissimo, they are fab for smaller back size larger cup bras

@sex I haven’t! I definitely will try that out though, my current underwear makes me boobs look saggy but also constricted at the same time. Bizarre lol

Same! @CrocusPocus I’m certain I am a 33 band!

Don’t forget to swoop and scoop. A lot of breast tissue migrates if you are wearing the wrong size bra for a long time. I didn’t think my new bra size would fit until I brought all that migrated tissue back and deposited in the cups. Now it stays there and my boobs are the fullest and pertest they’ve ever been

Yep, I’m an M&S 34B.

My actual size is 30DD.

Yes bra guru and boob or bost are basically the same- the biggy being not adding inches.

Just did it - thought I was a 34 b / c - it’s got me at 28GG....must admit I find current bras a pain, never fit just right.

Pukkatea - the reality is that, when measured properly, there are significantly fewer a, b and c cups. Think about the women you know and their shapes. A c cup has a roughly 3" difference between underbust and overbust circumference. I don't actually know many women who are less than a d cup when fitted properly.

M&S measured me as a 40FF/G - BoB measured me as a 36H! (I am breastfeeding at the mo... not always such an ample bosom!)

I bought a nursing bra from Royce in the new size, and the first time I wore it I thought I'd made a huge mistake, but now it's amazing. It's tight, but in a very supportive sort of way. Thoroughly recommend. I feel like I know it's doing a good job because now I feel like it's good to take my bra off at the end of the day, whereas before it made no difference (and I never understood what all the fuss was about).