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?

[Tigger001]

@BuffaloCauliflower ah so a "D" cup varies depending on the band it's on. Thanks for explaining, I've never really been happy with a bra, so maybe the 28F is the way forward. Thanks

[BuffaloCauliflower]

@Tigger001 I think so! If you see my other post you on the previous page you’ll see it’s actually the same measurement as you’re wearing now. Do make sure to lean over and swoop it all in though!

[awkwardbuttons]

Thanks Buffalo but it wasn't either of those things. The calculator was just wildly wrong for me, and I wasted a lot of time and money trying on different bras that were ridiculously sized for me.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

@awkwardbuttons Id suggest it’s more likely your measuring was wrong rather than the calculator. Sometimes measuring tapes aren’t right too, believe it or not. Maybe see if you can get to a Bravissimo after the apocalypse

[awkwardbuttons]

Bravissimo measured wildly different to BoB and that fit better. My measuring wasn't out (and nor is my tape) - it's just that Boob or Bust doesn't work for me. Please trust me on this!!

[awkwardbuttons]

Although they mostly made me try different bra sizes on at Bravissimo rather than being tied to measurements. I got 32DD there same as I measured myself on a traditional measure, and quite a few cup sizes smaller than BoB.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Bravissimo doesn't use a tape measure because they can use trial and error so they're generally best, but most of the time the don't add inches method results in a very similar size and the idea is that you then use the fit guidance to refine it from there.

A mark on your skin when you take a bra off is totally normal. Just like you get from socks

[c0ntent5]

M & S use the totally outdate +4 method, which makes no sense! BOB is far more accurate and although I still had to try a couple of styles/sizes to get what was right for me it was a great starting point and had quite literally changed my life in terms of bras! I’m now a 28gg which is a pretty random size but places like bravissimo do a great selection. When I was wearing the likes of m&s it was literally black, white, nude shapeless unflattering bras! I have so much more confidence now, clothes fit better, much more choice, feel much more confident!

[LauraLooDerby]

Surely your under bust measurement is your under bust measurement, regardless of who takes that measurement. (Apart from M&S who add on....)
So if BoB say to measure under bust and that comes out at 34 (for example), you're a 34. Some brands may vary, same as clothes sizes, but 34 inches under bust is just that. Also what I'd say is if you measure in between even numbers, go up rather than down...
So then it's just the cup size that you need to work out, which you'd think BoB would get nearly right if not spot on. But you can play around with that.

It's weird to think that M&S can vary it so much, I always wondered why the back of my bras rode up!

When this is all over I'm going to go to M&S and try on some of their bras in my BoB size and see what happens!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

There is a bit of variance on band size:

• odd numbers; do you go up or down (in general if you are busty it's more likely to be down for enough support)
• rib squishiness - those with very little padding sometimes need to go up a size, conversely those with more padding can need a smaller size then their base measurement.

-actual band size - a 38" band can stretch more than a 28" and this often isn't factored in properly. So they might both be 5" smaller when unstretched, the 28 will stretch to say 29, but the 38 will stretch to 41. So those who wear larger sizes often need to go down too.

Plus there's huge variance between brand and even within brand depending on the fabric used or particular bra style

My experience with M&S was that the smaller end of their band size range was cut quite small (a fair few women who really need a 26 found their 28s worked), whilst the more common sizes and the bigger sizes were often really big. Their cup sizes were inconsistent. Definitely one for knowing what a good fit feels like and then trying lots on.

[LauraLooDerby]

@StatisticallyChallenged That's really interesting and explains a lot!

[Runningonempty84]

I find M&S bras stretch a lot. I recently bought two 32DDs in M&S (January sales) and they're huge on me now, whereas I'm sure they fit at the time. I've lost a bit of weight, but not that much. Whereas my better quality bras seem to keep their shape.

Given that my underbust measures at 27", though, I think the 32s were far too big in the first place!

[HariboLectar]

With not being able to go in shops and try on I've ordered a few different bras as a starting point, as I've heard that different brands (and styles) differ.

To be honest in the middle of lockdown probably wasn't the best time to start looking into this

To those saying how can I be 36 and now coming out at 32, I thought the same - as it was explained to me "if you can get a tape measure around you, then a stretchy piece of fabric measuring the same will fit".

Although as some brands come up smaller/larger it is worth checking them against a tape measure.
Also apparently some tape measures, aren't accurate depending on their country of manufacture.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Remember you need to stretch the band before measuring! An unstretched 32 won't measure 32. And measuring a stretched band is harder than you'd think

[Wannabegreenfingers]

I also measured myself this way. Was convinced I was a 36C. Gave up with M&S years ago as there fitting, never felt right on me.

Turns out I'm a 34DD. Its amazing. Took a while to get used the tighter band, but no more spilling boobs. Its a revelation!

[HariboLectar]

Remember you need to stretch the band before measuring! An unstretched 32 won't measure 32. And measuring a stretched band is harder than you'd think

It's something I'm going to try and master before lockdown is over

[proudownerofplants]

I have a wide, shallow bust and a broad back. M&S measured me at a 38B and bras looked ridiculous, spilling out at the sides which I put down to being fat, even when I wasn't.

BOB makes me a 36E-F which I was gobsmacked at. To me that's a properly big size but bras fit so much better. I still have very widely separated boobs so no cleavage but they look a million times better and more proportiononal in clothes.

[DelphiniumBlue]

I just wanted to mention that for years bras only used to come in A, B or C cup. B was medium, 34B was the standard size for a young woman who would be a size 10/12. It was practically impossible to find a bra smaller than a 32, or bigger than 38.
AA cups were introduced for girls wearing their first bra. I don't think I ever saw a D cup bra on sale until the early 80's - if you were bigger breasted you just went for more stretchy! My mum had real issues finding bras to fit, at a UK size 18/20, and there was never a choice of anything pretty.
This is relevant because bra sizes just don't mean the same thing now. A 34B-cup is probably not medium any more, it's probably quite a small bosomed size, and 30E probably doesn't mean massive boobs either. I think people's idea of what a bra size means is, like oprices, based on what the case was when they were in their early 20's. Hence proudownerofplants being gobsmacked that she has been measured as a 36E. It just doesn't mean the same as it used to.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

There's also a lot of bollocks published about bra sizing in terms of celebs especially which doesn't help. I've seen slim celebs like Victoria Beckham being detailed as wearing a 36. And at her biggest the press often claimed Katie price was a 34ff. Balls she was

[HopeYouStepOnALego]

I wear a 36 band (I'm a bit overweight) but BOB reckons I should be wearing a 32! No way! I've got some 34 band bras here that are incredibly uncomfortable. I hate the feeling of a very tight bra and the idea of going two sizes smaller means I'd barely be able to breathe, if I was even to get them done up to start with.

[proudownerofplants]

you're right, Delphinium I remember at school (age 16 or so) everyone was a 34B or C, except some of the very busty girls. Some of us were very petite and some a lot more 'well built' like me, all squeezing into the same sized bras! there is such a better range available these days.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Hopeyousteponalego try those 34 on back to front. The bands should be snug - back to front is so you can evaluate the band with cups which might be too small distorting the fit.

[HariboLectar]

hopeyousteponalego

the way I saw it explained - if you a non-stretchy tape measure goes around at 32" then why wouldn't a stretchy piece of material. I'll see if I can find the pic that explained it.

[HariboLectar]

These might be better than me trying to explain it

[DelphiniumBlue]

Well, I've just measured on BoB, come out at 36GG. It's strange, I can only just tolerate a 38 band, and sometimes go to a 40 for comfort. I usually wear M&S 38/40 E, and recently, supermarket soft bras in XXL, I'm finding any band uncomfortable these days. Gave up wires a few years ago as menopausal hotness made them unbearable.
I don't think I could tolerate a 36 band at all.