To think I can’t need a bigger bra?!

[QueenofmyPrinces]

For the last 6.5 years I have worn nothing but nursing bras (breast fed two children consecutively) and yesterday I bought myself some normal bras for the first time in those 6.5 years.

Prior to children I was 34C but my boobs have obviously gotten a little bigger so when I was in the shop I was picking up bras sized 34C onwards and pretended to try them on by putting the cups over my boobs (over my clothes) and seeing if it covered my breast. I know it was silly to use this method but I had nothing else to go on and I deducted I needed a 34D and bought many bras in this size. The store did not allow any trying on of clothes.

I put one on this morning and it feels a little tight around my back and I can’t help but feel my boobs are pushed upwards a little over the top of the cup. I sent a photo from the side and sent it to my husband to show him and ask his opinion) and in the photo it looks like the cup wiring doesn’t sit completely under my breasts.

Not having worn a proper bra for so long I am wondering whether this appearance and sensation is actually normal and I’m just too familiar with the non-wired, non-fitted, non-flattering nursing bras?

I just can’t imagine how I could be a bigger size? I wear size 10-12 clothes, am about 5ft 6” and weight approximately 9 and a half stone. I certainly don’t look big breasted when I’m dressed.

Surely with that build I can’t need a DD cup?

I’m thinking I should maybe get myself professionally measured but for some reason I don’t like the thought of it. Has anyone else been measured professionally where you weren’t made to feel uncomfortable for getting your breasts out for non-medical purposes? Can you recommend anywhere?

Bravissimo are superb.
Not sure what the rules are with covid but they don't actually measure you they look at what you're wearing currently and suggest you size up /down in the back or cup. They got mine spot on

Measure yourself surely?

Yes you might need a bigger cup. I was an F cup at 8.5 stone. My boobs don’t stick out that much but they occupy a large area of my chest IYSWIM.

I think you're in the wrong size. I wear a 34 back at a size 16, and a D cup is only 4 inches difference between underbust and over, it's not large
Measure your underbust and overbust and see what the numbers are

@LookMoreCloselier

Measure yourself surely?

Yep, this!

I'd be surprised if you were a 34 back as you sound slim. You're probably only a 32 back but a much bigger cup size than you think.
Bravissimo are very good.

I’m 5ft 2 and weigh 8st 6. I’m an F cup. Pre-children I was a C cup.

You’re problem is you’re guessing! Get measured properly, go to Bravissimo or look on the boob or bust website. Don’t get measured in M&S as they’re notoriously rubbish at it.

Bravissimo are lovely, they just look at you, I still had my bra on.

Measure yourself using Boob or Bust I'm the same height & weight as you, also a size 10 & wear a 30 f/ff.

booborbust.com/

Look at Boob or Bust on Facebook, they have a calculator you can use when measuring yourself. And yes, you could well be more than a d cup. A d cup means each breast is only 2 inches bigger than your ribcage, so is actually not big at all.

Boob or bust for measuring and do it yourself
I went from a C cup to an E after babies

I'd doubt very much that you're a 34 back tbh. You need to get measured properly, or do it yourself. Join Boob or Bust on Fb there's lots of advice on how to do it.

I was wearing a 34D for years thanks to M&S' daft measurements. Now I wear a 30FF. It's so much more comfortable and looks much better.

I would say it’s very unlikely you are a 34 back at size 10-12. You are more likely a 32, with a cup size DD, E or F.

I have been measured for a bra dozens of times, and never felt uncomfortable. You don’t take your bra off, they measure you/look at you in the bra you are wearing, and then give you lots of bras to try.

Bravissimo are offering fitting services again, go to them if you have one locally.

You've birthed and breastfed 2 babies and you're squeamish about having a bra fitting?! You don't have to take off your bra in front of the fitter if you don't want to, they can assess your size while you're wearing a bra, get some bras for you to try, wait outside the cubicle while you put them on and then check the fit.

You can measure yourself though - see booborbust.com/ IME the BoB measurement is a good starting point for sizes to try but sometimes needs a bit of tweaking depending on the shape of your breasts and the brand/style of bra (which can have variations in fit). You can't beat an in-person fitting at Bravissimo. Some of their shops are open now but not all (my local one still isn't open which is very annoying!)

Wearing a properly fitting bra will make a massive difference.

I'm a similar body size (12, 5'6", 10st). I'm a 30G. They don't look that big to me, to be honest, but that's the bra size. Try the Boob Or Bust (booborbust.com/) website for measuring.

I'm betting you need to go down a back size and up a couple of cup size.

It sounds like you need a smaller band size and a bigger cup size.

Have a look at the bra intervention threads on here for a guide to working out your cup size when measuring yourself. It gives a good starting point.

Yes bravissimo are amazing! I had no luck measuring myself and had to travel half hour to get to the closest one to me. So worth it!

They look at you in the bra you’re in and then by magic know your actual size!? No measuring. They then help you find what you’re looking for.

I always thought I was a 34DD and after realised my bras do NOT fit me - I used boob or bust and turns out I'm a 32FF....

Makes sense really but it shocked the life out of me as I don't think my boobs look 'that' big.

I love how many people have suggested boob or bust and I’m here to agree. I went from 34DD to 30FF. Everyone gets lumped into a 34 band and then squish their poor boobs into whatever cup size seems right. Your likely a smaller band and much bigger cup but because there’s nowhere for your boobs to go they are distorting your band. You can measure yourself and then order online to try them out

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestion of the website.

I had no idea that you could be measured with your bra on. I genuinely thought you had to stand there naked whilst being handled as they measured you.

Anyhow - I tried that website and it said 32FF

Maybe I need to move away from the idea that only really big breasted women require cup sizes D onwards.

32 FF still sounds big but it fits the suggestions you all had of needing a shorter band size but bigger cup size.

There isn’t a Bravissimo local to me but I shall go and Google where the closest one is. I’m sure they’ll be more accurate than me fighting with a material tape measure in my bedroom with the help of a full size mirror

I’m 5ft, 9st 2lbs .... I’m a G cup 😳. Bottom half size 8. It’s a wonder I don’t topple over to be honest.

👍

You'd be surprised! My initial measurement was 32g/gg (so technically the 'sister' size to 30f/ff), I re measured after around 9 months because I'd religiously 'scooped & swooped' & I'd noticed the bands were feeling looser (even taking wearing & washing in to account). My boobs really aren't that big! Try a few different styles. Online shops like Beaux Avenue, Bra Stop, Fig Leaves etc have really good sales so you can stock up once you've found a size & style you like

32G/GG is the sister size to 30H or 34FF
If you go down a band size, you go up a cup size
And if you go up a band size, you go down a cup size
(To accommodate the same volume of breast tissue, that is!)