To think bra fitting is an essential service?

[AntiHop]

I'm desperate for a bra fitting as I'm 26 weeks pregnant. I went to a branch of bravissimo a few months ago and they did a great job of socially distant bra fitting, they did it all by sight without coming near me. All the bras I tried on but didn't buy were quarantined for 72 hours.

I had planned for go again in January, as I didn't want to go to central London before Christmas, but now we're in tier 4.

I've never bought a bra without trying them on. Without being able to try them on, especially being pregnant, I've no idea where to start with buying one online.

A proper fitting bra is important for all women. I think bra shops should be open.

Sounds like you need a bigger cup rather than bigger band. If the band wasn't too big it wouldn't ride up. With bigger cups and more room for your boobs, you would be more comfortable.

@AntiHop

I really would advise ordering a tape measure if you don't have one.

Go onto boob or bust on Facebook - they have a calculator and you can also submit pics / ask for help on their Facebook page.

It sounds like your band is too big if it's riding up your back; you also sound like you have a cup issue too.

What dress size are you?

Once you have a size from boob or bust - Molke bras are good - I'm currently pregnant and have gone up 3 sizes already so am living in a Molke using boob or bust method

Also there are some bras that can cover several sizes. Especially if you choose non wired. Have you looked at Molke?

No, they are not essential. You can easily work out and fit your own bra size.

Agree it’s important. I can hedge my bets for me but my growing teenage daughter seems to need me bras every few months and what’s one size in one style is a completely different size in another style. Literally spending hundreds of pounds and dealing with returns and exchanges is such a ball ache

Oh OP 💐💐💐 is it always a struggle?

Life that is...

Get a tape measure and measure yourself OP don't cause drama where there is none.

[quote PandaBabyJuly]@AntiHop

I really would advise ordering a tape measure if you don't have one.

Go onto boob or bust on Facebook - they have a calculator and you can also submit pics / ask for help on their Facebook page.

It sounds like your band is too big if it's riding up your back; you also sound like you have a cup issue too.

What dress size are you?

Once you have a size from boob or bust - Molke bras are good - I'm currently pregnant and have gone up 3 sizes already so am living in a Molke using boob or bust method [/quote]
Pre pregnancy I was a 14-16, but I'm wearing size 18 maternity clothes.

I'm sure the band is not too big, as it's digging in. There's no way I could wear a tighter band. I think the problem is that my shoulders are very small, I have to have it on the shortest shoulder setting, so it rides up. Even at the shortest shoulder setting, it's still falling off my shoulders.

@Thewiseoneincognito

Oh OP 💐💐💐 is it always a struggle?

Life that is...

Is there any need for you to be so fucking rude? Would you speak to someone in person like that? Wow.

You can do it yourself with a tape measure and if you want to get the fitting service just get someone else to measure you (to confirm measurements, etc). I have never been for a bra fitting mostly because I deformed, literally. My boobs are completely different sizes and besides I hate wearing bras. Unless I had one specifically made for me then I will never find a good fitting bra.

@LoveMyKidsAndCats

Get a tape measure and measure yourself OP don't cause drama where there is none.

This is what I don't get. When I went to bravissimo in person, even once I established my size, I had to try on loads until I found ones that were comfortable and fit me properly. And that was earlier on in my pregnancy. So it's not as simple as "just measure".

But a cup that is too small can make the back dig in and make you think the back is too small. Riding up and straps falling down are signs of a too big back too.

I'm a 20/22 and wear 36 back (36GG)

@waydownwego

I don't believe you can buy a comfy bra with a tape measure.

How was your bra fitting at Bravissimo, @AntiHop? I've been sceptical they can do a proper fitting whilst not helping you adjust straps etc. I know I can't go now, but I wondered if it would be worth it when we eventually downgrade into a low enough tier.

I'm wearing no bra where possible as opposed to an ill-fitting bra. It largely means I can't move very much...

The socially distant bra fitting was really good. I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm also going bra free at home always, but definitely couldn't get away with that at work.

It's not essential. There are many Youtube guides and, if it feels comfortable then it fits.

I can barely believe that this is a serious OP. The entitlement is beyond belief.

I, like most people, have never had a bra fitting in my life. I measure myself under the boobs and over, and work out my size myself. And despite two pregnancies, two breastfed children, and my advanced age, my boobs are undamaged.

I can't even begin to work out why anyone should think it essential that they have someone do that for them, when Covid is rampaging everywhere more than it's ever been.

Can you put your existing bra on back to front and see how far from your body you can pull the band? It is perfectly possible that the band feels tight due to a lack of cup space- your boobs pull the front away and make the back dig. Checking it back to front takes the cups out of the equation.

If you can tell me how that goes I'll try to help (I've helped lots of ladies on here, sure someone will verify I'm not nuts!)

@dementedpixie and @Branleuse

I've just measured under my boobs, and I'm 99cm.

We don't need a fitting but we do need to try a selection of bras on. My 11 year old DD has had a growth spurt through lockdown and the soft training crop top like bras aren't really cutting it any more.

I measured her as 28C and ordered a bra for her on line and she is just spilling out of it.

I really need her to try on a variety of styles and sizes so we can work out what fits her, gives her support and is comfortable.

I don't want to get underwired bras at her age if I can find an alternative.

She hates bras at the best of times so any slightly uncomfortable bra is out of the question.

A properly fitting bra is essential to my health. I have tremendous pain without a bra. I even wear sleep bras. Yet, no brick and mortar store carries my size, so I have to do without professional fitting or even trying in in person. All my bras come through the mail and I return what doesn’t work. It’s expensive and time consuming, but I have no other options.

This site is full of fucking arseholes a simple question and an ask for help advise - and the poster gets heaps of abuse ffs

Ok, so that's 39". Normally for a 39" I'd suggest going down as a band of that length has more stretch but as you're pregnant I'd suggest a 40 worn on the tightest hook to begin with - pregnancy is the one time you buy it this way round.

What bra are you wearing just now and how are the cups if you properly scoop yourself in to them?

@Sixgeese

We don't need a fitting but we do need to try a selection of bras on. My 11 year old DD has had a growth spurt through lockdown and the soft training crop top like bras aren't really cutting it any more.

I measured her as 28C and ordered a bra for her on line and she is just spilling out of it.

I really need her to try on a variety of styles and sizes so we can work out what fits her, gives her support and is comfortable.

I don't want to get underwired bras at her age if I can find an alternative.

She hates bras at the best of times so any slightly uncomfortable bra is out of the question.

My DD is a similar age and size, it's difficult isn't it.

What's her underbust and overbust measurements? I'm wondering if you followed an old style fit guide which could make cups too small

[quote AntiHop]**@dementedpixie* and @Branleuse*

I've just measured under my boobs, and I'm 99cm.[/quote]
So that would be a 40 or possibly 38 band, if you're a bit squidgy. The 38 band bra with an extender rides up so you probably need to stick with 38, depending on the bra (some are stretcher than others - I have bras in 30GG, 32G through to H and 34F) How much bigger your around bust measurement is determines your probable cup size.

I do see your point. I had a baby in September so I've been pregnant or breastfeeding since lockdown began in March. My local Bravissimo has been closed the whole time and it's such a pain. I've had to just measure myself (using Boob or Bust) and order bras online, but I've sent most of them back. It's been ok so far wearing stretchy non-wired bras, but at 34H I really need to start wearing underwires again, so the right fit is crucial to avoid mastitis, and you can't beat a proper fitting. I'm not going order millions of bras in every possible size only to send them all back again.

I disagree that it's an essential service, though. Sorry!

(If you want advice about what bras to try when ordering online, join the boob or bust Facebook group or just take my advice and try the Sugar Candy and/or Royce Blossom.)

Its all well and good saying try measuring yourself and using something like boob or bust but it doesn't work. I tried that and came put at a 44F (started at 48H). Ordered tons of bras and none of them fitted.

Went and got properly measured in September at a local independent shop and they put me at a 40G. All done by sight and how my current bra was sitting. I bought one underwire bra from them and it fitted perfectly, didn't even notice I was wearing it. Since bought 3 more of the exact same bra.

It made the world of difference having a properly fitted bra and the sizing when doing it yourself doesn't always work.