Bra shopping. Large band size but small boobs.

[Charsy01]

Sorry wrong place but posting here for traffic.

Where I can find some places that cater for a lady (me) with a large chest measurement (42) and only just filling a B cup!

A lot of places don’t go up to a 42 and when they do it starts at a C - I need a B cup.

Marks and Spencer’s for a few but selection not great.

I like something slightly padded and I also really like plunge style bras as the wiring doesn’t come quite so far up between my boobs - that are also set quite far apart 😂 cannot go for anything to full looking on the cups as it just feels too big and often can be seen peering above t shirts and blouses etc that are lower cut!

I don’t want a sports bra as I do need some support and I do like underwiring to give me a bit of a push up!

Any ideas? Anyone else in the same boat? I feel shops feel curvier ladies will always have bigger boobs but my boobs don’t seem to increase or decrease with weight gain or loss!

It was much easier when I was slimmer and smaller band!

I am working on losing weight so don’t want to spend too much either as may need another soon!

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

I'm an size 14-16. I've always had a narrow ribcage. I measure a 32e. My boobs are tiny.

I find the difference between women of same dress and bra size fascinating. I wear size 12 tops to accommodate my boobs (my bottom half is a 10). My bra size is 32e and I would never describe my boobs as tiny. They're not enormous but they definitely do need a bra otherwise they sag, they do bounce a lot when I run if not wearing a sports bra, they get sweaty underneath in hot weather, and they do make fitted buttoned shirts/blouses gape (buttons have been known to pop open).

Oh my god boob or bust are definitely a bust for me! Several times I’ve given it a go and it’s put me at something Like 3 band sizes different to my usual one and often 5 cup sizes bigger
My back is broad, I’m probably chubby and I have tiny saggy tits. There’s no accounting for lack of boob volume at all!! I have dismissed that particular measuring tool for that precise reason and now just have to try on every single bra style in a vaguely similar size to the bras I wear.
It’s shit having boobs

OP - you mentioned a big gap between your breasts - do you have tuberous breasts?

Right. M and s have me at a 38a and I know I have a broad back. BOB put me at a 32d (which feels really odd). I’ve just ordered some bras to see if this works...

@LesserBother

My bra size is 30E. I have small breasts (ie don’t need to wear a bra).

This is what I don't understand, I'm a 30f, can only wear shirts from somewhere like bravissimo, size has always been commented on ever since I was a teenager. 30e isn't massive but I'm struggling to understand how it can be small

Yes, I'm that size, used to be much smaller when I was younger.

I felt huge even at 30e.

It's definitely worth a try. I'm a solid size 16 and fat, and this is me in a (too big) 34 band with a fist under it and a 34 band that's perfect on me
Back fat is normal in a bra too, so are sock marks (like marks you get from socks or tight jeans)

Just done boob or bust, it suggests 32G as my starting point. While I have bought one or two 32F bras, due to different brands fitting differently, I'm pretty sure a 32G would have too big a cup.

@TommyShelby

Right. M and s have me at a 38a and I know I have a broad back. BOB put me at a 32d (which feels really odd). I’ve just ordered some bras to see if this works...

38A = 36B = 34C = 32D with regards to cup volume I.e. they hold the same amount of breast tissue.

The smaller back size will give the support in the place its supposed to be

M&S had me in 40C but I'm actually a 36GG and wear a size 20/22

[quote Franklyfrost]@QueenPaw
It's really unlikely to be a 36 band and a size 10 though
That means your underbust goes from a 36 to what, a 29 waist so you've got a 7 inch difference between your underbust then the smallest part of you

26 inch waist. Yeah I’m a freak.[/quote]
I wear a 36 back at size 20/22 so find it hard to imagine that a size 10 person would also wear a 36 back

@Merryoldgoat

OP - you mentioned a big gap between your breasts - do you have tuberous breasts?

It sounds like it - no breast growth, mother has it too

Have a look at Yours clothing.

Hmm I’ve known several serious rowers with similar issues (low body fat hence small cup but broad strong backs). They’ve all used extenders . Do these not help?

@Merryoldgoat

OP - you mentioned a big gap between your breasts - do you have tuberous breasts?

I didn’t know what this was until I googled it. Looking at the photos online I wouldn’t say so. Mine are side set but not to the extent I’ve seen in the photos (unless the photos are just extreme cases). I also don’t have the big nipples... no idea though.

I just wondered if it might explain the discrepancy but we are all different.

At my slimmest I was a size 16/18 with 34G breasts - I have a ludicrous hourglass figure at that size - hardly any fat on my tummy, back or arms but massive arse, thighs and tits.

Now I’m obese and just look awful.

@Ringshanks

Hmm I’ve known several serious rowers with similar issues (low body fat hence small cup but broad strong backs). They’ve all used extenders . Do these not help?

"Unless you're a rower" is one of my generic caveats when giving bra advice! It makes a real difference.

All those of you who say you are comfortable in bras with a big back size and small cups: ARE YOU SCOOPING?

There’s no point anyone replying on this thread unless we know this. It’s the key factor which differentiates the old fashioned (M&S) measuring system to the newer (Boob&Bust etc) system.

You need to scoop when you try bras on. You need to measure TIGHT on the band when you do the B&B measurement calculator. If you’re not doing this then yes you’re going to get wide band sizes and smaller cup sizes.

Ps. If you’re complaining that the underarm wire / seam is digging in then I can pretty much guarantee that you’re not scooping. If you’re scooping and it’s still digging in then you need to go up a cup / back size (please note all the previous posts about the trade off between the two).

what is scooping?

It's moving the side boob into the cups using your hands to scoop the flesh into position

www.curvykate.com/blogs/news/do-you-scoop-and-swoop-a-tip-that-can-change-your-cup-size

This explains it

Stick your hand right under your arm, into your armpit. Cup all the flesh and scoop it forward into the bra cup. Now you will probably have a massive muffin top sticking out of the top of your bra cup because it is holding a lot more flesh than it usually does. Your back will also feel smaller and the band will feel looser. Your partner may be thrilled because your boobs suddenly look bigger.

Now you need a larger cup and a smaller band. If you wear your bra like this habitually then the spare boob tissue WILL reposition itself toward the front.

I can't scoop because the only body material found under my armpits are ribs. I also prefer to allow for rib cage size when taking a deep breath (36-37, not 34 when exhaled). Did I mention big ribs?

I share the general thread suspicion that 42A/B might not be best for OP, mind.

I find this website good for measuring.

I've worn a 42c for years did the boob or bust method and it came out as 38GG tried it on and found it too tight decided to try some different sizes and found a 40DD to be the correct size for me, I'm the same as you I have a large space between my boobs and they are high and rounded rather than a full boob in front and plunge bras are definitely the best! It may be worth trying lots of different bra sizes to see what is the best for you.