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!

[quote HowWeAre]@Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep A cup means that your breasts are one inches bigger than your band size, therefore stick out 1 inch from your chest.[/quote]
Ffs
I GET that. But ALSO, my breasts lack volume. They protrude from my chest more than one inch but they are narrow, so therefore a cup size larger than an A cup does not support my breasts as they barely touch the sides. My breasts, when contained by a bra cup, fill an A cup, even though when you measure around they are actually 2 inches wider than my chest.
Just because the measure tape might say one thing that does not mean that breast VOLUME is uniform. If every woman had full round breasts then this measuring rule would apply. We don't, so it doesn't.

[quote dementedpixie]@Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep so you measure 38 inches under your breasts and 39 inches round the fullest part of your bust; as that's what a 38A equates to

Maybe smaller back sizes feel too tight as the cup size is far too small.[/quote]
No, and I've just explained in the post above why I am an A cup.

I'm size 18 and my size fluctuates between 36DD-38F.

I used to basically go into the shops and spend hours in the changing rooms trying on bras. Hardly any fit properly. They all fit differently. There seems to be huge discrepancies in bra sizing.

This last year I've put weight on. I bought sankom bras online (as couldn't try bras on in shops) but they fit very tightly around the underbust so I've had to go up to a xxxl. I have a friend who is a 40B and she wears the xxxl too with the extra padding. She also has the front fastening jml miracle bamboo extra comfort bras with the padding in the xl.

The measurements can only ever give a starting point, especially for cup size, because breast tissue position and density varies so much.

If someone measures a 6" difference but wears an A cup? something's up. But a couple of inches either way is perfectly possible, and even more so at larger sizes.

But it's a good start point for most people, and especially useful for those who have either never been fitted or previously been M&S style fitted as often the correct size is really pretty far from what they were wearing so not really within the range they would naturally try to find a better fit. I did a test fit at M&S a few years ago. I was a 30HH, they stuck me in a 36F. But without knowing just how wrong they are would someone in that situation find the right size by trial and error? probably not.

@StatisticallyChallenged

The measurements can only ever give a starting point, especially for cup size, because breast tissue position and density varies so much.

If someone measures a 6" difference but wears an A cup? something's up. But a couple of inches either way is perfectly possible, and even more so at larger sizes.

But it's a good start point for most people, and especially useful for those who have either never been fitted or previously been M&S style fitted as often the correct size is really pretty far from what they were wearing so not really within the range they would naturally try to find a better fit. I did a test fit at M&S a few years ago. I was a 30HH, they stuck me in a 36F. But without knowing just how wrong they are would someone in that situation find the right size by trial and error? probably not.

Bra style definitely makes a difference too. My breasts hold all of their volume at the top and none at the bottom so things like balcony bras are nowhere near my usual size.

The last shop I worked in didn’t use tape measures at all and worked off what bra you were currently wearing to try and find the correct size. I found this the best method for reasons you listed and also variations in different stores and styles.

Bravissimo are doing online fittings on Zoom. I think you need to be wearing a bra or tightly fitting top so the fitter can see the shape of your breasts. Fantasie bras are also offering a similar service.

Fitting in person with a good fitter, who can literally try bras until they fit, is always the best choice. But lots of people can't access this (especially just now) - a decent measuring method (i.e. one that doesn't start by adding inches) along with advice about what a good bra should look and feel like is second best but it's a damn site better than an M&S fit IME!

The only place that fits properly in my nearest city is Bravissimo, and lots of women won't even consider going there because "it's a big boobs shop and I'm no way a D cup"

I used to basically go into the shops and spend hours in the changing rooms trying on bras. Hardly any fit properly. They all fit differently. There seems to be huge discrepancies in bra sizing

The huge advantage of bravissimo or a good independent, is that the fitter can take a look at you and bring a load of bras and do all the running back and forth getting new ones while you sit in the changing room in a dressing gown.

The bras they sell are usually more expensive than the supermarkets or M&S but it's really worth paying the extra if you're able to. If the cost is a stretch, you could always buy one from them and see if you can get a couple more in the same style for less online.

It's also worth remembering that it costs less to buy one or two well fitting bras from a proper shop than it does for a drawer full of badly fitting uncomfortable cheap ones that you hate.

Thanks OP, for starting this thread, and to all the people who have replied. I've struggled with the same issue, but for me I've long suspected I've not been in the right bra size (7-8 inches difference between fullest part and under the bust but keep getting told I'm a B cup). These suggestions have helped me remeasure and I've now come up with a totally different bra size. It may or may not be right yet, but it's given me a new (and more logical) size to at least start my search for the right fit from - and it's certainly not a size I would have even given any consideration to previously.
Good luck OP, either in finding a new size, or in finding lovely bras in the size you want

A lot of online calculators add 4 or 5 inches to the back. Whatever you measure under your bust is your back size and then you work out your cup size. I am quite squishy so although I measure 37 inches under I wear a 36 back. If you don't have a lot of flab there then you would maybe go to the 38 back.

In some styles I'm a GG cup but in others I have to go to an H. M&S measured me as 40C when I'm 36GG!! I like the snug fit now and feel more supported.

@ScarlettSunset

Thanks OP, for starting this thread, and to all the people who have replied. I've struggled with the same issue, but for me I've long suspected I've not been in the right bra size (7-8 inches difference between fullest part and under the bust but keep getting told I'm a B cup). These suggestions have helped me remeasure and I've now come up with a totally different bra size. It may or may not be right yet, but it's given me a new (and more logical) size to at least start my search for the right fit from - and it's certainly not a size I would have even given any consideration to previously. Good luck OP, either in finding a new size, or in finding lovely bras in the size you want

That's the problem isn't it, the old method is so different that if youve been told you're, say, a 36b then you are unlikely to suddenly spontaneously try on a 30FF/32F unless someone tell you

I’m a 38B by which I mean that the only bras that fit me comfortably are labelled 38B. (However not all 38B styles fit or are comfortable.) C cups however are always too big and anything less than a 38 band is always too tight.
I buy my bras from a local lingerie shop and each one is fitted and checked by the owner, who absolutely knows what she’s doing. Yet on Mumsnet I have been told more than once that I can’t possibly be that size and my bras don’t fit.

OP, try Felina.

@borntobequiet

I’m a 38B by which I mean that the only bras that fit me comfortably are labelled 38B. (However not all 38B styles fit or are comfortable.) C cups however are always too big and anything less than a 38 band is always too tight. I buy my bras from a local lingerie shop and each one is fitted and checked by the owner, who absolutely knows what she’s doing. Yet on Mumsnet I have been told more than once that I can’t possibly be that size and my bras don’t fit.

OP, try Felina.

Yep cos randoms on mumsnet know your boobs better than you do Maybe you need to be scooping your underarm fat into there more?? ()

OP could easily be this size. I was a 36F when I fell pregnant, but my rib cage expanded. Even though I lost weight, I ended up being a 40B. I wasn’t massively obese (just a bit chubby: size 14)

Thank you all. I went to M&S had a good look around yesterday. Sister sizes suggested a 40c so I had a look at them but I felt a 40 might be too tight and the cups were massive. They would just swamp my breasts and probably stick out over vests etc which I don’t want...

So I ended up buying the same bra I have (42b) in a 42a. I felt this was a safe option as I knew that the b was too big on me and the 42 was comfy. I also bought another in a 42a too.

Anyway got them home and it fits better then the one I have but there’s still a massive gap in between my boobs (guess I’ll get that with any being wide set) but not so many gapes all around at the top of the cup. It’ll do for now and it does feel really comfy.

I’ll try and find somewhere else to get measured properly too 💗

You're like me! I'm also a random 42B! And the best place, perfect fit I've found (and good value if look out for their sales) is Simply Be. Really nice, comfy bras

To be fair scooping is perfectly sensible. Breast tissue extends in to the armpit anyway (look at diagrams or videos for checking your breasts, they tend to show that you should check pretty far under) and the tissue also migrates (cheers babies and gravity). You don't want the wire sitting on your breast tissue so dropping your breasts in to the cups and then scooping help with this. But if you don't know to do it then bras which should fit you very likely won't

I lift and scoop every time I put my bra on. I tip forward to get them in the cups first as I'm putting it on and then use my hands to position them where they should be in each cup. Makes the wire sit where it should too

People saying about scooping - how can you scoop when there is just ribs!!? As per, this just feels like another way of making people feel like they don’t fit standard sizing but I suppose I should be used to that being tall!

If there's nothing to scoop that's fine - doesn't affect you. But a large proportion of women do have stuff to scoop and, for those of us who have helped a lot of women with bra fitting, not scooping is often a reason why recommended sizes seem miles off when first tried.

When the leaning overbust measurement is taken it accounts for the underarm boobage (gravity again) so it's in the measurement. So if you have underarm breast tissue and it then doesn't go in the bra then the bra will initially look like it's both too big in the cup and too small in the back.

Normal conversation goes
"Told to try a 30G but it's far too tight and the cups are huge"

"Oh that's much better, it fits/is a bit big/bit small" but normally only off by a cup size or thereabouts

Obviously the amount under there is proportionate to overall bust size. I'm busty, and based in bra fit if I don't scoop I think I've got about 2 cups worth under there

And re standard sizing- really??? Most of us ended up finding out this stuff because we don't fit standard sizing and have had to learn about fitting because there's nowhere local which even sells bras in our sizes. I'm around a 30/32JJ just now. There is one shop in the nearest city where I can buy bras.

I dont find bras in local shops. I have to buy online to get a decent choice. Brastop is good for bras. I get sports bras from boobydoo.
M&S miss out the FF cup so their sizing is wonky if you're over that size

What @StatisticallyChallenged said
I can't even buy a bra on the high street unless there's a bravissimo. My underbust measures at 35 and I wear a 34, and I need a K/KK cup
Yet if I went to M&S they would put me in a 40H and I would be in agony, unsupported and look awful

@StatisticallyChallenged

To be fair scooping is perfectly sensible. Breast tissue extends in to the armpit anyway (look at diagrams or videos for checking your breasts, they tend to show that you should check pretty far under) and the tissue also migrates (cheers babies and gravity). You don't want the wire sitting on your breast tissue so dropping your breasts in to the cups and then scooping help with this. But if you don't know to do it then bras which should fit you very likely won't

I can vouch for this, I have just had a breast tumour removed and the boob reconstructed as well as having a reduction in the opposite boob. My incision extends way into my side, and almost into my armpit from them removing breast tissue.

I've gone from a 38JJ to a 38? Probably DD or maybe E once the swelling goes down and things settle.

I also agree that the people with the most knowledge about bra fitting are those that have non standard sizes, I haven't been able to buy a bra on the high street for years.
In fact, I found a bra that fitted well and bought that in every colour every time. Panache Tango for interest.

@MrsPnut. I hope you're doing ok.

Obviously a different situation but a friend had a reduction a few years ago. She was a 30H at the time, surgeon said she'd probably be "a C or D" afterwards. Nope, that would be a FF mate. He understood breast shape and volume and did a great job but bra fitting, not so much!