To be annoyed there are never any bras in my size?

[belfastjun]

I hate going bra shopping as they rarely seem to have any of the smaller size bras (34A/AA) and if they do it's just an odd one at the back of a rail or something.

I already feel embarrassed about my lack of boobs so doesn't help that I often walk away empty handed! I usually have to try them on as I find that I'm a different size in some shops so online isn't really an option.

Where should I shop?! AIBU to think shops should cater for smaller sizes? Fed up of feeling like a child!

I loved the old bra intervention threads. I wonder if Statistically is still around.

I was a classic M&S wrong size. Dress size 6 at the time and they measured me as a 34A, sent me to the kids department. Went back when I was breastfeeding and they put me in a 34B. Both times they were so wrong - I needed a 28G when I was feeding! My mum had been measured as a 38B, actually needed a 34F. How M&S haven’t moved on is a mystery.

I think bra fitting should be taught at Sex
Education age. I'm fairly sure my well-endowed size 12 mum has worn a 38C or something all her life, and she was the one who bought me 36B as a teenager.

I just did boob or bust's measuring system and it says try 32FF 😮

Bravissimo.

I don't understand this. Surely your rib cage size is what it is and is easy to measure?
Bravissimo tried to tell me I was a 32D not a 36B (per M&S).... tried a 32D and couldn't breathe!

I was only moaning about this yesterday! Different end of the range but same! I'm a 32F and finding bras in my size is an absolute pain. Especially the bras I actually want!

There are always a limited number of bras in my size anyway, and then almost never any on the racks.

I want moulded cups, plunge or balconette style, bit of padding for lift. Nope. Apparently if you have 'big' boobs, you should only want full cups, in lace or just thin material. No padding, no lift. I appreciate that places like m&s have expanded their core sizes to start at a 30 and include an E cup. But I'm tired of not being able to find those same styles in my size. I also don't want to buy online as it's so hit and miss as to whether things fit.

The bras I'm currently wearing are on their last legs and I'm struggling to replace them. Meh

My local M snd S is a huge one with a huge lingerie department. They will have loads in your size @SewingIsMySuperPower

Not mine. I went last night. Not many ranges including my size anyway, and the ones that did, didn't have many in my size. Plus they were mostly either boring and hideous, or weird styles. For example, they had some gorgeous yellow plunge bras (not in my size 😫) and the larger range in the same collection was a weird lace cup with one of those extended bands as if it's trying to be a crop top? I hate lace and find those deeper bands to be really uncomfortable 😒

I need to make a special trip to the city I think, so I can go to House of Fraser or Bravissimo (if it's still there!) and look for Wonderbras. They always have a good size range in the styles I want. Just a pain getting to shops that sell them!

I hate bras! I don't wear one now if I can avoid it..if I was an A I'd never bother wearing one.
I honestly have no idea about my size either. I've been measured as a 34 and a 36, both b and c. But none of those seem to fit properly.
I've got really broad shoulders but am a size 8.
I say ditch the bras altogether!

If you are a size 8 it sounds like the sizes you have been measured at are incorrect.
Were you measured at M and S?

M and s told me I was a 40a. Barely any choice but fit ok, if unflattering.
Bravissimo told me I was a 36d - much more flattering fit but ended up with red rub marks after a day of wear.
I have given up and just buy Molke now.

If you measure a 30D, try Bravissimo. They have some really comfortable (though expensive bras), the Millie and Lacey are good ones to try. I’d recommend going there for a fitting.

I'm a 38A and have never been able to find bras that fit my back without the cups gaping. Then I tried a website called Little Women and finally found the holy grail! Nice bras that actually fit.

I'm a simular size to you, I am a 32b but my boobs are uneven and having kids gave me small saggy boobs. I prefe a bralette/sports bra. Could you just wear those in a small size. I got a cheap one from primark recently and its lovely and comfortable.

@RampantIvy yep, ages ago. It didn't seem very professional. The lady looked shocked like she didn't want to go near my boobs! Lol.
My mate measure me at home once after that but we were pissed so I discounted that one!
Do you know how to get the proper definitive size?! I swear bras were invented by men.

I went to M&S many moons ago as a teen already wearing a 34GG. They tried to convince me a I was a 34C. So I tried them on, and they wouldn't cover my nipples 😂 turn out I was 34H when I was measured at an independent boutique which has no sadly been turned into a cocktail bar 😫

You can get a general idea of size by measuring yourself. Measure under your bust fairly snug and that gives your back size. Measure around the fullest part of your bust and then the difference between the 2 measurements gives the cup size. 1 inch for A, 2 inches for B, etc

Same with a 30f, but the upside is my boobs are fabulous so I'll take that 😂

@dementedpixie ah ha, I will give that a try. I think I tried before but it felt like I was between 2 sizes, and I wasn't sure if I was squashing my boobs with the tape. Maybe today will be the day! Thank you.

Measure under your bust to get the band size, and over them to get the cup size. The difference gives you your cup size. So if you measure 30" undersbust and 31" over then you are an A cup, two inches gives you a B cup, three inches a C etc.

This is only a rough guide. I measure 30", but a 30" bra is too tight so I wear a 32" inch bra. I wore a 34A for years, then a 32B, then I went to get professionally fitted and found out that I am actually a 32D, yet I look pretty flat chested.

Whatever Bravissimo say my size is, I am comfortable in a back size bigger. They go too far on the smaller back, bigger cup front.

Just as your clothing size can very by manufacturer, so can your bra size. Just as some clothes won't work with your body because of the cut, some bras won't.

They add 4 to the actual measurement which as someone said is an old-fashioned way of doing things, going back to when bras had no give.

Try Ann Summers, even if online (I know you said you'd rather not do that - the city you mentioned may have a store?) I'm wearing a 32FF Planet bra and it's very comfy. And affordable.

https://www.annsummers.com/sale/sale-lingerie-bras/sexy-lace-planet-padded-plunge-bra/200644042DD.html?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&campaignid=20572052779&adgroupid=&keyword=&device=m&gclid=CjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJcDkP7qIAKiJPRsd_PZ7DCGStDPgcCdq1_X7JNo1-sv_vO6W8WJvjhoCXSEQAvD_BwE

@SecondHandFurniture we do have an Ann Summers so I'll look there later! Thank you x