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!

@RampantIvy thanks very much. You seem to know your stuff! 😁

Mumsnet taught me all I know

Debenhams used to be brilliant for bras with a small back and large cup, and for fitting too. I was gutted when they closed because they were my go to for bras and fittings. I'm not sure if they are as good for range now they're online, but they may be worth a look.

I go to boux avenue now, for me and for DD13. They do fittings and have lots of bras in 32FF in a variety of styles and colours. They have drawers underneath the shelves labelled 28, 30, 32 etc and I have always found at least one of every style in my size when I've gone in.

Yes. I miss Debenhams.

I am 51 and still have the same back size as I did aged 14. Albeit my arse and tits are bigger, but my back hasn't got bigger.

@SecondHandFurniture I'd rather that than the Bravissimo approach of assuming that oxygen intake is surplus to requirements! 🤣

If the back strap is too loose, the bra won't support your breasts properly and you will overtighten the shoulders to compensate.

@VitoCorleoneOfMNMafia agreed. Equally if the band is too tight it will dig in, be painful & ride up. There is no way I am the size that Bravissimo suggested for me.

Too tight a band will also pull the cups sideways, distorting their shape.

@SecondHandFurniture I went to Ann Summers, they don't carry large band or large cup sizes in store as standard. Nothing above a 38 band or an E cup! The assistant was very apologetic (obviously not her fault!)

Thankfully they had one solitary 32FF in store (I checked every single rack) which fit me and I've ordered another. So I appreciate the tip x

@RampantIvy I know this is late, but I measured today and it looks like I'm a 30c!
I'm very shocked and surprised as I'm quite wide and my boobs are small.
Looks like I'm gonna go on a quest for an awkward sized bra then. Haha!

Good luck @BobbyBiscuits
M and S have that size,

I wouldn't have thought was particularly awkward?

@sanityisamyth lol, hope not. I haven't bought one for ten years plus. When I was young you could never get 30in bras except for teens in A or double A!

That's because until the late 90s manufacturers told people who measured 30 to buy a 34! Dating back to silk bras with no give.

I did one of those boob or bust tests and got a similar size. I almost never see bras less than 32 ! I’ve just picked tried looking for bras at random from M&S, Debenhams and H&M and they all start at 32. I also tried Next which does sell for 30. So it is available at non-specialist stores but it’s obviously not a common size. Compared with the number of mumsnetters who claim to have a size 28/30 back the high street shops don’t seem to reflect that.

@BobbyBiscuits

Asda sell them in a 30C, which suggests every supermarket will, and Primark etc

direct.asda.com/george/lingerie/bras/white-padded-lace-t-shirt-bra/GEM1091417,default,pd.html?cgid=D27M3G1C1

@sanityisamyth ah ha, awesome. Bra shopping will become my new passtime at this rate! 😁

@SecondHandFurniture that is exactly right. I didn't know the reason though, interesting. I was never classed as a 30, even when I got my first bra! So yeah, it's almost like they changed the sizing since the 90s!

I just find stock of anything in my size in a shop impossible (especially looking at you M&S). I don't think I'm a particularly unusual size either in clothes or bras, but have given up shopping in store as there's never the right size. I don't know who does the buying, but it feels like they buy the same number of size 6 and 26 as they do 12/14/16. That's not how the population works...

Sainsburys starts at a 32 online. I've never seen smaller than a 32 in Tesco either.

I'm a similar size (30f / 28g). Bravissimo is great. M&S are ok. ASOS have lots of fuller bust options too.

Sainsbury's and Asda where I live have got rid of their changing rooms so I won't ever buy bras from there. For me it's not like what size jeans to buy. It's a different size depending on type and brand of bra.

I find buying jeans more difficult than buying a bra. I won't buy them without trying on first.

I have to try them on if 6, 8, 10 sized. If they are proper non-stretch jeans and sold by waist measurement, then I will buy from vinted and these are usually right. Women's clothing sizes can mean anything these days though!