To think no one in the world is actually a 34C?

[Twodogsonthecouch]

I have read a million threads here about people being in the wrong bra size. At 60 years old after 4 pregnancies, 4 years of breastfeeding, weight gain, weight loss and menopause I decided I needed to get fitted. I was wearing at 38E (I have big boobs) came out a 34H 🤯🤯🤯. If someone said to me before that I was a H cup I would have cried but guess what, my size 14 dress fits perfectly. It’s apparently ok to have H boobs 😲. I’m officially mind blown. Go get yourself measured

I wore 34c for my late teens & 20s….. post kids I’m a 32E …..reckon I was prob in the wrong bra before 🙈😂

I discovered the Satine and Niya bras a couple of years ago and no longer suffer from aching shoulders because the band and shaping actually support me (I’m 63 so that’s been a lot of shoulder pain). I find they push things forward rather than sideways. They used to di the Niya in different colours but I think they give each colour a different name.

https://www.bravissimo.com/products/satine-bra-au15/

https://www.bravissimo.com/products/niya-bra-ln998/

But that's exactly what I'm saying. Your friend was misled by this whole alphabet soup of letters and numbers, and the preconceptions associated with them. The current sizing system was literally worse than useless for her.

If she'd picked a style she liked, then taken a dozen examples in different sizes and tried each one on without looking at the size label, she would have got a better result.

I realise this isn't practical in real life... it just irritates me that the system is set up this way!

cup sizes don’t stay the same. A 32D and a 40D are not remotely similar.

Oh, shit, so it's NOT a letter per inch?

Intuitively, what you say seems right. But why isn't there some sort of calculator to accurately find your bra size? Manufacturers presumably work to a formula. It would be very helpful to know it!

It is a letter per inch but the cup size is relative to the back size so a D on a 30 back is smaller than a D on a 40 back.
This visual explains it and shows sister sizes too

... Just seen a PP did recommend a calculator, here: https://www.booborbust.com/
and also
Bravissimo offers video fittings!

Might give both a try, though Bravissimo terrified me in person years ago and I'm scared of feeling obliged to order something expensive.

Not taking bets on whether I'll carry on with stretch monoboob thingies from Amazon because they're comfy, cheap and easy 🙄

Thanks! I should've realised that, even if two women have boobs that stick out 4 inches, the cups of the bra with a larger band size will be wider. So the overall volume's much more.

That's a useful graphic. I wondered what sister sizes were!

I used to be 34C, pre kids!
Does seem strange that so many bras are only made for C or less, if the average is now DD.
Saw a nice dress that advertised support so no bra needed, then read it and it said for B cup or below-and while of course women of all sizes should be able to buy, why exclude the majority of your market?

I must admit I genuinely have no idea what bra size I am right now 😳

Prior to losing 4 1/2st i was measured and was a 46G 😱 which I am definitely not now!! 😭

I think what's puts me off getting measured is I've heard a lot so it..based just on looking at you?!where as previously I've always been measured and theyve fitted very well.

Edit: actually you say nobody is a 34c but that ironically is exactly what I used to be! I ended up having to steal my mum's old bras 😂

32C😁

To add to my previous post I'm also 60

That's a really stunning bra.

I miss Jenners!

Yes - I used to enjoy having a wander around and then going for a cup of tea.

Ewa Michalak

I thought I was a 34C when I was 15 🤦‍♀️🤣
I genuinely thought that the 34 related to the actual bust size, had no idea that it was the underband.
I think that was a common misconception back then.
I know that’s what a lot of boys thought!

A few years ago, I lost a huge amount of weight and I measured myself and was a 28EE, using various online guides.
A lingerie shop still tried to add on 5” ffs!
To humour the assistant, and my mum, I tried it on.

FAR too big, of course.

I’m now a 32J, bordering on a 30JJ or K, if I lose another couple of pounds.

I also was until probably mid thirties. These days, at 60, a stone heavier, two breastfed kids, menopause and droopy boobs I’m a 36DD.

I’m a size 10 (for tops anyway) and a 34C/D though 36C seems to fit well too.

Have you ever been properly fitted (not m and s shite)

32J size 14 tops here

Sounds right! A rule of thumb is to take your dress size and add 20. Works for me as a wide-shouldered size 12. I am a 32 in almost all brands except Pour Moi in which I am a 34.

This is of course how it used to be and still is if you go to many stores.
The number relates to the boob size at the fullest point. The letter relates to how many inches more than the underband size the boob size is - so 1" = A, 2" = B etc.
I choose to shop at stores which use traditional sizing and a 34C fits perfectly. Anything smaller and the underhand is ferociously tight. My actual underband measurement is about 29". Most shops it's really hard to find anything under a 30 anyway and it's not like I'm even that small. Goodness knows how size 6 or 8 women find bras that fit.
Down with boob or bust!

That’s interesting.
I used boob or bust to measure and that’s how I got my 28EE measurement 🤣
As I said, I’m now 32J and I buy my bras from Brastop, they have a great range.
I used to be able to wear Boux Avenue when I was a G or H cup but that’s changed with weight loss.

I prefer my underband to be tight and I have a much better shape with a bra that fits me properly.
M&S are the worst! 🤣