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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

Original poster

Bra - what 'size' should dd start wearing one?

26 replies

SpringSunshine · 19/05/2013 19:17

Title says it all really - should they start wearing a bra from first 'buds' or wait as long as possible to let the muscles strengthen?

OP posts:
lljkk · 19/05/2013 19:18

muscles strengthen? New one on me.
New Nipples chafe.
By age 9-10 most of them are shy about boys seeing chest (changing for PE) so they start wearing crop tops. It kind of builds from there.

mrspaddy · 19/05/2013 19:29

I would say crop tops are your best bet too before a proper bra.

Many moons ago I got my first from BHS.. and did a quick search there and they have them. Very nice white lace short vest/crop top type for £6. Appropriate I think.

piratecat · 19/05/2013 19:36

Peacocks size 8 ladies stretchy bra tops, are the most comfy according to dd age 11.

englishrosie · 19/05/2013 22:45

Crop tops then as soon as they get bigger/need more support buy a "first bra" id say when it starts getting painful to run down the stairs is a good pinpointer, but that's just my experience!

When you do buy her a proper bra, be sure to get her measured as it will be so much easier, and wearing the right size will be more comfortable for her. You don't even have to undress nowadays for a bra fitting. M and S are the best for this.

CelticPromise · 19/05/2013 22:49

Just popping in to say no to M&S! Hopeless for fitting. Check out one of the bra threads for good fitting advice Smile

englishrosie · 19/05/2013 23:23

Celtic - maybe where you live but all the females in my family have been to m and s. they were very helpful.
I live in the north east

CelticPromise · 19/05/2013 23:32

My local M&S are very nice and helpful... but they put me in a 38E and I'm a 30H. They use an outdated method to fit bras. Check out the bra threads and the Bra Guru blog for examples. The resident experts will happily review your size if you're interested. Smile

SorrelForbes · 19/05/2013 23:32

M&S are certianlu helpful they just don't know how to fit bras! They use an outdated method of adding inches to the underbust measurement. . For example I am a 30GG but M&S fitted me as a 36/38D.

thebestpossibletaste · 22/05/2013 09:37

Agree, M&S certainly nice but didn't fit me correctly either. Put me in 36DD but am 34FF!

I would find online guide how to measure (I think there may be something on the Bravissimo website?) and measure your DD yourself, then try a few different sizes until you find the one that fits best.

My DD is 12 and started wearing a crop top when they all got a bit funny about changing for PE and started wearing a bra about a year ago when her nipples started rubbing. She doesn't really need the support though yet.

thebestpossibletaste · 22/05/2013 09:38

Sorry, link to Bravissimo website

www.bravissimo.com/perfectfit/getting-the-perfect-fit/

Geeklover · 22/05/2013 09:50

M&S do some nice first bras but agree the fitting is useless.
Measure her yourself and take her out to try some on.
Dd started wearing one shortly after the first buds appeared because she was starting to feel discomfort and tenderness when running and jumping.
I did end up getting some nice ones in markies they do have a nice range of first bras.

Hulababy · 27/05/2013 18:33

DD had crop vest before bras.
She got her first bra a year or so ago, just before her 10th birthday iirr. She had more than just buds though by that time. She was well into proper sizes by then, though only had to buy new bigger sizes around her birthday this Easter, a year later.

Hulababy · 27/05/2013 18:34

I took DD to Debenhams and they were very good with DD. They used the "newer" way, or proper way, of measuring bras, and then checked them properly themselves once fitted, and did so with each different bra she tried.

OddBoots · 27/05/2013 18:37

I have no idea what I'm going to do with dd as her rib cage is tiny (about 24") but she is starting to develop. I'm hoping she soon grows in the number bit before the letter bit gets too high (iyswim).

Jbck · 28/05/2013 21:40

DD1 is very thin 22/24 as well, is there anywhere that sells bras this small?
She wears crop tops just now but has all the signs of puberty much earlier than I did so might need a bra long before I did.

Hulababy · 28/05/2013 21:45

Smallest I have seen in shops is 28. Maybe online?

Jbck · 29/05/2013 18:03

There are numerous campaigns online to get makers to come up with smaller than 28 as standard, so it seems unlikely I'll get as low as she needs till she's bigger.

specialsubject · 29/05/2013 21:26

myth-busting, if you'll pardon the phrase. There are no muscles in breasts, just fat. Wearing a bra is a matter of comfort and/or fashion and makes no difference to breast development or shape later in life.

tell her that bra sizes are random, like clothing sizes, and so to wear whatever is comfortable regardless of labels.

PassTheTwiglets · 11/06/2013 12:24

OMG, a big fat no to M&S, as everyone else has said! They actually make me quite angry how wrong they are about fitting bras Angry

Theas18 · 13/06/2013 09:31

NOOOO not M+S fitting.

If you must buy M+S it them yourself LOL . They have been so horrible to my DD2, fortunately she's a tough sort but I was mortified .

Comments included " you shouldn't be wearing wires at you age" (well how about making a D cup bra without wires then?...." you can't be that big... oh you are". ) and " we don't do bras it that size lets go up a band and down a cup size " (yeah OK lets have abra that actually is the wrong size just so youcan sell it.. I don't think!).

I've said it before and I'll say it again LOl:

Bravissimo for bigger cup sizes, even for 11yr olds, they are truly lovely and never made DD2 feel a freak.

And for small backs and an amount of boobage that needs support the panache tango 2 balconette bra is a 28 is the smallest fitting bra we have found back wise. It's a fab bra in any size, both girls and I have it- you have to check labels when sendnig bcxk laundry LOL

Theas18 · 13/06/2013 09:34

We have been fitted at John Lewis (they were OK) and Debenhams (very apathetic and looked like they didn't want to be there at all, probably true!).

Had a sweet girl fit DD in la senza once but that was when she was a 28C and the bra was rather " burlesque" for a 10yr old so we didn't get it!

Theas18 · 13/06/2013 09:37

Don't want to monopolise the thread but the other " myth buster" I think is important is the non wired moulded foam cup bras in small sizes are no so mums can gasp " she really can't have a padded bra at her age" . They are because moulded foam cups cover pointy nipples better and give a smooth shape.

OddBoots · 13/06/2013 09:40

I agree, Theas18 - also for a bit of protection, my dd is quite sporty and being hit on the chest with a ball when you are just starting to develop can be very painful.

PassTheTwiglets · 13/06/2013 10:04

Theas18, that's AWFUL, your poor DD! I think I would have complained about that. I was told "you can't be a 36 as it's only women who are a size 10 or 12 who are a 36". Firstly, no it isn't and secondly, thanks for calling me fat!