I don't understand my own body!

[Ooopsadaisy]

I am fit and slim. I wear a size 8 trousers and a 10 on top. I am 5 foot 4.

I am very toned and my under bust measurement is 30.

Reasonably priced bras in a 30 inch are quite rare and I am always on a budget, so I shop carefully.

Therefore, I get myself measured in a few shops, try different stores, styles, take on board lots of advice etc ...

I am an E fitting. Even more difficult when only a 30 inch back. This is correct though, as my bras are well fitting.

I am always so frazzled by the purchasing process, that I always forget to ask the things I really want to know.

If I am a 30E and otherwise slim - shouldn't I look busty? I don't think I do. I certainly have boobs but no-one could describe them as honking norks.

When discussing bra sizes, people are always amazed when I say "E". They look askance and say "are you sure?".

One friend who I think looks very busty is a 36D. Why does she look more busty than me?

Also, if I am an E - why am I still a size 10?

I have no idea what their fitting is like, lol (they don't go up to my size)

d/dd/e really isn't big, especially on a 32 inch back. Certainly, if you are visibly bulging in your current bra you need to go up at least a cup to rectify that, possibly more (ime if the bulge is quite noticeable it's probably more than 1!) so even within a 34 that would take you to at least a d.

It would be worth going somewhere good to get fitted even if you don;t actually buy anything there. A good fitter won't just tell you a size, they'll teach you how a well fitting bra should look and feel on. You can then apply that in a cheaper shop if possible.

Every bravissimo I've ever been in, the fitting room has been quite separate from the storefront (often upstairs) and they don't walk you to the cashdesk to pay or anything so you could easily get fitted, leave the changing room then not buy the bras! It would also be worth taking a note of what ones they fit you in as you can often get last season colours on ebay etc much cheaper.

Can people pleeese stop saying how small dd/e cups are - I'm a 32C with padding (and that's really a 32C, not a 26E or some such) :(

Sorry boringhair - I think we're just so used to the opposite, people telling us how a D cup is massive, a DD is Jordan and anything above isn't real!

I'm just jealous

Have been reading with interest. Glad so many are getting the message now, but there's still a long way to go. When everyone accepts that M&S sell ok bras but are crap at fitting, then I'll be satisfied.

You can have a free fitting in Bravissimo with no obligation to buy anything. They just want you to get it right for yourself, even if you can't afford one of their bras at that point. You don't have to skulk out whilst no-one's looking

And Jordan is at least a 28J in my expert opinion. Everytime I read an article where she is proclaimed to be a 34DD or whatever, I want to scream. What chance has anyone got of accepting their real size and not feeling like a freak if they believe she's that small?! .

You clearly have the same obsession thoughts as me marriednotdead - I have practically frogmarched a couple of people to bravissimo, including a friend who was wearing bras so much too small that I think she had more tit spilling over the top of the cup than was actually in it!

I suspect Jordan does not know what size Jordan is. She constantly wears bras that are several cup sizes too small!

I just hate m&S cos they don't do my size, sulk!

Obsessed, moi?

I love lingerie, and get paid to be as passionate about it as I am.

M&S allegedly do my size (well G as there seems to be no FF in their ranges) but I've yet to find a bra to fit me there, and believe me when I say I've tried.

Jordan knows exactly what size she is, trust me, but does not want to be seen wearing it!

i cant go to bravissimo for a fitting, the nearest one is 80 miles away. where else is good?

I loathe M&S - and Mothercare adopt the same 'add 4/5 inches' when they measure you for a nursing bra.

I used to wear a 40C because that was what fitted (sort of) in M&S. I am actually a 38FF/G.
Clothes fit better, I look about 20lbs lighter. It has made such a difference.

Panache bras are great, and so are the Debenhams own brand 'Gorgeous' which are for bigger cup sizes and very reasonably priced for those worrying about spending £30+ on a bra. I think I paid £16 for the last one I bought in there and it lasted brilliantly.

In the absence of Bravissimo, do you have a John Lewis? Last time I was in they seem to have adopted the Bravissimo approach. Debenhams have too I think. Alternatively local independents can be good (although the nearest one to me is useless, tried to convince me that a 32ff would be close enough!?!?)

Maybe if you post your area someone will be able to advise.

Oh my word! Just went bra shopping, i've been wearing 34DD and my real size seems to be....32G!!!

haha! One of the people I frogmarched had a similar transformation. I bet it feels strange though.

Welcome to the world of the correctly fitting bra, FauxFox!

Why do so many shops make a big deal about their DD+ ranges if this is the norm? In fact, if it's the norm why do so many ranges stop at a D or a DD?

As a small person, I feel I have no right to be looking there.