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Original poster

Properly fitting bras create back fat bulges: discuss

27 replies

Jacksterbear · 22/05/2011 18:13

Recently had a bra fitting and discovered I should be in a 32d, not a 34c which I've been wearing for years. The new size fits perfectly around the front BUT creates a bulge round the back which doesn't look good with tight tops and which I never had with the 34. So is it a case of:

a) accepting this is just what properly fitting bras do, because they have to be tight around the back to fit at the front;
b) accepting I must just have a strangely shaped body and/or more back fat than I thought; or
c) looking for a new bra, in a different size or style?

TIA!

OP posts:

mrsravelstein · 22/05/2011 18:14

i'm exactly the same, measure a 32d i'm always told, but have always worn a 34c which doesn't create the bulges.

TattyDevine · 22/05/2011 18:15

Its kinda true if you are a little more well padded. For special occasions there are various shapewear garments that can eliminate it (for instance the Flexees by Maidenform Ultimate Bodybriefer which comes up to the bra strap line and makes it all smoothe) but really you just have to go a bit looser or lose some weight, end of. Boring eh?

mrsravelstein · 22/05/2011 18:17

i'm a size 8 though. so i don't think it's that for me. i definitely haven't got fat shoulder blades.

ZZZenAgain · 22/05/2011 18:19

maybe they didn't fit you right? Don't think I have back bulges and I hope I wear the right bra...

should probably check

Original poster

Jacksterbear · 22/05/2011 18:21

Good to know it's not just me mrsr!

And tatty I'm a 10/12, trying to lose half a stone of remaining baby weight but don't have a chubby back, or so I thought!

OP posts:

CarGirl · 22/05/2011 18:24

hate to tell you, it's the little bit of excess weight you're carrying. Same here

Original poster

Jacksterbear · 22/05/2011 18:26

Maybe zzz, I don't know, but it seems to fit so well at the front. I had never before quite "got" this concept of the wire sitting dead flat on your ribcage, because none of my old bras had ever come close, but these new ones do.

OP posts:

bigbadbarry · 22/05/2011 18:27

I'm a size 10, definitely not overweight, but I get back bulges in the right bra size too. I have no idea how one would go about losing back fat!

Original poster

Jacksterbear · 22/05/2011 18:30

cargirl yeah you are probably right!

OP posts:

CarGirl · 22/05/2011 18:37

I've discovered the secret is to look at your boobs/front and appreciate how good they look and just ignore the flab bluge around the back

Original poster

Jacksterbear · 22/05/2011 18:38

Lol cargirl

OP posts:

WowOoo · 22/05/2011 18:40

There are lots of excersises specifically for that area.
I have a load I printed off. If only I could be arsed doing them. (Must actually find them so i can tell others what to do and pretend I don't have back fat)

WowOoo · 22/05/2011 18:41

Exercises even.

toddlerama · 22/05/2011 18:44

Get ones with thicker straps. Look for a wide strap rather than a thin one. Thins ones act like cheese wire even on skinny people. If your boobs are bigger, you need a thicker one. It's all about weight distribution....

WowOoo · 22/05/2011 18:48

You're right toddlerama.

My comfiest bras are sports ones with very thick strappage at the back. I think they're still flattering.

Converse · 22/05/2011 19:03

Unfortunately this is what happens, yes! The bra will find its way into the smallest outline possible, so you get the bulge.

marriednotdead · 22/05/2011 19:50

In my expert experience, back fat has no relation to overall body size/weight and is purely down to the individuals genetic bad luck. I see very big ladies with none and slim ones with loads of overhang. I've become quite adept at tucking it in whilst doing the bra fitting
Me and my sister get it, and although I'm a bit of a sloth, she's a real gym bunny so exercise is not the answer (though her back fat is firmer than mine!).

If your boobs are not that big/heavy, you can get away with wearing the looser size to a degree. However, the bra is meant to anchor to your frame rather than your skin in order to carry the weight of your breasts. Heavy boobs on a loose bra band will give you less back fat but droopy boobs and deep grooves in your shoulders. Choose your poison!

Wider bra bands (3 hooks) which are usually found in bigger cup sizes, do help nail the back in a bit. Panache and Elomi are usually good.

sprinkles77 · 22/05/2011 20:04

agree with marriednotdead, wider band. At least 2 hooks at the back and thick shoulder straps too, panache and fantasie, also freya (not good for me but lots of ladies swear by them). I'm flabby size 8-10, and put my little bit of back fat down to being not very toned (not fair lugging massive 14 month old about who still doesn't walk!). Back fat looks worse with certain fabrics, worse with thin, clingy ones. Divert attention from it by having fabulous cleavage!

CarGirl · 22/05/2011 20:09

I'm already wearing wide banded bras

I don't where clingy tops anyway as they just cling to my revolting stomach

menagerie · 22/05/2011 20:55

I agree with Car. the proper fitting gave me boobs after years of me thinking I was flat chested. rather be 32C with a bit of back fat than look lean and pancakey in 34B.

TigerseyeMum · 22/05/2011 21:35

I have noticed this too. I got measured and went from 32 or 34 B to 30DD or even 28 E (if you can find one).

As a size 8-10 I was surprised the other day to notice back rolls

I feel better to have fitting bras, but it is awkward now with tight tops as sometimes you can see the roll.

I'm fairly lean, I have wobbly thighs but not much overall flab.

It's annoying but, I have less back pain with a proper bra so I'm sticking with it.

pommedechocolat · 22/05/2011 21:45

Yes yes yes!!
So true.
I am size 8-10 and have a nice back imho. It's certainly one of my more favourite bits of my body.
Annoying.

Butterbur · 23/05/2011 10:06

Everyone has some fat on their backs, unless their body fat is at ballet dancer levels. And as you get older, your skin and fat get flabbier, and no exercises are going to tone it up.

Can you guess I'm trying to come to terms with my back fat? Loving it is never going to happen, but I can work round it. Looser bras with clingy tops, and if I need to wear a tighter one, for cleavage boosting, I make sure the dress is in a forgiving fabric.

TapselteerieO · 23/05/2011 10:23

My last attempt to find a bra that fits my 30G norks, resulted in me commenting about this, the assistant was young and disparaging, I wish her much back fat in her late thirties. It is awful finding a bra to fit me, I was nearly in tears last time, must have tried on at least twenty bras - I will not rush back to Debenhams to purchase another bra in the future, much prefer the small independent shops, they are much kinder and more experienced!

pommedechocolat · 23/05/2011 10:50

But looser bras just make my chest HURT. I feel really crap at the end of the day if I've worn a 34 but in a 32 I am conscious of looking like a sausage.

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