Why do I have to add 5"? Please help me find the right size bra.

[MooM00]

I have stopped feeding dc3 in the day and so I am suddenly a completly different cup size. The lady in Marks told me I am 36DD but 36 as a back size is way too big. My 34E fitted well enough on the tightest hook until a few weeks ago so i don't think 36 is the place to start. I measured 31" round my back and 38" across my bust. Why do i have to add 5"? I found my 34E by trying on 15 bras until I found one that fitted. Please don't tell me to go to Bravissimo, I live out in the sticks and don't want to spend much as my cup size will change again soon. If i knew where to start with my back size I could buy few cheapies in Sainbos or Tescos.

did you try the 36 on and was it too big?

Yes it was too big round the back and tight(flattening) across the bust.

You don't have to add 5" - that's from the olden days when everything only came in A B or C so the only way to get a bra big enough was to go up back sizes.

The only real way to know is to try, because manufacturers don't really talk to each other.

So should a 34d bra measure 34 inches round the back?

As TrillianAstra said, you don't need to add 5.

What you need to do is this:

Stand facing a mirror so you can see yourself properly while standing up straight. You can either do this with no clothes on at all, or while wearing a bra (but no clothes is probably best if you are doing it yourself)

Measure over the widest part of the bust first in inches.
Measure your ribcage under the bust - lift your boobs up if you have to (I know!).

The difference between the two measurements will be a good guide for the cup size (although not infallible!).

As a guide, the difference between the two measurements can be translated as:

1 inch = A cup
2 inches = B cup
3 inches = C cup
4 inches = D cup
5 inches = DD
6 inches = E cup
7 inches = F
8 inches = G
9 inches = H
10 inches = HH
11 inches = J
12 inches = K

Try several on, and just make sure that nothing digs in anywhere, and that the back band goes straight across your back without being pulled up into an arch shape (this is where you get most support from).

Hope this helps!

Oh by the measurements you gave, you should be 32 G but many people do find that their nearest measurement is quite tight to begin with, hence going up a back size. Generally speaking, if you go up a back size, you should go down a cup size so 34 F might be a good place to start.

oops! misrcounted that! should be F not G!

Ok so I should be trying on 34 and 32 around about dd,e and f. Thanks everyone!

M&S are no good with bras or measuring
I also was told I was a 36DD at M&S only to go to a specialist bra shop to be measured a 32G! These fit really well (if a bit tight at first), M&S's did not fit at all.

M&S use the adding 4 or 5 inches method as far as I know, according to their size guide I'm a 34AA which is just silly...

John Lewis!! Absolutely fab underwear depts (though can be pricey :( )

I lived in 34As for years by adding the 4 inches on...

now I am wearing 32C or even 32D in some styles.
I tend to buy M&S as I've got small ones and buy push up bras- But you do need to try on- every bra is different and i find M&S sizes all over the place- some 32s i can't get fastened, other 34s are huge.

Rigby & Peller are fantastic if you are in London - pricey but excellent;

I've always found John Lewis and House of Fraser good, have NEVER rated M&S since they altered my size (and my sisters) so that they could sell us bra's when they didn't do them in our size.... we're both 30-32" E-FF depending on stages of pregnancy/weight loss and they would regularly sell us (even now) 34"... and move my bra strap to the wrong place around my rib cage . Prior to having a professional fit, I trusted them though.

If you want to try something different, this one is great if there is something to fit you.... brasense The girl behind this has a fresh approach to boobs which makes sense!

I've also found that local lingerie shops have some great expertise - there's a fantastic one in Launceston (Cornwall) which I needed when I was on holiday and expanding pregnantly ... and also in many market towns around the UK.

Oh look.... it's o'clock