I have tired ELEVEN bras on this morning and not one of them fit correctly.

[TheOriginalFAB]

Can anyone advise me what I am doing wrong and where I can go?

I am fed up of buying bras that don't fit well and if they do when I buy them it doesn't stay the same for longer than about 3 wears.

I measure 33 under the breast and 40 across them.

I live in Kent and need advice as to where to go.

I tried on bras in M & S and Sainsbury's today as that was the only shops selling bras where I went. Oops, missed BHS.

M&S are utter bastards when it comes to bras. DO NOT GO THERE. Or any other high street "experts".

Ask around your friends for a really reputable place (usually independant) and go for a fitting and lots of advice. A good place will make you feel relaxed enough for them to tell you what styles and makes of bra will suit you depending on the shape of your boobs. It can get very hands on!

I went to a factory shop on the advice of a friend and the fitting lady spend 2 whole hours explaining how bras are constructed and how women's boobs are so varied in shape, volume etc ..... I sort of love her.

I now know exactly what to buy and where to go.

Brastop.com is brilliant once you are confident what you are doing.

Ebay - I have just got some great bargains.

I have spent 20 years buying the wrong thing and am a new woman now. I am still amazed to be a 28FF but I am! I don't look busty at all but have a tiny distance between my shoulder blades (hence the small band size) and teardrop shaped boobs so need a larger cup. See - I'm an expert now!

It's amazing what a transformation it can make and is amazing for your confidence.

You might find you have to spend more ££££ than you ever dreamed you would but it is the one thing I will never compromise on ever again.

Get yourself to bravissimo or John Lewis to get fitted and then buy on eBay or brastop.

Bravissimo. Never been anywhere else since i discovered it. Had been wearing 34D for years. Turns out I'm 32F. Boobs look better under clothes and bras are so much more comfy.

I'd say to try the same sizes as NotJustClassic suggested.

You want a bra to do up on the longest hook to begin with as it will give with washing and wearing so you can tighten it up in the future.

I meant to add - don't measure yourself. Because your arms are up, the tape will be to loose.

You are probably a 32G. A bra should be a firm fit on the the loosest fitting when you buy it.

G cups are not impossible to find out there but I think you will find the best fitting with really reputable brands like Fantasie, Freya etc. You probably need a really structured bra.

Pour Moi are my current favourite. As a 28 back my choices are quite limited but you should be ok with most brands if you are a 32.

Remember - do not compromise and don't get disheartened - it's worth the work.

Oh yes - and treat yourself! You'll feel even better if you get the matching knickers or a really pretty set for best!

I am now a lingerie addict but it has to be a major bargain!

I tried 34E, F and G and 36 E, F and G iirc.

I always fasten on the loosest fastener.

Prekids I was 32DD but my biggest size was a J when I was breasfeeding DC3.

Happy to spend if they fit!

My breasts are full and non droppy but my back is definitely fatter wider than before kids.

I have a John Lewis, Rigby & Peller (mini shop in Bluewater) and a House of Fraser near by. No idea about Bravissimo but would love to try them.

I would recommend the place I went to to anyone but it is a factory shop in the East Midlands.

Anyone out there in the OP's part of the world who can recommend a good bra fitter?

I can totally empathise with you. I detest bra shopping with a passion. I'm not even an especially unusual size (in fact I must be a very common size judging by how often there are none left of the ones I actually like!)

I find that even when you have been measured properly and know your size it's still a case of trial and error because:

a) everyone's norks are a unique shape and not all styles suit all shapes

b) different manufacturers come up bigger or smaller, even in the same size

There is no easy answer. You just have to get psyched to go into battle, and be prepared for a long and exhausting shopping trip.

My best fitting bra comes from Sainsburys! Much comfier and more flattering than anything from M&S. I went to Bravissimo when pregnant, but found the service to be slow and surly. And I ended up with a bra with gigantic cups. I realise I'm one of the few who don't rave about them, so probably caught them on an off day.

I meant tried in the title though I was tired afterwards .

I tried Sainsburys today though couldn't get any fitting help and there wasn't a huge selection of E and above bras.
I don't mind taking the time if I know the service is going to be expert and friendly.

Oopsadaisy - could you let me know the factory please? I was thinking of going to the Intimas factory shop but heard it had closed down.

of Fab's boobs

Were you on the bra thread the other week? Full of good advice.

I was but I can't find it now.

here tis.

Thanks, I will take a look after I have done the ironing.

I HATE bra shopping!

I have had hit & miss experiences everywhere!

R&P were fantastic up london but c**p in Westfields (maybe younger,less experinced staff???)

Ditto Bravissimo & John Lewis

M&S, debenhams, bhs all useless IMO

I like to look for the oldest member of staff on the shop floor, the one with her tape measure around her neck (so no one else dare borrow it)

I don't find being measured by a matronly old biddy makes a jot of difference. I know within a ballpark figure what size I am, and whether something supports, fits, flatters, and feel comfortable etc - I just need to be left alone to wade my way through the pile until I finally get there.

It's strssful and soul destroying enough without the woman poking her head through the curtain every thirty seconds!

sorry, I had to hit post before I had finished this afternoon (demanding DS)

Once I am happy that the person measuring me has a clue what they are doing and has a good idea of my size, I do what you do Fellatio and painfully go through all the rails. Stating with what I actually like and ending up with what actually fits (but I dont usally like)

Also the best bra fitters never measure you - (they might check your back size but thats it) They look at you in your current bra & go from there.

I also kinda know what type of bras suit my boobs now. Most of the bras in bravissimo tend to be quite pushy-uppy which I dont like, although I do like a balconette style (which most of their bras seem to be). I like Freya although I have tried the exact same bra in different colours and they varied so much in size that I ended up buying two different sizes

My worst bra experience was when pregnant with DS2. I went from a 32e to 34g/h with DS1 but I put on much more weight with DS2 but still expected to be 34 maybe very possibly go up to a 36 however the sales assistant measured me at a 40c! 40 and a c cup!! I think last time I was a c-cup I would have been about 14! (debenhams btw)

I am going into town tomorrow and may brave House of Fraser as they have the biggest selection of brands to try. Still unsure what sizes to try though. I got DH to measure me last night and I said Are you sure? and made him do it again. In seconds I lost inches . IIRC he had me as 35 3/4 underneath and 40 or 41 across the breasts.

BAH. I too have been bra shopping and nearly ran out of M&S weeping. Wankers

I shall just have to carry on in my old ones.

I have no idea where the nearest John Lewis is! And as for the other shops people have mentioned....

Looking at the store locater, Poole I suspect. 192.2 miles away. Sigh. Bloody Cornwall. This must mean the entire female Cornish population is walking around in ill-fitting bras.