Bras - if the only bra you can get round you is a 38 inch one, then

[HappyAsEyeAm]

it must be a 38 (or bigger) inch bra that fits, right?

I ask this, as the only bra I can get to actually go round me, and not leave horrible red lines (in every style) around my back is a 38 inch. And as I am quite small in the cup size, it is only an A cup that my boobs fit into, as every other cup size is just too baggy.

But my friend and my mum are adamant that I cannot possibly be a 38 inch, as they say I'm much smaller than that, and I wear a size 10 in a top (fitted tops and loose tops).

I find the thought of being measured horrendous - I really don't want a stranger measuring me in a changing cubicle.

get measured - its the only way. they are only the nice ladies from M&S after all.

Red lines as in deep sore marks, or red lines as in, you know, red lined where your clothes are a little bit tight.

It is basically impossible that you are a 38 if you are a 10 in most shops.

It does a bit odd and as though you could do with being measured.

Size 10 at M&S is a 34" bust. Their size 14 is a 38" chest. But those bust measurements would be taken over the widest bit, over your nipples, and I'm assuming that the 38" bra you are talking about is 38" round your rib cage. Which would make you more like a size 16.

Perhaps you are experimenting with a badly sized bra.

I know you don't want to, but get measured. It's fine. You get to keep your bra on and I bet if you wanted to they could measure you in your top.

There is nothing as good as wearing a bra that fits. Well, there probably is but it's great. comfy and you look thinner too.

Go on, go on go on.

I wear a size 10 in M&S, and wear a 30/32 bra size. It sounds unlikely you're a 38, if you can fit in a size 10 top!

Can you measure yourself, or get your mum/friend to do it?

Get a tape measure (or string) and run it under your boobs around your chest and measure.

Then measure round the fullest part (over your nippes usually).

Then come back and report.

I am a 12-14 (though very tall) and a 32" underbust, you are unlikely to be a 10 and measure 38".

A good fitting bra will leave some red marks around your chest as this is where is it carrying all the weight, rather than on your shoulders which is bad for your back.

Read this op, may be of interest also this on measuring.

I bet you are not an A cup at all, more like a 34DD/32E.

So did you get properly measured? I do like a story to have a happy ending

Might it be a sensitive skin issue rather than a sizing issue? Bras tend to be made out of very 'scratchy' material compared to other garments, which isn't good when they are so close fitting.

Sorry there is no way you are a 38 If you are a size 10 get measure it will make such a difference!

If you do get measured, please don't go to M&S, go to Debenhams or House of Fraser instead. M&S bras appear to be measured differently from anywhere else, and ime they always have you in a too big band size. I went from a 38B (which always rode up or straps fell off) according to markies, to a 34DD or E according to Debenhams. I felt like I'd had a boob job, so impressive was the effect of being properly supported!

I measure 35-36 inches around the biggest part of my bust, and I wear size 10 in shops like Dorothy Perkins, Oasis, New Look, etc.

There is no way that your actual back (under-boobs, just chest) measurement is 38 inches if you fit into any of the size 10 clothes that I wear.

Either the "38" bra that you are trying on has shrunk in the wash or you are doing something quite wrong.

I agree with Tills, M&S cannot make bras for larger boobs. I would probably be a 40" back there but my back is a 32/34 depending on the brand and I'm a size 14.

I would recommend getting measured in an Bra shop, my local one has amazing bras but the staff have tendency to look down on you but they know their stuff. Get measured, try different brands then buy elsewhere. I use www.brastop.com as they are so much cheaper, I have an underwear problem so I had to adapt.

I'd guess you would be a 32 back, if you are afraid to get measured pick several bras up and try on, when you found your size your shape will be dramatically different under clothes, you'll be so pleased.

Try bravissimo, they size you by eye there, no tapemeasures involved!

Right!

I measured myself and I measure 34 inches under the bust and 38 inchses on the bust.

I went into M&S last week and tried on loads and loads of different bras. Anything less than a 38 inch bra is just far too tight across my back (and this is wearing it on the last hook too), feels liek my breathing is being restricted, and leaves deep red marks across my back.

Anything bigger than an A cup is just too big in the cup and the cup is baggy. Sometimes an A cup is too big.

The same day, I bought three size 10 shirts and 3 size 10 vest tops in M&S so I am definitely a size 10.

I can't work it out!! To the naked eye, anyone would say that I have really small boobs.

If you have one near you I would also recommend Bravissimo - they don't measure you, just look, and will leave the cubicle whilst you try the bras on if you want them to before coming back in and checking straps etc. They have a knack for picking styles that will fit your body shape. I've been in there three times and only once has a bra clearly not fitted me properly - it was one I'd chosen myself. They also explain how they've chosen the bras so you can look for the same thing somewhere cheaper else.

I think according to your measurements, you 'should' be a 34 C or D.

But it's confusing, because a C cup on a 34 band bra is actually about the same size as an A cup on a 38 band bra. So that explains why you weirdly seem to go up to a massive cup size when you go down the band sizes, even when you don't have a massive bust.

Bra measuring is a mad world unto itself, it seems.

Go to a proper bra shop, ask for all the bras they have in between 34b and 36 d and try them all on, every singtle one.

I would suggest wearing a light coloured tight fitting t shirt to do this and putting it on over every bra you try. This will highlight lumps and bumps.

I would guess as well that the reason that the 38 inch ones are the most comfortable ones (despite the fact that you don't measure 38 around the ribcage) is that bras are designed to fit viciously tightly around your ribcage. So if you tried on a 34 band bra, although it will feel horribly tight, this is your 'correct' size.

This is so that the main 'anchorage' comes from underneath the bra, rather than the straps.

I agree that it is hideously uncomfortable.

You really need a good bra fitter. It doesn't make sense and you need someone who knows what they are talking about. Bravissimo unfortunately only do from about C/D cup upwards but may be able to help. Otherwise how close are you to a rigby and peeler or something. Department store fitters can be excellent, but unfortunately can also be awful and you need a guaranteed good one.

I suspect it's what Bonfire said - you are used to wearing your bras really loose. They should be tight and yes, will leave some marks, that's normal. Takes some getting used to, but you would never go back to 38 once you see and feel how much more support a right size offers.

HazleNutt - I find this genuinely confusing too though. I have just measured myself and I measure exactly the same as the OP. My boobs aren't large. I don't need a lot of support. Therefore I don't see why I should have to be trussed up like a turkey and end up with red welts. Why can't bras sodding well be comfortable

Hm. I'm F myself and in such cases, a size bigger might initially feel more comfortable, but in 5 minutes the weight has dragged the bra up the back, tits are hanging on the shoulder straps and are somewhere around the bellybutton. Not a good look, not to mention uncomfortable. So in such cases, a bit tighter bra is in fact more comfortable overall.
But if you don't need so much support then I guess buying a size bigger should work? Or even one of those aahhh bras they advertise?

I would say you need a 34D or maybe a 36C. It really doesn't sound like you should be an A-cup . It can depend a lot on individual shape, so I guess all you can do is try on lots of sizes/styles until you find something that's comfortable and gives good support.

A well-fitting bra shouldn't be uncomfortable, you do need to have quite a snug fit around the back to get proper support, and you might have slight red marks when you take it off (not raw painful welts!). Mine fit like this and I'm definitely more comfortable wearing them than not. Can hardly feel I'm wearing them in fact. Whereas if I have a too-loose, badly fitting bra, it's annoying me all day with riding up or slipping around, not to mention boobs bouncing around uncomfortably...

Thanks Hazle. The thing is, I can totally see the 'engineering' argument for supporting the bust from underneath rather than suspending all the weight from the shoulders. If my bust was bigger maybe I'd be more prepared to suffer the discomfort of a tight band.

It's just that bras seem (to me) to be made of all the wrong stuff and be the wrong shape, I have tried SO many and wasted so much money.

I suppose if I was designing one I'd have a wider band around the ribs, but made out of more comfortable, smoother fabric to reduce weltage. It would be softly moulded from the band itself upwards to create a 'shape'. And as seamless and hookless as possible. Then the snugness might be bearable.