Small boobs...

[1950sHousewife]

AIBU to think that I could find a bra that is uplifting, but not wodged full of foam, which will be flattering on those of us who are not overendowed on the boobicular area?
At the moment it either looks like I'm completely flat chested, or have two bean bags shoved down there.

I am struggling to find a bra that's pretty and supportive. Any recommendations?

So underbust 30, over 36? (when you measure, the tape should be at the same height all over). No wonder 34A is not comfortable, try a 30E instead.

Hazelnutt
34A cups are too big, I only fit properly into an 32A with a back extender.
I don't understand as an E cup is enormous? Even a B cup is far too big for me.

Even when I was 9 months pregnant and put 2 stone on I measured 36" ( A cup) x 36" x36" - a perfect barrel !!! Decades ago.

An E cup on its own is neither enormous nor small. The cups on a 28E bra are not the same size as the cups on a 38E; without the back size, the cup size is meaningless. You can easily see this if you go into a shop and pick up those two sizes and hold them next to eachother. The size on the label is about the relation between the under-and overbust measurement.

I had this - was in a 34DD, so uncomfortable and considering buying a bra extender because I thought the cups were fine, the back just didn't fit; couldn't wait to get home and take my bra off at night. Turns out that I'm actually a 30G. Once I'd recovered from the shock, I realised that was much more comfortable!

No, E is not necessarily enormous, the actual size depends on the band size - there are some links on this thread explaining it. Also, if the cup is too small, then the band will feel too small as well - I wear a 32G at the moment, but 32D would feel way too tight, even though 32 is my correct size.

If you measure 30 then you really should (generally, the sizing of the brands varies a bit) be in size 30 bras. Something that has been recommended here might be useful - go try on a size 30 bra back to front, so the cups are on your back. If you can close it and it's tight, but you can still breathe, then that's your size. And then try different cup sizes and don't forget to scoop all the breast tissue into the cups, as explained by Sorrel earlier. I'll eat my hat if you don't go up at least a couple of cups.

Hazelnutt, are you in the USA, as I'm in UK and we may have different size charts.?

I think Hazel is in the UK.

Digerd, most UK size charts are utterly balony, unfortunately. They work on an old system that no longer actually mirrors how bras should fit. So if I look at something like the M&S size chart, I should apparently be a 36F. I get fitted regularly at Bravissimo, and I am in fact a 30H/HH. This is true for almost every woman, the charts date back to an old fashioned method when you added inches to get your back size.

You shouldn't do that anymore, basically. As a rough starting point, your underbust measurement in inches is your band size. And each inch difference between your band, and your overbust, is a cup size. The cup size is always harder to get from a measurement so normally I would suggest trying the size you "measure", 1 cup below, and 1 or two above to get the right size.

Thank you again Sorrel, I think I just need to brave it again. Sadly post dc's shopping is something I no longer enjoy, escpecially when faced with how much my body has changed since I last went bra shopping-wasn't my happiest moment! After moping around this afternoon I've been reminded by my lovely mil that I should make the most of what I have and my youth....I may feel old but I'm only just 30 so I need to get a grip!
I went to debenhams, we're very limited shop wise here, I think I need to venture further for a John Lewis etc, so might try and make it to Southampton soon, or else I might be able to try Guildford next weekend when we visit my family.
One more quick question-does a correctly fitting bra dig in (don't know how to phrase it) where the band is ie the bra I bought feels ok tightness wise but in the mirror I can see the flesh (though I really don't have much/any fat there) kind of goes in where the band is and out below, not massive amounts, and I don't think you'd notice with clothes on. Is that normal or is that another sign it doesn't fit correctly?

It is normal for it to go in a bit TiredMule - I think unless you are superskinny a little bit of a dent does happen. It certainly does on me, even thought there is no way I need to go up a back size.

Statistically and sorrel
Thanks for your info. I still have bras from when I was still super slim - I'm a tiny person, but never thought of myself as skinny, and they are all 32A. As I've aged the flesh at back, sides and midriff have bulged, and my super slim sister who had A 37" Bust, moaned about her back bra bulge - under the band, when she was in her late 30s.
I used to have real trouble with my tiny bust, as the bands/wires would ride up over the bust when reaching upwards, so I had the band as tight as possible to try to prevent that happening. I was 55 before I suddenly got a real bosom - the only bonus of being menopausal.!!

This thread is fascinating. I just measured myself, underbust 75cm/ 30", on top 86cm/34". I used to wear a B-cup pre-DC, now my best-fitting bra has a C-cup but it does not quite lie flat on my breastbone. So may need to try D-cup? (Euro sizes here so probably will start with 75D.)

Will go bra-shopping today. Potentially life-changing...
It's funny, I've always thought my breasts are very beautiful, on the small side, but perfectly proportioned and perky and good even after 2+ years of breastfeeding. But when trying on bras, I've always felt miserable - just because I have not been given correct information before?

Will report back...

DonaAna, I would say a 30D (or euro equivalent) is your starting point.

Digerd, the wires sliding up is a sure sign the back was too big. re the flesh bulging, have you tried the scooping described up thread? A lot of that can generally be rearranged so it goes in the bra rather than out of it!

For both (and anyone else bra shopping/wondering of the size is correct) here are a few things to look for in a well fitting bra:

Firstly, when you but the bra on, lean forward then take your right hand and put it inside your left cup. Reach right round under your armpit/towards your back and hoik all the backfat/escapage forward in to the cup of the bra. Repeat at the other side.

If your bra is a good fit after doing this it should:

• Be worn on the loosest hook (when new). If you can fasten it on the tightest hook then try a back size lower.
• The band should be completely horizontal
• You should only be able to fit a couple of fingers under the front of the bra. If you can get more than that, or you can pull it more than an inch or so away from your body at the back, it is TOO BIG!
• If you raise your arms, the back should not really move - no riding up
• The wires should be entirely encasing your breast tissue - breast tissue goes suprisingly far back and a lot of people don't realise this. If you feel where the wire is sitting under your arm then it should be sitting on a fairly firm surface.
• The central gore (where the wires meet) should sit flat between your boobs. if it is being pushed away, then the cup is probably too small (and the back possibly too big as well)
• There should be absolutely no lumps over the top of the cup. Take a fitted t shirt with you to put over the top of the bra and stand side on to a mirror and watch as you breathe in. If you have a bit of a bulge only when you breathe in, you probably need to go up 1 cup. If it is visible when breathing out then IME it's probably more like two cups or more.
• The cup shouldn't gape. If it does, it may be too big or it may be the wrong shape of bra for you. Moulded cups are particularly bad for this as they don't adapt to your shape.
• The shoulder straps shouldn't be painful and digging in. Most of the support should come from the back. If you find that you can't get enough support without the straps being so short they hurt the bra isn't for you. Most likely it's too big in the back but it may also just be a bra that doesn't suit you.
• and on that note; not every brand works for every person. There are quite distinct differences in shape between brands which mean a particular brand may just not suit the shape of your breasts. I can't wear Panache, for example.

Thanks so much Statistically!
I definitely have some breast tissue lumping over the top of my cup while wearing a C-cup.
35 min left until stores open around here...

I also took a look at my mother's bra size when I was getting dressed after showering (staying with her for a few days) she wears a 90C = 35C and she has big boobs, much bigger than mine... (Might measure her and take her shopping with me...)

My breasts are wide-set and trying to yank them together in the middle violates laws of nature. Will need to check current offerings but I've felt in the past that there are certain brands that cater for that (many French ones? Plus Maidenform?) and others that absolutely don't. Balconettes usually feel great on me.

I also have narrow shoulders, and bra straps slip down so much that strapless bras have felt best. Any ideas?

digerd I'm actually in France, but buy my bras from UK.
And yes, if your bra wires ride up when you lift your arms, the band is certainly too big. You say it's as tight as you can wear? Yes, probably true, because your cup size is also too small and therefore the band indeed feels smaller too. Really, try a smaller band in bigger cup size.

If you are wide set then plunge types are probably just not very good!

What back size are you wearing just now? The straps sliding down is also a sign that the back is big as the are set too wide. That said, I have quite narrow/sloping shoulders and I only buy bras where the straps adjust forward - i.e. where to make the straps shorter you push the adjustor bit up and over your should from back to front. I also don't tend to buy ones where the strap material changes half way. This means that you get the maximum shortening possible.
Once you have tried some one, online ordering from UK may be your friend. Something like alana and freya but not this

Ok, back from the store.

Yes, Statistically and Sorrel are right: I'm really a 30D / 75D.
Goodbye, B cup. Goodbye, C cup.

I bought three or four bras and a couple of Joan from Mad Men fitted sweaters and a mocha cream and almond cake to celebrate!

Thanks ladies, and if anyone hasn't listened to these two experts yet, do so ASAP! It is life-changing...

Lovely to hear that you've had a good shopping trip! Think of it as repayment for all the fantastic perfume advice you give!

Thanks Sorrel!

I love balconettes but they have wide-set straps and that doesn't work - racerbacks might but they are so not my style.

I'm still boobless enough to be able to wear strapless styles - they fit me well and adapt to my lifestyle (lots of sundresses and spaghetti strap tops), so just bought some good tried-and-true favorites (Maidenform and Calvin Klein) but this time in my correct size...

Glad to hear you had a successful trip Dona.

Well that is the best value boob-job ever! My JL order just arrived and I've gone up 5 cup sizes over night! I measured 29 under and 33 over. I ordered a couple each in the 28D and 28DD and 30D. The 28s all felt like they were trying to crush me to death. Also Calvin Klein clearly hates women and wants to kill us all by puncturing our lungs with underwires, so that one is going back. But the last 30D feels just about right. I do have a bit of back flab that I'd not noticed in my old 36AAAs (maybe due to too much halloween chocolate) and the underwires are digging in a little at the front, but I'm hoping I'll get used to them. The cups are gaping a tiny bit, but when I lean forward my breasts fill the cup rather than just giving everyone a direct view of my nipples. I think I need to try some different styles next time I'm in town. I might even be brave enough to go into Bravissimo without worrying that they'll take one look at my chest and laugh me out of the shop.

Thank you sorrel and SC and Hazel!

Excellent! Of course go to Bravissimo, bras fit very differently and it's always best to try several brands and styles to see what works for you.

Hi, I went to a department type store this morning and tried a load of bras on in a size 70c but when I brought one home I realised that they equate to 32c not 30. When I pulled it tighter it felt and looked better. So I'm going to go again (without 2 yr old DS) tonight, and find some 30 s in a C and maybe a D. I think I got a bit distracted by DS and the sheer number of bras but I think its still a step forward.

Yep, a 65 is a 30. You will probably need a 30D if the 32C is ok in the cup. Keep going!

Will do! Its just funny because I'm so used to seeing really big boobs (real or fake) described as d's it seems strange that I am a d. Also only really seeing big round boobs in media makes me feel abnormal and saggy!

The media lie about bra sizes. You will see reports saying katie price is a 34dd for example. Not a chance. I would guess probably around a 28h at least. Same with almost any woman- I've seen Kate moss and naomi campbell listed as 34s...halle berry as a 36. All utter nonsense.