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?

This thread could change my life. My entire life, I've been laughed out of nice underwear shops like La Senza for deigning to ask for a AA. Other times, I've been looked at like some dirty teenager (I'm currently 32), asking for 'sexy' bras in small sizes.

I measure 29 under bust, 33 over. I'm a size 8/10 (pear shape). I used to wear 34AA even though I hated the way they made me look even more flatchested than I am, until I got sick of never being able to find nice undies - OH is impartial, shall we say. So I tried a few 32As and they fit better.

However, even on tightest setting, the back is way too loose - can pull 4-5 inches away at back and get 4 fingers under front - but figured that because the chest gore doesn't lie flat and I don't really fill the cup, that I was in the best size I would get.

If all this is true, and I'm better off in a 28C or 30C, my life will change so much. I might actually cry. I am so shocked. Will report back once had a chance to shop...

You might actually even need a D, Brave - 4 inches = 4 cup sizes. Try 28D and the sizes around it, so 28C, 30C, 30D. Get the band right first, then work on the cup, and judge if it fits by how it looks and feels, not by the number on the label.

Don't cry :) (And I get so angry at people being treated badly by shops for their size :( )

Brave lil bear, some even more shocking news- you are most like a 28 d or dd with those measurements

Can anyone recommend any nice balcony bras that come in a 30E? I like these shapes the best but haven't found any in my 'new' size. The only downside to being a 30 or less band is the lack of high street products (but I don't care because I'm an E not a B yippee!)

Btw reason I say a dd is it is debatable whether it is the difference between the overbust and underbust measurement, or the overbust and band size, that is closest. So that would mean trying 28d, 28dd, 30c and 30d. Gut feeling is if your 32 is that big the 28s are more likely.

Roller - I personally really like the Debenhams 'Gorgeous' range; it comes in lots of colours and designs (quite plain as well as more elaborate ones; I like it because it's modern and pretty but not overly saccharine) so you could have a look in there. Online you should have loads of choice, try Brastop or Figleaves.

Yep, Debenhams Gorgeous do some nice balconettes but not all their range starts at a 30, some bras start at a 32 which is very annoying.

Another plug for Ewa Michalak. Their CH (half cup) bras are amazing and very reasonably priced.

freya, curvy Kate and the bravissimo alana are all nice rollercola. I love the ck tease me.

And thanks for that Statistically, I was wondering about that actually :)

Actually, while I've got you here, something else I've been wondering. My favourite, best fitting bra, will start cutting in very deeply and painfully on only one spot on the right of my ribcage after a few hours. It doesn't do it on the left, the band is the right size, there's nothing torn or sharp about the fabric. I don't understand. Is this something wrong with the bra, or something wrong with me? I first thought I must just have a spot or damaged bit of skin there but it's been going on for weeks and I can't see anything! Bit of an odd one, I'll grant...

Thanks Naoko and Statistically

If this works, I'm totally joining the bandwagon! I may be being premature here, but... maybe we should create some sort of petition or open letter to major bra stockists to overhaul the measuring myth in the UK - and to start making and stocking the smaller back, bigger cup size...??

Naoko I wonder if you are fractionally bigger on that side- most people are slightly asymmetric. I find that bras rarely nip evenly either- literally a few mm can make a difference. Have you tried adjusting the straps slightly to reposition that side a tiny bit?

Oh, I am definitely asymmetric (severely hypermobile) and that shoulder is a complete mess, you should see the look of slight despair on my physio's face :o so that could definitely be it. I'll have a fiddle with the straps and see if it helps :) Thanks!

Naoko You also, very carefully, try bending the wire on that side so that it follows the shape of your breast more.

I don't think it's the wire, Sorrel - it's the fabric bit of the band that's cutting in (it's a design with a bit of fabric below the wire, if you see what I mean). One afternoon, out and unable to take my bra off, I pushed a bit of my top between the band and the skin, and that stopped it hurting completely, which makes me think it's not that. Not really a long term solution, though...

Hmmm. What about sewing a piece of ribbon, satin or bias binding onto the piece of fabric? Too faffy?

It may come to that; I'm awful at sewing though and I'd worry the stitches would irritate things more. I'll try SC's strap adjustment first and see if it helps, and if not, start trying something more drastic.

Thanks all :)

BraveLilBear - I'm pretty much the same size as you (boobs & body) and have also struggled for years with A or AA cup bras.

I agree with the petition idea, it's craziness that so many of us have spent decades in the wrong sizes with no idea what we're doing wrong.

my back size is 31 1/4 and my over bust is 35 1/2. does this mean i should try a 32d? or round down to 30?

i currently wear a 34B. I can pull it a good few inches away from my back, should I only be able to fit a couple of fingers underneath? (Sorry havent read all 25 pages, im sure its been answered somewhere ) I've tried 32" bras in the past and find they dig in horribly even on the loosest settings (and I dont have much fat around my ribcage)...

notallytuts I would try both but most people seem to get in better with rounding down.

I would suggest you try a 30D, 30DD, 30E and a 32D for starters and see how they fit.

I suspect the reason the 32s didn't fit is that you probably hadn't gone up enough in the cup. If the cup is too small then they basically use fabric from the back to compensate which makes the back feel tighter than it actually is.

Thanks everyone on here for the advice I knew my 34c didn't fit properly. Now to work out my size 30 under bust and 36 over. What would that be in bra sizes? Can't wait for this weekend to go bra shopping!

VeryStressedStudent That would be a start point of a 30E

Wow I thought I would be a d or dd! This is an instant self esteem boast. When I was younger I was thinking I would be happy with a c or d, and if I didnt get any bigger I would get a boob job.

I think there are a lot of ladies on this thread feeling a similar way :)

Can I ask for help? I have lost quite some weight over the last year and with it weight from the ladies :(
I measure 29 underneath and 32 over bust. What size should I be looking at? And where to get bras that aren't bloody trainer bras?
As an aside, what bra size is the smallest they make? Is 28 inch?

Best guess 28D, but also try 28C, 30b and 30C.

M&S do a 28c in their limited range (online), a 28D is actually not too bad as Freya, panache etc start a lot of theirs at that size. brastop for example