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?

[TheHappyCamper]

Oh my good lord! I just measured 30 under and 34 over. I've been wearing a 34B or 36B for 20 years sob! Could I really be a 30D? My boobs are tiny. I'm in shock.

[SorrelForbes]

Caoimhe. Try a 26D, 26C or 28C.

26 bands are hard to find. Ewa Michalak makes them but they are non returnable.

[TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii]

Well now I'm curious but don't have a fabric tape measure!

[procrastinor]

It's really sad but if I fit properly into one of those bras I'd probably cry! I'm with bissy that would be just such a confidence boost. Forget feminism, I'm never ever burning a D or C cup bra that fits me!

[SorrelForbes]

TheHappyCamper. Yes, try a 30D. Beat in mind that a D cup in a 30 back is very different from a D cup in a 38 band. Totally different cups.

I always use her as an example but my skinny teenage niece has tiny little bumps and wears a 28DD.

[TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii]

Okay, have made do with string - think I'm 27" and 31" what should I try?

[SorrelForbes]

Ok, string it is! Try a 26DD, 26D and a 28D.

[SorrelForbes]

bissy. I totally get that. M&S measured me as a 36C I think. I'm a 30G! Much better

[TheHappyCamper]

I'm going shopping then. How did I not know that a D cup is a different size in different back sizes? This could be an epiphany for me! I've always hated bras you know.

[TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii]

Thanks Sorrel, off to the shops tomorrow to see what I can find!

[procrastinor]

Can I ask: why do M&S differ so markedly in their sizing? Just checked their online size guide and I come out a 36A.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

The actual bra sizing is the same.

But not so long ago, you had to add 4/5" to get your band size. Then this changed, but nobody told anybody (including m and s fitters and the vast majority of online calculators)

[StatisticallyChallenged]

M&S size chart is utterly, utterly barking mad. It doesn't even seem to properly follow the old method either. the maths is totally irrational. For example , they claim that if you measure 23.5 and 29 (a 5.5" difference) then you are a 28AA. But, if you measure 33.5 and 34 (so a half inch difference), you are a 38AA. WTAF? That is utterly nonsensical

(and I have a very dull and totally non bra related job - I'm an actuary)

[HazleNutt]

I have nothing to do with bras either, I'm a lawyer. I just used to wear a 36DD and assumed that it's normal that you get a four-boob, a lot of wobble and the middle part sitting miles from my chest. Who knew that was actually not the case in a 32FF..

[QueenofLouisiana]

A well timed thread! I changed from a 38b to a 36 dd in the course of a proper bra fitting this week! Less "mummy boobs", more va-va voom boobs now! Funnily, all my clothes now fit and the nagging chest pain that I had put down to asthma has vanished. Whole thing took about 45 minutes and I spent more money than planned, but I feel fab!

[procrastinor]

yay for more people who have random knowledge! If this works I might become a secret correctly sized lingerie advocate.

I'm a bit put out - I have seriously considered surgery, not because I don't like my body but because I want to buy lingerie that doesn't make me feel like a child pretending to be an adult. I hate my underwear because it doesn't look like it fits, it looks like I've put on a bra because that's whats expected of me, not because it provides an iota of support. In fact, when I did think perhaps I should get measured because surely this wasn't right, the M&S lady said that if I felt that I really wanted to wear a bra then it would be a 34AA, but really it wasn't necessary for me to wear one at all.

[procrastinor]

I think I probably need to back away from the wine

[Kingsfold]

SorrelForbes, I am the real deal AA cup woman (32 AA). I hate it.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Funnily enough procrastinator, I met someone a couple of weeks ago who mentioned several times during conversation having tiny boobs, being an a cup, hoping that when she has children she becomes a B like her mum did....she then told me she was wearing a 32 and given how petite she is it was quite clearly wrong. She jumped up to a c cup once she got fitted properly, and it made a huge difference to how she felt about her body.

[poppy283]

American apparel and cos do lovely bras for those who don't need support as such.

[DorothyGherkins]

www.daintylady.co.uk/

Bras from 28 - 44 AAA AA and A. Worth a look?

[SorrelForbes]

Kingsfold Do you mind me asking what you measure under bust (tight) and over bust (loose)? A genuine AA will measure the same for both. If that is the case, I will start scouring the interweb for good undies for you

[Callycat]

@ Sorrell: "Now, I am sure that there are women out there who do have a 1" difference (and even none at all) between the two measurements but I've yet to find any."

I am! 34 inch back size, and just under 35 inch over the boobs. We do exist! And we take AAA cups.

[procrastinor]

I think that's it - I was desperate that with pregnancy my bra size would go up, but tbh unfortunately although my boobs got bigger so did the rest of me. Having gone from being a 16 and now being a 8/10 I actually like my body. But I buy crappy cheap M&S multipacks because I don't like the way i fit into a 34A I'm certainly not wasting money on nice underwear that is poorly fitting.

[SorrelForbes]

Callycat Ahh, so that's where you were hiding . If you measure 34 under bust and 35 across then I would try you in a 34A.