Bra fitting

[Imnotbatman]

I have recently gone for a bra fitting and was shocked to find that I have been wearing a 38/40B and they decided at the end of the session that I am a 36C. Now Im thinking this is a bit bollox as I am defintely no c cup and never have been.
I bought a 36 c and think it makes me look a bit "matron" if that makes any sense.

Anyone else had a similar issue?

Maybe it's the make/style of bra making you feel matronly. Try another brand/style

With modern bras theres no need to add on the extra 4/5 inches on the band width. I measure 33inches round my ribcage so i wear a 34 band, there would be no point wearing a loose band as there would be no support. As long as the bra fits firmly without being uncomfortabe then its the right size. Also when you go down a band size you have to go up a cupsize so a 38B has the same size cup as a 36C.

Where were you fitted notbat?

The actual measurement under the bust is the band size, the difference between that and the measurement over the fullust part of the bust gives the cup size. So, someone who shoud be wearing a 36C would (typically) measure 36 under and 39 over. A 38B would be 38 under and 40 over. A 40B would be 40 under and 42 over.

What do you actually measure?

Oh, yeah, this is interesting. A technical bit, if you will .

Cup size alone says nothing about the volume of the breast - In bra manufacture one cup size up = one band size down in terms of the wire (or cup edge) size used. So, the same wire is in a 40A, 48B, 36C, 34D, 32E and a 30F. Line 'em up and have a look in a shop sometime, I know it sounds hard to believe.

Anyway, the point being, your new bra has the same sized wire as some of your old ones.

Got measured in R&P - I thought i was 38c. They said i was 34dd ( I thought the 36D more comfortable) Neither of them felt good-i much preferred my 38 c!!!

I went round wearing a 36C for years, having been measured that size in Debenhams, then I went to Bravissimo and found I am a 30F! I feel and look so much better in my bras now, they are much more supportive.

I'd recommend Bravissimo if you're unsure that your size has been measured correctly, they're great then do what I do and buy Bravissimo bras brand new on Ebay for half the price

I was measured in debenhams.She just did "back size"...made me do a genie pose and measured under the bra (measured a 40 and walked out in a 36). She also convinced me I was wearing my bras too low down on my back and said they should be higher.
I wore a new one out last night and it was prettyn tight, especially when I sat down.

Oh yes, and I had to do it up first and put it on over my head

too low down??

How many times have I seen on programs that they say the back strap is too high up??

I would have gone for a 2nd opinion elsewhere tbf

Don't understand what you mean by 'back size' - is that the measurement under the bust, around the ribs?

Debenhams are almost as bad as M&S - I've walked out of there empty-handed feeling like a freak a few times.

Bravissimo are ok, but I find John Lewis the best - although it always depends on the individual fitter.

Fwiw, well-fitting bras should be tight in the band - that's where the support is supposed to be, rather than the straps. They do soften up once washed - but you need to double-check your size by the sounds of it.

I went from years of wearing a 34D, to a 32F in Bravissimo (still not quite right), then a 30G in JL, which finally fits.

Sorry, yes....what I would call the rib cage measurement but she called "the back size"

Sorry but she sounds clueless! Looks like you'll have to go to JL elsewhere.

you put your bra on over your head? That size does not sound right, there is absolutely no way I could get any of my bras on like that. And "wearing bra too low" is odd too - it should be the same height back and front. If it's too big, it tends to climb up, but I have not heard about bras climbing down yet.
I would recommend a trip to Bravissimo, always had the best experiences with them.

I only have to put it on over my head as I couldnt get it fastened the usual way.
Yes, I may just get re-measured

Why not do it yourself amd then go and try some on with this printed out to help you find the right fit?? www.wikihow.com/Measure-Your-Bra-Size

And to complicate things further styles and brands will differ in sizing too. I'm a fan of choosing a bra and then trying on till you narrow down the size that works - no amount of measuring ever works accurately.

I got measured at Rigby and Peller and like most people went down in back size and up in cup size.

It takes a bit of getting used to wearing a bra that fits tighter around the bottom band but when you do it is much comfier and your boobs look much better, in my experience.

ok - i am trying to perfect my wedding outfit - not my wedding - friend wedding.

i have a dress now but think a lot of my bras are not great fitting. I really want a bra that supports them upwards so they look as though they are in the right place (as opposed to down by knees). I am currently wearing some old 38F - which I know dont fit and some recetnly fitted 40E which don't feel great either.

I have just taken my measurements.

40 under bust (ribcage) and 48 at fullest part - OMG - bigger than I thought -

what size do you think . I am wanting to order a selection to try from bravissimo. cheers in advance. Kate

Bravissimo have a fitting guide here but I don't think you can beat someone else fetching and carrying the different styles and sizes until you find the best fit.

I make you a 40H, based on your measurements - No wonder your current bras don't feel right! That might not be the size you actually need, the measurements just give a starting point - it may well be that you need to go up a cup size and down a band size / up a band size down a cup size in some makes or models.

It'd be best to take yourself off the rigby and peller if you can, or, failing thta bravissimo or a local independent shop.

32C, 32D, 34B and 34C are all possibilities with those measurements - My money would be on the 32D or the 34C (same size cup, just variation in band size) but as with anything sizes vary a lot.

Best to take a look at the bravissimo fitting link down thread and pop off to try on as many bras as you can manage. Might even be that you need a 32E or 34D in some makes / models.

When I took DD to R & P, they never even got a tape measure out, did it all by eye and the bra they fitted her with was perfect. They told me that just because she was whatever size in one bra, it didnt mean another style in the same size would necessarily fit perfectly too. Trying loads and loads on or going somewhere vair expensive seem to be the only answers.