Something I've been wondering about bras......

[ameliameerkat]

So I was recently remeasured at Bravissimo after having an inkling that my bras didn't fit, and I was put in a (perfectly fitting) 30F whereas I had been wearing a (badly fitting) 34DD.

I usually wear size 10/12 on my top half. Usually a 12 to be fair, although I think that's mainly to fit my boobs in. If it wasn't for them I reckon I'd be in size 8/10.

Size 8 - 10 is pretty common to wear on your top half. But hardly any shops start their bras at a size 30. I have a size 8 friend who wears a 28. Does that mean that lots of size 8/10 ladies are wearing entirely the wrong size bra?! Because otherwise surely there would be enough demand that more shops would start their ranges at size 28/30?! Or are they all shopping in Debenhams/Bravissimo like me?! Even M&S only have about 3 'adult' bras that start at a size 30, and not all of them go up to an F cup. (There is the 'teen' type range too, but unsurprisingly no F cups there......)

/rant over/

Are lots of size 8-10 ladies wearing the wrong size bra? Absolutely! A size 8 usually equates to a 28 band and there's a real increase in young petitewomen who really need a 26.

Big stores are reluctant to increase the range of sizes available as it would increase production costs significantly. D-K (most of Bravissimo's ranges) is 12 cup sizes. It will take many more years to fix the anomalies in standard shops.

I love Bravissimo, but if you measure yourself the way you are always told to (just look on the Figleaves website) then you will probably find that you are closer to your 34DD you were wearing before.

I wear a 34-36GG normally, if I measured myself I would be in a 38-40DD, which when on is ridiculous. I think the reason smaller backs aren't made is that bra manufacturers simply don't want to admit that their way of measuring is outmoded and doesn't fit with the multitude of different body shapes. I'm a porky bugger, but I have a small back and short body, so I need a smaller back size and short straps.

Absolutely right. I am a 32 and that can be hard enough to get hold of. When I was pregnant, i actually shrank from a 32 to a 30 and had a lengthy e mail correspondence with M and S who told me there was 'no call' for maternity/feeding bras smaller than a 34. The logic of pointing out that there was call for them when not pregnant/ feeding received no reply. Drives me mad. That and the cost of them. Have recently discovered Debenhams, which seems to have a good supply of cheaper numbers

Kylie - it annoys me so much about M&S! I went in there about a week after having TWINS (whom I was BF at the time) and the woman snootily told me my bra didn't fit. Well, yes, I knew that, that's why I was in there shopping for a new feeding bra!

They didn't have any in my size, apparently because there is 'no call for it'. Really? A customer comes in for a bra, you don't have her size but there is 'no call for it'? You'd think bra manufacturers would get it into their heads that everyone with boobs could potentially breastfeed, so therefore all bras should come in a nursing option.

Its a bit like calling you a freak isn't it? I don't buy bras there any more. I am a regular 12 in clothes, just with slightly narrow back and shoulders. And I'm a 32 for goodness sake not a 22! Hardly freakish. (I know they have to draw the line somewhere but they could think about their clothes range when deciding what is the smallest size they will stock).
Just realised I have lost a bit of weight - bras now all done up on tightest hooks (and only a few months old so not that stretched). My first thought was 'oh no, where will I get bras now' (apart of course from Bravissimo who are an hour plus drive away). Takes the shine off looking svelte (OK svelte-r)

There are more around than you think:

M&S- I know their bras getting slagged off but that is often the fitting- if you know your size, and how to fit yourself, they are okay.

John Lewis- own brand- most start st 28 and lots at 30- and always in the sales!

Elle McPherson ( think)

Fig leaves website for huge selection.

Rigby and Peller

Ooh, I didn't realise the John Lewis own brand started at 28/30, I'll need to check that out. Rigby and Peller is completely out of my price brand.....

It's unbelievable that all the mainstream shops effectively don't stock bras to fit size 8-10 women.

Having a 30 back does not mean you will be an 8-10 I am a 30G, 5'10" and a 12-14, even if you lopped of my boobs no way would I be fitting into a 8-10.

I also have a friend who is a 30HH and a size 16 though she is very short.

Lots of women generally are wearing the wrong size bra over all sizes.

I don't have problems getting bras as I don't buy on the high street.

So there could (and should) be a market out there for bras avaliable in band size 26-42 and cup size aa-hh? These bras would also include feeding style and both underwired and non-underwired.

At decent prices well fitted.
Wush M&s /debenhams were on MN!

There ia a market for 26-42 backs and more like aa-k cups. They are fairly well available over the internet or if you live near a good bra shop.

It's a supply and demand thing though isn't it? Market (seems) to be smaller, therefore supply is low and prices are high. It annoys me that I can see e.g. 2 packs of t-shirt bras for £10 in sizes 34A - 38C (say), but anything outside of that range and life becomes more difficult/more expensive. I suppose once I know better what brands/styles will reliably fit me I'll be able to buy from the internet more easily but I hate having to buy a few bras safe in the knowledge that most of them will have to go back as they don't fit.

(And what's the deal with Freya bras by the way?! The few bras of theirs I have tried on have made my boobs super pointy! Didn't like it!!)

That's the other problem, is that not only do you have the question of availability in the first place, but then manufacturers make for different shapes. I can't wear Panache as the underwires are too curved and so the bra doesn't fit well. As the 'pool' is relatively small anyway, that is a further limitation.
I've had trouble with John Lewis as well, who told me (when I was looking for a plain -ish nude bra) that at my size I shouldn't expect much choice! They certainly didn't have any own brand in a 32 in store - but that was 18 months ago

Obviously I am a nightmare to deal with! I think the thing I would say is that very often people (i.e. fitters, shop assistants etc) don't realise how vulnerable one feels about bra fittings and size issues. I hate my comedy breasts and wish I could go back to a decent DD, so I suspect I tend to store up some of the comments I have had which logic tells me are no more than thoughtless. Still its all age related and I'm sure there are far worse things I will have to out up with. Sorry OP - taking this too seriously!

Yes, lots of people are wearing the wrong size bra! Every time I see someone with the back strap up near their shoulder blades I want to go all Trinny and Susannah on them and sort out their bras

For info, there's a great factory shop in Desborough, Northants, that has Freya and Rigby and Peller in larger sized cups (but all sized backs) for about £15-20. Depends what they have been making what stock they have, but if you're close it's worth a visit.

I'm always banging on about Prima Donna bras. Tend to be ££ but make Freya eyes all look carp.

Freya et al.