How do you wear your bras?

[BedHeadTigi]

Do you like to wear them super tight so you know they are there and leave bra marks when you take them off, or have them at a looser more comfortable setting? Im asking this because i have realised all of my old bras are pretty super tight on me, but my new ones are so comfortable and no way as tight but i wonder if they will still support my bust the same?

[UndeadPixie]

Sc that is a great idea. I wouldn't have known any better if I hadn't read the thread. Is there any one who would host it on their blog as a separate page? It's be handy to dispell some myths.

[SorrelForbes]

I think that's a great blog Dolly.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Ha ha! Joking apart, I wish something like that existed. There are a few big-boob blogs around but they tend to be ~g+. I tried to find a photo of a true 30C for the other thread and I'll be buggered if I could.

There are so many myths - this for example and there was a story in the DailyWail the other day about the average bra size having gone up (based on the sizes Debenhams sell) and the comments underneath were infuriating, people ranting about how they were all fake boobs or because women are so fat. Grrrrrrr.

[Dollydowser]

There are some great photos on here if you scroll down of good and bad fitting bras, some with sizes too.

[SorrelForbes]

Liking that idea very much SC. You would have course have to lead the way by posting your own pic first

[StatisticallyChallenged]

grrrrr argh lol. I am half tempted to set up a website where people who have been fitted properly can post anonymous pictures along with their bra size! Some myths need dispelling!

[Silverstar2]

Thanks SC - I have ordered some 36's, so we will see. May have to go up again from the F I have on order, but I am determind to get this right!

My dh just annoyed me; when I said that I had ordered new bras, and they are a F cup, he just looked at me and said 'no way are you THAT big!' should get him to read this thread!!!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Silverstar it's not that nobody is a 38 - more that most people who think they are, aren't! And we see a lot of threads where people post saying "I'm a size 8/10 with a 36/38 B bust" and that combination normally jumps up, waves and shouts "oy, wrong bra" to a few of us.

At the sizes you give, you could well be a 36 - I measure nearer to 32 than 30 but wear a 30. However, on a 36 I suspect an F is still too small - I would suggest you try an FF and a G as well.

[Silverstar2]

I have read the whole thread with interest - I have NEVER felt comfy wearing a bra, they always seem to rub or gape (or both). I have been wearing a 38D. Now I know you all say no-one measures a 28, but I am a size 16-18, and I measure just under 38 under bust, and 45-46 over.

A few days ago I tried a 36E, band felt fine, but it rubbed between my boobs and under my arms, so I have now ordered some in a 36F from Simply Yours, should arrive tomorrow.

Will let you know .....!

[UndeadPixie]

Thanks, I will take a trip to town next week and try find something nice!

[StaceymReadyForNumber3]

sf and sc thank you so much for your time, I shall dig out my tape measure tomorrow and get measuring. Then we might have an idea where to start!

Thank you thank you!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

StaceyM, I'm not a pregnancy bra expert but....

Firstly, anyone who tells you not to wear underwires in pregnancy should probably be shot :) It is absolutely OK to wear an underwired bra (and there are even underwired feeding bras now) AS LONG AS IT FITS WELL. It is only ill fitting wires that are risky.

Now, in terms of fitting a bra - when I was pg Bravissimo fitted me with the bra fitting on the tightest hook, rather than the loosest to allow for ribcage expansion. Pregnancy is the only time you should buy a bra that fits on the tightest hook.

In terms of cup size, you want to give yourself some room to grow. Judging by your username you've done this before :) so you will have an idea of how much your boobs grow towards the end. In my case they grew right at the start than stayed fairly constant (just with a little rib expansion) until birth - I probably only gained a cup size between about 8 weeks and 40. So the bra I was fitted with at 8 weeks which just had a little space was fine.

After birth is kind of hard to predict - when my milk came in I was absolutely enormous and nothing I bought in pregnancy touched the sides, but you will know if this is the case for you or not.

If you want to measure then we will give you a rough idea of where to start. Measure underneath firmly with bra off. If bra doesn't fit terribly then measure slightly looser over widest part. If bra terrible - I find that taking it off and bending forward so boobs are hanging straight down (i.e. at pretty much 90 degrees from my body) gives me a measurement that is pretty accurate and matches what I get in my best bra.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I've heard similar conversations in Bravissimo too - they are absolutely lovely. Judging by your measurements you are in their territory but they do a lot of their analysis by looking at your current bra so even if you were somehow a C cup they would probably be able to give you a pretty accurate size guide.

However, in the spirit of the other thread - I'll bet you a Mars Bar you are a Bravissimo girl!

[Dollydowser]

They do not laugh in bravissimo, they are very discreet. I overheard a conversation with a girl in the next cubicle to me, who was apologising for having boobs that weren't big enough. she was told that if they weren't able to fit her, they would give her a good idea of what size she was.

[SorrelForbes]

Honestly you will be at least a D so don't worry about going to Bravissimo. Even if you do end up as a C then they'll happily recommend bras for you.

Some fitters in JL and Debenhams are pretty good. But beware any that add on 4/5"!

I always use this as an example, but my 13 year old niece who has two little bumps, wears a 28DD.

In the end, you have a 6" difference between your measurements. 1" = 1 cup so you can see that really you can't be a B/C . Have you read this blog page?: fullerfigurefullerbust.com/2012/08/16/bra-sizes-do-not-exist-without-back-sizes/

[UndeadPixie]

Is there anywhere I can get fitted properly that's not Bravissimo? I don't want them laughing at me and my puny boobs They really are puny so I am having trouble thinking I could anything more than a C!

[SorrelForbes]

Yep, start with a 30E or a 32DD. I'd hazard a guess that your normal bras iritate you because they're just not fitting right.

[UndeadPixie]

I'm a 31 under and a 36 over the fullest part. So according to the measurements suggested here I should be a 30/32 E?! I'm currently in 32/34 B and C cups? I hate bras and have had to wear very simplistic boob tube ones for a while now as normal bras irritate me

[SorrelForbes]

Hi Stacey
OK, I'm no expert when it comes to maternity or BF bras but hopefully SC or HN will be along soon!

Measure yourself wearing your best fitting bra, ideally one that's not too padded. I usually stand straight but some swear by leaning forward. Have a go and see what the difference is.

Feel free to post your measurements here but just use any advice given as a rough guide. Then take yourself off for a fitting.

Scooping is when you do up your bra, lean forward, place your boobs into the cups and then, using your hands, scoop all the flesh (breast tissue) from the sides of your boobs, under your arms and aorund the back into the cups. You then stand up and put the shoulder straps on. What often happens is theta once you've scooped you end up spilling over the cups and this is a good indication that you need a bigger cup.

[StaceymReadyForNumber3]

Right ladies if you're around I m gunna need help I am 30 wks pg and looking at this I'm wearing completely the wrong size bra (fitted by mothercare should I measure and u lot advise or should I take myself off for a fitting somewhere? I don't really fancy getting my pregnancy norms out for someone!

Also how is best to measure? With/without bra on, standing straight/leaning?

Also can somebody explain 'scooping' for me please?

Sorry I'm so thick!

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Ok thanks I am all set now and
Quite perky!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Assuming m and s dont have a ff, then quite probably. It's common to need different sizes in different styles

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Ok I have some 34f balconies and a 34g plunge, got quadroboob with the f plunge. Does that sound right?

[SorrelForbes]

Hawthers I'd say try a 30E too, just in case

[SorrelForbes]

Phew! Do not let those fitters sneak into that cubicle with you