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?

[Dollydowser]

Yes that's it, so the difference between your under bust and over bust measurement is 9".
1=A
2=B
3=C
4=D
5=DD
6=E
7=F
8=FF
9=G

But this really is intended as a rough guide only. No two bras of the same size but a different make will be the same. In fact, 2 bras of the same side, the same make but a different model/design may not even fit the same. 34H has the same volume in the cup as 32HH, down one size in the back= up one in cup size. Its possible you have lost weight in either the cup or the back or both. Trying on a range of sizes between 34H and 32G you should hit on the one that fits best. Hope I have explained that OK, I'm sure someone more knowledgable will be along to tell you more!

[mummybare]

Is there no EE then? (I know I'll probably have to try a few sizes on anyway, I just want to make sure I've got the theory right for when they next change beyond all recognition!)

It's quite possible I have lost weight in both areas as I was fitted quite soon after giving birth...

[Dollydowser]

Yes it does sound likely, especially as you measure 32 swell. As far as I know there is no EE. I don't want to be clued up on all this, but having enormous norks makes it difficult not to be an expert. It doesn't mean that it's any easier or quicker finding the perfect fitting bra though unfortunately.

[mummybare]

Thanks so much! It's a minefield, isn't it? But at least I have Mumsnet to help me negotiate it!

[hawthers]

Right am merging myself to get my post DS2 boobs rescaffolded. My previous bras were 34/36 a but with measurements of 31 and 36 this makes me a 32 d or 30dd ? Does it?

Which brings me to the issue. Am I now in bravissimo territory? As I'm previously of the small nork mindset I'm nervous about going in and them telling me not to be so silly, yrs I fi indeed have small boobs and to take a hike myself elsewhere yet they do seem to be pretty reliable at getting the right size.

[HazleNutt]

hawters yes you are correct. And don't be afraid of bravissimo, even though you certainly are in ther territory now, they can also advise people under D.

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Ok I am now using this thread to assist me in a live bra fitting. 34f is looking good, yikes!

[Dollydowser]

Where are you Doctrine? Are you fitting yourself?

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

In M&S changing rooms and yes fitting myself!

[SorrelForbes]

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

[SorrelForbes]

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

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

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

[StatisticallyChallenged]

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

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Ok thanks I am all set now and
Quite perky!

[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!

[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.

[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]

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]

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]

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/

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!

[UndeadPixie]

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