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?

[HazleNutt]

I agree that while it should of course not be painful, it's totally normal that you will get some marks from your bra. It has to support and hold the bust up, after all. Only way you could have a bra that is loosely around your rib cage and not tight at all is if you have tiny and/or totally gravity defying boobs and the bra is there only for decoration/nipple coverage.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I would also agree that marks from your bra are normal, just like I can be left with marks from a pair of jeans, or the elastic at the top of socks, or pants.

I also think the perception that DD=Jordan=HUGE still exists in a lot of places. I have had a friend (who was queen of the badly fitting bra) comment that she though I had "a pair of saggy c cups" (cow) - I was a frigging GG at the time. I'm a HH now, and I still wouldn't say my boobs look especially huge.

[MissBoPeep]

Sorrel am happy to try a 30 back although I know M&S won't fit- they tend to be smaller backs. I am waiting to try my best bra ever from J Lewis- gel push up- when it's in stock- if EVER!- in a 30 D.

I'm pretty relieved to get out of a 32 by the end of the day so a 30 may be oushing it- though agree that on paper they should fit. Depends a lot on the style though.

My boobs are still very pert they point straight out!

[SorrelForbes]

M&S don't fit me either.

Am at your pert boobs

[HazleNutt]

Ah but Bo, you might be relieved to get out of the bra exactly because it's too large and does not offer proper support. I certainly found my 36's more uncomfortable than my 32's.

[MissBoPeep]

hazle I hate to say it, but I don't actually need support! My boobs are not big, but they are round and point straight out. The tightness is across the back.

[HumphreyCobbler]

SorrelForbes

Remember, to really scoop all your flesh into the cups when you put your bra on (be quite firm and really drag everything into the cup).


OMFG my annoying back fat has mostly gone!!!!!

I simply cannot thank you enough. My bras still fit as I have lost weight recently and pulling all my flesh in has just filled up the cup.

why didn't I already know this? My back fat has really been bothering me lately.

[HumphreyCobbler]

sorry, I should have bolded your quote

[SorrelForbes]

amazing isn't it. Happy scooping.

[fartattack]

Have you tried proms Donna range? Their basic bra revolutionized my life! I also went from 36c where the gap between the cups was never wide enough to 34E that actually doesn't hurt at all and fits perfectly.

[fartattack]

Sorry that should be Prima Donna range

[HumphreyCobbler]

my prima donna bra broke whilst I was on holiday the glue just seemed to melt on the clasp.

I have replaced with a new one though, I agree it is a really good bra. Very comfy.

[SorrelForbes]

My favourite bra is a Prima Donna bought at R&P. So comfortable and gives me a great shape.

[lljkk]

If I wear them tight as advised I get indigestion & back ache.
If I breathe in my rib cage (the under boob measurement) literally expands by 4-5".
So I'm not surprised to also report that I get red marks & feel like I can't breathe properly if I wear them tight as advised.

Do other people not huff or puff or ever eat when wearing a bra? Is that the secret?

[Snog]

I have a wide back and small boobs - 37/41
I can't tolerate a band less than 36 inches. As for cup size, I measure 41 inches which would seemingly be a D cup??? Yet my boobs are tiny - I can do the pencil test although I am over 40.
I don't need a tight strap to support my boobs as to be frank they don't need much support, and a tight backstrap is uncomfortable. I find most bras shove my breasts forward which is less comfortable for me. I don't want them forced together to create a vague impression of cleavage!
I struggle to fill many B cups and balconette styles suit me best.
I honestly think there is much more to getting a well fitting bra than 2 measurements.

[SorrelForbes]

Snog - but the correct size back shouldn't be uncomfortable, tight yes, but not uncomfortably so.

I'd start you in a 36D but depending on style etc, a 36DD or even a 38D could be better for you. As you say, there is more to it than two measurements but they are a good starting point.

The point is though that we all should stop thinking of a D as being big. It really isn't at all. My 13 year old skinny size 6 DN wears a 28DD and yet looks almost flat chested at first glance.

I don't like having a lot of squashed cleavage on show so tend to avoid plunge styles and stick to full cups or balconettes. You may find that a plunge works ok for you though.

[SorrelForbes]

IIjkk - it did take me a few wears to get used to a tighter band (30). Now, though I can't stand a 32 as it feels so loose.

A good bra should have some stretch in it to accommodate things like breathing but some have more than others.

[lljkk]

Does a few wears mean more than 2 weeks solid?

[SorrelForbes]

Ah, no, probably less than a week.

The thing is though, that if I'm wearing the wrong cup size, it makes the band unbearable. But, we're all different

[lljkk]

Is my rib cage weird? If other people take a regular breath, and then take a deep breath, how much does your rib cage expand from the circumference when breath all out. Anyone fancy getting a tape measurer & seeing what difference you get?

[SorrelForbes]

Just measured. I go from 30 1/4 to 33 3/4 so not as much of an expansion as you.

[lljkk]

I go 34-38/39.

[SorrelForbes]

That's quite a difference. What's your across bust measurement? I wonder whether you need a 34 and then a much much bigger cup?

For example, I wear a 30G but couldn't fasten a 30D or 30E and would be in agony in an 30F

Bras are funny old things!

[Snog]

SorrelForbes thanks for your thoughts. I will try a D cup!
I am not really filling a B cup but will give it a go!

[SorrelForbes]

You can but try . Get the right first, trying it on back to front if needs be and the sort the cup. Some of the links up thread give some excellent tips about fitting.