bra fit help please

[WildThong]

I measure at 36 but the size 36 bras in M&S are really cutting. Last time I ended up buying two 38c on their recommendation but those bras are now quite loose and I have to fasten them on the tightest hook to stop them slipping. Any advice ladies? I normally buy smooth t shirt bras but totally open to ideas.

i dont like m and s bras personally. havent for a long time.
the bra shouls sit horizontally on your back, not ride up. the straps may need to be pulled tighter to acheive it, and i usually prefer my bras on the middle hook, so that it gives you a chance to get to the tightest should you lose weight.
go to debenhams and get fitted.

Can you please post your actual measurements- underbust in inches measured tightly and overbust wearing your best bra, not pulled tightly. M and s are a bit mad at sizing and I personally don't like their bras either.

Ok, a fitting at an independent retailer or sown whee like Bravissimo would be the ideal but failing that there are some good fitters in Debenhams and John Lewis.

As a start though, can you measure under your bust, holding the tape tightly, and then measure across your bust, holding the tape loosely. Post those measurements and I'll give you some sizes to start with.

X post SC. Opposite ends of the country but somehow psychically linked!!

If they are feeling too tight but a bigger band is too big, you probably need to stick to a 36 but increase the cup size.

When there's not enough room for all of your breast tissue, the bra will be forced away from your body.

Try measuring firmly under your boobs where the band sits. That is your band size. No adding anything! Measure loosely over the fullest part of your boobs. For every inch different, you will have an approximate cup size. So 36 under and 40 over would give you a 36D.

Sure the other bra gurus will be along shortly

Do report back!

Like I said!

I swear it's like we have a wee bra thread claxon!

Your bra should fit you on the loosest hook as it will stretch in the wash then you can tighten with the hooks as it gets older.

I measure 35.5in underbust but am in a 34F on the loosest hook thanks to the lovely advice on here. Boobs look much better than in a 36C/D!

Isn't it just. We can't have as that's used by the sporners not one of them, oh no, not me

Perhaps when people start a bra thread they should prefix the title with

Found the tape measure eventually.
So underband is 34 (surprised by that as I thought it was bigger), and 41 overband.
Really totally different from what I expected!

So that means you are more like a 34f.

Yep, 34F.

M&S insist in adding 4 or 5 inches to the under bust measurement before working out the inch difference thing. Therefore they would have added 4 to your 34". There is a 3" difference between 34 and 41. Hence the 38C they fitted you as. Bonkers.

After reading the last bra thread I'm now in a 34E instead of a 36C. It feels tight around the band, but I think that's just because I'm not used to feeling a bra there. It feels - and looks - far better to be properly contained instead of spilling out at the sides

No wonder the 38c doesn't fit properly. I have a day off today so I'm going shopping.
Thank you!

Sorry to jump in...

I've always worn a 32/34 B but have measured myself and am 30/31 around my ribs and 35 around my boobs, measuring quite loosely. Does that really make me a 30E??? I need to go shopping today to try on some new bras.

Good luck. Try to go to somewhere like bravissimo or even debenhams or john Lewis where you can try a mix of brands. The freya deco is a good moulded. Oh, and you will need to scoop yourself in to your new bra- when you put if on, mean forward, out right hand inside left cup and round under armpit and yank everything forward in to the cup. Repeat on other side.

Eggington, I'd start with a 30dd. If you look over on the small boobs thread I put a post on which lists what to look for in a good bra- I'm on my phone so can't paste it over but if someone else can that would be useful!

Thank you SC I'll check out that thread now.

SC. I think this is your guide:

Here are a few things to look for in a well fitting bra:

Firstly, when you but the bra on, lean forward then take your right hand and put it inside your left cup. Reach right round under your armpit/towards your back and hoik all the backfat/escapage forward in to the cup of the bra. Repeat at the other side.

If your bra is a good fit after doing this it should:

• Be worn on the loosest hook (when new). If you can fasten it on the tightest hook then try a back size lower.
• The band should be completely horizontal
• You should only be able to fit a couple of fingers under the front of the bra. If you can get more than that, or you can pull it more than an inch or so away from your body at the back, it is TOO BIG!
• If you raise your arms, the back should not really move - no riding up
• The wires should be entirely encasing your breast tissue - breast tissue goes suprisingly far back and a lot of people don't realise this. If you feel where the wire is sitting under your arm then it should be sitting on a fairly firm surface.
• The central gore (where the wires meet) should sit flat between your boobs. if it is being pushed away, then the cup is probably too small (and the back possibly too big as well)
• There should be absolutely no lumps over the top of the cup. Take a fitted t shirt with you to put over the top of the bra and stand side on to a mirror and watch as you breathe in. If you have a bit of a bulge only when you breathe in, you probably need to go up 1 cup. If it is visible when breathing out then IME it's probably more like two cups or more.
• The cup shouldn't gape. If it does, it may be too big or it may be the wrong shape of bra for you. Moulded cups are particularly bad for this as they don't adapt to your shape.
• The shoulder straps shouldn't be painful and digging in. Most of the support should come from the back. If you find that you can't get enough support without the straps being so short they hurt the bra isn't for you. Most likely it's too big in the back but it may also just be a bra that doesn't suit you.
• and on that note; not every brand works for every person. There are quite distinct differences in shape between brands which mean a particular brand may just not suit the shape of your breasts.

Cheers sorrel, far too long to type out again on a phone!

Im back from the shops. Thanks again SC and the other breastie girls.
Our Debenhams didnt have an awful lot but I bought a Gorgeous 34f. It is tight but I can run my finger round it so its not glued on. Its on the loosest clip but I suppose that will ease off with wear? I was looking here is anyone familiar with these brands?

Wild yes it will. My 34 bands hurt the first couple of wears by the end of the day, but are now fine.

Brastop is good. If there are certain bras you like I have tried ( and bought) lots so can prob advise on the sizing.
You should always buy a new bra on the loosest clip- after going from a 38 a 34 will feel tight but you will get used to it very quickly.