Time for a new bra thread

[SorrelForbes]

I am officially a mad bra lady. I staged an intervention today in M&S in an attempt to stop a young lady buying a 36B. She was with her mum who told me her daughter was a size 12 and that's why they'd picked up a 36. I advised her to try a 30! I am now feeling a mixture of shame and pride.

They were like this

I am going to Debenhams next weekend to irritate the staff with the mountain of bras I will be trying on!

Please link it AF!

M+S push up bra

the photo is shockingly bad and overexposed, doesn't do it justice at all. The colour is a deeper vintage beige and it gives a brilliant shape. Because my boobs are floppy, I tend to fall into the middle of plunge bras or wobble about over the top of half-cups. This is quite a full cup without looking like one IYSWIM. I highly recommend it (not a great range of sizes though, as per)

That's very pretty AF, I do like that vintage look.

SF, I'm about to order from EM. They don't have much in my size so ordering as close as I can to try and judge it before special ordering. Going for a PL Lilia in a 30J, a S Wisniowska in a 30HH, and a CHP Cappuccino in a 32GG. I doubt the CHP will fit but it will hopefully be close enough to work out if it's +1 or 2 cups, down a back etc. Sound reasonable?

That is lovely AF, thank you for linking

northern - I was taking in a good dozen at a time today, and no one in any of the stores batted an eyelid! I was almost disappointed.

I'll be really interested to hear what the CHP is like as it seems to be replacing the CH style. My beloved CH Karmelki doesn't appear to be on their web site anymore.

Where does the best plain t-shirt bras? I love the look of the pretty ones but something always itches/scratches. My bra drawer is like a bra graveyard of barely worn pretty bras and grey faded t-shirt ones

A lot of people like the Freya Deco, which is moulded. It runs big in the cup. SF is a big fan of the Cleo Juna which is a balconette. Debenhams Gorgeous do a lot of basic t shirt type bras, and I think Fantasie make a few too

I like Deco, but as it's a plunge bra, even with right size I get a bit of a wobble when walking, so I don't like to wear it in the office. My current favourite is this:
www.figleaves.com/uk/product/fe-fl2024-reb/rebecca-underwired-moulded-bra/

Evening all. I'm reporting back!

Having finally got the chance to read your instructions properly and measure myself 'dangling' without a 10mo clinging to my leg and eating the tape measure, I measured as 30" under and 36" over.

Went to my local Debenhams - they had only 1 bra (yes, 1 solitary bra in the whole shop) that was a 30DD or smaller, so tried it on hiding from the bra fitter in case she whipped it off me for something bigger and O. M. G. IT FITTED!!!!

Sorrel, you are a genius. Unfortunately it wasn't a nursing bra, but I don't care, I am no longer flat chested (well, for as long as I continue to BF).

However, there was a huge bulge of excess flesh spilling out over the sides, under my arms, is that meant to happen? I didn't even know I had spare flesh there until today

Just bought a Masquerade Rossetti, I am feeling the Delphi lust though but it'll have to wait until payday. As will the many bras that have somehow found their way into my Amazon basket

You need a bigger cup if you have side/underarm spill..try an E and F, and scoop all of that in to the cup.

Oh. I've still got a few things to learn about sizing haven't I I was just so ecstatic that the bra actually did up and the cups weren't full of air!

Thanks Stats, I'll try a few bigger sizes.

It's normal to be shocked at the big size and not think it needs to be even bigger! Arm fat and back fat all need to be hauled/scooped forward in to the bra. Try it just now - I suspect once you scoop the cup will suddenly have overspill

Thanks for the t-shirt bra suggestions

You will get there, lily

New to this thread.

I need to go to Rigby and Peller again. I love the way they just look at you and KNOW. I was wearing 38DD when I should have been a 34F. Sadly have piled on the weight since then, breastfed two kids which totally knackered my tits and am in 38G. I know I should be in 36GG or H really, but they are buggers to find. Have just packed all my lovely 34F bras away and kept one out in an attempt to spur me on to lose weight.

Right I'm back! I've re-measured based on Sorrel's advice. My back is 36.5 (or 36 if I'm really firm - I can still breathe and everything!). Top measurement when doing the whole leaning forward 90 degrees thing is 43.5.

So 36F or should I stick with a 38?

Limelight most likely a 36, most people get on best by rounding down unless they are quite boney! I would say start with a 36F and FF

Hi Sorrel

The Cleo Meg seems to run very generous in the cup- you may need a cup smaller although the fit is fab.

The Masquerade Rosetti is a strange fit, great if your boobs have a fair bit of oomph of their own, awful if not. There's a fair few left in the Bravissimo sale which says a lot.
The Rhea is a bit better but very 'eggs in an eggcup'. Often causes major seam lines through your clothes. Good for entertaining

The Cleo Poppy was the precursor to the Juna and fits the same. The same shape gets reused regularly now although they give the patterned ones different names.

Ladies
Need help
With my friend who I just measured. Can you advise on size for me? (She's on a diet so will shrink so wants cheap as size will change )

38 under
48 over

Thanks

Oh bugger, that doesn't sound good about the Rossetti. That sort of shape does generally suit me though so we'll see....

A small hijack Sorrel and co, for the greater good so I'm sure you won't mind
A few words about differing cup sizes and how to manage them

You do not necessarily have to pad the smaller cup to balance the bra out. I'm about a cup and a half different and never use fillets. The trick is to choose styles that can disguise it. The hardest style tends to be balconettes IME.

To balance the smaller side, hoick the smaller breast towards the top and centre of the cup, as if trying to pull it towards a pendant on your necklace. In many cases, the material at the bottom of the cup will gather/pucker allowing the breast to sit on it, thus filling the top of the cup like the fuller side. The empty part of the cup is now at the bottom and so will not show once you are dressed.

Cleo Juna and many half cup styles are often good for such disguise. They're also great for loss of volume post weight loss/breastfeeding.

Tshirt styles that work include Freya Deco (it gapes but lays flat once clothed) and the Panache Porcelain.

Fuller cup styles are good, particularly Panache Andorra and Melody full cup, and the Fantasie side support styles such as Elodie.

Nearly every woman I fit has an obvious size difference but in 5 years, I can count on one hand how many times I've needed to suggest adding a filler of any kind.

Back to you

Shattered I would start your friend in a 38GG.