Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Time for a new bra thread

999 replies

SorrelForbes · 21/02/2013 14:36

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 Shock Confused

OP posts:
ProlificWillyBreeder · 27/02/2013 14:35

I'm quite bony just my very squishy boobs! I'm dead on a 30. Think
It will be a case of playing around I think.
Which styles are best for my size of nork? (28/30) D/DD?

ProlificWillyBreeder · 27/02/2013 14:36

Thanks for this great advice everyone :)

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/02/2013 14:40

Prolific, the style which works best is more to do with the shape of your breast, and what you are wearing it under. Personally, I prefer a balcony/balconette for everyday wear. You will probably find that in a proper size you won't be as drawn to padded as a well fitted but non padded will give you amazing uplift. Moulded are best under clingy/smooth clothes. Plunges are good under V necks.

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 27/02/2013 14:53

Although bra obsessed and now trying Curvy Kate following recommendations I'm feeling lost now on everyday bras that give some lift. Given up on Fantasie ... they're feeling a bit mumsy now, Freya always felt interior to Fantasie, thought moulded Panache was the answer but they're sliding down now and the wire is just not right although I did have the fitting checked before buying.
Any ideas SC?

quietlysuggests · 27/02/2013 14:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/02/2013 14:57

Freya have gone downhill IMO. My day to day lots of uplift bras are a Bravissimo Alana and a Bravissimo Betsy Bow. I have a Fantasie Florence which doesn;t make them quite as perky but gives a nice rounded shape and isn't toooo mumsy.

I personally don't think that a moulded bra every gives as good a lift as an unmoulded. They are good for when you need a smooth line, but they can't follow the shape of the breast closely enough to really lift them high.

DustyMoth · 27/02/2013 15:06

Can you help me as well?! Wore a 34A for years but then was remeasured as 32C. Is much better but I can fit my whole hand sideways under the strap! Is it just really stretchy? I measure 30 under the bust but am worried about back overspill Blush if I wore a 30. Is it worth a trek into town to try a 30inch? Would I need to try a bigger cup then?

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 27/02/2013 15:07

Thanks I will take a look at those.

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/02/2013 15:09

Bizarrely, a smaller back doesn't make backfat worse. once you have the right back size, you need to scoop vigorously. There is a lengthy description upthread (around post 15) which describes it but fundamentally - all the tissue around your armpits etc that often sticks out of bras? That's breast - it goes in the cup, and often needs to be dragged in there!

If you go down a back then you will need to go up at least 1 cup just to maintain the same volume.

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 27/02/2013 15:18

Alana looks good. You've not had the wiring problem SC?

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/02/2013 15:23

I have problems with Panache wires - they are the wrong shape for my breasts, the cup is too deep so they slide down. I've never had any issues with my Alana's - I wear them to death!

Liveinthepresent · 27/02/2013 15:37

Can anyone of you bra gurus advise - I have just measured and am 33 round chest and 39 around boobs - doing the leaning forward approach.
Am 23 weeks pregnant - existing maternity bras are 34DD does that sound right - I think I am bigger than last time and tried an Anita underwired in 34 DD to give me some shape but it was definitely too small.
Thanks in advance

Velve · 27/02/2013 15:40

Hey, Stat
Are all Bravissimo's own bras less deep in the cup or just some of them?
I love my Cleo bras but they do slide down annoyingly. The only one of those that fits nicely is the Marcie.
Just trying to find brands that don't give me a wire slippage issue.
Also do you know which brands have a slightly narrower centre gore than Panache (and affiliates)? I don't love Freya as all their bras give me a 50's pointy boob look.

Glimpers · 27/02/2013 15:41

Hi all. I have been avidly following this thread and am now obsessed keenly reading with what bras you are all buying. I am 32/39 under/over and wearing a 32F or FF however, I have just ordered the Cleo Juna in a 32F and have sent it back as it was too small in the cup (vigorous scooping was carried out!). Has anyone had experience of whether Cleo (I think they're Panache) come up small or is it just my shape?
statistically how does the Alana and Betty bow come up for size?
Thank you in advance lovely ladies Smile

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/02/2013 15:44

live, you are between a 32 and 34 so if buying new (given that your ribs might expand more) you might want a 34, if the DD seems tight try an E at least.

Post preg you are probably a 32 or maybe less. I only went up 1 back size in pregnancy.

Velve, I do find all brav bras a bit shallower than Panache. I thnk Ewa Michalak have a narrow gore in at least some. I am very close set, and find I need bras where the middle is high enough to come over the "join" between my boobs, or very very low. Anything in the middle HURTS.

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 27/02/2013 16:32

Thanks SC. Your boobs sound like mine Smile

Slight delay in response as I popped to see if Debenhams had any Curvy Kate. They didn't Sad

Off home to do a bit of an online order and get my slipping Panache off.

CatelynStark · 27/02/2013 16:51

I've had a browse through the bra threads and wondered if someone could do me, please?

I've just measured and am 37" under boobs and 44" when they're hanging (!). I do have an old Bravissimo 38FF but the cups are too big around the top and gape away from my chest so maybe I'm a 38F?

(I've never actually worn the Bravissimo as it just felt too tight - I need to get learned, don't I?)

I'm not wanting to spend a lot as I'm aiming to lose 3 stone in the next few months but would like to actually wear something that makes me look a bit better, as I've just lost 2 stone and am living in Primark vest tops Hmm.

Many thanks in advance :)

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/02/2013 16:58

I would start at a 36FF but also try a 36F and 38E. The 36 is more likely.

CatelynStark · 27/02/2013 17:05

Thank you - I'll try those and see how I get on :)

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 27/02/2013 17:08

Glimpers I'm definitely more like a 30GG these days but have just received another Cleo Juna in the post and it fits. I'd say it's perhaps a little bigger in the cup than some other brands (e.g. Curvy Kate, Fauve).

OP posts:
Liveinthepresent · 27/02/2013 17:09

Thanks SC will brave an E - seems such a far cry from the gorgeous little 32C bras I took on my honeymoon.

SarkyPants · 27/02/2013 17:14

can I just pop in to thank whoever recommended Brastop.com upthread.

I just received the 4 bras I ordered from there on monday - 4 for £50 which for 32HHs is a total bargain.
They fit perfectly. and I am very very happy!

Glimpers · 27/02/2013 19:46

Thanks sorrel
I went to a small independent bra shop today and tried about 8 different ones on, and got 4 put aside for me to pick up on Saturday Blush
Strange about the Juna, as I tried 3 Fauve ones on, and they all fitted in a 32F, yet I struggled with the Juna?!
Go figure Smile
Think I may order a FF and see how I get on.

Jemster · 27/02/2013 19:57

Hi I've been reading and learning as I have had a problem finding a comfortable bra since having dd 10 months ago.
I had a fitting at bravimisso the other day and was amazed at the difference a proper fitting bra made. I bought one 32E and have been wearing today but am really conscious of it. It is tighter than what I was wearing, 34D, but bearable. The bit that's bugging me is in the middle between boobs. It sits flat but feels like it's rubbing against me and a bit itchy. I feel like I want to pull it away from touching me.

Does it take a while for a new be to be properly comfy? I'm worried in case I've made an expensive mistake.

StatisticallyChallenged · 27/02/2013 20:04

Jemster it does take a wee while for a new bra to be comfortable, so it may just be that. It's also possible the bra isn't quite right shape wise. I would maybe give it another day or two, but if it doesn't feel right after that maybe give them a call. Bravissimo are very good customer service wise - if they have fitted you and it isn't right they take them back even if they have been worn.