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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:
StatisticallyChallenged · 28/02/2013 18:38

AnnaK, sounds like they are the brand for you - for most people it seems to be a breast shape issue where the wires on one (or more) brands suit them beautifully, whereas others which seem to "fit" hurt like heck.

Almostfifty · 28/02/2013 18:44

Ok ladies. I am small and quite thin, wearing a ten on top. I measure 32 under, and 36 on top. I cannot wear a 32, as it's so tight I get ridges in my skin. I am in a 34, but if I wear anything less than a D cup, I get the dreaded double boob effect.

What do you recommend?

StatisticallyChallenged · 28/02/2013 18:47

How did you measure the 36? Based on measurements I would have said a 32D however given that you say you need at least a 34d I would suggest trying a 32E and F to start with. If you didn't go up in the cup in the 32 then the back would have felt too tight because the cup will basically steal fabric from the back.

One of my friends is around a 30G. When we were out shopping the other night she tried on a 30F. She described it as "cutting her in half" because the lack of cup space was making the back pull so badly

Almostfifty · 28/02/2013 19:13

Ok, I will check this out as soon as I can get to some shops. Thank you.

Almostfifty · 28/02/2013 19:13

Sorry, forgot to say, not over my clothes!

mzdemeanour · 28/02/2013 19:46

I appear to be 31 underbust and 35.5 over ... What size does that make me wise bra ladies?

NicolaSeven · 28/02/2013 20:11

Can I seek advice please? Measuring 30 and 37 (I'm meant to be leaning forward, right?).

According to this site www.butterflycollection.ca/bra-size-calculator/ I should be a 30FF but... that can't be right, can it? I have teeny boobs and have been wearing 34b for years.

Have I arsed it up?

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 28/02/2013 20:12

Bra experts. Still loving the bra thread.

After reading and taking advice am awaiting the Alana and Tease Me to be delivered. Hoping then to dispose of most of my Panaches which don't suit my shape and slip nowadays

I am wondering whose you think of the Panache Andorra though. I did buy this recently from JL and they did it was a new one to them with a slightly different fit. It didn't seem to have quite the same issues as the other Panache bras. Am a 32F. My thoughts on it are pretty much consistent with those on this Figleaves review. For anyone trying I would say that the band is a little tight for size.

"As the title says this bra looks good and is soooo comfortable. I like the fact this bra is based on the same shape as a balconette but is a full cup. How anyone can wear a balconette when you've had children or are not firm anymore is beyond me. This bra covers your breasts, gives a great shape and keeps everything in place, no bounce!! It particularly suits me as I am 30E/F with narrow shoulders. The cups are close together and the straps dont slide off my shoulders. If you are slim, breasts close together and not as firm as you once were, then I would definitely say try this, I think you will be pleased. Note to manufacturers: lets have more of this full cup style and less of the ones with the seam horizontally across the cup - ugh really unflattering!"

CelticPromise · 28/02/2013 20:15

Mz try a 30E for starters.

Daffy I'd start with a 30F but FF is certainly a possibility.

CelticPromise · 28/02/2013 20:17

Sounds good IfYou'reHappy especially for those struggling with shoulder slippage. I'm merely an enthusiastic amateur compared to some of the knowledgeable ladies on here so I'm not familiar with that many bras!

NicolaSeven · 28/02/2013 20:26

Jesus. Feel like Sam fox Grin

IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt · 28/02/2013 20:53

I am an amateur also. The slippage is the wires ..standard Panache seem to slip down my torso.

AliMP · 28/02/2013 21:39

I've had two kids in three years and now struggling to find a bra that fits. Went to a local posh bra shop at Christmas who put me in a 34C, but it is v uncomfortable. I measure 29.5in underneath and 36 over, what bra should I try? Used to wear 30C pre kids.

HazleNutt · 28/02/2013 21:51

Ali, a 30E or around that size.

Frazzledredhead · 28/02/2013 21:53

Loving this thread! I have struggled for years and despite being spoilt with one major investment from Rigby & peller that I wore to death - and they no longer make - I am back to disappointment at M&S. Ignoring their fitting method and sorting myself out I think I have found the right size, from the other posts- I hope- in terms of the band but not sure if I am getting the wrong cup size. I cant work out if its a quality issue or cup size that I cant seem to wear an M&S one for long without the wire coming out in the middle! Statistically challenged - our guru of the thread - help!?

StatisticallyChallenged · 28/02/2013 21:58

I'd hazard a guess at quality issue TBH - I felt/tried a few of theirs the other day and they really were not up to much. For the price you pay in M&S, there are other options - brastop, Leia, Amazon, Ebay, Mycurvesandme, largecuplingerie, crazyclearance etc, where you can get better quality at a similar price point.

AliMP · 28/02/2013 22:03

Thanks Hazel. That put a smile on my dh face!

AmazingDisgrace · 28/02/2013 22:23

Statistically and Sorrel: I have utterly fallen in lust with the Lucia half cup in the deep red. So much so that I may dream about it tonight. Can I find it in a 32FF? No I blooming can't Sad

Oh and while I'm here. Is it just me or is La Senza only going up to an E cup online? Really?????

Frazzledredhead · 28/02/2013 22:24

Thanks StatisticallyChallenged, currently wearing a 34GG and think a move up to H may be beneficial so will shop around and move away from the M&S wire torture!

StatisticallyChallenged · 28/02/2013 22:31

GRRR Amazing, can find it in brown but not red. I have actually just bought the balcony version of the red Lucia myself.

AmazingDisgrace · 28/02/2013 22:35

Gah! I like the balconette but suspect the mesh bit would wrinkle at the top on me but the half cup looked perfect. I love deep reds and jewel tones being bluey white skinned with v dark hair

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 28/02/2013 22:37

AmazingDisgrace I have the Lucia half cup in brown and it's lovely.

OP posts:
AmazingDisgrace · 01/03/2013 09:40

It does look lovely Sorrel, I just don't suit any shade of brown. Being so pale it clashes with my skin. I know I know vanity etc

StatisticallyChallenged · 01/03/2013 09:46

I'm the same AmazingDisgrace - pasty Scottish girl who is so white I'm practically blue

marriednotdead · 01/03/2013 09:54

Frazzledredhead The two main reasons for wires coming out of a bra are machine washing and/or the cup being too small.