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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:
NorthernNumpty · 04/03/2013 10:07

Yay and a retweet from MN too!

marriednotdead · 04/03/2013 10:18

With impeccable timing, Bravissimo have launched Boob School today!

Perhaps the MN campaign will get a bit of a boost as a result, or maybe we could have a coalition Grin

NorthernNumpty · 04/03/2013 10:58

Name changing now as have outed myself by referring to twitter posts - Ooops all in a good cause tho!

VenusRising · 04/03/2013 11:06

Am curious how to cure hiccups.... Am noticing a cup theme in your skillset sorrel...

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 04/03/2013 11:40

There is a theme isn't there?

Ok, you place your hands over the ears of the persons with hiccups. Tell them to continue to breath normally through the hiccups. Press very firmly on their ears (almost to the point of inflicting pain) and keep that pressure on for at least 30 secs, preferably longer.

Must be something to do with flow of sit around ENT I guess?

OP posts:
SarkyPants · 04/03/2013 12:00

does it work if you do it to yourself?

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 04/03/2013 12:24

Stupid phone. Flow of 'air'

I don't know, I've never tried (and now I'm wondering why I've never tried!)

OP posts:
SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 12:43

Hi, can I join in? I don't know if you'll be able to help me, I am a difficult customer...

I had surgery to one boob last year (cancer), so they are different shapes and sizes (and point in different directions Sad), and I have been steadily losing weight and have now lost nearly 3 1/2 stone, so none of my bras fit!

Due to where my scars are (on boob and in armpit) I can only wear non-underwired bras, and preferably a sports-style bra that will hold them firmly in place, which is far more comfortable - if the scarred side jiggles at all it is very uncomfortable.

I am 30 across back and 37 across boobs.

Any idea what size I should be wearing and can you recommend any suitable bras? Currently wearing an M&S sports bra in 34E but it is now waaay to big.

Thank you Thanks

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 04/03/2013 12:53

SaladIsMyFriend Hi, so sorry to hear about your illness. I will do my best to help but must confess that my knowlegde about post-op bra fitting is very limited indeed. Hopefully SC, Married, Hazel et al will be aliong shortly to advise.

Size wise, you should be looking at around a 30F. Regarding the underwire issue, have you been advised to avoid them on a clinical basis or is it a comfort problem (e.g wire rubbing on scars)?

OP posts:
SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 12:58

Hi Sorrel thank you for replying, my breast care nurse said to avoid underwiring if I can, and it's definitely a comfort issue as I can't stand the wire pressing on my scars.

Sorry I knew I'd be a difficult one, and no-one in any of the bra shops or department stores nearby seems to be much help either, I resorted to wearing one of my old maternity bras at one point last year as I couldn't find anything in the right size without underwiring.

30F sounds good I will look for sports bras in that size when I am next out.

NorthernNumpty · 04/03/2013 13:00

Salad, what about the Freya Deco soft cup? It's non wired and looks comfy but with lift, it's on the bravissimo site.

SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 13:03

I'll take a look, thank you "NorthernNumpty*, have just checked M&S site and they have no non-wired bras in my size Sad

SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 13:07

Sorry Northern I've just looked at the bra you recommend and I know it won't be supportive enough - the moulded cups don't work at all with the post-surgery boob as it's quite firm (post radiotherapy) and won't be squished into the cup shape. That's why I have turned to sports bras.

Thank you so much for the suggestion though.

SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 13:09

I have found a sports bra on the bravissimo site, in my size, which looks good though, thank you for recommending the site Thanks

treaclesoda · 04/03/2013 13:47

Salad Sorry to hear about your surgery. I was going to suggest Royce, as I believe they consider themselves the leaders in the field of wire free bras, but they seem to start at a 32 back Angry

Was interested to read on their website though that if you have had a mastectomy, you are exempt from the VAT on your bra, and can claim it back. I wonder is that information widely publicised?

treaclesoda · 04/03/2013 13:48

That should read 'mastectomy or partial mastectomy'.

treaclesoda · 04/03/2013 13:51

No, wait, I was wrong, they have 2 bras in a 30F, the Charlotte and the Sadie. My mistake. Blush

SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 13:53

Interesting treaclesoda I didn't know that. I will pass on to my friend who has had a mastectomy.

I have been chopped up but it isn't a partial mastectomy so I don't qualify Angry

Hmm maybe I will be the customer to fox the bra experts here! Have a bravissimo sports bra in basket, am hoping for more recommendations later, thank you Thanks

SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 13:53

Ooh where are they - is there a Royce site? Will run off and google thank you Thanks

treaclesoda · 04/03/2013 13:56

yes, here it is. www.royce-lingerie.co.uk/

SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 13:58

And I love the Sadie one treaclesoda, it's really pretty! Am ordering that and the sports bra and will see if they fit.

treaclesoda · 04/03/2013 14:01

'NOTE: Value Added Tax (VAT) Concession. Women who have had a mastectomy or partial mastectomy are eligible for VAT Exemption on the purchase of mastectomy bras for their own use, under Group 12 of Schedule 8 of the VAT Act 1994. If this applies to you, you will be prompted to complete a declaration.'

I have just copied and pasted this from the Royce lingerie site. I might have misunderstood on first reading, thinking that it applied to bras in general if you have had a mastectomy, whereas it possibly only applies to bras that are specifically sold as mastectomy bras. But even so, hopefully it is information that may be useful to some people.

treaclesoda · 04/03/2013 14:02

Salad so glad you have found something you like. Smile

SaladIsMyFriend · 04/03/2013 14:06

Thank you so much Thanks

awaywego1 · 04/03/2013 17:46

After following this thread and measuring myself-I've gone from a 34b to a 32d. I went to a independent shop today and she asked if I wanted a fitting-and actually fitted me in the right size by sight and did the scooping breast into bra thing-very impressed! I have my first ever properly fitting bra now Grin