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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:
Beksybob · 07/03/2013 15:14

YES Sarky That is exactly what has been putting me off them.

Although I guess it's appealing for those who actually do have big boobs Smile

SarkyPants · 07/03/2013 15:17

and can I have a rant about the shopstyle/popsugar shopping app/site, which
I love and which links to loads of fab stockists of big bras.

But the "search by size" only goes up to DDs in all backsizes.

Because clearly we are all outsized FREAKS!

Velve · 07/03/2013 15:22

Yes, I get very annoyed by the whole all "D+ cups are freakishly big and must be advertised as such with their own websites" attitude. If I wasn't breastfeeding I'd probably be a 30E/F and those babies are certainly not enormous.

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 07/03/2013 15:25

It's bizarre really when you consider that the majority of women posting on these threads are all discovering their new sizes to be in the D+ range. My 14 yr old niece is an E FFS!

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 07/03/2013 15:44

It's a tricky one with bravissimo. When they opened there was such a huge gap in the market, and so many women were being treated like freaks for being big boobed, that I think they needed that specific identity of a safe place for busty girls where you wouldn't be searching forthe one or two bras in your size. On one hand I would hate to see that change but on the other hand these threads demonstrate that actually, few women are less than a d and maybe they could start covering the full range without aactually needing to make significant changes to their range.

CelticPromise · 07/03/2013 17:00

Velve I've worn the Enell, fugly but it sure does the job. As a 34G I wore a size 1, but they were well wedged in and hoicked up. The fit is like no other bra! I'm not sure how well it would work for a small back and I like panache which is why I haven't bought another. I had two I wore for years though. I would say it's definitely worth a try, because if you get on with it it's very effective.

kittykarate · 07/03/2013 17:19

Velve I really like my Enell sports bra, it definitely keeps everything in place, though it does give hideous mono-boob. I'm a size 18/36H, I found the size 3 was a good fit.

I tend to just buy shockabsorbers now though - more chance of seeing them on special offer.

DukeSilver · 07/03/2013 18:13

This thread is eye opening!

Could someone help me figure out my size? I'm measure 28.5 under boobs and 32 over my boobs. Currently wearing a 32b.

Velve · 07/03/2013 18:21

Thanks ladies, will splurge and get the Enell next payday (a bit Shock at the price). Just got another shock absorber that I found as a bargain meanwhile.

Velve · 07/03/2013 18:23

Duke try a 28D and sizes around it. Did you measure your boobs bending over?

DukeSilver · 07/03/2013 18:26

Yes velve I did. I have very wonky boobs thanks dd :o

ratbagcatbag · 07/03/2013 18:30

I love these threads :) I was wearing a 38f for ages and spilling out, went to bravissimo and discovers I'm a 34hh, everyone was amazed at my pertness, now just need to find an underwired nursing bra in a similar size and life with be perfect :)

EdwiniasRevenge · 07/03/2013 18:58

I had a look at a 32DD today.

It waa huge. So so so huge. Could have used it as a babies hat.

It is so much bigger than my current 34Cs (as diagnosed by debenhams fitter). And 32Ds (as diagnosed by sorrel and statistically and co). I just feel that if I scoop properly, especially at certain times of the month I get a bit of overspill so thought I would try the 32DD. But tbh I looked at it and it scared me....

CelticPromise · 07/03/2013 19:03

ratbag Anita make an underwired nursing bra, not sure what size it goes up to.

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/03/2013 19:12

The 32DD is actually only one cup size bigger than the 34c in terms of volume, but it will look different relative to the band etc. If you are getting overspill in the 34C then it would be the sensible place to go. A lot of ladies on these threads will testify to the "cup size shock" when they first see their "new size" - we've had As turning to Fs!

Hanginggardenofboobylon · 07/03/2013 19:32

I have a 'my curves and me' order waiting at home, can't wait!

Lets hope the 30GG Cleo is the magic size and shape!

EdwiniasRevenge · 07/03/2013 19:41

Tbh. My 'old size' was 38AA/36A.

These 32DDs just looked huge even compared to 34C/32Ds that I am wearing now. May have been down to a difference in style too. Most of my current bras are moulded and/or plunge styles. These were balconette styles which I have in the past struggled with the straps irritating near the front of my armpit. I will try on when I am in the mood tho as a smaller back size may move the straps inwards away from my armpits iyswim.

I was just freaked by how huge it looked.

(Measurements are 32.5 and 37 from memory)

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/03/2013 19:49

Ah that would explain it yes - A balconette/balcony style has a whole lot more fabric going on than a plunge :) The smaller back will help with straps being too wide though, it's something I struggled with too.

If it's any comfort, I can wear my bras as hats :)

MadBraLady · 07/03/2013 19:59

Sarkypants totally agree about Bravissimo's identity, I was thinking that as I read the Telegraph piece. She claims to want to "bust the DD myth" but still describes Bravissimo as the place for "ladies with a slightly larger bosom" which makes us sound like Hyacinth Bucket. The point is supposed to be that actually lots (most?) people are DD+

Looking back I think I was probably in a DD from about 22/23 (and this while being 5 ft 8 and a size 10).

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/03/2013 20:08

I think it would be good if they covered the full range, but only if they managed to avoid segmenting in to "fuller bust" and "normal" which is something I hate about going to most shops. I don't like the fact that when I go in to my local Debenhams I have to walk through the "pretty things for normal norks" section to get to the "plus size boulder holder" area. It's up a set of steps ffs.

But I think it would work if they managed to find some ranged which just went right through from A-whatever size. Obviously there would be some slight changes (like there are in many brands at GG) but keeping the same range. I wouldn't want to go in to Brav and find rails of pretty frilly things only available up to a D. Does that make any sense?

OneLittleLady · 07/03/2013 20:13

I just want to buy nice bras. You know, like those itty bitty A cup ones. Not the ugly, plain, boring beige things I keep seeing. I am not a freak, to be quite honest I really don't LOOK that busty. I just want to have nice ones, ones that I won't mind DP seeing.

AgathaF · 07/03/2013 20:19

OneLittleLady I know exactly what you mean. I am still a bit Hmm about the thicker straps the larger cup sizes have.

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/03/2013 20:19

There isn't a great range in the shops - brands like Curvy Kate, Cleo etc are making some lovely things but I have not seen either of them stocked here.

OneLittleLady · 07/03/2013 20:22

I don't mind the thicker straps so much as I mind that they only seem to make larger cup size bras in that hideous beige colour. Honestly, it just makes me think of my Grandmas tights Hmm

MadBraLady · 07/03/2013 20:50

I don't mind thick straps either, but yes there's only so many "nude" bras you need. I always notice the pretty colours in the standard bestsellers on Bravissimo sell out really quickly, generally leaving beige, black and white.

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