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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:
MrsReacher · 21/02/2013 21:52

Just tried one on back to front. It does do up easily on the tightest hook so I will try out a 38 ! Honestly never thought to go smaller on the back

I'll have a look at the balconette styles as well

I am glad I clicked on this. It has made me realise I am in serious need of new underwear!

Thanks. I'll let you know how I get on

StatisticallyChallenged · 21/02/2013 21:53

Good luck MrsReacher. Have a look at the "what a good bra feels like" bit further up the thread, that's far more important than what number or letter you come away with. And please try somewhere that isn't M&S as their bras are not great for bigger busts IMO. (and their fitters might try to "help!")

HiggsBoson · 21/02/2013 21:54

Unpadded you say Shock

Dunno about that. 30F looks far smaller than it sounds :)

I'll definitely have a look at the padded balconettes and plunges, thanks!

StatisticallyChallenged · 21/02/2013 21:55

I wear a plunge/padded for oomph under a low neckline, but under anything that covers my chest I actually look bustier (and a damn site perkier!) in unpadded. But padded rather than moulded may be a good compromise for you.

HiggsBoson · 21/02/2013 21:55

Statistically, when you say to pad the smaller boob, what are we talking about? A chicken fillet?

MrsReacher · 21/02/2013 22:04

Thanks I have nearly always gone to marks and Spencer's (old before my time!) Can I ask what is the problem with the fitters there ?

Anywhere you would recommend for larger busts on the high street as I think I need to have a good trying on session

AnyFucker · 21/02/2013 22:06

MrsR, I find the bras in M+S are fine (if you fit into their rather narrow range of sizes...I am quite a standard size)

but it appears the fitters are still using a very outdated way to size the band which is to measure the rib cage and +4

it's bollocks

I am a narrow chested size 10

there is no way I am a size 36 bra

StatisticallyChallenged · 21/02/2013 22:07

M&S use an out of date fitting method, where they add inches to your back measurement. They would probably put you in a 44! Unfortunately they slavishly follow the measuring tape and the wrong formula and don't really look at how the bra fits. I am a 30H/HH. They fit me at a 36F.

If you have one nearby then your best bet is bravissimo. Failing that John Lewis and Debenhams.

OneLittleLady · 21/02/2013 22:10

Debenhams?!?! They measured me as a 36a.........

StatisticallyChallenged · 21/02/2013 22:12

Sorry, should have qualified...Debenhams for bra availability for trying on, they tend to have a good range of sizes. Their fitting service is hit and miss in the extreme sense!

MrsReacher · 21/02/2013 22:18

Thanks. Looks like a trip into town then. I'm not going to ask for fitting advice just take a few different ones into the changing rooms and refer back to the advice on the first page

I may be in there a while though!

Thanks for the advice. Let's hope I finally become uplifted

HiggsBoson · 21/02/2013 22:21

So....small boob...um, should think of a name really...what do I do to even them out?

Not sure I wan to return to the bog roll of my teens Grin

OneLittleLady · 21/02/2013 22:24

We used to go through about twenty bog rolls a week until we figured out one of my sisters was using the stuff to pad her bras!

StatisticallyChallenged · 21/02/2013 22:32

Higgs, it may take a bit of figuring out to work out the right combination of padding. A chicken fillet will certainly go a long way to evening things up. You can also get removable pads, and once you are more sure of your styles you could try something like Ewa Michelak. They do a few bras, like this one with multiple sets of removable pads.

VickiPicky · 21/02/2013 22:34

Statistically, no I didn't try a 34C but don't think I have enough boobs to fill a biiger cup although, since losing weight, I have some unsightly chicken skin that I could perhaps scoop in Blush

Would you be able to suggest any makes that I could try? I live in a big city so have access to most shps.

MadBraLady · 21/02/2013 22:38

Good luck Mrs R!

Has anyone mentioned widths of backs and straps yet? They are a good thing to consider when you are picking stuff off racks. One of the reasons I steer clear of M&S is a lot of their really nice stuff has quite a flimsy back. I like a proper corsetty looking back, either three clasps or very well sewn and substantial fabric if there are only two clasps. I also like wide and very elastic shoulder straps - not that they're doing as important a job of lift as the back is, but they will be far more comfortable.

MadBraLady · 21/02/2013 22:43

Having said that about M&S this looks great and I am a bit fed up of spending fortunes in Bravissimo.

StatisticallyChallenged · 21/02/2013 22:43

Wholeheartedly agree madbralady!!

VickiPicky, it may be worth trying a 34c and scooping quite vigorously. If the cup is smaller than it needs to be, then breast tissue/flesh that belongs in the cup kind of steals fabric from the back, so it feels too tight. I tried on a 30H in a bra the other day and could barely breathe. I bought the same bra in a 30J! I would try going to a big department store, somewhere like John Lewis, where all the brands will be of a decent standard.

StatisticallyChallenged · 21/02/2013 22:45

Grrr, even if the model does it have it fastened in the tightest and riding up madbralady! Have you checked out CrazyClearance? They are linked to figleaves (amongst others) and I just got 3 bras for about £38 delivered - 2 Freya and a Fantasie. You can also get some excellent bargains on Amazon, for Curvy Kate and Panache in particular.

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 22/02/2013 00:00

Has anyone tried this or this?

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 22/02/2013 00:10

Sadly not in my size....damn that's NICE!

hatgirl · 22/02/2013 00:27

33 under 41 over I think what does that make me? I have NEVER been measured for a bra before. I wear a mixture of 34Bs (definitely too small if underwired/ ok if sports bras) and 36As. Neither seem to fit particularly well
:(

Original poster
SorrelForbes · 22/02/2013 00:35

hatgirl Try a 32G, 32FF and also a 34F and a 34FF.

OP posts:
ClairesTravellingCircus · 22/02/2013 07:36

Hello SC

Sorry just seen your answer.

Yes it's just the central gore that digs in badly. Otherwise fit is good (but one cup is huge due to severe asymmetry, would that matter?).

It's a balconette style from Panache, Ariza. Can't put a link as I'm on my phone.

The wires come up very high in the middle I wonder if it's that anf if it's something common to all balconette styles?

Thanks

AgathaF · 22/02/2013 08:06

Claires I have the same problem with wires that come up high. I find them really uncomfortable, despite the fact that the bra fits well (confirmed by Bravissimo too). I try to find bras that have a lower wire at the front. Just bought this and after an initial day of discomfort, it is now my favourite and most comfortable bra. Much as I would love to wear balconettes, the wires are just too high for me.