Time for a new bra thread

[SorrelForbes]

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

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I would agree, I think it is the wrong shape for you. I have this issue sometimes as I have quite a prominent breastbone, which means that for the gore not to be sore I either have to wear bras which are very low, or very very high. Anything sort of mid level is extremely uncomfortable for me.

Try padding out the smaller breast just to see if that helps, but otherwise I would suggest trying different shapes.

[ClairesTravellingCircus]

Thanks ladies, looks like I'm back to square one!

The bra in the link looks good but I wonder if I will fall out in the middle? Have similar issues as AF with my spaniels!

[Crunchymunchyhoneycakes]

I wore a 34dd for years, had recently been entertaining the ideas might be a 32 back but using this proper system I am actually now the owner of a 28j nursing bra which is really really comfortable!

[AgathaF]

I'm not sure Claires. It is much more supportive than a plunge bra. I actually did the shred dvd wearing it yesterday (sports bras on order!) and it was pretty supportive, so I'm think it would hold you in.

[Crunchymunchyhoneycakes]

From bravissimo, who had lots f small back large cup sizes in stock.

[ClairesTravellingCircus]

Thabks Agathaf I will try it then! Oooh my poor credit card!!

[notjustamummythankyou]

So ... I have measured myself and I am 31.5" underneath and 38" on top = 32DD/E ? Do I have that right??

Wow.

Having just finished breastfeeding after a year for the second time after a year, I thought my baps had all but disappeared. If I have the size right, it appears not!

I'm currently wearing 34F nursing bras, but I was measured for these when I had huge milk-laden mammaries. The cups are a little baggy maybe, but not too bad. I do need to get myself sorted and uplifted pronto - and definitely before I go back to work!

Before children and somewhat skinnier too, I used to wear a 34B or 36A, but they never felt quite right and always slipped up at the back. Like most of the nation, I always thought M&S knew best and I never thought to question it ...

[PickledLily]

Thanks for the hotmilk link!

Steppingonlego - where's the small boobs thread? Can you post a link - I need some small boobed solidarity in my life

[SpottyTeacakes]

Notjust you should try a 30F too I think?

[SorrelForbes]

notjustamummythankyou try a 32E, 32F, 30F, 30G in a range if styles and brands. Even at my biggest when I measure 31 underneath, a 32 is too big for me.

[PickledLily]

And I've just measured myself - 29" under, 33" over. Can anyone tell me what size you think I should be (other than depressingly flat chested)? I had been wearing 32C which fitted nicely, but now the cups are a bit saggy.

[notjustamummythankyou]

Crikey. Really??



I so need to go shopping ...

[SorrelForbes]

Try 28DD, 28D, 30D and a 30C. I suspect the 28 back will
be a better fit. Sort the back size out first before getting the cup right (see the advice up thread).

[PickledLily]

28DD? Really?! When I've tried anything smaller than a 32 it's cut me in half.

But I'm willing to give it a go.... I LOOOOVE an excuse to go shopping :)

[TheDoctrineOfSciAndNatureClub]

I knew you probably weren't a 32B, PL!

If the cups are too small then the band will feel too small. It will feel really snug at first, do the two finger test though. After a week my new snug bras felt fine and v supportive (and I'm a 35.5 underboob in a 34 band)

[SorrelForbes]

Be brave. If a 28 or 30 fits back to front then stick with it and keep goog up through the cups.

[notjustamummythankyou]

So why do m&s (as an example) fit bras so badly? Surely it would be in their interest to get it right, and get all these women back in store for new bras?

I don't get the business case for not getting it right. Perhaps it simply costs too much to redesign, remake and restock with bras that actually fit.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

notjust - the only reason I can think of, is that the way they measure puts most women into a relatively narrow selection of sizes. So less expensive to design, manufacture and stock, and the supply chain must be correspondingly easier to manage.

I wonder whether a e-mail straight to the CEO of M&S would have any impact? Maybe if we could rope MNHQ into it? I know it hardly ranks alongside 'We Believe You' and supporting Save the Children in trying to tackle the formula manufacturers, but it is still important!

[notjustamummythankyou]

That does seem to be the case, Alibaba. It does seem a bit crazy though, because surely it's a case of 'rescaling' as it were? So, the number of 36As they produce will decrease, to be replaced by more 32Es, for example. The net effect in terms of costs may not be that different.

Perhaps what's needed is an industry-wide remeasure, just like they did with garment sizes several years ago, when it was found that we aren't all hourglass shaped like we were in the 1950s!

Bonkers. All of it.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

HeyHo - take that bra back.

You need a 28DD/E based on those measurements. But to measure the full part of your bust properly, lean forward and measure.

[JeffFaFa]

I have the same measurments as you HeyHo. I tried at 30DD but its too small, ive ordered a 30E and a 30F to try, i think you have to lean forward at 90 degrees with bra off like this i measure 35 1/2, i definatly couldnt go down to a 28 back though personally

[HazleNutt]

Hey Sorrel and SC! A but different question, can you tell me about the sizing of Freya sports bras if you have tried? I managed to order one in my normal size and that was way too small - same with Shock Absorbers, I already know I need to go up a back size with those. I'm abroad, so it's expensive to order and return, so what would you recommend I'd try compared to normal Freya (or shock absorber) sizing?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Hey Hazle! I have the underwired Freya Active. I had to go up a back size and even then it is tight. I have a 32GG (most of my Freyas are a 30H/HH) but tbh I could probably do with a 32H. I didn't bother changing it as it was ok, but 1 cup up would be better. So definitely up a back size and maybe try your usual cup

[SorrelForbes]

Hi Hazle, I'm currently still wearing a 34DD which is obviously nowhere near my usual size of a 30G! I'm working on a contract at the moment so haven't got time for much sport so am waiting until it ginishes before I order a new bra.

I recall SC saying that the Freya underwired runs small in the back and I think that's probably true as I only wear my 34 on the second hook (of four I think). The DD cups on the 34 aren't too bad actually, but they come up so high that quadraboob would be pretty impossible so it's hard to really tell how they fit.

I think I will order a 32FF next time.