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Bra intervention - have I got this right?

999 replies

Wenchelda · 06/05/2013 14:02

Hi - I'm new, hope its ok to come straight on with a question....I Somehow stumbled across one of the bra intervention threads a couple of weeks ago and have been following them in amazement ever since.

I've always worn an A cup (32/34 pre pregnancy, currently 36A) - never been measured professionally but always done it myself based on the "add 4 or 5 inches" rule. I have pretty much constant back ache and neck pain but never ever imagined this could be caused by boobs as they really are so tiny!

But after reading your fascinating threads, I think I should be a 30/32D! My measurements are 31 under bust, 35 at fullest point when bending over to 90 degrees, and 34 above. Have I got that right? If so I am truly truly in shock that my almost-not-there boobs are a D!!

Thanks

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 29/05/2013 14:46

They might well never be their pre pregnancy size I'm afraid

MrsKoala · 29/05/2013 16:07

I was afraid you may say that. i started a thread in chat about it :(

Do you have any bra suggestions if you have one boob much bigger than the other?

Beamae · 29/05/2013 16:16

I have decided to stop putting off the inevitable and need to buy a pregnancy bra. I'm 23 weeks now and bursting out of my old bras. My measurements are 34.5 inches under and 42.5 over. I'm thinking that is a 34FF? But I'm looking on John Lewis, M&S and Figleaves and that size doesn't seem to exist. Apologies if this has been covered before, but am I then looking to go up a band size and down a cup size, or down a band size and up a cup size? I really want to shop online but I'm finding even the lack of available sizes online quite difficult to negotiate!

StatisticallyChallenged · 29/05/2013 17:05

Yup 34FF/G. Forget M&S their larger bras are rubbish. Figleaves and JL both do a 34FF, but for choice try debenhams, bravissimo, brastop, mycurvesandme, amazon...

Beamae · 29/05/2013 20:05

Thanks. Will give it a whirl.

marriednotdead · 30/05/2013 06:42

MrsKoala
I've just posted the following on your thread too.

Fellow bra gurus Would a version of this be any good for the blog?

An update of something I posted before.

A few words about differing cup sizes and how to manage them

You do not always necessarily have to pad the smaller cup to balance the bra out. I'm about a cup and a half different and never use fillets. The trick is to choose styles that can disguise it. The hardest style tends to be soft, balconettes that slope rather than sit almost horizontally across the top of the cup IME, as they wrinkle and bag at the top where the strap joins.

To balance the smaller side, hoick the smaller breast diagonally towards the top and centre of the cup, as if trying to pull it towards a pendant on your necklace, whilst simultaneously pulling the bottom of the cup in the opposite direction. Try to push any excess fabric towards your body with your fingertips while you are holding your breast on your chin out of the way. In many cases, the material at the bottom of the cup will gather/pucker allowing the breast to sit on it when you let go, thus filling the top of the cup like the fuller side. The empty part of the cup is now at the bottom and so will not show once you are dressed.

Cleo Juna and many slightly padded half cup styles are often good for such disguise. They're also great for loss of volume post weight loss/breastfeeding. Pull the smaller breast forward as before, but in a more horizontal direction away from the armpit.

Tshirt styles that work include Freya Deco, Bravissimo Purity and the Panache Porcelain. These styles are not all so good at gathering under the cup because of the foam, but look fine once dressed.

Fuller cup styles are good, particularly Panache Andorra and Melody full cup. Fantasie side support styles such as Elodie, and non padded Cleo styles such as Meg and Marcie sit particularly well if you need a deeper cup.
Newer Panache styles that are performing spectacularly are the Jasmine and Idina, as they have some stretch lace on the upper part of the cup.

One I'd forgotten until recently is the Charnos Cherub full cup. It's light stretchy lace and the sizing's a bit off but it can perform miracles, even if your breasts are very soft! Go up a band and down two cups e.g. if you are a 32F try a 34DD.

Overall, aim to start off fitting the larger side as closely as possible without any overflow, then fine tune. Firmness in the band is essential to avoid slipping about within the cups..

Nearly every woman I fit has an obvious size difference but in 5 years, I can count on one hand how many times I've needed to suggest adding a filler of any kind.

StatisticallyChallenged · 30/05/2013 08:01

definitely married-I will add it in the next day or two

SoulCakeDuck · 30/05/2013 09:42

Hello, this is my first foray into the world of bra intervention. Have been living in very unsexy (probably unfitting) mothercare nursing bras for months but my DD is just coming up for 10 months and I would like to treat myself to some new fitting/flattering underwear.

Have taken my measurements as 31 under and 37 over bust, so does 30E sound like a good starting point? As most of it will be done online (live in the middle of nowhere) I would like to at least have a good first guess. Have been in 36C for as long as I can remember so quite a change I'm sure! I've seen brastop mentioned a few times, will probably have a look there.

Thank you.

SorrelForbes · 30/05/2013 09:56

Great user name!

Try a 30E and a 30F and possibly a 32E. Happy shopping.

missnevermind · 30/05/2013 10:06

I must recommend My Curves and Me.

After my disastrous outing to Marks the other week I spent ages online trying to find cheap 38H/HH.
I went through the sale section online and ordered 10 bras, Blushexpecting to have to take them all back.
I found about 3/4 different styles most of the Panache I think.

The parcel arrived yesterday. Miles of lace and suspension bridge engineering.
I have tried 3 on so far all reduced to £7 each and loved them. Had one on for 5 hours with no discomfort at all. The other 2 for a couple of hours each as they are identical just different colours.

Something I didn't expect though, they really helped my back and my posture, made it so much easier to stand up straight.

I have the rest to try on this week and for a change I am looking forward to it rather than dreading it.

Thanks my Boobie Friends
( . )( . )

missnevermind · 30/05/2013 10:08

I must recommend My Curves and Me.

After my disastrous outing to Marks the other week I spent ages online trying to find cheap 38H/HH.
I went through the sale section online and ordered 10 bras, Blushexpecting to have to take them all back.
I found about 3/4 different styles most of the Panache I think.

The parcel arrived yesterday. Miles of lace and suspension bridge engineering.
I have tried 3 on so far all reduced to £7 each and loved them. Had one on for 5 hours with no discomfort at all. The other 2 for a couple of hours each as they are identical just different colours.

Something I didn't expect though, they really helped my back and my posture, made it so much easier to stand up straight.

I have the rest to try on this week and for a change I am looking forward to it rather than dreading it.

Thanks my Boobie Friends
( . )( . )

Gannetgob · 30/05/2013 11:14

Hi all, I have just come across this topic, and I think I need your help.

I don't think I have ever worn the right size bra and just feel crap every time I go to be measured. In m&s they once tried to put me in a 42something or other which was completely ridiculous.

I'm 11 weeks pregnant and I am currently wearing a 36C. I haven't been measured since becoming pregnant, but I don't think they have changed all that much anyway.

I have done the measurements and I am just under 36 under bust and 42 when doing the sexy bending over measurement! This would suggest a 34/36E?

My problem is that I have rubbish boobs. I have no fullness at the top of my breasts. This makes it seem as though a C is too big because it can gape at the top of the cup if you get what I mean. I therefore can't see how an E would be any good for me!

I desperately want to be proved wrong and find a bra that is perfect! I'm hoping to go shopping this afternoon or tomorrow, so any advice on styles to go for would be fantastic!

Thanks :D

SorrelForbes · 30/05/2013 11:29

Hmmm, I would start with a 34 band (make sure you try it on back to front first to gauge the fit without it being skewed by the cups).

Try some balconette styles in a 34FF, 34F and sizes around that. Make sure you scoop!

Gannetgob · 30/05/2013 11:34

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

SoulCakeDuck · 30/05/2013 12:19

Great, thank you. Have had a look at My Curves and Me and have filled my shopping basket with some things to try. Does anyone have a discount code for them?

Also is there delivery quite quick? We are moving next Friday so not sure whether to have them delivered to there or a relatives house?

missnevermind · 30/05/2013 12:30

I ordered Friday night and they came Wednesday morning. So that was a weekend and a Bank holiday in between. I would imagine that usually they would be quicker!

TigOldBitties · 30/05/2013 12:40

I'm currently really happy with my bra fitting, but I think you could help my SIL. She complains constantly about her bras, she's gained weight in recent years and I think she's still clinging onto ones which are much too small, she's definitely working the 4 boob look. She had a fitting in M&S but no joy, am hoping mn can help.

I've just asked her to do the measuring in the way suggested and she's apparently 39" under the bust (if tape measure is pulled tightish) and 52 if you do the bending over measurement (which was so funny trying to explain how to do by text!!!). She tried a 38DD and it wasn't right.

I've also noticed she seems to be either always pulling up or getting marks from her bra straps. Am hoping you can advise as she really complains about back pain and it might stop her whipping her bra off at mine nearly every evening! Grin

StatisticallyChallenged · 30/05/2013 12:43

OK - suggest she starts with a 38j/JJ and works from there.

TigOldBitties · 30/05/2013 12:47

Wow a J, I will let her know.

Don't think I've ever even seen a bra that size.

Thanks Thanks

Gannetgob · 30/05/2013 14:53

I bought a 34E. The F felt a bit big so the E was better and I'm really happy with it. Grin

Thanks for your help. I'm going to tell everybody I know about this!

PenfoldRocks · 30/05/2013 15:30

I have measured and gone from 32D to 30F - my problem is the underarm thing - in my old bras I had underarm boobage, but when I try bigger, the wire/strap seems to dig in under my arm and rub. Any ideas?
Thanks!!

PinkMangoSays · 30/05/2013 16:47

M and s were completely rubbish! They said that a Bra that I could pull out rally far was the right band size...

SorrelForbes · 30/05/2013 16:52

M&S fitted me (a few months ago) as a 36/38 D. I'm a 30GG. Shocking.

StatisticallyChallenged · 30/05/2013 17:18

That's great gannetgob - the cup measurememnt is always rougher, it gives you an idea of the area you should be in but can easily be a size or two either way from there.

Penfold - which bras have you tried? This can be a fit issue, it can be a "getting used to it" issue as it's a place the fabric won't have sat before, but it is also commonly a style issue.

PinkMangoSays · 30/05/2013 17:24

They were so snooty and insistent they were right as well... In the end I gave up and walked out. I'm about to try boux avenue

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