Bra intervention - have I got this right?

[Wenchelda]

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

Hello, it's me again from one of the other threads (ciuldnt work out which was most current)

I'm having a bit of trouble. Finally got around to actuallyttrying on a bra and none of them fit :(

Originally measured 28/31, so went looking for a 28C. M&S apparently have them in their teen range so went there. Couldn't find the teen range and was too embarrassed to ask so started looking on the shelf to find no 28s at all (I'm sure they always used to sell them) and in the end decided to try a 30B and 30C.

Well, the 30B would barely do up and on the loosest hook I was afraid to breathe because I could feel the material overstretchijg IYSWIM. Tried the 30C and that was better - it still felt very tight and I felt very "aware" of my breathing. When u turned it forwards the straps were very tight and my back/ribs were uncomfortable wearing it. Plus the cups seemed slightly too big even with scooping and it just didn't seem to give me much shape at all compared with my H&M 34B. Which to be fair is a push up.

So tried a 32 just to see what the band size was like and this was more comfy but it seemed to stretch too easily when I breathed and so I think the 30 probably fitted better but only with the C cup. The 32 only came in a C and that was just laughable - think marbles in a tea cup!

I got frustrated then and went to buy a proper tape measure. My measurements are 27.5-28 (apparently I breathe weirdly) and 32. There's no way I will fit into a 28 if I couldn't do the 30 up. I have no padding at all though. So should I try other brands in a 30B? I was looking in other shops and they all seem to start at 32!

m and s sizing is inconsistent verging into useless so I would not set much store by them. based on your new measurements you would be better with a 28d I think. I would suggest ordering a few different ones online maybe some curvy Kate showgirl from brastop

Could I ask for some help please?

Had a baby 9 weeks ago, body currently shrinking, but not as fast as I like! Always had a small back/full bust, usually a 32G pre pregnancy.

Prefer a fuller cup, plain
bras because I spend most of my time in T shirts. Don't like flounce or frills, like to be very well supported cos they're wobbly!

Underbust 33 inches, around boobs 43 inches. So 34 GG/H right? I'm a single Mum and still getting my hang around baby stuff (as in how to look after one!) so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. At the moment I'm spending lots of time browsing Bravissimo and Figleaves but not getting anywhere!

Hoping they'll shrink over the next few months, so don't want to spend loads. Usually go with Fantasie, but can't find anything I like at the moment.

Thank you in advance.

Not nursing bras. Thanks!

try a 32gg 32h 34gg and 34g. yiu will probably find the 32 better for lift and support.

I'm very reluctant to order online as I have a memory like a sieve and would almost definitely not get around to returning stuff in time for a refund if it didn't fit. We have no othe bra shops here though other than bravissimo (don't cater for flat chested people like me), Ann summers (yuk, and they start at 32) and places liketopshop, h&m, who have them as an afterthought.

Could potentially travel to a john lewis or debenhams, but it won't be for a while.

Thanks Marriednotdead - i'll give them a try too...but...

Today i got fitted at Rigby and Peller and am now the proud owner of the next best thing to having new boobs - 5 bras (4 36d and 1 36dd) which actually fit me! Hurrah! I feel great. I then bought 8 new tops/t-shirts to go with the 'good as new' knockers.

I wore one bra out of the shop, so i could shop with my new silhouette. And DH noticed a difference as soon as i walked thru the front door (and it wasn't just my beaming smile )

I do still need to diet tho, the back fat is horrid. But all in all very successful - so thanks for all your lovely help.

I must be very odd shaped as loads of bras didn't fit - i must have tried on over 50 in various shops and only 5 fit. The 2 styles which fit from R&P are Marie Jo.

You're not odd at all MrsKoala - my bra enlightenment cost me around £800, 40+ bras of which a grand total of 6 fitted properly! I did return all the others - I don't have £800 worth of bras hanging around...

I'm glad you managed to get sorted MrsKoala. Do you have any idea from that what sort of shape your boobs are - might help you find alternatives.

I've been looking at the bra threads for weeks trying to pluck up the courage to ask, so here goes. I'm 66 and have never worn an underwired bra in my life but it seems that underwires are what I need. I'm 42 under and 57 over. All my bras are too big in the band (44s and 46s) and the biggest cups I could find but they ride up at the back. Is there anything which would fit me properly? Money is an issue I'm afraid but I don't care what the scaffolding looks like as long as it is comfortable and gives support. And perhaps helps with the backache?

Sadly no SC, i have no idea what 'shape' i am. I seem to have a lot of boob 'up top' and the bras seem to cut across me, but they seem to be empty and cave in below the boob. If that makes sense. They seem to be shallow and wide, rather than ever teardrop, or make a 'handful'. Even my bras which 'fit', don't really fit , there are still gaps in the cup underneath and above the nipple (i have a kind of ski jump/arrow shape boob) and parts across the top where the cup creates a dent into my breast tissue.

Based solely on the measurements you would be looking at around a 42J. However it's extremely common for larger ladies to actually need a band size or two smaller than they measure in order to get enough support. This is for a couple of reasons - if your torso is squishy (mine is!) then the back needs to be tighter to get a firm enough grip to lift. Also, the longer length of the band means it can stretch more (in absolute terms)

So, you could probably also want to try say a 40JJ/K and maybe a 38KK/L too

Now - you can guess the punchline is that once you are in to K/Ls the sizes become harder to come by so here are a few of the options

For the 38L (and any cup sizes below)
Bravissimo Alana

40K (and everything below]]
bravissimo have lots
brastop have a few

42j

MissRenata
Your measurements put you at around a 42K, although you may find that you need a tighter band.

Not the easiest size to find, and there are many brands that skip cup sizes so that they are smaller than their tag suggests.

Wires are helpful but not for everyone. I'd suggest starting with an Elomi Caitlyn in a 42K and seeing how that works.

A 38! Goodness me. Thank you. The Alana looks lovely - far prettier than I was expecting. There is a Bravissimo in my city so I think I shall have to go. I've never been fitted before - too ashamed.

The lovely women who did my mammogram and ultrasound a few years ago were horrified for me and said I should ask for a reduction but I don't think I'd get one without losing a lot of weight first, and I can't exercise because my back hurts all the time. Sorry - whingeing won't help. But it does make one feel miserable.

If you have a bravissimo it is definitely worth a look. They only have up to 40s on the website (not sure if it is the same in store) but they will be able to try a pretty good range and if you turn out to need the full 42 (rather than a smaller back) then at least you will know that.

It does become a bit trickier by measurements at larger sizes - there is another lady on these threads who has had huge back/pain issues as a result of bad bras. She "measures" as a 40 back but actually wears a 36 and it's made a huge difference to her. I think her measurements are not that far away from yours.

Sorry, married, I hadn't seen your advice. Thank you. Do you mean the wired Caitlyn or the soft cup one?

Sorry, the wired one. The soft cup doesn't go up as far cupsize wise.

If you go to Bravissimo, make an appointment and ask for an experienced fitter. Perhaps you could get the Elomi bra online and take it with you? They should be happy to advise you if it could fit better (i.e. suggest a better size based on how they see it fitting you) if they cannot offer you something better.

I fitted a lady very similar to you recently. A Royce Sadie soft cup bra was not perfect but certainly a vast improvement on what she had. I'm pretty sure that we also thought that the Triumph Doreen in the right band size and biggest available cup was also worth a shot as she was squashed into a far smaller cup size in it already.

Hmmm, I got some bras from Winderbra and one spirts bra in size 30F and they were too small, there was no way I could do either of them up. I also got 30FF Wonder bra and it kind of fits but I think the cups are too small? they cut in at the top, nect to mu underarms. maybe it's the way it's made. Tbh I don't think U chose the best style of bra for the first sussing out the size. They were sll strapless (apart ffom the sports one of course) and had this plasticky glue thing inside the band to keep it better on place without the straps, so they weren't as stretchy as the normal ones would.

I'm yet to try other styles in my new size. Returned 3 out of 4 bras to Debenhsms today and run off as the sales assistant wanted to measure me!

Ah, the dear old Doreen. I used to like the cotton one but they don't go big enough in the cup, and the nylon one gives a very odd pointy shape, like the old circle-stitched type used to, and the lace shows through one's clothes. It's bad enough having a huge bosom without it being bobbly as well!
I'm wearing a new-ish 44G from M & S and on the tightest hooks I can pull it so far away from me at the front that I fall out underneath, and all the weight is on my shoulders. I shall try the Elomi if I can find one in a 42k. The shape looks good and it has a smooth finish. I'm determined to try an underwire. Thank you again for your advice.

Hi, I'm shopping right now for new bras as I'm getting painful armpit boob. Have measured as per thread and I come up as 32F (am wearing 34B!). From what I'm reading I have wide set, shallow, bottom heavy boobs and I always prefer balconette styles anyway. I am 5'10, 10/12 muscular frame if that's useful.

I want plain black and plain nude in a padded material (embarrassingly aggressive nipples). I don't want a lot of frill, I really just like plain things in nice materials, though I don't want to spend much more than £50 per bra tbh.

(I'm on figleaves etc but I'm lost - I have bought 2 multipacks from M&S once a year my whole life and never even looked at all this other stuff. I can't really believe I've got to 30 without learning all this! Can someone tell me what to buy?)

Sorry, only just noticed your post. You might have given up by now (hopefully not) but if you're still shopping then you could look for my favourite, the Cleo Juna. It is a lightly padded balconnette and comes in black and nude.

Balconettes are actually good for your shape of boobs in general I think. What about

juna
idina

Although these aren't hugely plain you might get on well with some of the bravissimo half cups here

Oh thank you! I've ordered those. I really appreciate your help.

Helloooo! What about my last post!!!!

Whoops

OK, the 30F wonderbra didn't do up but the 30FF did but seemed too small in cups? the 30F didn't do up because of lack of cup space, try the 30G :)