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

Panache bras tend to be quite stiff. I've gently bent the wires on mine to follow the shape of my body.

Oxfam collect bras to donate to women in Africa.

Thanks SorrelForbes. Will have a bit more wear and try that.

Any recommendations for good balconette bras in 36h? I used to like Freya and Panache but I am happy to try other brands to find the best fit.

I love the Cleo range (Marcie, Lily, Bella, Melissa)

I'm a fan of cleo t oo, although i wish they had 3 hooks, and I think the bravissimo own brand bras generally have some very good balconettes too

Yes, three hooks would be so much better. I love the style and colours of the Bravissimo own brand bras but alas, they are too shallow for me!

Anyway, off to change my bra as I've just realised the pattern (Cleo Lily) shows through my sparkly top!

hi, thank you for the advice, have measured myself as per guide and under bust is 34.5 inches and round bust is 45 inches if I don't squash anything, which seems huge measurement.

EustaciaVye, re old bras , If they are in very good condition sell them on ebay! :)

Arleta66, I would suggest starting with a 34G and working from there

Can I please have some advice also. I've never really gotten along with bras and have always worn a 34B. I measured myself after reading this and discovered that my under bust was 28" and overbust 32.5". I'm an unusual shape - my shoulders are size 10 but my ribcage is 6/8 in clothing. My boobs are wide-spread and all the weight is at the bottom.

I popped into Bravissimo and they fitted me up as a 30D and sent me home with a Fantasie Rebecca bra. I've only worn it twice but the central gore is leaving me bruised and sore and I've got wrinkly underarm bulge (no rear bulge though). If I scoop everything in to deal with the underarm bulge (quite aggressively, moreso than the fitting) I get a bit of quad boob. Have I come home with the wrong size bra? And are properly fitting bras meant to be this painful?

Hi thank you, strange as I had a couple of bras from M&s bought years and they were 34f as these just fitted better than the 36e in this style(t shirt bra without padding) these are the most comfy bras I own , but recently have put on about 5lbs and am v slightly over spilling now on cups. The article about back fat is brilliant, I thought I was having this problem because I needed to lose weight( I do a little) similar armpit fat, thought there was nothing to be done(except diet!). Does anyone rate any of the high st stores for bras?(not measuring) I am no where near Bravissimo branch.

I know this is a slightly different direction but am now thinking about my daughter who is 10 and just started wearing a bra this year, I measured her round her ribs same way as I would do myself and she was 28 ins. So using the old system she would be a 32(which seems big for a little girl). However when I looked at these on her they were huge. so bought a 30AA, I didn't measure her round her bust as she only just needs a bra and there isn't much there yet, the bras I bought for her were M&S starter bra in cotton with soft cups and no padding. I will measure her again but using the correct way presumably she would be a 28 band size and a slightly bigger cup? realise this would be trial and error as this is different obviously with girls of this age. One of the other problems is a bra feels un comfy anyway after wearing crop tops, but have had to get her to tighten her bras to shortest hook after only a few weeks of wearing as they were riding up. Does anyone else have any experience with this please?

For buying bras the big department stores like debenhams, John Lewis etc generally have a good range if you know what to look for!

Ruby, that sounds like that bra isn't f or you. New bras can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable when they are brand new but not to the extent of bruising. I would go back to bravissimo. Their customer service is excellentand will change the bra even though it has been worn because they fitted it.

What are your measurements Nancy, and can you link to the bra you ordered? Gaping isn't always a size issue - it can just be that the bra isn't compatable with your breast shape

OK, as a start point that would be a 40HH, but it could be quite possible for you to need a 38 as those of us who are a little "squishy" quite often need a smaller band size than we measure. Can you pop the 38 on back to front please? This lets you appraise the band without the cups getting in the way and distorting how tight it feels.

The gaping, as I say, may well not be a size thing. It could just be that the particular bra doesn;t work with your breast shape. Look at them as objectively as possible - are they heavy on top or bottom, close set or wide set (ie how big is the gap in the middle), wide root or narrow root (i.e. how wide is the base of each boob) etc and I will try to suggest alternatives

Just marking my place!

OK, when you say the middle of the 38GG was gaping...do you mean the middle of each cup? Were you filling the bottom of it, and was the central gore sitting against your chest or was that gaping?

Plus, final question - have you tried scooping with the bra on?

That to me sounds more style related then. That bra is quite tall, and especially post babies, gravity etc etc (mine are the same!) tall bras can be a problem as you get gaping. BUt as you've seen you can't go down a size because then it's too small in the lower places and you get simultaneous gaping and spilling.

Have you tried something more balconette style, like alana, melissa or bella?

Fantasie bras also seem to point the wrong way for me - I'm very close set, and they seem to make me a bit sideways. I would suggest trying some different styles and different brands - fantasie (and freya, their sister range) have very wide wires so don't suit everyone.