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

Hmmm. Fantasie are generally big in the cup but I suspect that you are going to be someone who needs a smaller cup than they measure as on a 38 you theoretically need a j. I'd maybe try a few sizes-maybe 38gg and h in the cleo and h/ hh in the alana as it runs smaller. If you can I'd maybe order another cup up in both too as it's easier to spot too big than too small. Getting your size in new bras always takes a bit of trial and error. The first time I tried curvy Kate I ordered the same bra in six sizes!

I was measured at m&s as 36A. after advice on here, bought a 32D. loads more comfortable and flattering!

M&S - I do wish they would get a clue. There's a review of their "fitting" on the betterbracampaign blog site. The things they tried to tell me fitted were abysmal. 30HH/j and they tried to sell me a 36F

I have just read nearly the whole thread through and I feel like a light bulb has come on in my brain.

I measured 28 under, 37 on top... Is that 28G?

28 is hard to find isn't it? I'm not sure what I'm in now, but I hate all my bras. Also I am breastfeeding so that limits my choices even more!

Yup start with a 28g. They are harder to come by and you will find online ordering your new best friend. Bravissimo, , brastop, , mycurvesandme...There are lots out there. Bravissimo does several feeding bras in that size too

Cool, thanks Statistically! I will check those places out. I'm in Oz so hopefully returns will not be too expensive.

Thank you ladies! You spurred me into taking my two not entirely enthusiastic teens to Bravissimo where they were treated very sensitively and emerged with well fitted bras. Of course, now I'm having to spend a small fortune but they're worth it!

Wahoo! Good news indeed BlueHairedFreak. Hopefully they'll be set up for life, bra wise anyway

Now that you know sizing you can investigate some of the cheaper online options - brastop, mycurvesandme, amazon (honestly!), debenhams sale...

Hey SF! I have DH so well trained that he bought me a set from EM for christmas :)

I've done this before but iI'm confused - by something which I'm sure is very simple...

I'm 30.5 and 34.5 - would this be about a 30C? 30D?

start with 30D and 30DD

hello bra interveners, could I pick your brains please? I have measured 33 in band size and read that one should size down, but am currently wearing 36 so can't imagine wearing a 32 as am indeed squishy of torso- size 14. Around the cups I'm unsure really as it was cold in the bedroom when I measured so my nipp
es were rather more protruding than usual-do you think this would matter? Cups are measuring at 41in, I think this would put me at 32FF is that right? it just seems impossible! currently wearing 36d.
TIA!

Ok, your 36D has the same cup volume as a 32E. If you scoop whilst wearing your current bra do you get bulge or overspill?

Sorry meant to say that your current bra band seems right because the cups are too small and your boons are stealing material from the band. I would suggest trying a 32FF/G and a 34F/FF.

Can I ask something please...my underband is 41 and "90 degree" measurement is 51. Now I am very fat and currently wear a 42 which I find too tight and constricting (and rolls up - assume this is a fat thing) Will using this method be more comfortable if the actual band size is same?

Thanks sorrel, I've scooped my boons and yes I think there would be overspill. currently though on the 36d there is gapage at the top of the cup,I suspect because my boobs are sort of wider than they are long if that makes sense?

Oh dear, I must learn to preview before posting!

Aworryingtrend I suspect you need to try a balconette style. Is the 36D a moulded t-shirt type style? If so, these are very difficult to fit as they don't mould to your shape IYSWIM? Would you say you are wide set or are they more close together?

DuffyMoon I'd try a 40GG/H and even a 38H/HH as those with squidgier torsos can often need a tighter band than they measure to get the right support. What cup size are you currently wearing?

it made me laugh, I may refer to them as boons from now on! its a debenhams full cup style, also wearing sainsburys own full cup styles as balconette has previously given me major jiggle and arm pit fat but that maybe due to wrong size cup? Im definitely wide set. thank you so much for helping me!

To all who have posted advice on bra interventions: THANK YOU SO MUCH :) :) :)

After years of being uncomfortable and lumpy in my 38A bras I came across this thread and went out and bought some 36D bras. I cant believe how much better I look and feel. The underarm and back bulges have almost gone! Some of the 34DDs that I tried on fitted nicely as well but I somehow couldn't bring myself to buy them as DD sounds so huge and 34 so small !

I did get fitted some years ago but was too humiliated to try again as the fitter said "you've got it all in the back but not in the front" and suggested buying bra inserts to "balance out your figure" so I just bought the 38A bras that she suggested and went away feeling like a misshapen lump :(

Cant believe I've been wearing the wrong bra size all these years!

May I plead for more Interventioner (sp?) help please? An early 2014 resolution is to Sort Out My Bras.

Eons ago, I was told that my 29 under, and 34-35 round measurements equated to 28F, 28E, 30DD/E. So quite different from the 32B I was wearing. I did not pluck up the courage for ages to go to Bravissimo, but when I did, they did not infact laugh me out of town. Instead they spent ages fitting me, and I ended up with a Panache Melody in 28FF (I was told it measured small), not much seemed to fit although they said they did not have that many 28s in.

It is agony to wear for long - the wires seem to come up practically into my armpits and they hurt! I can't really face going back to bravissimo again so am determined to try online shopping. But wear to start!

I am probably slightly bottom heavy - I don't have much fullness at the top, so moulded bras don't work for me. And I have small shoulders. Any ideas what bras/shapes to try first? I really need the basics - ideally plain colours, not too fussy bras so they go under the majority of clothes.

Aworryingtrend Yep, I think you might be better suited to a balconette shape. Previous ones probably didn't work for you due to trying too small a cup. Ones I like that still give coverage include the Panache Idina Balconette (nice retro look), Cleo Juna (and others in the Cleo range like Melissa, Bella, Lily, Marcie).

HazeltheMcWitch That sounds like a style/brand issue. Panache are know for coming up high at the sides and are generally very firm bras. Their sister range, Cleo, don't come up so high and the Cleo bras I've mentioned above would probably work for you too.

Blimey you are good, Sorrell.

Thanks - again - so much. Am off to order me some Cleos!