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

Give me strength.

At least three cup sizes too small I'd say and bearing in mind that they start at a 32, probably two band sizes too big.

AAARGH! I suspect Kelly is indeed a 28, maybe a 30 at the absolute most.

I need help....AGAIN. I measure as a 34G according to braguru measuring guide but it's too big in the cup and in the band, I can pull the band out at least 6 inches from my back and the cup just doesn't fill no matter what style and even with vigorous scooping. I've tried a 32 band with various cup sizes (G, GG and H) but it's too small, I can't even get it close to fastened. Is there any hope for my poor boobies?

OK, what bra(s) have you tried in which sizes? What is your 'break the tape' tight under bust measurement?

Will do measurements again and post in a little while, have visitors incoming so darent whip off my top to get measurements as they may walk in any time! will report back later

Reporting back with further measurements and information. Exact under bust is 33.5. Overbust at a ninety degree dangle is 42.5. Boobs are exactly 1 index finger width apart. weight seems to be evenly distributed between the mid and bottom area , not much at the top, pretty flat there in fact, not really droopy though, my boobs have always been this shape from the minute they first appeared.neither especially soft or especially firm and although they are wide ish, they don't really seem to go far back into the armpit area, the fleshy bits seem to stop just before they reach round under the arm. Please please help, my ribcage is getting sore from my bras constantly folding up and moving around and the rubbing is driving me mad!

Sizes to try are a 34FF, 34G, 32G, 32GG. That these sizes aren't working is almost certainly down to style. It's sounds like you have bottom heavy breasts which are fairly close set and don't extend into your armpits.

Which bra/make did you try? I would suggest a balconette style without side support. I like the Cleo and Ewa Michalak ranges.

I've tried some freya and panache but I don't remember which ones exactly. I tried some in debenhams as well but I think they were mostly own brands so probably included the gorgeous range. I also tried curvy kate in a few styles but they were absolutely huge in the back so I sent all of them back as none of them were a good fit. In desperation, I tried some ann summers ones as they told me they run small in the back but even in those I can pull the backs right out. I'm in town tomorrow and have access to a few stores that sell bras so shall go for a trying on session and report back with findings!

Good luck. I'd look for unpadded balconette styles. Stay away from moulded cups, plunge or full cups. Remember to try each bra on back to front first to establish if the band fits without it being skewed by the cups.

Don't give up. I've never found a Freya, Fantasie or Curvy Kate bra that works for me.

Bra gurus... Is it the same rules for measuring for nursing bras?? I have a couple of horrible ones which are more like a single sling for both boobs rather than holding each one individually. I have no big shops nearby, so need to buy online and measure myself.... Can you help please?

yes, the rules are the same. However, a non-wired nursing bra will never give the same support, even a totally correctly fitting one is more likely to give you a froopy monoboob. Not to mention that they are horribly overpriced.
So I always recommend just getting some normal, underwired bras and converting them yourself (google how to, dead easy) - you can find clips on ebay or just use the ones from your current boob slings.

Hi ladies. Having learned that I should wear a 36FF or F rather than my comfy 36B I bought some. I measure 36 underbust, 43 max tipped forward. Disaster! The band won't even do up - it is 3 inches smaller than the 36s I usually wear! What now!?

froopy . This is my word of the day.

What make of bra are you currently wearing and which one did you try?

Did you try the new one on back to front first?

Indeed, that's frump+droopy and nothing to do with the fact that baby DS does not believe in sleeping and I therefore can't hit the keys properly

I love it DS is obviously a genius. It sums up how a lot of bras make people look!

sorrel I normally wear a Berlei Timeless bra (non wired). I don't really like wires TBH although the principle of "scooping it all in" appeals to me! The ones I bought (on eBay) were Marks & Spencers.

I do put bras on backwards and swivel them round automatically - due to having two frozen shoulders I can't get my arms behind my back

Shape wise I have very little lower surface to my breasts which are naturally round shaped - I can easily pass the pencil test because nothing droops

OK, M&S bras are pretty rubbish and their sizing is very random so I wouldn't take the way their bras fit as any indication of your size/shape!

If you can swivel a bra round then it's almost certainly too big. However, one trick is to do it up around your waist, turn it round and then hoik it up into place. Can you get into a Bravissimo or a JL/Debenhams to try some decent brands?

OK, I'll try Debenhams, thanks. Any brands I should look out for, given my shape. I don't want to go all pointy if that's any help with choosing.

Curvy Kate, Panache, Freya, Fantasie, Cleo are all good. Debenhams own brand, Gorgeous, is also good but comes up small so be prepared to size up in the band (and probably the cup too). A balconette shape should help avoid the pointy look:

The Curvy Kate daily Boost is a nice t-shirt type bra

The Freya Rio is a popular unpadded bra as is the Freya Patsy which also comes in a padded half-cup.

The Panache Idina is one of my favourites - a nice simple, retro style.

Don't be scared to try a 34 too!

Thanks hazel froopy monoboob is definitely my look at the mo and I hate it! I always thought that under wired was to be avoided when bf though?

Underwires are perfectly fine, as long as they fit properly and don't press on breast tissue. I'm bf at the moment as well, am a GG/H cup and really need the support of underwires. Feel like human again after I threw away the soft nursing bras!

Great, I will measure myself and get a converting kit. Thanks for your advice! Are there any online bra suppliers that you would recommend... Preferably with cheap/free delivery and returns so that I can order a few to try?

Hi! Just sat and read this entire thread in amazement, no wonder non of my bras are comfy/supportive.
The last bra I bought was a 36c ... My underboob measurement is 30.5" and my dangling boobs measure 38.5". So a 30ff to start right? Been browsing online, unfortunately no decent bra shops near me, does anyone have any thought/recommendations on Pour Moi bras? They sell them on very and I can order a load and send back without having to pay, with the buy now, pay in 12 months option.
I keep finding myself looking for smaller cup size, as I'm convinced there is no way I could fill an FF!