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

They are less likely to snap when they fit properly - it's more of an issue if the cup is too small as the wire contorts and moves in a way it doesn't when it's a good fit.

Celtic Yes I'm hoping being better sized would help, though some of my problems with bras come from me having very itchy skin and its very easily irritated. I had problems when manufacturers started to heat seal the clasp, though the Shock Absorber one seem ok. I also quite often go to tey on a bra and the fabric has itched me before I even turn it round

Right. off to M&S this morning armed with this thread. I will ensconce myself in the changing room with armfuls of bras till I am happy and comfortable.

missnevermind I wouldn't waste your time with M&S, I believe they only do up to about a G so are unlikely to have what you're looking for. Their bigger bras also seem to be a bit flimsy for the job.

If you aren't near a Bravissimo you have a Debenhams or similar? You might get something there but mail order is probably your best bet I'm afraid.

OldRaver if you get on better with certain fabrics there is a poster called marriednotdead who knows All The Bras and can point you in the right direction. Perhaps it would be possible to alter a decent bra to cover the clasp? I have done that with one that irritated me.

If you can put your bras on backwards and turn them around easily that's definitely a too big in the back sign!

OldRaver. That sounds annoying. I don't have a problem with materials (although who likes itchy lace?!) but I am allergic to nickel. I have to coat many hooks, clasps, etc with a coat of clear nail varnish after each wash.

Well that was a waste of time. Shame I didn't see your warning Celtic.

I tried on quite a few. Decided the 38 G was comfortable and the best fit so bought 2.

They are going back as quickly as I can get back there!

I wore one round the house for a few hours and was ready to cut it off with a pair of scissors. The underwire was really digging into my side and got really painful.
I know some of it will be that I have not worn underwire for years now so need to get used to it, but I was in pain not just discomfort.

Agghhh

I suspect most of those may be the cup being too small - badly fitted underwires are damn painful. Ones that fit - not so much :)

But I agree with Celtic re M&S bras - I just don't think they scale them up properly for larger sizes.

Hi, I've been pointed in this direction for bra advice! Just measured myself as per the bra guru blog - I'm 33 round the back and 41 on the boobs (bending over as per the guidelines). I'm 25 weeks pregnant. Pre preg I wore a 34B and size 8-10 clothes. at the mo in wearing 36C and size 10 mat clothes or 12 normal. so tell me how wrong I am as I think from reading the blog I should be trying a 32FF or something??

Being mid-pregnancy complicates things a bit as your rib cage will still expand a bit more, but your current measurements suggest 32G as a starting point. So you might want to try that, plus 32GG, 34FF and 34G. You may have to use extenders for a bit or may need bigger cup sizes later on. Either way, 36C is at least three cup size volumes too small.

Thank you sparkle - I think I need to go and try some on or see if I can order some good ones online. I can't believe I am that far off the mark!! I must admit that apart from sports bras I have never found one that I really find comfortable and makes me a nice shape.

to whom it may concern;
I have asked before but I stopped BF'ing about 3wk ago (baby not interested anymore ) it was a very gradual tailing off if relevant? boobs seemed to have stopped shrinking please God I'm wearing a 32a which seems to be trying to move upwards/boobs slipping downwards
I measure 30 under bust and 34 across nips while leaning forwards as advised so what size please? I'm quite excited about getting reacquainted with the figleaves site thanks x

Start with a 30D and work from there

Hi folks and bra gurus Sorry I've not been around much lately, RL has driven me nuts kept me busy.
Am probably about tomorrow if there's anything I can help with.

Thank you statisically I do appreciate the prompt,free help x

Hi Married

Loving my Panache Idina

Ok, I'm rather baffled. Have just done my best with a tape measure and mirror and appear to be 35-36 underneath and 40 over the chest at the prescribed 90 degree angle. Have been wearing 36b for most of my life, have broad shoulders and pitifully little by way of cleavage without serious padding. But if my 36 measurement was right, then that would mean I'm more than a b cup.....and recently, on t-shirt type bras in a 36b, the straps have been everyway which, but the cups gape sadly. So what am I doing wrong?! Or should I give up and go back to vests or something.......all advice appreciated!

A lot of women wear a slightly smaller back size than they measure - I am wondering if you should try a 34 back but with a bigger cup. The gaping isn't always due to excess cup but due to the back being too loose so they fall forward. I'd maybe try a 34DD/E to start with

Oh, and have you scooped?

Not that I know of....am clearly clueless at this kind of stuff! Do you mean sort of gathering it up forlornly and trying to tuck it into the cups?

Scooping is a little more...vigorous :)

Basically - any "fat"/soft tissue which you have escaping under your armpits, around the back of your bra, beside the straps etc...that's actually breast tissue, and it belongs in the cup. so...

Lean forward, drop your breasts in to the cups and do the bra up at the back. Now, take your right hand, put it round inside the left cup, all the way round under your armpit, and scoop all the soft tissue and flesh in to the cup. You may have to be quite firm to get it forward. You might not know it, but all that soft tissue under your armpit is breast, and it needs to be in the cup. Now, repeat on the other side. The wire should totally encase your soft breast tissue, and you should have no overspill or wrinkling in the cups. The central gore should sit flat in between your boobs.

I shall give this a go, but sounds one to try at home first before in a changing room;) another dumb question, but when you fasten the hooks, is it the middle set of the three that you should aim for? Or does it vary, depending on make?
Thanks so much!

Always the loosest hooks for a new bra. After quite a lot of wear you may find that the bra has stretched and then you should move to the middle or tightest hooks.

I've never really read these threads because I thought how hard is it, really, to know what size bra you should be wearing.

After wearing a 36D for years, I just did the measurement thingy.
It's 34 underneath, measured quite snug, and 41 bent over, measured looser. By my reckoning that makes me a 34G???

I did this because I was trying on bikinis recently and tried the scooping thing and it was clear that the cup sizes i was trying were too small. I have also had a problem with a bra, that I thought fitted, where the underwire was digging in to me at the side, this is because it was just sitting on breast tissue isn't it? My goodness, I'm going to go to Oxford Street today and TRY ON BRAS!

try a 34f-the dd counts as an inch too

Oh ok. Will do. I thought it sounded big.