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

Go to Bravissimo on Oxford St, it's their Flagship store.

I'm 29,5 underneath and 36 hangung down but in a bra. Do I need to let it all hang out braless? Also tge 32D/ DD I've BEEN WEARING PRE-pregnancy are too toght so I would've thought I need to wear a 34?!

measure again letting it all hang out. I suspect they feel tight due to inadequate cup space

I have had a bra revelation!! I got a 32F today. Put it on and the cups seem to fit perfectly, the back strap does feel tight but I presume that's a) because its brand new and b) because I have become accustomed to wearing a 34 or 36 band which must have been too loose, ie what I feel is a normal band fit has actually been too loose.
I feel like there is a tiny amount of back fat at the back but maybe as the bra wears in and elastic loosens slightly that will go?

Have you tried scooping more? You might still have a little backfat (i'm a 30 back but quite big otherwise and I always have a little bit) but most can be scooped

Thanks, I will try that - I'm so glad I found this thread I feel like my boobs are now now 'up' and there is a clear gap between them and the baby bump whereas before it just felt like they were resting on it!

Ok, so I'm 29,5 under the bust and 37,5 leaning. Not really a flattering position...

Oh it's not sexy ;)

Start by trying a 30F/FF and work from there. Don't be scared to try a 28FF/G in some brands too

Thanks! What is this scooping you're talking about? I've noticed the current bra 32DD is cutting in at the back - 2 fat rolls (grim). so to avoid the back fat, what do I need to scoops> The front or the back?

I looked at Bravissimo, very nice but they are all around £30 . What is abit more affordable? Moving soon so no spare dosh...

Brastop, Leia (outlet section), mycurvesandme, Clara Olivia, Amazon have some great deals, sometimes debenhams sale....

Scooping - yup that back fat you mention- it belongs in the cup. 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.

Chances are you will have some quadboob in your current bra after you do this, and because it's a 32 the fat won't stay forward as the back isn't small enough

Could have a look on the outlet section of figleaves? There are some on there from about £9. I ordered a 32F to go with my new 32E bought today mainly for a try and also incase I need larger cuppage as pregnancy progresses.

Oooh, technical

Some help needed here please too:
I've established I'm a 32GG although I measure 33 under bust.
A 34 band seems more comfortable as I'm probably used to the baggy affairs that I have previously referred to as bras. My problem is the cups cut in badly at the front of my arms, I have narrow shoulders but the GG cup seams to be fine. I've tried a 34G , with the same effect. There is a bit of back fat too with a 32GG but I may not have scooped enough.
My feelings are a wider back and smaller cup size, am I right?

It sounds more like a style issue than a size one tbh. If you say the cup volume seems to be fine (no quad boob on top? smooth cup line?) then back fat won't be solved by going up in the band, quite the contrary. Are you trying balconettes with wide settings? Many are too wide for me and I do have to put up with a little bit of digging and rubbing on the strap side of the cup, because I live the Marie Antionette cleavage they give me, but the sizing is actually fine. But there's are lots of styles and some very knowledgeable posters here, I'm sure they can make recommendations of brands and styles to try.

Can I join in? I've measured myself to be 30" under bust, and 40" around the fullest part when bending over. Does that make me a 30GG?

If so it's no wonder my bras don't fit, I haven't measured myself for ages and am currently wearing a 34E!

Yup, you got it! Welcome to the amazing world of properly fitting bras - you'll never look back!

Thank you

It was actually a M&S t- shirt bra, very basic in design, but it is the area where the straps join the cups that rub ( too much to put up with) if I had wider shoulders the straps could be pulled out wider iyswim.
Do balconette styles finish lower at the side of the cup?

Lots do, but many are also quite widely set, so it's a lot of trial and error I'm afraid. Curvy Kate and Bravissimo are generally very wide set in their balcony/balconette styles for example, Cleo Juna a bit less so, yet there's something about the cut of the Bravissimo's I've tried that mean they seem to rub less despite being wide wired. It's a minefield I'm afraid! Lots of trying on, lots of returning, and do not cut labels out untill you've tried them for at least a couple of hours around the house. A five minute session in a changing room or your bedroom doesn't really cut it.

Thanks Sparkle, you're right it's a minefield, I'll do what you say but I can't wait to find something comfortable, I'm so sick of wobbling out of my current ones.

As a general rule, full cups and plunges are a bit narrow set than balconettes or half cups too. But definitely serious trial and error too

I find that many t-shirt bras, especially the moulded type, rub under the arms.

@ this link www.femalefirst.co.uk/catalog/sizing-chart.php

I'm not 34C even by my own faulty measurements prior to coming to this thread.

www.femalefirst.co.uk/catalog/sizing-chart.php

GRRRRRRR this is the sort of crap info we're fighting!!!