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

Just reporting on day 3 of my new bra - was wearing 36c, measured as per advice here and then got 32F. Am now used to tighter band and have adjusted strap length slightly until have found it just right. Today bra was comfy, firm and boobs look good! No lumps, bumps etc. am awaiting delivery of another 2, all being well will then throw out the 34B, 34c and 36c's that are in my drawers! Bra revolution

How do you calculate that 30 inches and 37 are 30F/ FF. how can I work it out myself if I change shape when the online calculators are crap?

It's 1" difference=1 cup size. Cup sizes in most UK brands go A,B,C,D,DD,E,F,FF,G,GG,H,HH,J,JJ,K,KK,L,LL

If you measure an even number underneath, then that is your band and the difference gives you cup. So a 30/37 would be around a 30F

If you measure an odd number then you will want to consider bands either size, and it;s debatable whether it's the difference between your measurements, or your top measurment and the actual band. So, if you measured 31/37 you would try:

30F (7" difference so overbust-lower band size)
30E (6" difference i.e. difference between your measurements)
32E (as above but on higher band
32DD (5" difference, overbust-top band size)

Hi again, received this morning a delivery of a few bras!
I'm measuring a 34GG but the majority of them sit fine around the band but I could pinch about 1inch worth of looseness from the strap to the centre front, would I go down a cup size but keep the band the same and do you think this would help with the cutting in at the front of the arms. Looking at my boobs I think a balconette style could probably work best as it is the upper part of the boob which is missing, they are seriously droopy! But I read up post that the straps are wide set so may cut in at side of arms.
Any help appreciated.

I woke up wearing a 34C.

Im now wearing a 32E, which is oh-so-comfortable. Although the band feels like it's suffocating me! I'm not used to being able to feel it.

Thank you all so, so much.

Ok I'm confused. I've just done the measurements and I'm measuring a 45 round the bottom bit and then a 58 around the chest. Does that mean a 44J? I'm currently wearing a 44G cup but my boobs spill out a bit - granted I am breastfeeding at the moment. How tight should I have pulled around to measure the back size? After 3 pregnancies my boobs are uneven so I took the 58 measurement in keeping with the bigger boob - is that correct?

Sorry make that a 42 around the back

under 29.75
boobs 33.5

I've been wearing a 32B but it's always riding up/straps falling off

I don't have a clue how to get my size from those measurements?! could I have some help? do I round up/down etc (as i'm so small I think those half inches really count!)

Try a 30D and sizes surrounding, so 30D and 28DD. You might need to try 30C and 28D too.

Eric - start with a 42KK to start (based on 42/58). I'm afraid you are going to find the selection is a bit pathetic though. Because you are slightly larger you may actually find you need a smaller back size than you measure - it's to do with both torso squishiness and the amount of stretch a larger bra may have so you might also want to try a 40 back. The Bravissimo Alana only goes to a 40 back but comes in a KK and L so maybe try those as a starter?

PinkMangoSays - start with a 30C and 30D. Both the issues you mention are normally symptoms of the back being too big.

I have been lurking for many days now and I'm tentatively ready to step into the bra changing room.....
I've never done the adding 4 or 5 thing because I'm 38 band, and all the shops in my budget never seemed to do above that in small cup sizes. Only now, I'm not so sure I'm a small cup size.

Currently wearing 38B. The band rolls up a bit and if I even mildly scoop I get quadroboobs.
I measure 38 and 43. So is that a 38DD? But they just look enormous. Is it going to be possible to find a seamless/ Tshirt one that doesn't give me a false-boob-at-the-top-effect? I'm wondering what sort of shape to look for to prevent that, I do have a very ill advised maternity bra that always made me look like I had balloons up my top because the cups were so round all the way, and I just didn't fill them right the way up!

Sadly, my budget is very much Tesco/ Asda/ M&S end.

I know I'm last in a long line of requesters, but if anyone has any thoughts, please let me know!

Size wise yes, a 38DD. There are quite a lot of seamless/t-shirt bras available and if you shop online you can probably get a really decent bra for M&S type prices - brastop, mycurvesandme, amazon are all great for bargains.

Can you explain what you mean by the "false boob at the top" effect? Is it that your boobs are quite bottom heavy so you fill the bottom of the bra, but not the top?

Moulded/tshirt bras are actually the hardest to fit simply because the moulding gives them a very specific shape. If that shape matches your breast shape you're fine but otherwise you end up with gaping. I'm wondering if you might like something like the Cleo Juna or the Panache Idina which are balconettes so not as high at the top - so wouldn't have the emptiness issue.

Bottom heavy boobs- that was exactly what I meant! Thank god someone else knows how to use actual real phrases.....
Thank you for the tips, once I've got rid of the kids for a bit I'll get started on looking. And I'll let you know how it goes!

Yes! That's it Bumble, I've the same make boobs- bottom heavy, I'm after a t-shirt bra but the top bit is empty. Im sure going round in circles with this fitting thing. I think t- shirt bras are now not going to be any good, I've never found a successful one yet.

Good tshirt bras, even for softer boobs, are not impossible, but how well they work is dependent on breast shape. The one important point with lack of volume is that the centre gore needs to have some depth otherwise the breast tissue will slide towards/out of the centre and leave gaps at the top where the strap joins the cup.

I'd recommend trying the following styles

Fantasie (all run a cup large so may need to size down)- Rebecca, smoothing (code FL4510), and their other smoothing which has no foam (better on rounder, not too soft, shaped boobs)

Cleo- Juna (fits to size) and Maddie (really small/tight so need to go up a band and/or cup but a great shape)

Panache- Porcelain balconette (go up a cup)

Debenhams- comfort cup tshirt bra. Most Debenhams styles are a little tight/small so be prepared to size up.

Oops, I forgot.

Elomi do a couple of tshirt styles, they start at a 34 band. Great if you are fleshy and find other styles squish out underarm or are too pointy.

Woooo- bottom heavy boob club!
Kind of getting excited about having nice bras. Also imagining total figure transformation, which may be less realistic.

I've just read this thread in wide-eyed fascination

I was measured in m&s just after xmas and told I needed a 36 or 38D.
The bras I bought that day have never been comfy though.

I've just measured myself and I'm a snug 35" underneath and 44" with boobs hanging at 90 degree angle.

I am that I have been wearing the wrong size it seems. No wonder I get over spill from the cups!

If I've understood the thread I should be trying a 34F to start with should I?

Yup, and be prepared to go up in the cup. Being between band sizes often means going down, but if you feel mad enough compelled to return to M&S bear in mind that many if their styles are quite tight, and they skip some letters so you could be bigger in both band AND cup.

Actually, not F, more like G/GG.

Thanks Married, and Oh god no, I won't be returning M&S! I have a bravissimo in town so I'll start with one or two from there!

Aargh G/GG ?!

I have spent years trying to get bra's that fit properly... no wonder they never really have!

Ok - I ve been an advocate of wearing the correct bra size for years and have an extensive underwear range to prove it. Basically, I feel if I'm properly dressed underneath then all is good.
So in light of your amazing blog i thought i would remeasure to check.
I think I'm a 34c, all seems right from the way my bras fit, no bulges, no movement, good shape under clothes etc.
Anyway, I measured with your rule (I measure 33 and 37)and so I reckon it comes out as 32DD. I was amazed but duly sent DH out to buy one to see. Bless him he bought 30DD but to be honest in every contortion possible I had a 4 inch gap between the ends.
Am taking bra back to exchange tomorrow, will try on a couple but can't see a 32 getting round me??
Help!!

I remember my first proper fitting about 7/8 years ago where I was taken up a cup from E to F. It had never occurred to me that anything beyond E existed, it had taken that long to find an E

There are many variances of sizing and shape between brands and styles so the 34Cs you have could well be ok. Out of interest, try a 34D and 32DD in the same style and see how that goes. If there's not enough cup room, the bra band won't be able to get close enough to your body to fasten comfortably.

I see many women who think their size is right because they are not bulging over, but they often have a wide flesh filled gap between the outer edge of the cups and the side seams of the bra. If it's firm it won't bulge but it's still breast and should be in the cup.