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

As married says, the cup on a 30DD will be distorting things too as it's really designed for someone who measures around 35" across the bust. Even if I try to put something in the right band size, but too small in the cup, then I will often seriously struggle to do it up.

I had a similar size change, went from a 32F/FF to a 30G (years ago!) and I had thought my 32FFs were fine but going down that single back size actually made a huge difference. There was nothing obviously bad about the 32s until I compared them.

Hi just measured and am 33 under and 42 hanging loose. So maybe a 34 g? As oposed to the 38dd I am currently falling out of all over the place. No wonder i look like I have about 8 breasts on each side. Kinell am going to Debenhams. Right. Now.

Try a 32G, 32GG, 34G and 34FF to start with - you will probably be somewhere around those sizes!

Your description of 8 breasts made me giggle - one of my friends was like that, a 30GG in a 36D. She had one in the cup, one over the top, one in the armpit, one escaping underneath the wires and at least one at the back too.

Does anyone know if Curvy Kate bras are any good for bottom heavy boobs? Their prices seem quite good on bra stop. Also any idea if they're true to size?

which ones roller? their showgirl range especially the tease and thrill me, and fleurty might be good. I would say they run a cup small maybe a little more and those ones have very stretchy backs too. I'd order a few to try

Yes the tease me/thrill me & also the Gia are all less than £20. I think they're all balconette styles - are these the style I need to be looking at if I'm bottom heavy? What about the times when I need a bit of ooomph though? I always thought a plunge style was better for cleavage? (I'm a 30e so not massive)

OMFG I have bought a 32GG. It was either a 34G on the tightest hook or a 32GG on the loosest one that fit best out of the 27 bras I tried on and it feels snug but I only have one boob now. How can I have got it SO wrong, though saying that I was fitted for a 36dd in M & S about 6 months ago. Thank you SO much

I've a few CKs and Statistically is right, there's a lot of stretch in the padded Showgirl range, I measure 31.5 under but wear a 28 in Tease Me and Thrill Me! And yes they are small in the cup, I normally wear a 30H but need a 28J (ie. 30HH) in these. Yet the unpadded normal lace ones are fairly true to size (Angel, Emily, Portia etc) and I wear a 30GG or H in those.

As to shape, the Showgirls are very open on top so can look stunning with full all over boobs - think very Marie Antoinette! But the support is mostly around the bottom half of the cup. They are quite wide set wires and a relatively shallow forwards projection, think in and up as opposed to forwards and up.

Thanks sparkle, so if I measure 29.5 and 36 and currently wear 30E would you suggest I go for 28FF in the tease me/thrill me range? Don't think they go any lower than 28.

I don't have a tape measure but last time I did, I ended up buying 44A

I think I remember under boob measuring 39 - so working backwards, any have any idea of what cup I should try (thinking I need to try 38 & 40 band)

I'm guessing you measure 45 across - that was probably taken standing up so may be slightly on the low side. On the basis you are 39 under (and probably not measured hugely tightly) you are probably closer to a 38F/FF ish

RollerCola - def the 28 from my experiences, the degree of stretch is considerable and the 30 would go to about 36" at full stretch. Order the F and FF and possibly even a G just to check. They are very open so for me the even larger cup provides just a little bit more security!

My big issue with the non padded CKs though is the slightly odd shape I feel they have - it's a very pointy east-west sort of thing, even in my correct size. I much prefer the rounded shape of the Showgirl range - they may not be smooth t-shirt bras but with a cardi on or in the winter, hell, who doesn't need the thrill of knowing you've got shit hot underwear on?! I wear mine at least a couple of times a week

I'm like you sparkle - I don't care if people can see seams. T-shirts bras aren't great on me and frankly it's pretty damn obvious I am wearing a bra anyway!

Too right! These puppies are not going free range anytime soon!

Awks I would take photos, send them to M&S and complain. It's just appalling - they are responsible for thousands of four-boobs and aching backs.

Awks - Sadly this is M&S's standard operating model - shove women in shit bras. They tried to put me (30HH/J) in a 36F, Sorrel (30G/GG) in a 38d and several others equally grim. There are some reviews of their fitting service (we mystery shopped them!) on the blog and we harrassed them a fair old bit on social media too. But they don't care

This is amazing! If I measure 31 below bust and 36 loose at widest part, have I calculated correctly 30E? My boobs are quite small, sounds an odd size - I wear 32B

Thank you ladies, I stumbled on this thread browsing MN and I am now wearing THE MOST COMFY BRA EVER.

Was measured as a 38C at M&S recently but using your method am now in a much more comfy 34F.

Thanks!!!!!

make - try a 30dd, 30e, 32dd and 32d. but the 30e is the most likel

mustafa - oh, look, M&S get it wrong.....again!!

Could I ask about bikinis please?

You have already helped me from an MandS 36C recently measured, to a 30FF in Freya. Obviously, I look so much better, but I have also noticed that my creepy cleavage has gone, obviously not being squashed wrongly means the wrinkles have gone too.

Obviously, I will throw out my 34D bikini tops, but I also have several dress sized 12 bikini tops which still look ok. Is it worth getting bra sized swimwear and do you know if i would get the same size? Does anyone have advice about brands?

yes, it's absolutely worth to get bra sized bikinis - first time I got them, I was amazed - "Look! I can actually walk around without falling out of the top!!"

The same brands that have been recommended for bras do nice bikinis as well - Freya, Panache, Fantasie etc.

I need some more help from you bra experts!

We worked out on a couple of previous threads that I should be in a 32D or DD. I'm wearing a 32D bra today and it's getting really uncomfortable! The band is really tight and digging in. If I wasn't at work I would be taking the bra off it's that uncomfortable! My around body measurement was 31.5. Should I try sizing up to a 34 band?

it's unlikely that you would need a 34. are you certain that you have adequate cup space? sometimes bras can look ok to begin with but then your boobs settle in to them and change the comfort level.

How do I tell if the cup space is not enough? It's not gaping at all (a problem I used to have).

The band is very tight (leaves red marks) and the last set of hooks are only just doing up.