A well fitting, smart/sexy and preferably push-up bra size 38A... impossible???

[justkeeponsmiling]

I am sooo fed up with trying to find a well fitting bra, preferably nice looking and adding a bit of "volume" in my size...
I'm starting to feel like a freak!
Am i really the only person in the world with really small breasts and a slightly larger ribcage?
Every bra I find is either too tight around my chest or has gaping cups. I need a wired one as any others leave me looking completely flat-chested.
Any suggestions of shops or online retailers would be greatly appreciated!

Non-wired nursing bras do create horrendous monoboob I'm afraid. There are a couple of wired nursing bras available - one lot made by Anita, and the other by Ewa Michalak. The anita ones use a slightly different size range (i think they skip the double letters) so you will need to try a different cup size.

The alternative is to convert normal bras, I believe the kits are available on ebay. One of the other bra addicts (hazlenutt) has been doing this and I think posted some info so search for posts by her. It is safe to wear underwires, but you must make sure the fit is excellent and that the wire doesn't in any way sit on breast tissue.

Thanks Statistically and hazelnutt has mentioned that to me in the past so I might try that once I get the right size established.

If I were to stick with the soft cup (the Sophie was very comfortable but I felt it was too tight in the cup and squashing the nipple) is the fitting guidance similar to underwired bras or is there anything particular I should be looking out for?

I heard my name. Yes, MrsHoratio Panache Sophie will, just like other underwired nursing bras, cause a wobbly mono-boob. Anita and Bravado both skip double letters. I'm also 32GG at the moment and Bravado H/I nursing bra is way too small. So I think your only option is to convert, as you say. Really easy to do: www.motherwearuk.com/page23.htm
Sure you can find normal, underwired bras that fit in 32GG - Freya, Fantasie, Curvy Kate etc all have plenty of choice.

with fitting, not quite the same, as I have not found a soft cup bra yet where the middle part actually goes flat against breastbone. But if it's too tight then certainly go up a cup.

MrsHN - I'm a similar size and was fitted at bravissimo in the following-

www.royce-lingerie.co.uk/product?style=822&type=Charlotte&range=Nursing

There is a little bit of mono boob but its not too bad with clothes on. Particularly as my breastfeeding clothes are quite loose anyway.

They're comfy at least - I even sleep in one.

Can I ask for some advice? I wear a 34FF. Last time I was fit (at Bravissimo) they said to wear a 34G but I've never been comfortable in them and have gone back to the 34FF. I know it's not the right size as I tend to get the 4 boob thing and I think a 34G might be the right size but I find the wire digs in under my armpit. It's as if the wire comes too high. I get it a little in the 34FF but not to the same extent. Is it a problem with the size or the style?

It's most probably the style/brand. What bras are you currently wearing?

They're mostly Freya Balcony ones (I switched to the balcony ones as I found some others went too high between my boobs)

Thanks hazlenutt and anything

I might try converting some then. And I have a couple of second hand Royce bras that fit well and have less monoboob so that might be the way to go, but they come up very high, so I have to be careful what I wear with them.

I find supermarkets bras sizing terrible compared to the "makes".
I am a 34G in Fantasie and Freya.

I tried on a 34g in asda cos tbh I can't afford £40 per bra and it was atrocious.

Does anyone else find this?
Perhaps I shouldn't expect anything else from a shop which sells katie Price (12 boob jobs and i'm a 36D) bras.

Have you tried any Cleo (by Panache) bras? I find that they come up a bit lower. Personally I don't get on with Freya but they are decent bras.

Thank SorrelForbes I'll keep my eye out for some to try. I found Freya ones really comfy but then I lost a load of weight and put it back on again and they've just never felt quite right since.

poorbuthappy I've yet to find a cheap brand that fits. I tend to buy in the sales when a lot come down to half price. In particular last year I got some real bargains at Debenhams just after new year - they seem to bung all the sale bras on one stand then and reduce them further but you do have to be willing to search through them (I found lots hidden amongst the wrong sizes). It was worth it for £30 reduced to £9.50ish. The other place I get them from is Leia Lingerie's outlet section.

the trouble with cheap brands is that they will take their usual B-cup and make it bigger. That simply does not work for us, we need engineering and scaffolding.

With poking wires, fantasie bras that have side support might work - they come up high, but due to the support thing, the wires don't poke as much, I find.

I went bra shopping yesterday and was nearly in tears!! I have hated bra shopping and I'm now super excited that I might be able to get a good fitting bra! Will you all help me out? I measured 34 around and bent over 38. I've read all the threads and am thinking I need to try a maybe 32DD, 32E, 34DD or 34D? Somewhere in that ball park? I can't tell you how that totally blows my mind!!! I'm 43 next month, had 5 children and have never tried anything on larger than a B which usually I swam in!! My teenage daughters have made fun of the folds in my bras and I am wearing a 38A.

Oh, and any suggestions for something economical? I really don't want to have to spend over $20 for a bra....

Did you take the under bust measurement holding the tape tight and the across bust one, loose? If you did, then you need to try a 34D/DD. Be prepared to try bigger cups though as I know people with similar measurements who often need an E or an F in some brands/styles.

A 34D/DD is an easy size to find so you should be able to get something nice. Debenhams Gorgeous range is very reasonable and the bras often come with free matching knickers. Be prepared to size up in the band and cup though.

Where is a good place to try one on, instead of ordering online?

Are you in the USA (noticed the $) - if so I believe Nordstrom is generally good for having a range of bras. However even in the US 34D is a relatively easy size, but you will find getting anyone who has a clue about bra fitting very tricky so you will be pretty much flying solo!

I am glad to see a resurrected bra thread as I will be getting new bras this week, I am wearing a 30H as fitted in bravissimo last year. Have lost a bit of weight though and measurements are now 29 under and 44 leaning forward. Can any expert tell me if 30H is still right before I start looking.

hootloop Try a 28J/JJ as well as your current size. It gets much more unpredictable from style to style and make to make once you get about an H cup.

Agree with SF, it gets more unpredictable but try to look at and appraise your current size. How is the back? If the back is big, but cups ok ish then start with 28HH and 28J and work from there.

Thanks both, the backs are big but not sure if they are just stretched, will try a few sizes around the 28/30 and hh/j mark.

I did some more bra shopping today. Thought I was doing pretty good with a fit in a 34D as suggested from my measurements, but after buying a couple and trying them back on at home, the cup size is too big. Around is tight, which I'm not sure is bad, but really feels uncomfortable from what I've been used to. Any suggestions? Should I try a 35C? I am in the US. There are Nordstoms stores around, but I'm kind of far away, so I'm just trying to go at it on my own...

Are you scooping? There is no 35, it goes straight to 36.

Scooping: Basically, put bra on, then stand side on to a miror. Lean forward, put your right hand inside your left cup, reach round as far as you can and pull/scoop/yank all the flesh/soft tissue that is bumping under or over the back, around the straps or the armpit and haul its ass in to the cup. Repeat at other side. You might need to do it a couple of times (as doing one side knocks the other out slightly)

Please help! For years I've also been wearing 38a what m&s measured me at! Just done what you suggested an measured 33 inches under if I'm measuring it firmly and when I lean over 38, what bra size should I look for?