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

941 replies

justkeeponsmiling · 27/06/2013 22:42

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!

OP posts:
WillieWaggledagger · 19/02/2014 09:42

i'm a 30F (i was an intervention lurker) and at the time couldn't afford a really expensive bra but one place i did find some that i could afford was surprisingly tesco in the fuller bust range. obviously the bras don't last as long as really good ones but they were fine for a good while and at least fitted and supported as they should

i can't find those sizes online but they definitely had them instore when i bought them

SorrelForbes · 19/02/2014 09:51

Alas, I've never seen a 30 band in Tesco, Asda etc. or any of the high street stores like New Look and Top Shop. So frustrating.

WillieWaggledagger · 19/02/2014 10:03

i definitely did find a 30 band in tesco a while ago (in a tesco metro no less), but that may have been pure luck

WillieWaggledagger · 19/02/2014 10:04

it's also clear that they are branded as 'freak' band sizes!

FunkyBarnYard · 19/02/2014 10:06

Can't wait to get my tape measure. I find bras so uncomfortable and I have marks where it digs in everywhere and can't quite fathom it when I'm so flat chested.

Intrigued whether I'm not quite what i think I am!

WowserBowser · 19/02/2014 10:56

It really annoys me now when i see celeb bra sizes being reported.

Today Victoria Beckham has reportedly admitted to having a boob job reversed. She originally went from a 34a to 34d. Why would she be a 34?

NaffOrf · 19/02/2014 10:58

If La Beckham is a 34 I will eat my own head.

HazleNutt · 19/02/2014 11:12

sure she can be 34, if she likes to wear bras wrapped around her body twice Grin

HenriettaPie · 19/02/2014 13:32

Where is the best place to get measured ladies? I don't have a bravissimo near me?

FunkyBarnYard · 19/02/2014 13:55

Ok I have measured
Under 34
Over 39 (at 90 degrees. - which is not easy with a bad back!)

I have only Matalan and peacocks in town for bra shopping. Can you recommend somewhere I should go?

And of course what size I should try!

TravelinColour · 19/02/2014 13:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

princessalbert · 19/02/2014 14:09

Matalan do stock bras in larger sizes. Not many, but some.

You have more chance of getting a 34DD though than a 32E (my size).

RevealTheHiddenBeach · 19/02/2014 14:28

may i hijack with an additional question, as i'm trying to help my mum wear a bra that actually fits! When you do the bend-over-and-measure-your-boobs, as they are older and childrearing they are droopier... do you still measure loosely, and without a bra?

PsychicPaper · 19/02/2014 14:42

Can anyone help me?

I currently wear a 44 H, but it is very uncomfortable, i cant get the middle bit to lay flat iykwim?

Measuring your way i get 48 inches under bust, and 53 over

Any ideas?

PsychicPaper · 19/02/2014 14:52

Oh also.

The only one that gives me good shape is a 40HH from Panache, but it is so tight at the sides where the band sits as to be physically painful after a few hours Hmm

SorrelForbes · 19/02/2014 15:15

HenriettaPie Bravissimo are the best on the high street (they don't actually measure you, they fit by eye) followed by some branches of Debenhams, JL and HoF. Practically everywhere else (many independents excluded) continues to add inches.

RevealTheHiddenBeach Yes, loosely, no bra. This is important as you're ensuring you are including 'all' breast tissue. Bear in mind that the cup size is just a starting point. I need a bigger cup than I measure for example. Some people need a smaller one.

PsychicPaper OK, the central gore not lying flat indicates that the cups are too small (and the style is possibly wrong too). Your measurements indicate a starting point of 48DD which is much smaller cup size (in volume) than you're currently wearing. A 48DD is equivalent to a 46E and a 44F. Are you sure those measurements (48/53) are correct?

The fact that you're already wearing a 44 indicates that you are able to wear a smaller band than you measure. Many of us with more squish on our torsos can do this (and need to for support!). Added to which is the fact that the bigger the band, the more elastic and thus more stretch in % terms.

Wearing your 44H/HH, can you scoop and tell me if there is overspill/bulge or gaping? If you put it on back to front, how far can you pull the band away from your body?

Panache are very stiff bands and it may be that you need to try a different make (e.g. Elomi or Fantasie) which is a bit softer.

FunkyBarnYard · 19/02/2014 15:27

I already get complete skin marks of my bra. I am currently in a 38a.

By buying a smaller band won't this mark more?

HazleNutt · 19/02/2014 15:31

funky - first, some skin marks are normal - of course, the bra should not actually be painful. You get marks from your socks and jeans, don't you? Bras should be tight and therefore will leave some marks as well.

Second - no, a 34DD does not necessarily leave more marks than your 38A. The 38A cup is too small for you and the back therefore feels tight. It's equal to only 34C cup. You will have more room in DD.

Also, as your current cup is small and back large, your boobs pull the band down, it does not sit where it is supposed to and therefore is even more likely to leave marks than a well fitting bra.

PsychicPaper · 19/02/2014 15:40

Hi Sorrel,

Thanks for replying.

i remeasured leaning forward, and got 46/62?!?!

The 44H overspills like i have a million boobs if I scoopHmm but my boobs are weird they are kind of more skin than flesh on top (sorry for tmi!)

With the 40 I can't get a finger under the band for leverage, let alone pull, with the44 i can get a finger in, but it wont pull any further than that

SorrelForbes · 19/02/2014 15:56

PsychicPaper Ah, those measurements make more sense in relation to the 44H and 40HH you're wearing!

46/62 suggests a starting point of 46K. This cup would have the equivalent volume of the cup of a 44KK, a 42L and a 40LL. I'm not surprised that you are experiencing some overspill as the 44H is 5 cups too small!

I would hazard a guess that you are probably a 42 in most brands, maybe a 40 in looser makes. Your choices in the above cup sizes is going to be a bit more limited than someone looking for a 34DD as you need something that's really going to give firm, comfortable support, as well as a good shape!

Bravissimo go up to a 40 back and an L cup so I would start there as you never know, a 40L might work fine.

Elomi do bras up to a 46 but their cups stop at a K. Worth a try though.

Sculptress by Panache also make bras up to a 46J so again, might be worth trying a 40/42/44J.

Dessous are another brand that make larger cups but I don't know anything about them (apart from that they're pricey!).

BeerHunter · 19/02/2014 16:20

I need a bra intervention, praise the Lord, amen and all that.

Currently wearing a very uncomfortable 38B.

Under bust is coming in at 38 1/4 inches. Bust is measuring 46 inches.

TIA.

WowserBowser · 19/02/2014 16:35

Wow no wonder a b is uncomfortable!

spleenyone · 19/02/2014 16:45

This is a whole new world. All my bras are awful and don't fit. Now where's that measuring tape...

SorrelForbes · 19/02/2014 17:04

BeerHunter Wearing your 38B, can you scoop and tell me if there is overspill/bulge or gaping? If you put it on back to front, how far can you pull the band away from your body?

BeerHunter · 19/02/2014 17:18

I can pull it about 3 inches away from my body, tis a very well used bra though and I always have it done up on the last clasp.

If I do the scoop and dump thing I gave lots of boob hanging over the top.