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!

starynight Try a 36F and similar sizes (e.g. 34FF, 36FF)

ok, I gained enough courage to grab the measuring tape!

29.5 inch under and 33 inch over...am I right to think I should try a 30D???
It sounds insane!!!!!!!

Great Thankyou sorrelforbes

neshi Try a 28D/DD and 30C/D. Don't be surprised if you need a bigger cup!

I went for my inaugural Bravissimo fitting today. Went in feeling very excited at the thought of some new well fitting bras and came out wanting to cry

The fitter was adamant that a Bravissimo own brand Satine in 36F was the right fit. I had 4 boobs and massive underarm bulges! It just looked too small. And a Cleo Juna balconet in 38E was the only other bra that she thought was a reasonable fit - even though the lace trim was gaping at the top. Not impressed and felt like a freak

I found the former bra on the shop floor in a 36FF - much better. I could probably have even tried a 36G but am trying to lose weight so bought the 36FF.

So, back to the drawing board, I need more than one! I don't know where else to shop so will have to buy online. I think I need the wires to sit quite wide - boobs are quite wide set, I'm very tall so my back is quite wide - to fit well under arms. I don't like really thin soft cups. Which brands might be best to start with? I did try a Panache moulded one which fit well (Superbra?) but it was very unattractive.

Any help much appreciated!

amazonianwoman That doesn't sound good at all! However, I bet if you went back and booked a different fitter you'd have a better experience! You should definitely feedback!

OK, the lace on the Juna never sits flat! The way to check the fit of the Juna is to tuck the lace in so you can see how the top of the cup is sitting. I struggle with many plunge styles, including the Satine. They just don't work for me. I'd go back and try it in a much bigger cup and perhaps try Curvy Kate Elegance too or the Freya Deco. Howver, if the Panache fitted well, perhaps try the Jasmine or some of the Cleos - Maddie, Neve, etc.

Good evening

Amazonianwoman as you've figured, you need a wider spaced, shallow curved wire to ensure you don't hang over the sides at the outer edge of the cups. The ones that I know sit better than Satine for that are their own brand Dixie, Freya Marvel and Freya Patsy half cup.

Definitely feedback, call them and ask to be refitted by an experienced fitter too. They hate negative experiences to go unresolved. Wonder which store...

I'm going to contradict Sorrel here as the Jasmine wires are mega narrow like most of the Cleo balconettes. If you are 'wider' on the upper half of your breasts, then Juna doesn't gape either!

If the moulded Panache one was this one then you may like the lace covered Porcelain Idina better although the fit is slightly different. It would also confirm your 'width' if you found it comfortable. Other Panache styles that may work are the Loretta, Melody balconette and Rhapsody.
Tutti Rouge and Curvy Kate- from the showgirl range- are well worth trying but may be a bit busy for every day for some. HTH

marriednotdead Contradict away! You're quite right (as ever!). The Jasmine was a bit too wide for me but I forget that I need a very narrow, deep bra so everyone is 'wide' in my eyes

I forgot about the moulded Idina too! In fact, ignore everything I wrote, it's Monday, I have resorted to wine. It's been a day and a half

Thanks Sorrel and married. I wish I could commission you both to sort me out!

The Satine in the bigger cup that I found after the assistant gave up on me is actually ok. I've been wearing it all afternoon and it's comfortable and the shape is ok. The wires are wide enough, ie no unsightly armpit flab - that's the right definition of wider wires isn't it, ie they extend further around the chest rather than cutting in narrow?

So to summarise (because I can't afford to order 20 bras) - Cleos in general are narrower, correct? And Panache wider? Freya? (I like the look of a few Freyas but the fitter said they were very narrow?). My mind is boggled. And I don't have time to traipse back to Bravissimo for a few weeks.

That may have been the Panache I tried married but it was VAST and came so high up and over my boobs, even with my long torso. Definitely matronly.

Just realised John Lewis stock some of these brands, I might try them. Thanks again.

The only Panache that really works for me is the Idina Balconette but I can wear most Cleos (sister brand)! I can't wear Freya or Fantasie at all.

this is a useful guide about narrow/wide bras but it says that Fantasie are narrower than Cleo . Shape of breast matters so much!

No way. I'm wearing a Cleo at the moment and it is absolutely, by far, narrower than any Fantasie and Freya models I have tried, no to mention Curvy Kate.

Not just me then! My Cleos are so similar to the CH and CHPs Ewa bras I have.

I am now the proud owner of 5 new well fitting bras

A Freya Deco Honey and a plain Deco in 36FF - amazing shape, can't stop looking in the mirror

A Bravissimo Satine flowery number in 36FF - great shape too and comfy.

A Freya Patsy half cup in 34G

A Freya Marvel in 34G. Nice but not as flattering so may swap this once I've tried out some Cleos and Panache. John Lewis don't stock them so may have to trek to Bravissimo again. I've tried the Cleo Juna in a few sizes, it just doesn't work. I'd like a black or darker coloured one - something a bit softer and prettier than the Deco.

Ditto most of the Fantasies I tried - they were just too full cupped and the lace on the upper half of all the balconettes I tried wrinkled unless I really stuck my chest out. The t-shirt type Fantasies were just too vast. Any suggestions?

Thanks to all my virtual fitters. It's a minefield but I'm starting to enjoy bras, probably for the first time in my life (not bad going for an almost 48 year old...

Hi i currently wear 38a have just measured myself im 35 underbust and 40 at fullest part when leaning over so what size should i be wearing
many thanks

BookWorm try a 34DD, 34E, 36DD, 36D. The 34s are more likely

Thanks statisticallychallenged for your reply. there is some difference in the sizes. Will try the 34DD and 34E and see how i get on
many thanks

29 vs 37???

I can't find anything that feels right, I have lost so mush fullness post dc.

Can anyone help?

Start with 28FF, 28G, 30FF, 30F.

What are you wearing just now?

Hi, I have been reading this blog this afternoon and wonder if you can help me too :)
I have worn a 38b for quite a number of years, but now the law of gravity has taken over and they seem to have nearly gone. They just seem like saggy pieces of skin with no volume. Measured myself the way your described and i measure 36 underneath and about 42 across bust leaning over, what size would you suggest i try. Help

As a baseline, start with a 36E and work from there. If you've lost volume (happens to most of us!) then you will probably get on best with balconette and half cup styles as they won't gape at the top. Moulded cups are likely to be very difficult as they can't adjust to your shape and normally have too much space at the top so you end up filling the bottom, but gaping at the top where the strap joins the cup.

This is true I was wearing a 38E and am a 28/30HH
On one of the threads they asked what dress size I wore and I said mostly a 10...they then told me to get measuring as a size ten is rarely a 38

I was fairly shamefaced as I always been a little sneery at quad boobs etc only to dicover that my bra was completely wrong in every way

Hi, I am currently wearing a 34B but have just taken my measurements and i measure 32 under and 36 on bust does that mean I should be a 32DD??

I'd start with a 32D but be prepared to try a 32C and DD too.

Thanks, I will go shopping on my day off on Wednesday and report back

What a brill thread! Oh am getting excited at the prospect of wearing a bigger cup size . So for years I have been wearing an 38b which seems like the cup is not small enough, so out comes the tape measure and like you said I measured and it came like this 36" under the cup and a staggering 41/"42" on hanging bust- lol. Please help me out of years of ill fitting bras!?