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!

Yes it is moulded, and gapes if I scoop.

My boobs generally just look really mumsy, nor perky at all!

Will check out John Lewis and Debenhams, and hunt down Bravissimo... there must be one near me!

After getting advice on here I went to bravissimo and got fitted, I am now wearing 32gg and omg it's amazing! My clothes fit so much better and I am not falling out of my Bra and having to rearrange it all the ttime!

I treated myself to three new bras and a tankini, their tankinis are fab! I just got the top from bravissimo and then got some co coordinating shorts style bottoms from h&m. It looks great!

So hhappy!

Can I have some help please? My bras are not fitting at all and I have finally got a measuring tape. Currently wearing an Elle Macpherson 32g and measuring 30 under and 44 over. Please help as my boobs and bras are killing me.

I'm guessing that when you scoop you have considerable overspill? Your measurements suggest a starting point of a 30JJ

I haven't been scooping as I don't have the room . I have a bigger Freya bra (think it's a 34H) but it feels awful. I've been going up back sizes as they were feeling too small and it wasn't until I remembered these threads from before that it made me think... I've constantly got back and neck pain just now so really needed to find out if it's the bras...

A J as a starting poi t? Do Bravissimo do Js?! :(

I just noticed you actually said JJ

Bravissimo do indeed do JJs. I suspect the back and neck pain is down to inadequate support - I bet your shoulders are taking all the strain so you are hunching forward.

My shoulders are killing me, I'm finding it murder just turning newspaper pages (have added joint problems too). I don't think it helps that Elle Macpherson bras seem to be made for people with uber tall shoulders. . Will get down to Bravissimo this week! Thank you again. :)

Desparately in need of new bras and noticed this thread.

I am currently in a 40E but suffer from straps digging into my shoulders.

Just measured leaning over and I am 38.5 and 51

Does that really mean start around a 38HH!!! I am in shock.

Would prefer to try in comfort of own home, can anyone who is around this size recommend brands/styles they have tried from fig leaves, or recommend elsewhere? I usually feel more comfortable with wider straps and bands as they don't dig in as much. Normally go for under wired, unpadded, not moulded.

I can believe the 38 band should be okay, but HH sounds mountainous should I order a selection from FF to HH, or just trust the measurements?

Ok, can you pop your 40E on then do the following:

Stand side on to a mirror, take your left hand, put it inside your right cup, reach round under your armpit towards your back and pull all the soft tissue you find there forwards inside the wire. Repeat on the other side, then do it again for good measure.

Now, how does it look

Sorry to bug you again, but have you ever heard of anyone my size being granted a reduction on the NHS?

My best friend had one on the NHS (done in a private hospital) - she was a 30H. However, it varies hugely between trusts and regions.

That said - give the correct bras a shot. There was another poster on here (Hotair I think) who had awful pain and nerve issues, she was in agony. Once we got her in a better bra (couldn't find an absolutely perfect one as she was sized out of most ranges) the difference was almost instantaneous and a lot of the issues vanished.

There isn't really anything under arm to scoop forward. Band is on tightest hooks (not a new bra so likely stretched).

Front of bra is flush with rib cage at the band, but sticks out higher up as boobs are squished together and pushing out but not overflowing the top of the cups. Feels like a lot of weight on shoulders.

Thanks for the info, I will try the bigger sizes. I may ask my GP as well.

WeAll, it's possible that you are just someone who measures bigger than you need cup wise - it's only a starting point. However it does sound like your cups are too small (the gore pushing out), so I would suggest starting at a 38FF as a minimum. But, it is easier to spot a bra which is too big - so order bigger cups too.

Hope you don't mind me jumping on board with this discussion. I too have always assumed that I am a 38A bra size, in fact for some reason I have been wearing 36B sizes for as long as I can remember but find them so uncomfortable. Then I stumbled across this thread! I have been reading with great interest all the comments and have taken new measurements as instructed which are 34/35 under bust (tape measure very taut) and over bust bent over at 90º angle measures 42. I calculated this bra size at 34FF . I ordered a Freya Rio Balcony Bra in this size and it arrived today. When I tried it on I found it to be so tight (made my skin very red it was so tight) and the cups were still baggy at the top even after scooping! Have I gone wrong somewhere ! I am so desperate to find and be able to wear a bra that is comfortable. Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Ok, think I went wrong with my original measurements by DH ! Have now remeasured and under bust is actually 37 (no wonder the bra I tried almost cut off my circulation) and bending over bust is 42 (as previously measured). I therefore calculate a bra size of 36DD/E - is this correct?

Yes, that's better

Hey, is anyone around for some quick advice... I've been interventions before but have lost a little weight recently and now have measurements 26 / 38, currently wearing 28gg but they're too baggy in the cup now, but getting confused trying to work out new size thanks to double letters!

I think people have mentioned a clip for tightening backs as I don't really have funds for custom bras - but I've forgotten what they were called? Any help please!

Hello! Your measurements suggest a 26HH which is the same cup volume as a 28H. If your 28GGs are too baggy it might be a size or a style issue but if they fitted before your weight loss then I would suspect the former.

This company make 26" bras off the rack.

These are the clips for tightening bands.

can someone please help me and my small boobs I have measured underneath and i'm 38 inches and leaning forward around my boobs is 42 please tell me what size i am, as i am realy fed up with empty cups and bulging fat

lizzie47 Your measurements suggest trying a 38D. However, you may be someone who needs a smaller band than they actually measure. This is very common for those of us with squishier torsos.

What size are you wearing at the moment? How far can you pull out the band if you put it on back to front? Is the centre gore lying flat? have you got overspill (after scooping)?

i'm wearing 36 b it's to tight on the shoulders, there is no space to pull the back out and even after scooping the cups are still gaping

OK, a 36B has the same cup volume as a 38A which is a size that I very much doubt you need. It's probably feeling too tight because it's a) too small a cup and b) it's the wrong style for your shape.

Which make/style of bra are you wearing?

I've been wearing this bra for years (I get new ones - not the same actual one).

I am 29" underboob and 34" over.

They said I should wear a 30" but they don't do that size so we went for a 32B. It feels fine, but my boobs do not fill the cups.

Can you suggest a similar bra to this? I love the soft feel and soft cups which give a smooth line under clothes.