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Original poster

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:
InkleWinkle · 05/08/2014 11:12

Fab thanks.

AliceinSlumberland · 05/08/2014 18:54

Hi ladies, I've just measured and am 33 and 43. What would that make me? I'm currently in 36E.

SorrelForbes · 05/08/2014 18:58

Try 32GG/H and 34G/GG.

DangerRabbit · 07/08/2014 08:52

Sorry to hijack the thread, been following the thread with interest because I've always found bras uncomfortable and painful. I've always worn a 32A, but recently I've put on some weight and have been wearing a 32C which is slightly more comfortable. After trying the method suggested on this thread (I'll link it again here):

thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html?m=1

I've measured 29 under the breasts and 36 on top (when bending over as suggested) which is apparently 28G?!

Have I got the measurements wrong because I am very flat chested and no way am I a G cup?

SorrelForbes · 07/08/2014 08:57

Slightly off. You should try a 28F/FF and a 30 E/F. Your 32E has the same cup volume as a 30F and a 28D so you will be moving up a few cup sizes but not as far as a G!

If you scoop whilst wearing your 32C, do you get overspill, bulging or quad boob?

DangerRabbit · 07/08/2014 09:45

Thanks! In my 32C I get back fat and quad boob. The cups feel too narrow, but I don't have a lot of volume in my breast. They seem wider and flatter than the cup.

HazleNutt · 07/08/2014 11:18

oh there we go again, this woman who in another article mentions that she's 9st and size 10 claiming to be 34DD
www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2718276/Bras-big-chests-DONT-slice-two-Fed-painful-underwired-bras-Now-theres-answer.html

SorrelForbes · 07/08/2014 12:00

I might have commented...

SorrelForbes · 07/08/2014 12:01

DangerRabbit They are all signs that your bras are too small in the cup and big in the band. The shape of your bras may be wrong too.

DangerRabbit · 07/08/2014 12:35

Thanks Sorrell! I would never have thought of going up a cup so this is all useful information.

Where do you suggest I look for bras as it seems quite a niche size? Bravissimo?

SorrelForbes · 07/08/2014 15:41

You should be able to find those sizes at most Debenhams, HoF and JL stores plus any decent independent lingerie store. Your best bet though is to go to Bravissimo.

SorrelForbes · 07/08/2014 15:42

Your 32E has the same cup volume as a 30F and a 28D so you will be moving up a few cup sizes but not as far as a G!

Sorry, this should say *Your 32C has the same cup volume as a 30D and a 28DD so you will be moving up a few cup sizes but not as far as a G!

NotHoldenCaulfield · 07/08/2014 20:11

Hello there! I just happened upon this thread as I am not happy at all with how my bras are fitting.

I measured and under bust I am 31" and around bust 35". Does that make me a 30D or 32D? I'm quite skinny around the ribs!

Thanks so much for any input.

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/08/2014 22:11

I'd try a 30D/DD and 32C/D. If you are quite skinny around the ribs you might get along better with the 32

what are you wearing just now and whats wrong with it? Might help us narrow it down

NotHoldenCaulfield · 07/08/2014 22:21

Hi Statiscally - thanks for the reply.

Wearing 32DD. But have bulging back. Yuck!

Have mostly Fantasie bras with full cup but these are very empty at the top. Have lost my fullness I fear...

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/08/2014 22:30

how does your bra fit if you scoop?

NotHoldenCaulfield · 07/08/2014 23:01

Sorry! Non sleeping twelve month old.

Scooping makes things better but it all seems to ooze back out again.

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/08/2014 23:41

OK, in that case I think you need to try a 30 band. If scooping fills the bra but it just slides back out it's normally because the band isn't firm enough to hold it in Grin

I know that sounds counter intuitive when you have backfat, but you can scoop the backfat in as you've seen. The trick is to have a small enough band and enough cup space to keep it there.

I'd suggest trying a 30DD and a 30E. The 30E will have the same cup volume as your 32DD, but a firmer band. I'd also try more of a balconette shape - if you have lost fullness they often work better as the cups aren't as tall so won't gape at the top.

trufflesnout · 07/08/2014 23:41

I need help! I'm 27.5in under and 32 when leaning forwards. What does this make me? I find pretty much all bras swamp me or are uncomfortable so usually I just don't wear one.

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/08/2014 23:43

What size have you been wearing trufflesnout? Your measurements suggest around a 28D/DD

trufflesnout · 07/08/2014 23:47

Thanks Stat. 30-32 B usually. Can never find a 28 band on the high street and so have to do a larger one up tighter (sacrificing cup size in the process).

StatisticallyChallenged · 07/08/2014 23:49

Try Debenhams or John Lewis, they tend to stock 28s. You'll find the "fuller figure" (barf) sections tend to start at D cups and you might actually have more luck there with brands like freya, panache, debenhams gorgeous etc

trufflesnout · 07/08/2014 23:51

Thank you v much, will do Smile

Heathcliff27 · 08/08/2014 00:09

I love how this thread has been running for over a year. Yes I promise to measure myself tomorrow, I too am a wearer of the 36A variety.

StatisticallyChallenged · 08/08/2014 00:17

INterestingly, I don't think we've had a genuine 36A ever :)

In all the time these threads have been going we must have sized well over a thousand women. I think we've had literally less than 5 who turned out to be A cups, and they were all very slender women i.e. they were 28/30A. Most 36A wearers have been M&S style fitted. They generally end up being somewhere in the 30E/F or 32DD/E range.