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!

Thanks for helping phonebox & sorrel ,
I normally like an uplift bra with a bit off padding so I don't flash anything when I'm cold , I hope this will this be possible in those sizes !

I normally buy online at debenhams so I'll have a look , I also saw post which mentioned an Eva brand from abroad so I'll have a look through see if I can find it .

Can't believe I'm so way off in my size !!

Try the Cleo Juna for light padding and uplift. Ewa Michalak bras are fantastic.

It was Ewa Michalak !

I want to try the CHP Owoce lesne,
Would a 34gg fit do you think ?
I'm having trouble with the sizing & the calculator on the site it is confusing !

Sorrel I've just looked at the Cleo juna & it's lovely , I wear that style a lot .

It will be great to finally have bras that fit , I'll let you know how they fit when they come .

Just wanted to say thank you to the bra interventionists! I have just bought an Anita underwired nursing bra from nursingbra-shop.co.uk in a 32F and it fits perfectly. V impressed with the shop, their size guide is Mumsnet compliant and delivery free and rapid. Happy days!
The years I've spent in 36Bs...

I find that the CHP styles run about the same size wise as Panache/Cleo bras

I'm a Bra Intervention graduate from last year - droopy M&S-advised 34C to proud and yes, perky, 30DD - and I think these ladies are literally life-changers. I have so much more confidence and my clothes look miles better. Thank you again

I am also a bra addict, which is also your fault. And I'm dying to try Ewa Michalak and buggered if I can work out what size and style to look at (pref push up/plunge or better yet, both. With padding). Please advise me on weird Polish sizes!

Can any of your bra experts help ? I desperately need some new bras after stopping BF a few months ago. Currently wearing 34B but I've just measured and should be a 30C or D...maybe even a 28 (don't have a tape measure so I've had to use a bit of string and a ruler so I'm not sure how accurate this is!)

Where is the best place to look or be fitted? I guess that if I went to bravissimo they would only have D's (am a bit worried they might laugh at me too!). I can get to leeds if that helps.

if you can get to Bravissimo, go there - they won't laugh at you. In case you do turn out to be smaller than what they have in stock, at least they can advise you on the size and style to look for elsewhere.

Thank you...will give them a try. How common are 28/30 inch backs? Should I be able to get them from debenhams, m & s? I've only ever bought 34 before

I am waiting for my first Ewa Michalak bra to arrive! It was dispatched 2 days ago. It's a pale pink underwired nursing bra and I am on tenterhooks hoping it fits. I ordered a 30HH but it was a bit by guess and by gosh. The bra itself was £32 but the postage was £7.

Debenhams stock 30 bands and a few 28 bands. Their own 'Gorgeous' range get runs small in the band so a 30 might be ok.

Needasilverlining The S shape is a balconette plunge type of style. Statistically is the best person to advise on EM sizing. I find that the CHP styles run similar to Cleo bras.

Basically a 65 is a 30 band, 70 is a 32 etc. I usually I order my usual size unless I've been advised that it runs small/big.

try esprit bras, i love them, they go up to 38 and are very comfortable

Thank you so much for advice sorrel, I've ordered a few in the size you recommended , I will wait and see which is the best fit before ordering from the ewa michalak site .

Loving the earmuffs comment! I have the same problem as the OP. Tiny boobs, they did what they needed to more than adequately for 2 children for 7 and 6 months respectively, but didn't get much larger than a poached egg... I also use a wheelchair so have 'interesting ' shoulders that bra straps fall off. I usually wear crop tops/sports bras which are comfy, but proper bras I go for 36a or 38a or aa if I can get them.

So having read the instructions above I thought I'd try it out, and under bust is 35" as expected, but when I dangle those little puppies I get 41"!!!!!!! So what do you think experts?

Statistically Challenged I'd love for you to tell me what I am! I too appear to be measured at either a 38a or 36b. two very different sizes and bras are not the cheapest thing to buy! If you are still around and can help me I'd be forever grateful :)

I'm here! 35& 41 is a starting point of a 34e/f or a 36 dd\e

jasper what are your measurements?

Hi guys,
I've just been searching the internet for stuff to do with 38A bras and this came up!

For the past few months I've been in a lot of pain with my back, and I think I've traced it to wearing the wrong bra. I've always worn a 36A, but the band feels incredibly tight.

I took my measurements and they are 35, 36. I tried 'scooping' but there isn't any change really - my boobs are the same standing up as they are leaning forwards... I don't really know what to do.

I'm very tall but also underweight yet I'm built a bit like a swimmer - I have a large rib cage and you can see my ribs. What's prompted all of this is I went to Debenhams and they made me feel like a total freak.

When I measure some of my bras, the difference between around my chest, and the bra itself, is 7 to 10 inches!!! And some of them aren't very stretchy. The pain is right where my band sits, and on finding this, I'm not surprised at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I went to Tesco and tried on loads of bras, basically NONE of them fit. I also ordered a calvin klein crop top in large, and it's arrived, and it's too tight. But I basically have no boobs really.

I am really sick of being in pain, uncomfortable, when I'm working I've been in so much pain with it and I can't wait to take it off. In fact I've stopped wearing them, and I feel kind of sad as I have about 15 bras all of which seem like a total waste of money.

I tried putting the cups around the back, and the band is STILL too tight. I phoned up a supplier and they suggested I might be a 40A - not only did this make me feel like a freak (again), I just don't see how that's an actual size.

I ended up ordering 38A but I just feel it might arrive and not fit and it's the same thing all over again.

Does anyone have any advice? I can't be the only one...
Thank you :(

Well the measurement would suggest that you are a 34a/b or a 36aa/a. If you are athletic and there's no padding/soft bits you might even want a 38aa.

Are you pulling the tapemeasure tight when you're taking the 'under' measurement? Not over clothes or anything.

And are you measuring fairly loosely over the fullest part of your boobs when you're bending over?

Hi Diddly, thanks. I think I'll go back to the shops and try all of those sizes. Some of the problem is that the shops I go to tend not to have a wide range of sizes, so I think maybe I should go to a specialist shop? Sorry if the post seemed a bit down, this wasn't bothering me at all really until I started getting the pain in my back. Yeah there's no padding. I'll redo the measurements later just to check.

I bought a size 16 bra top from topshop, I kid you not, it's 29 inches around the band, it kills when I put it on. You can imagine how much money I've wasted on all of this!

Yes I was doing the measurements not wearing a top or bra, bc I thought the bra would skew the measurements if it was the wrong size

Figleaves has quite a few options in lots of sizes. You could just order a load and then return what isn't suitable. I get all hot and bothered bra shopping.

OMG I only noticed this now, can I join in?
I'm measuring 32 and 39
Please help, I actually hate bra shopping:((

I am astounded.

Im in the process of trying bras from figleaves, - on my second delivery of literally dozens, none of them quite right. Tried 32c and just did the scooping. good god, I could barely get my nipples in! Armpit overhang so much better with tighter band too.

Just did the tape measure thingy. And am 30 and 35. Does this mean I am a 30D or DD??

Maybe just maybe at the age of 40 I will finally get a bra that's fits and looks nice

Oh god please can I join, was always a 34b, last bras bought years ago, just lost 3 stone and now seem to be 36 A?? How can that be. Just measured as above and 33 underneath and 36 across boob. Please help what should I need??