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!

harmonyuk2005 I would suggest a 30D for starters. A C/D cup in a 30 back isn't large at all. A D just means a 4" difference between your under bust and across bust measurements. If your DD has large boobs and is wearing a C then I would guess she's also in the wrong size.

louisianablue2000 I've had a similar battle with my DSis. She's been fitted at Bravissimo as a 28FF but just can't accept it!

Your right about not many size 30 band's about, will keep hunting or should I just get a 32C, (more choice!) it seems there's more 30D cups but I really think that size would swamp me! Its a bit of a minefield and at 44 I cant believe I've been wearing the wrong size forever! and i'm really excited at the prospect of finding and ordering a good fitting bra :)

crossposted with you Sorrel, you really think I should go for a D cup wow! im totally amazed! lots more choice tho! if your sure i'll start hunting all over thank you so much :)

Just read your post properly! yes she is massive! all my dd's are bigger than me and two of them are wearing B cups I think! I've already text my eldest to tell her to get measuring :) wow this thread and this advice is just great!

I would get them to 'scoop' and then marvel at the amount of boobage not fitting into those B cups!

Yes, definitely try a 30D (and maybe bigger dependant on style and make). A 32 will not give you the support and lift you want. Debenhams Gorgeous bras often come up very small in the back so a 32 in those might be ok but having said that I think they start at a DD cup.

When fitting a bra, it's often easier to recognise a cup that's too big than one that's too small. If I'm helping anyone find a bra, I usually get them one that's a cup bigger than they've measured and then work down from there. Typically though, the bigger cup fits or is even too small. Don't forget to scoop.

Thank you Sorrel I've read about scooping :) just have to post what my dd text when I told her I got to try a 30D

"If you put on a d cup you might as well put your head in it and it might just fit! Rolf xx"

am going to send her links to the fitting guide and this thread!

Could you also recommend me a good bra brand and the fit to try please Sorrel, need to order online so can't try before I buy, thank you for all your fabulous help :)

help me I need an intervention. in desperation I got measured in evans the other week becauae m and s are ao crap. the lady aaid I measured at a 38d but looked like I should buy a 38b depressingly assessing my empty boobs. I have 38b and c bras neither of which fit and a 36d which fita thw spaniel ears better but I can't breathe in.

I measue 37 under - snugly and 43 eound the longest saggiest but of boob when I lean forward. what should I go and try on. (I scoop religiously but mt migrating tissue prefers to be expat)

Wolf - did you try on a 38D when you had your fitting?

36e for starters. Do no actual real life fitters sother than bravissimo and R&P understand bras and boobs at all?

harmonyuk2005 This is problem, we are so conditioned by the media/celebs to think that a D is huge. It's really not big at all. A D on a 38 band is obviously going to be bigger in volume than a D on a 28 band. Once people grasp this everything starts making sense!

Brands I like include Ewa Michalak, Fauve, Debenhams Gorgeous, Bravissimo, Cleo and Masquerade (these last two are made by Panache). It depends so much on your shape though. I just can't get on with Freya, Fantasie or Panache (although I love their Idina balconette) but many people love these brands.

What shape are your boobs? Are they bottom or top heavy? Full or empty? Do you like a rounded shape? Lots of lift (cakes on a plate look)?

Also - I had a massive trying on session in evans recently, tried on about 5 bras of the same style and none of them fitted even remotely (how is that even possible?). They were those weird bras with the preformed cup that stands up all on it's own.

In the end I went to M&S and bought some pretty 42Fs which fit surprisingly well.

AuntPepita It doesn't seem like it! I've heard bad things about the fitting in Evans before so it doesn't surprise me.

Try a 36F too and you might want to consider a 34FF.

A lot of people (me included) struggle with moulded bras. I own one (Freya Deco) but never really wear it as it gapes at the top of the cups. This type of bra doesn't mould to your own shape so it can be a struggle finding one that works.

The Cleo Juna and Panache Idina are both good, plain bras which come in nude, ideal for wearing under white tops.

To me my boobs are pretty empty one is slightly smaller seems to go in a bit at the out side edge, bottom heavy but only slightly so, and quite round (have just been and looked!) I don't need them to look "bigger" iyswim so don't need a squished together and pushed up look, just something that will fit nice and not gape, I do like coverage of them but that might just be because in the wrong fit and style they don't look good! thank you for taking the time to help me (at 44 I feel awful I had no idea on my size)

Sorrell

Thanks for the advice. I'm stuck with a good few bras just now but when I replace I'll try other sizes. I have tried some 30s and couldn't get them fastened. And there are not many makes that come in a 30.

I find makes vary so much- M&S can be small in their Autograph range, J Lewis seem on the large size ( back size) and Elle McPherson seems tiny- a 32 will barely fasten at the back.

I get quite annoyed when shop assts ask if I don't know my size as I take loads of sizes into the changing rooms- but every bra is different IMO.

You are not alone, the majority of women are in the wrong size. It's very sad.

Have you got a Bravissimo near you or even a Debenhams, HoF or JL? You could go in and just try lots of styles (e.g. full cup, balconette, plunge) to see what you feel comfortable with.

All my bras are balconette which give me good lift and shape but don't push my boobs together in the middle.

missbopeep Oh, I have to try at least three sizes in any bra I'm trying for the first time!

I measure 29.5" underneath and have never found a 30 (in my correct cup, GG) that is too tight. A 30F however would kill me! Do you try a new bra back to front first? I

Freya, Cleo, Masquerade, Fantastie, Bravissimo, etc all do 30 backs. The high street (e.g. Top Shop, New Look) are rubbish and usually start at a 32 or 34.

Pre-children I always wore a 34A.

I have now had, and BFd 3 DC's.
Currently weaning DD off the boob so shall be back to be sorted soon.

hoping I won't be a 38AA

No don't have any of those live in a little village and don't really get to go shopping I do 99% online i think i'd prefer to start with a proper fitting full cup bra :) (dd is convinced your having me on, and says i'll need a few socks!) thank you :)

Cross posted, thank you i'll start with them brands then am sure i'll find something i like :)

Have a look on BraStop and My Curves and Me for bargains!

blondiep14 You definitely won't be an AA!