Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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:
HuevosRancheros · 30/06/2013 21:51

Please help me!
I am currently wearing a 38B
Just measured as you advised, and am 36 under bust and 41/42 around bust

What would you advise?

Thanks :)

StatisticallyChallenged · 30/06/2013 21:54

Start with a 36DD/E HuevosRancheros

EMUZ · 30/06/2013 21:57

And then people go "but you can't be a 32?!" When they are a size 8 and wearing a 38...

PoppyWearer · 30/06/2013 22:07

Thank you Stats! ThanksThanks

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 30/06/2013 22:24

Hi lovely bra ladies! I have a question. Presumably, if one boob is bigger than the other, the cup size should be a bit more generous than the measurements would suggest, as they need to fit the bigger boob properly and leave a bit of space in the other cup? So a 30E measurement could actually require an F cup? My slightly bigger side always feels uncomfortable and I think I might need to go shopping (any excuse! Grin)

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 30/06/2013 22:30

And while I'm here, can I check what I should be wearing? I have changed shape lots since having dd 9 months ago, and I am pretty sure I am fatter than when I was last measured (Sad really must start that diet!) and my boobs might be smaller too...

I've just measured and I am 31 and 36.

SorrelForbes · 30/06/2013 22:35

DuPainDuVinDuFromage There's some excellent info here about fitting breasts of different sizes.

Size wise, try a 30E, 30DD, 32DD and 32D for starters.

GypsyFloss · 30/06/2013 22:41

I bloody love these bra interventions...I spend hours telling any poor sap who will listen about bra sizing Grin thanks to all the wonderful advice on here.It has done wonders for my teen Dd's confidence too , to be in a decent bra that gives her some cleavage.

LaydeeJayne · 30/06/2013 22:49

Wow this thread is a revelation! So today I have been wearing a 36c. I get out the tape measure after reading this and measure myself to be a 30 band and 36 round the cup. Does that equal a 30e? Really?! I thought I had fairly small boobs! Please can someone confirm - I want to go shopping!

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 30/06/2013 22:52

Thanks Sorrell!

ouryve · 30/06/2013 22:57

These bra interventions always cost me a fortune. I've lost a bit of weight, recently, and my lovely 34F Fantasie whateveritis has become really saggy on me. I've ordered some assorted 32FFs in the Figleaves sale to try on.

Oh - and with my 32 back, I'm dumpy size 14.

And I just measured DH to illustrate how ridiculous the existence of AA cups is (what on earth would there be to support?) 34.5 and 38. I think I have a 34D, upstairs, somewhere :o (Admittedly, he has a very triangular back, so probably would be more comfortable in a 36B!

ouryve · 30/06/2013 22:58

You've got it right, LaydeeJayne

harmonyuk2005 · 02/07/2013 12:53

New bra's arrived today, both myself and dd went for the cleo juna. Dd not back from school to try her's yet. I've tried mine on, did the band test first, that was fine. The put it on in the way described on the link, leaning forward did band up scooped! On standing the first thing I noticed (other than the total amazement that it didn't need filling with socks, thanks dd!) was that under my arm bulges out, both sides but one a bit more than the other, (what I consider my smaller boob) and secondly the top of the bra where that lacy bit is, is kinda crinkled so not sitting smoothly against me iyswim. Other than that I was amazed! The actual cups seemed ok? So where do I go from here, I haven't kept it on as I suspect your gonna advise me to try.... (mine was a 30D and I have dd's 32E upstairs?) thank you hugely :)

SorrelForbes · 02/07/2013 13:01

Ok, the lace on the Cleo Juna can be problematic. Mine wrinkles on a 30GG but the 30G is definitely too small. I just tuck it in! You can alter lace on a bra as per this blog post.

Under arm bulge suggests that the cup may still be too small. Scoop again and then put a close fitting t-shirt/top on and stand sideways to a mirror. Is there any overspill at all?

harmonyuk2005 · 02/07/2013 13:04

Thank you sorrel will pop and try now and report back :)

harmonyuk2005 · 02/07/2013 13:14

Am back! ok did all that, put one off dd's tight fitting tops on as it was to hand (don't know if makes a difference I wear a 10 dd an 8) there is a definite bulge under the arm it appears more towards the back of the underarm tho with a top on? Its still 100% on my current 34a cup tho :) thank you so much for helping

TooManyButtons · 02/07/2013 13:20

Just jumping in as a smug, I-know-my-bra-size-perfectly-well-thank-you-very-much 34G wearer...however I thought I'd just confirm my smugness by measuring myself according to the blog posted up thread...

...and here I am, proudly encased in my new 34JJ bra, my back fat consigned to history and not so smug now Grin

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 02/07/2013 13:25

TooMany, nooooo. I have been reading these threads all smug because I know my size. I am a 32GG. I can't possibly be smaller back/bigger cup than that. Can I? CAN I?

SorrelForbes · 02/07/2013 13:26

harmonyuk2005 Can you try and drag that bulge round to the front and into the cup at all?

TooManyButtons Fantastic Grin

SorrelForbes · 02/07/2013 13:27

Tortoiseonthehalfshell Possibly, but tbh a 32GG is usually a size of someone who has been properly fitted!

TooManyButtons · 02/07/2013 13:30

Tortoise Get that tape measure out!

harmonyuk2005 · 02/07/2013 13:37

ok have scooped and dragged and kinda swooped! so so much! but its not making much difference, side view is ok I think? maybe a weeny bit at the back but not really noticeable at all but then my arm is down so can't really see the under bit? but it definitely goes out quite a bit from front view, if it helps I have sticky out ribs not much meat on the top of my body? haven't adjusted the straps at all? the band is tight but not uncomfortably so.

SorrelForbes · 02/07/2013 13:40

Any bulge over the top or side of the cup at all? If not, then I'd say that the bra fits but just might not be the perfect style for you. Something with a higher side might be worth trying. I get a little bit of side bulge with some bras but if I keep moving no one notices Grin

harmonyuk2005 · 02/07/2013 13:59

Lol thank you Sorrel :) no bulge at the top. It feels like it fits, the bit in the middle of the cups is sitting against my skin (don't think a bra has ever done that!) i'm definitely going to have a red band on my skin when I take it off, guessing that's normal? and I can 'feel' i'm wearing a bra. under my left arm feels a bit uncomfy where the wire ends I think almost like there's a bruise under it. I guess its just getting used to it. On the whole I absolutely love it! Can you recommend anything else please. You've been fantastic helping us so big thank you and i'll report back later when dd has tried hers on

StatisticallyChallenged · 02/07/2013 14:10

hmmm ...I am wondering if you should try up a cup too just to be sure. It could just be a style issue but it may also be that you are someone who gets armpit tits rather than central or over the top quad at least in some bras. This is what tends to happen to me in balconettes or half cups where the cup isn't right. I'd maybe try the d and dd in a plunge and balcony too