Does anyone else now wince after reading the bra threads on here...

[showtunesgirl]

...when encountering people who go: Oh I'm a 34A when they really are most probably not?

I am finding it hard to convince people out of believing their M & S sizes and refer them to the bra gurus fitting guide. But it's so deeply ingrained into common thinking that anything over a D is massive and that they MUST be a 34/36 frame even when they are blatantly smaller than me and I measure as a 32!

[KikkiK]

Hang on, I've just realised that I would have been trying it on backwards as I always do up my bra at the front and swivel it round. So if a 34 didn't do up, does that mean I should try a 36 in a bigger cup size? I will try again with a 34, just wondering!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

But tweet away! The more the merrier. I think the @bra_guru twitter account gets an eye roll from them now, and I suspect sorrelforbes isn't far behind!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Maybe just diff bra Kikkik - definitely try

[TwllBach]

I can confirm that a) it is moulded - is that not good? And b) I am definitely not scooping.

They don't teach you the important stuff in school you know! I'm sure that the wrong size bra has contributed to my bad back.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

OK, scoop first of all.

Scooping!

All those bumps, lumps, back fat, armpit fat - they get yanked in to the bra! However it only works if A: the back is small enough and b: the cup is big enough.

Basically, put bra on, then stand side on to a miror. Lean forward, put your right hand inside your left cup, reach round as far as you can and pull/scoop/yank all the flesh/soft tissue that is bumping under or over the back, around the straps or the armpit and haul its ass in to the cup. Repeat at other side. You might need to do it a couple of times (as doing one side knocks the other out slightly)

Try that first. But moulded bras can be problematic because they have a defined shape of their own, so they can't adapt to your breast shape

[WeAreSix]

I got a very curt M&S tweet.

They got one back

[SorrelForbes]

M&S annoy me so much that when I was in there yesterday I refused to walk though the lingerie floor on principal .

I can't bear to see all those teenage size 6s traipsing in to the fitting room behind a fitter carrying a selection of 36AAs

[WeAreSix]

I just checked - 'There is no demand for this size'

No, because you don't make it and we've all buggered off to Bravissimo!

[HerrenaHarridan]

Hello again, having been fantastically intervened with previously I now need you help again.

I think I know the truth but my brain refuses to add up that far

I just measured 38 under and 52 over

I lost weight recently and gone down a couple of back sizes but gained nearly 10cm!!!!!!!! No wonder my boobs have been escaping.

[goodasitgets]

Try a 38JJ and a 38K

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Start with a 38JJ, but don't be scared to try a 36 back too (and bigger cup to compensate)

[SorrelForbes]

There is no demand for this size Well, of course there isn't. You measure everyone as a 36C/D. Arrrrggggghhhhhh

[ShoeWhore]

I wouldn't buy bras from M&S even if they did stock my size. I tried one when I was pg and my ribcage expanded enough to put me in sizes they have "demand" for - the support was utterly useless compared with my trusty bravissimo/Freya/panache/etc bras.

[SorrelForbes]

Hmmm, principle even . You see, M&S takes away my grammatical skills.

[Crikeyblimey]

Oh my word! I e just measured 30 under and 36 over!

I've always warn 34 B and sometimes 36 B!

Am I right thinking I should be trying 30E???

[goodasitgets]

Yep 30E

[HazeltheMcWitch]

Ooh, do me, do me! (please)

I am 29 inches under, and 34-35 at fullest point.
I wear 34B at the mo. From M&S, obvs.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

try 28F, 28E, 30E/F

[StatisticallyChallenged]

sorry 30DD/E rather than 30e/f

[LadyIsabellaWrotham]

I walked past Rigby & Peller in the Kings Road the other day, and their poor shop window mannequin was in a shockingly ill-fitting bikini top. It's a good thing I was in a hurry because otherwise I would have marched in and done a mannequin Intervention there and then, and probably been sectioned on the spot, but honestly, if you can't trust Rigby & Peller?

[HazeltheMcWitch]

Was that to me, Statistically ? (try 28F, 28E, 30DD/E)

Cripes if so.
Also, what bra shapes are good for that size? I have no shoulders to speak of, so Balconette would be out.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Yup, for you hazel. You need to try a variety of shapes, as with quite a big size change you will find that things you previously ruled out - like balconettes - might actually be fine. Straps coming down is a classic sign the back of your bra is too big

[HazeltheMcWitch]

Wow, thank you so much.
Yep, my straps do constantly fall down.
I will blush furiously as I cross the threshold of Bravissimo, as I still secretly think it's not for people like me (ie not blessed in the norkageal area), but cross it I will!

[123rd]

Just want to say thanks...you helped me the other day. Was wearing 34dd but on your advice have bought a couple of 32g and they fit nicely, no boobs spilling out anywhere. And I think my boobs look smaller just have to gradually restock my bra drawer. And also find somewhere that stocks that size.

[Lioninthesun]

I was one of the 36A brigade, now a 32D. I honestly went about calling close friends and had a buzz for weeks.

I do however, wish someone would tell the porn industry that the lady who's jugs are lying on the bed next to her while she is on her back, that she is almost definitely not merely a DD...