bra help over here , drowning in a sea of figleaves bras !

[thriftychic]

ok ,so my order has arrived .
i measure 29 under and 32 over i am a size 8-10
so , i have ordered a variety of sizes to try , 30 b too small 32c slightly big

the best are the 30 c and the 32b which are lepel fiore. they seem to fit exactly the same , the 30 is a little tighter around the band which feels a bit weird but for once i actually look quite nice in a bra !!!
so , seeing as i cant really see much difference how do i choose between the two ?

i tried a 30 band in debenhams the other day and couldnt breathe in it , i am used to wearing a very loose 34A
i am gobsmacked that i can wear a b or a c , who knew!

OK, I' measure 29.5" on a good day and Lepel 32s are too big for me in the back.

I wouldn't bother with the 32s, go for the 30C.

Debenhams' own brand tends to come up very small in the band but you'll probably find some of their range ok in a 30 in a while as you get used to wearing a tighter band.

Please consider trying a 28D too

Ok, here goes I am NOT an expert! They will be along so I am sure!

Put the band on its longest closure, now can you put two fingers under it between your skin and it, snuggly? If so then it is the right fit, this feels ODD to start with but you will soon get used to it! the band needs to give 80% of the support!

Now look in a mirror side ways on the band should be HORIZONTAL, if it is and the two finger test works then the band is the right size.

Next, lean over to 90 degrees and scoop! Ok so take one hand and sort of hold the cup fabric away from you, with the other hand reach inside bra under your arm and pull all tissue there into cup. Repeat on other side. Making sure your nipples at at the front of the cup obvsiouly!

Now does the center section of the bra sit flat against your skin?
Does under the cup sit flat against your skin?
If there is a little pucking on one cup and none on the other?
Is there NO excess skin between the bra strap and arm pit?
Turn side ways to a mirror and check that the transition from cup to skin is smooth?

If so then the cups are the right size!

Now tighten the bra staps so they are snug again check with two fingers, the straps should offer 10% of the support each! Make sure they are sitting ontop of your skin and not digging in.

If all this works then congratulations you have a bra or 2 that fits!

I also find that even bras made by the same company in a similar style and cut can fit differently so it is NOT a case of being a 34FF its a case of trying each bra and making sure it fits correctly each and every time you buy one

Hope that helps

thankyou , i am so excited with this lol i would never have been seen dead in my bra , thought it was just because i have hardly any boobs and nothing would look good .
the 32 and the 30 bands both feel very tight to me though , will defo need to get used to them .

going off all that i think i am better with the 30c , i can see now why the middle of the 34A always stood away from my chest and the cups gaped .Thankyou

You need a 28D, that's why the 30's are not perfect. They feel tight because the cups aren't really big enough, you have a four inch difference between your under and over bust measurement - that's a D cup. The 30C is a sister size, but the cup is still in effect too small. They feel tight because the cups are strying to 'steal' space from the band. That said it will feel tight after wearing a 34 - that's six inches too big around the ribs. I'd re-order some more if I were you in 28D and DD and see if they don't feel better.

I think OP only has a 3" difference sparkle? 30C would certainly be on the range of recommended sizes I think

Debenhams own brand are terrible for running small in the back.

This heat is pickling my brain - you're entirely right Stats, I'd rounded down to 28 and gone up four to 32. Pfft, this weather is killing me, I can't stand it!

I know the feeling - I'm Scottish, I don't know what to do with sunshine

i have adjusted straps , scooped and all that jazz and have to say its a pretty good fit i reckon , the 30C . feels quite tight on the band ,dont think id fasten a 28 . whichever way i move there is no gaping (34a always gaping ) and it sits flat and neat around me . i now want lots in different colours . its fab !

Sounds like you have found your size to me!

I really like the Lepel Fiore. A friend's daugher bought one the other day and is really pleased with it. (Is it oddd that people email me to tell me what bras they've purchased?)

If it feels great and looks great I think you have a winner.

I often have to size up one size in the band as I can't bear anything too tight. (I've tried going up cup sizes and this doesn't work either). Although I have heard, via bravissimo, that panache are often small in the back).

Glad you've found something

Katy