Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

So I just measured by bra size and I'm shocked, is it right?

775 replies

SchrodingersFanny · 18/07/2013 22:55

I measured under and I'm 34. Well I'm 33.5. That is taut, completely flat to skin.

When I do the lean over measurement (which made dh smirk) I measured 41inches.

Am I right thinking that makes me 34E?

I have teeny (saggy and deflated) bosoms!

OP posts:
Joycey29 · 11/08/2013 21:01

........Blush .... That should read such a course!!

ThistleDown · 11/08/2013 21:56

I just measured myself using the end over method. I measure 39.5 for band and 50.5 when bending I've round fullest part. Should I try a 40H? Confused.

SorrelForbes · 11/08/2013 21:59

I'd try a 38HH/J

sameoldIggi · 11/08/2013 22:27

Following on from my own bra conversion, I was eavesdropping in BHS fitting room the other day while a woman opposite was having a bra fitting. I heard "you'll be a 38 then" and lingered as long as I could in the hopes of saying the woman to judge if it was right! (Gave up as looking very suspicious). That was my former size, now in a 34.

SorrelForbes · 12/08/2013 08:57

BHS definitely still add on 4/5" so that poor women was without a doubt being fitted into the wrong bra Sad

Iwillorderthefood · 12/08/2013 09:59

Hi just told my mum about this, and so she measured she measures 31 under bust and 36.5 around the fullest part of her bust, she is currently wearing 36A, could go tell me what she should be wearing?

Iwillorderthefood · 12/08/2013 10:02

So should this be 30E?

SorrelForbes · 12/08/2013 10:19

Yep, she should try a 30E/F and a 32E/DD

worsestershiresauce · 12/08/2013 10:26

This measurement method doesn't work for everyone. If you have shallow boobs i.e. ones that peak out at the bottom but are shallower high up then you should try a smaller cup size than this method suggests. If I follow these instructions I come out at 30D. I'm actually a 30C in a balconette style, and don't fit full cup styles at all.

SorrelForbes · 12/08/2013 10:55

Well, that sometimes is the case but not always as many shallow breasted women need a bigger cup than they measure as they have wide set breasts with flesh out towards their armpits. A friend of mine with shallow boobs measures 30/35 and needed a 30DD in a Cleo Bonnie but a 30FF in a Cleo Juna.

StatisticallyChallenged · 12/08/2013 11:04

the cup measurements are only ever a starting point. The key thing is that it is right on average and gets you close enough to be able to work out what you do need.

HumpheadWrasse · 12/08/2013 11:13

Could I have some advice please? I came home triumphantly a couple of weeks ago with two new 30E bras after taking the advice on these threads. I measure 31 under and 37 over, tried on 30F too but that gaped. However, they are very uncomfortable over my breastbone, they really dig in. Also the cups seem to be pulled round under my armpits. Where am I going wrong? I would love to get a bra that actually fits for once. Thanks

SorrelForbes · 12/08/2013 12:19

HumpheadWrasse Which bras did you buy?

HumpheadWrasse · 12/08/2013 13:28

Hi Sorrel, they were just standard t-shirty type bras. From m&s because that's the only place I could find the size.

OneHolyCow · 12/08/2013 14:47

Okay, maybe a silly question, about armpit fat.. that means the cup is too small?
I might just be weirdly built. There's like a 'dip' and then a bulge of armpit fat. How elegant. But that does not go in the cup of the bra.
Do I need a bigger cup? Or put up with it?

StatisticallyChallenged · 12/08/2013 14:51

is it almost like a separation? It could actually have been caused by bad bras - if the wire is sitting on breast tissue then it can actually cause that. Judicious scooping is required to correct it - you may need a bigger cup to fit it in though, and possibly to "rescoop" a couple of times a day to train it back to where it belongs

celticclan · 12/08/2013 14:59

What is the scooping thing that everyone speaks of? My whole breast fits into the cup. There is nothing to scoop.

StatisticallyChallenged · 12/08/2013 15:04

It is very shape dependent, but a lot of women (me included) are prone to underarm and back bulges which are supposed to be manhandled forward in to the cup as they are primarily breast tissue and it make the bra look a billion times better. Hence scooping to move it there. Basically, put bra on, stand side on to a mirror and lean forward. Left hand inside right cup, reach right round towards the strap at the back and pull anytjing soft, squidgy or escaping in to the cup. Repeat on other side

OneHolyCow · 12/08/2013 15:07

It is like a separation.., I've been wearing A cups since forever and have now moved up to a DD. First lot of bra's came in today and a lot are too small, shock! So I'll order some other ones and E cups too I guess.

In guru measurements I might even be an F but so called shallow boobed I don't see that happening.
Do you have that link somewhere with the relative sizes of cups and bands? I've lost it and wanted another look. Going from 36A to 32 DD or E or so is quite a change!

Thanks Statistically, you're a great help!

SorrelForbes · 12/08/2013 15:11

HumpheadWrasse Many M&S bras come up very small in the band which could be causing some of the discomfort.

What shape are your boobs? Do they have a narrow or wide root (where they join your chest)? Are they side or narrow set? Do they project out or are they quite shallow?

StatisticallyChallenged · 12/08/2013 15:18

OneHOlyCow, shallow doesn't necessarily mean you won't need the F - what it does mean is that you need to get a bra to suit it. Shallow boobs are often good in Curvy Kate showgirls, Bravissimo half cups, Tutti Rouge are good too

What was the link like? I'm quite a fan of www.brabandproject.com/ for women in proper sizes.

blog.butterflycollection.ca/2012/05/bra-school-not-all-d-cups-are-same-size.html is a great blog

OneHolyCow · 12/08/2013 15:33

Thanks, that's the sort of link I was looking for.
I will continue looking for a fitting bra then, will look into those recommendations.
I had about 6 today and they were all different.

OneHolyCow · 12/08/2013 15:37

Ah, this is the armpit issue: blog.butterflycollection.ca/2012/10/do-you-have-breast-migration.html
That's me.

SpecialCircumstances · 12/08/2013 15:53

I'm wearing a 34gg right now. Bought earlier.

my boobs are no longer hanging round my ankles!

There was a bit if back/armpit bulge but some scooping has sorted that out!

Thankyou!