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

[SchrodingersFanny]

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!

[Mumbledore]

Following on from A B C I mean!

[sudointellectual]

DayOldCheesecake, yes, what is that about? I realised after getting my head round all this that I had an unconscious ranking in my head:

A cup = child
B cup = decent woman
C cup = famous/perfect woman
D cup = porn star
Over DD = Lolo Ferrari OR Les Dawson dressed as a woman

What the ACTUAL FUCK? I felt like washing my brain out with bleach. I would never have thought those (senseless, mad and awful) things were in my head, but somehow they had lodged there, and I only really uncovered them when I examined just WHY I couldn't possibly possibly be a 32F.

[loraflora]

If I lean forward, my under measurement is 36 and my overbust measurement is 47. Am I right in thinking 36GG? I am unfortunately saggy after too much yo-yo dieting in the past.

[Lancelottie]

Ermm, when measuring under the bust, do you breathe in or out?

I can make a 4 inch difference that way (woodwind player here, so I think my ribs expand rather a lot) and fear being unable to take a breath ever again if I size down to the tightest measurement

[sparkle12mar08]

The media have a lot to answer for in that respect DayOld and Sudo, a lot! Reporting that someone like Christina Hendricks is a 34DD or whatever is ludicrous, she's closer to 30J territory, Jordan more like a 26/28GG/H/HH etc. Yet porn stars are commented on as being DD/E/F etc which is again bonkers and cements in peoples minds exactly the connotations you rightly identify. Mad, mad, mad.

Loraflora, try 36GG, H and HH. Technically you're at 36H with those measurements, but it's trial and error across different brands for the most part. Also you may be more comfortable sizing down a band to get firm anough support, if so don't forget to size up in the cup as well, add 34H, HH and J to your try on list too.

Lancelottie I think I'd try both 'correct' and next size up band measurements in your postition, if you play daily etc you're going to need at least a decent amount of stretch so it might be worth having different bras for different purposes. What are your actual measurements?

[Branleuse]

neither, just at rest.

[Branleuse]

its ok to size ether up or down 1 inch.

I measure 29in under, but i wear a 30 band

[Lancelottie]

Anything from 28 to 32 band size but weirdly I seem to get 36 either way for the overbust measurement (baffles self).

[sparkle12mar08]

In which case I'd try 28F and FF, and 30F and FF. I think anything smaller in the cup on a 30 band will actually feel tight because it will be artificially reducing your cup size - you have an 8 inch difference at rest, whereas a 30E would be designed for only a 6 inch difference.

[CelticPromise]

Knotter you can put your measurements on here if you like, measure tight around your ribs under boobs then lean forward and measure loosely around your dangling boobs.

[tapdancingelephant]

sudointellectual - you have summed up perfectly how I have always felt about my boobs, but never really known!

I was measured as a 32C for my first bra at 12, which must have been complete bollocks, going by info here. after dc 1 & 2 I found myself passing by a Bravissimo, and got measured properly. Can't remember the exact fitting now, as was years ago, but was something like 32Eish, and that was 15 years, 2 children, and about 3 stone later than my original 32 band fitting

Am now a few more years, and one more child down the line, and still breastfeeding (in very uncomfortable, but will never find anything to fit so grab the best of a bad bunch bf bras!). Will grab a tapemeasure a bit later and see how I measure up - will be something shocking, which will horrify me along the lines of sudo's rundown earlier.

But I will do my best to get my head around it all - after all, I will still be the same size as my slightly-large-but-socially-acceptable (according to ridiculous scandal rags and similar) mis-fitted 'C' cup, but just in a properly fitting bra with different letter!

[AtYourCervix]

There appears to be 8 inches difference between my measurements.

Would that make me a FF???

[sparkle12mar08]

Yes, AtYourCervix, a FF . Mind if I ask you band size?

[AtYourCervix]

Holy shit!

38 band.

46 around saggy empty boobage.

Blimey. Currently wearing 40D

[AtYourCervix]

Although couldn't find tape measure so did it wuth string and metal tape measure.

Itching to try on new bras now. It'll have to wait til next week.

[Lancelottie]

Have been online to Debenhams sale for several different sizes, half expecting them to email back 'Don't be silly, you deluded teeny-busted woman, you!'

Gulp.

[notapizzaeater]

Now I am big of nork - think porn star ! 36 under 49 over so what should I be ? Sick of painful bras

[SorrelForbes]

not. Try a 36J and similar sizes.

AtYourCervix. How's your head this morning?

[Raahh]

Ok- i keep meaning to put my measurements on these threads- used to work at JL, where a colleague measured me (by eye) as a 34e. I've had another child since then, and my ribcage seems wider, so go for a 36e.Think this is a bit loose though.

I measure 35 under, and 43 around when leaning.

Am I wildly out?

[trikken]

34 and 40 if I did it correctly. What would I be?

[AtYourCervix]

Head is surprisingly well thanks. Pimms Turbo is my new favourite drink

[Chickpeas2]

Hello wise bra fitting types,

I'm in a bad place with bras after nearly 5 consecutive years of pregnancy and bf (not to mention the weight loss/gain/gain thing I have going on....) anyway I've bitten the bullet, measurements are:

33 back (squidgy so have rounded down to 32)
44 boobs

Does that really mean I am a 32 HH?!?! I didn't even realise such a size existed....

[sparkle12mar08]

Raahh - start with 34FF and G

trikken - 34E

Chickpeas - yup, 32H and HH. Brastop.co.uk will become your new best friend for pretty bras in large cup sizes!

[trikken]

Thanks for that, sparkle.

[Chickpeas2]

Thanks so much- off to check out that online shop now...