so I tried the bra thing.

[mumofapirate]

I was wearing 36f but clearly had it wrong. I can wear 32e but it feels a littlr tight 34dd seems ok but cups seem very slightly loose. 32dd is way too small.
so should I stick with the 32e/34dd? or am I missing something?

What style of bras were you trying on, and what were your measurements?

measurements were 31/32 underneath and 41 round my boobs when bent over.

bras I've been wearing are under wired the 34dd ones are slightly padded

Sorry to butt in, can I add my measurements to this for Sorrel, Statistically & co.? I've changed measurements again, now 34 back and 44 bust, tried a load of Freya and Fantasie bras today in 34G and 36FF but there was loads of spare material in the cups, have I got the measurements wrong?

mum of those measurements put you at more like a 30gg/h or ac32g/gg...what bras were you trying and were you scooping like crazy?

Mrs Bert what bras was it, , was the loose fabric at the top and were you scooping?

Have always been a scooper ;-) The Fantasie bras were really loose above and below, could actually grab and twist the loose fabric (was either Florence or Salsa, I think).

I tried Freya's Faye and Deco, both were baggy on top and also the part of the bra between the cups, rucked up, like it was too wide for where it sits?

MrsBertMacklin Fantasie do come up quite big IIRC (I don't have any myself, they make my boobs go east and west!).

The Deco is a nightmare to fit on some people (the gaping at the top is a very common issue) and the bra is best suited to those with breasts that are fuller on top.

Have you tried some lower cup balconette shapes?

Thanks, Sorrel. I'm actually mad for half-cup balconnettes, by far my preferred style. But since getting interventioned, I'm having problems finding the right cut in this style. My favourite used to be Passionata for this but they don't go anywhere near an FF cup. Don't suppose you know of any brands/styles of this nature?

That's not a brand I'm familiar with so I googled!

The balconettes reminded me a little of some of the Lepel bras (e.g. Constance, Fiore) and Fauve and Masquerade half cups.

Would you say you have wide or narrow set breasts? Shallow or more projected?

Shallow-set, definitely and pear-shaped. Not sure if wide or narrow, but I have always felt that plunge bras look awful on me, balconnette and half-cup are much better.

Mumofapirate, sorry for hijacking your thread

The Bravissimo half cup styles and the Curvy Kate Showgirl range half cups are meant to be good for shallower boobs. They're definitely too shallow for me.

Have a look at the Lepel Fiore Padded Balconette too.

Thanks so much Sorrel, I'm going to get off this thread now!

Is this a bra intervention thread? I have been told I need this (currently mega uncomfortable) but was too late for the bandwagon....what do I need to do? HELP ME, PLEEEASE!

Greetings, it is indeed . Follow this guide and post your measurements here and someone will be along with suggestions about styles.

You should also think about whether your breasts are fuller on the top or the bottom, are they quite shallow or do they project more, are they wide set?

I am 31 underbust and 39 over...can this be right? I am wearing 32f at the moment and got sized up as a 34d in lasenza the other day. The lady there said you take the underbust and add 4 or 5 inches to get the band size which seems totally different to your link! Driving me nuts at the mo! Am so uncomfortable hence the trip to get measured. When she told me 34d my jaw nearly hit the floor, havent worn a bra that size since I was 15!

Ignore anything La Senza tell you! Like M&S (and many others) they still insist on using the old +4/5" method. It's totally wrong but it's great for them as it sizes you to fit their stock.

OK, your measurements suggest 30G/FF or 32FF/F. You most certainly are not a 34D!

What are the specific issues with your current 32F bras?

The underwrite digs in and rubs, particularly underneath the boob and at the side. You can basically see an imprint of the cup when I take it off. I get a little pocket of breast tissue/fat under each armpit too

OK, it sounds like the cup is too small which is causing band tightness and armpit bulge.

You should try a 32FF and a 30G (and maybe even go up a cup if needs be). Make sure you test the band first before sorting the cups as per the guide.

Thanks sorrel, I will try when I am out shopping in the week

my 32E is quite tight round the band the cup however seems perfect. 34DD cup seems too big slighlty but band feels better.

surely a 30G would be tighter than 32E? and wouldn't the G bit be massive?

Not necessarily, a lot depends on the style.

If you scoop whilst wearing your 32E a) do you get overspill and b) does the tightness on the band lessen? Same for the 34DD really.

A 30G is two cups bigger than a 32E so not a huge jump.