Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

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.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Bras. I just bought some based on the intervention method and they don't fit.

64 replies

Rooners · 24/08/2013 19:53

What am I doing wrong?

Is it just certain brands you can buy under these rules?

I measured correctly as far as I can tell. I bought 6 bras, by Esprit, CK, that sort of thing in Fenwicks today, in a 30 or 32 band and various cup sizes, and not one of them fits.

I didn't try them on as I had the children all with me...so they are going back tomorrow.

Not cross but just asking - is it only certain brands that will fit if you do it this way? I have always bought 36B or C and they seem to fit alright, but have measured and found I'm a 30, and 30 doesn't fit.

Help!

OP posts:

hugoagogo · 24/08/2013 21:30

I love this lovely image of you going into (insert name of department store) and just gleefully buying 30" bras willy nilly.

Fairylea · 24/08/2013 21:57

I am a 30gg.... I know it's very personal to each person but there's no way I'd be comfortable in any bras from ck or esprit or anything like that. I think once you are into D+ territory you really need to look at makes like panache, Freya and bravissimo own brands. They are designed for larger cup sizes. I know some would disagree but just my opinion.

TravailsInHyperreality · 24/08/2013 22:01

I've found I can't wear my 'intervention size', either - it was ridiculously painful! There is no way I can wear the 30 recommended to me via the Better Bra Campaigners!

TravailsInHyperreality · 24/08/2013 22:10

Just to add, I'm a size 8-10 but hate feeling too laced-up-corsettish. (I'd be happy to never have to wear a bra again!)

I do like all these threads, though, and I'm always so pleased when a size change works for posters.

goodasitgets · 24/08/2013 22:23

Red marks like from jeans waistbands or sock tops are ok
It is a guide as such, I measure 36 ish underbust but wear a 32 or 34

I'm aware of my bra but it doesn't hurt if that makes sense? And I can only just get 2 fingers under the side, it probably pulls about 0.5cm away from my body

Brands and designs vary too, I hate the Panache Tango because it cuts under my arms and the wires dig in, but the Panache Jasmine is my favourite bra

New bras do give too, mine probably only take a week or so before feeling looser, and after a few months I have to move to the next hooks

PeteCampbellsRecedingHairline · 24/08/2013 22:30

I had the same. I tried the 32 bras and they were so painful and gave me awful back fat which I don't normally have.

I went to Debenhams and am now wearing their Gorgeous bras in a 34E so I have only gone up a cup size, but apparently they do come up small so I could be a 32 after all. Tis very confusing.

I found Freya really really small when I tried them on. Every size I tried on up to a F had me spilling out but a FF was bloody massive.

I'm going to keep trying though.

treaclesoda · 24/08/2013 23:42

I had a quick look online at esprit etc and they only seem to go up to a D cup, so if you measured as FF then they're very unlikely to fit. The cup size makes a huge difference. If you google something like 'bras sister sizes' you should find some good illustrations as to why you might need a much bigger cup size when you go down a few back sizes.

hellymelly · 24/08/2013 23:46

I am 26.5 around the band and I wear a 30. I can't image it being comfy if you are 31", as a 28 feels horribly tight on me. And I agree that tight bands just give more rolls of podge on even slim women. I would try a 34 and see how you get on.

piratecat · 25/08/2013 00:09

some bras come up bigger than others, around the back, even within the same brands.

It is annoying.

It's not the rule of god that you have to wear a 30, if you measured as a 31, you'd be better off in a 32.

Then sort out your cup size -prob an f in your case.

StatisticallyChallenged · 25/08/2013 18:17

I would agree with those who said those probably aren't great brands for FF cups, and CK I know runs small.

I would suggest trying to find somewhere which sells Freya, Panache, Cleo etc and trying some bras in the 30 and 32 bands from there. I wouldn't go up to a 34 based on the fit of the brands you have as I don't think you have got ones in a good enough fit or size to determine. I know Helly prefers quite a bit bigger than she measures but it is unusual, and these just aren't a good enough selection of bras to dismiss a 30/32 on the basis of.

If the cup is too small, as a poster upthread said it distorts the way the band feels. Your boobs steal the space :)

Original poster

Rooners · 25/08/2013 18:33

Hi, sorry about the gap. I have read all the replies - very useful info.

I took them back today and they offered to do a fitting - I said when I have a spare few minutes without the children, but actually, is it worth getting fitted in Fenwick?

I'm not sure how they rate. I didn't get any other ones - great sale but I couldn't face taking them back again and had no idea what to get.

OP posts:

inhibernation · 25/08/2013 22:27

I recommend Triumph Amourette - such a comfy bra and the best fit I've ever had.

Parmarella · 25/08/2013 23:34

Bra intervention method does not work for me. I measure a bit less than 30 under bust, but wear 34c which is a good fit in terms of how it feels ( not tight, does not ride up, stays in place, no red marks) and looks under clothes.

I am relatively small breasted though, and suspect the tighter fit might suit those who need more support.

I find leaving kids with someone and taking an hour or 2 to simply try on loads of bra'z the best thing.

Calvin Klein 34c is my perfect fit and look and I now buy it whenever available atTKmaxx

HazleNutt · 26/08/2013 07:09

If a bra leaves red marks then that does not mean it does not fit though. Of course, it should not be actually painful, but for the band to offer any support, it has to be quite tight. You don't think your socks are too small just because they leave marks - they would not stay up if they didn't.

I agree with the poster who said to forget the Esprit etc brands that make a bra suitable for an A-cup and then just make the same but larger for D+. That just won't work. Go for D+ brands like Freya, Panache and similar instead.

Original poster

Rooners · 26/08/2013 07:43

Thankyou...I will look at the larger brands.

It's complicated b ythe fact I'm still breastfeeding, so that's why I bought the smaller cup sizes. No nursing bras available in the sale (or at all, in fact) and I'm using a sort of bra-top-vest thing at present anyway (inadequate perhaps but still)

I think it might be best to wait till I'm no longer feeding at all, otherwise it's a shot in the dark really as to what size they'll end up, and silly to invest in something at full price.

Glad you found your perfect fit Parm...TKMaxx is great

OP posts:

mirai · 26/08/2013 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hanginggardenofboobylon · 26/08/2013 08:03

You really do have to give bras a few days to 'wear in' as you do new shoes. I could only wear each new bra for a few hours at first (swapping to get different pressure points in different styles) and was ready to go back to the cheap unsupportive things I had been wearing. i went from 34/36 band to 30 band. But after a few days they were comfortable. A very different feeling but comfortable nonetheless.

Octopus37 · 26/08/2013 08:11

I got a 28D bra the other day, which is supposedly my size (measure 27 under bust and 32 over). Didn't feel too bad at first, but could have been a bit small in the cup wierdly, but by the end of the day it hurt and I couldn't wait to get it off. According to M&S, Debenhams I am a 32 back, think I will stick with 30C as they are the most comfy.

BearPear · 26/08/2013 08:13

From reading previous interventions in the last couple of weeks I took the plunge from 34c to 32dd. Much, much tighter a week ago, and now suspecting that the intervention suggestion of 28 or 30 may be the way to go.

The thing I can't understand is this - on the Debenhams website it says that a person with my measurements should be 34c - my old size. Why are they getting it so wrong, what makes the difference in a Debenhams measurement and an Interventionist measurement?

Original poster

Rooners · 26/08/2013 08:16

Yes Bear this is what I am wondering - who invented the new method, and which manufacturers comply with it - and which still use the old method? (which I can't remember but it was something like band measurement + 4 inches?)

OP posts:

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/08/2013 08:22

Debenhams, like most stores, still lists the old method on their size charts. So they add 4 or 5" to the back measurement to get the back size.

As far as I am aware, with the exception of a couple of vintage repro companies bras on the market today don't actually comply with this old method because the fabrics stretch and we now know how bras should be worn. If you measure, say, a 34 back bra unstretched you would probably find it measures somewhere around the 30" mark. But an unstretched bra is about as much use as a chocolate teapot because without the band being stretched it doesn't offer support - it would be a bit like putting on a pair of leggings 4 sizes too big. Stretched, a 34 band bra will probably measure somewhere around 34-35", roughly. And that's how you need to wear it.

There is obviously some variance between brands (just like there is with any item of clothing) so you might find you prefer a 30 in curvy kate, but a 32 in Debenhams Gorgeous for example. But as a baseline starting with your band size being your back measurement is correct on average. Very slim ladies with little padding often need bigger than they measure, and on the flip side larger ladies often need a smaller size than they measure

BearPear · 26/08/2013 08:23

Yes Roo, band + 4 inches is exactly what Debenhams recommend.

Original poster

Rooners · 26/08/2013 08:29

Ah Ok. Thankyou Stat

I suppose I am pretty unpadded, in terms of body fat - I can feel my ribcage - so maybe I'll try 32 when I try again.

OP posts:

IsThatTrue · 26/08/2013 08:30

Debenhams are shit at measuring. The whole band +4 inches is nul and void now that bras are made out of stretchy fabrics with some give in them.

The bras do feel tight to begin with but honestly the shape of them and amount of support is amazing. Try brastop.com they do free delivery on orders over £75, with free returns. Try 1 style in 4/5 sizes around your 30FF, 30G, 32F, 32FF and send any back that don't fit. I ordered 6 and kept 1. Win win.

HazleNutt · 26/08/2013 08:41

what I see often happening when people try their intervened sizes is that they go for a too small cup and then deduct that the bra is too tight and the method does not work. For example when someone is told that they should not be in 36B but in 32F, they go - F? nah, I can't be an F, I'll try 32D instead. Of course that will be too tight.

What you should do instead is start with a bigger cup than was recommended - if you are in way too small cups, a little too small seems like an improvement, but it still won't be right. But it's very easy to see if a cup is too big, as it is wrinkling or gaping and you just go down with cup sizes until it's perfect.

Flip

1 2 3