You bra experts are Very Bad People <glares>

[needasilverlining]

As of this morning, a scant two weeks after putting me in the right size bra for the first time EVER, I own seven new bras.

Seven.

And I am STILL LOOKING. I am obsessed.

You will drive me to the poorhouse.

(It isn't quite as profligate as it sounds: most have cost me 5-8 pounds; the most expensive was 11. But even so.)

Please tell me I'm not alone and there are other MNers with a drawer full of new undies thanks to the Bra Enablers?

[marriednotdead]

I just popped back, I'm glad everyone else has put your mind at ease Joey8

In answer to your question, no, I haven't had implants. I have average (for my age) softish, asymmetrical 32FF/G's. As a bra fitter I see implants and reductions every week, and therefore learn lots about them cos I'm nosy and ask questions.

[scaryg]

I've been putting off buying some more bra's, DD is now 21mths and showing no let up on breastfeeding so I've decided to get some underwired nursing bras (to add to the 2 m&s bras I've had since she was born). Using the bra guru's measuring guide I've gone from a 34 F to a 30 J, a J, I didn't know they went that big... I'll let you know how I get on.

[Joey8]

Ah thank you! Everyones been really helpful :-) Haha I will be sooo happy if i won't be a D+ and your right its very unlikely that im not actually a 34a!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

You might find this website useful to picture real bra sizes - www.brabandproject.com/

This might show why we are saying you may not be a 34A at all and why you shouldn't be worried about ending up D+ :)

[Joey8]

Haha oh dear! I haven't actually been told a cup size as they can never sayy 100% what size you will be. So I'm just guessing :-) Basically we just chose the smallest I could go that would fill my skin and keep them perky!

Indeed I do! I will definitely be getting well fitting bras after this!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Joey my personal experience (from going with a friend who had a reduction!) is that a lot of plastic surgeons don't know much about bra fitting either so tend to give "cup sizes" that are, well, guff. She was a 30H and told she's get to be a C or D. Aye...I must be imagining her now 30FFs then! Basically, a B cup would mean you have a 2" difference between your overbust and underbust measurement.

It is worth making sure you get well fitting bras - after all you want to keep your new boobs looking as perky as possible!

[BearPear]

From another thread and a MNer with the same measurements as me and the advice was to go for 30DD/E. I went from 34c but daren't go to a 30 because they were really, really tight. I bought a couple of cheap 32DDs in New Look which have stretched so could have easily done a 30 there. I got a 32D from Next and thought it was ok but find I'm spilling out (and I am not large of nork, even if the new DD sizing makes my DH snigger!)

I have bought 5 new bras in the last 2 weeks, which may end up being too big in the band if they "give" much more, leading to even more shopping! Damn you bra threads!

[CelticPromise]

Sure I know what you mean. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

[Joey8]

Ah good plan! I swear I have a measuring tape somewhere though, I shall have to dig it up.

Ah thank you CelticPromise, your right a good supportive bra would definitely help and I am definitely going to measure myself correctly now but it won't change the way I look without a bra on if you get me, haha I want to feel confident naked!

[CelticPromise]

Joey feel free to ignore but do you think that a really supportive, well fitting bra would make a difference to the way you feel about your boobs? I'd bet my house you're not in the right size. It definitely made a difference to me. I look totally different with a good bra on.


Congratulations on your weight loss, hope all goes well with your op.

[InMySpareTime]

Joey, you could use a piece of string to get your chest measurement, then measure the string against a ruler if that's easier (a lot of people don't have measuring tapes).

[HavantGuard]

I'm an F now thanks to MN.

[Joey8]

Ohhh ok :-) Thank you.

I definitely think I had the wrong idea on breast cups! That makes much more sense.

I don't have a measuring tape at hand but I am most likely smaller than 34, im very small up top.

I'm less panicky now!

[InMySpareTime]

Joey, what is the measurement round your ribcage, under your breasts, pulled fairly tight?
If you've lost loads of weight, chances are it's a lot less than 34.
You'll have appeared to fill a 34B sports bra because:
1)Sports bras squash breasts to contain them, breasts should be stretching the cups not just sitting in them.
2)having a bra too large in the back makes smaller cups appear to fit as the breasts push the band away from the body.
3) cup size is only the difference between two measurements, and one "letter" can cover large variations in actual breast volume. For example, I'm a 26GG, which is barely a small handful. In terms of volume, it's roughly equivalent to a 28G, a 30F, a 32E or a 34DD.

[Joey8]

P.S when I tried the implants I was wearing a 34 B sports bra and they filled them fine?

[Joey8]

Whoa really? Uh oh. I'm only having it done because of where I lost so much weight I have nothing there now and they are incredibly saggy. Gets me very self concious.

If I had the choice I would quite happily stay small chested I just dont like the saggyness :-( But after losing so much weight I didnt want to have a huge chest!

I wanted to go for the smallest implants but my dr said they wouldnt be enough to fill my skin.

I just have to keep reminding myself that whatever I will have is going to be better then what I have now...even if they are bigger then what I want.

Marriednotdead have you had implants done?

[marriednotdead]

Joey8 300cc is not going to give you a B/C, I guarantee you! Even smallish implants on the flattest (never actually grew) breasts get at least a C/D so if you have 'empty' boobs then chances are you'll be at least an E/F.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

littleboy start with 28g

[StatisticallyChallenged]

John Lewis in general are ok. not as good as bravissimo but if you have been reading these threads you will have a good idea of how a bra should fit so will be able to spot a plus fourer at twenty paces.

[Littleboyx2]

What size would I be if measuring 28 under bust and 37 at widest point? Any help
Appreciated as need new bras! Thanks

[MrsHoratioNelson]

OP I agree: thanks to you bunch of absolute bastards, I'm trying to decide whether it would be better to drive 1h45 or get the train for 2.5 hours to Cardiff WITH A NEWBORN in a few weeks to get fitted at the closest Bravissimo to me .

Our local John Lewis is tiny and very new and I'm not convinced they'd be any good at fitting. Does anyone know how John Lewis at Bristol is for fitting?

[Joey8]

Ooh thank you I will definitely check that guide out!

Oh Yeah I agree, M & S and La Senza haven't a clue!

So excited for new boobage :-)

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I'd hazard a guess you aren't actually a 34a...measure yourself according to the guide at thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk

bravissimo have shops all over the country, it will be worth making the effort to go and get fitted properly. do not touch m and s, ,la senza, and pretty much most other places with a barge pole. John Lewis are ok

[Joey8]

Will Bravisimo be on the high street? I definitely want to make sure I am measured correctly!

I'm not exactly sure how big I will even be..I'm a 34 A at the moment (well so I assume!) but with a lot of lose skin and not much tissue, so with my implants (300cc) Im guessing I will be a full B/C...but then again when i tried the silcone implants in my sports bra they looked huge - probably just that im not used to seeing anything there haha.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

make sure you go somewhere like bravissimo for fitting!