My newest bra is 11 years old

[IDugUpADiamond]

I should be ashamed of myself. I've been ignoring the bra revolution threads because I get lost with the 'science bit'. Would somebody kindly explain in lay terms how I need to measure myself and then what to do with the figures? Thanks

Measure underbust tightly. That's effectively your band size
Lean forward and measure over bust (no bra)
1 inch difference = 1 cup size
Or come back and post measurements

Here's the proper measuring link
thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html?m=1

Goodasitgets thank you. I think I'll measure today and post here for a verdict as I don't trust myself. Thank you!

Okay I've done it.

Underbust I measure 30" (perhaps slightly less)
Over bust leaning forward I measure 37" (loosely)

All my current bras are 34C. I might go to M&S this morning if anyone can tell me what bra sizes to pick

Try a 30F and similar sizes e.g. 28FF, 30FF.

Is there anywhere else you can go apart from M&S? Debenhams, HoF, JL? Ideally a Bravisismo? M&S rad aren't fantastic quality and their sizing is very random!

I would also suggest trying bras which aren't the moulded t-shirt type as they are hard to get a good fit with as they don't mould to your shape IYSWIM?

Thank you Sorrel. Locally I just have M&S and BHS. I will go and get just the one bra from them and then replace all my other bras with better stuff from online places (with free returns hopefully!!).

One question though, I thought Bravisismo catered for larger sizes? I have always been quite flat chested; I am not so much these days because I'm 1st overweight, but when I lose it I will be flat chested again, probably. I didn't think Bravisismo catered for the likes of me?

I thought M&S were supposed to be decent quality. I do admittedly tend to go for t-shirt bras or I get a very obvious nipple situation.

Thank you for your help!

Bravissimo cups start at D, so if you've measured as an F then your definitely going to be able to get one.

Their bra fitters are ace and made me (post c section overhang and sagging grey bra in a totally wrong size!) totally comfortable. I walked away feeling like a new woman.

I was in a 40D and was fitted in bravissimo as a 34-36FF!

You are definitely working Bravissimo's size range!

The quality of M&S bras isn't great really and they are all made to about the same few patterns.

Try something lightly padded rather than moulded. Moulded bras tend to gape at the top on many women and are hard to get a good fit with.

This didn't go well at all. Anything I tried at M&S looked terrible. I did try in another shop a Triumph bra, and a full cup full support size 36B fitted the best but not quite. Back home empty handed

Honestly Diamond, if you can, get yourself booked at a Bravissimo, they are fabulous & so lovely.

Now I know my size I tend to order a absolute shedload from Figleaves & have a big trying on session at home. There's loads of choice and always money off codes online.

The world is a much happier place in a good bra...

If you are slightly less than 30 underbust there is a absolutely no way you should be in a 36! Definitely 30, maybe even a 28.

Order a few from bravissimo online and send back the ones that don't fit. I am a 30gg and bravissimo (or their brands on eBay) are the only ones that are ever any good for me...everything else flattens or just doesnt support properly.

I would avoid marks and spencers and bhs like the plague to be honest. The structure of their bras is just horrid for anything over a dd cup in my opinion.

Can I ask a question please? I have quite large extremely droopy boobs due to four stone weight loss. My boobs used to be full and large, now I have quite a lot of excess skin at the top and then they hang down a lot further than they used to. So basically, when I lean over to measure, they're going to be nearly touching the floor! I jest (kind of). My point is, does this mean that this way of measuring will not work for me? I currently wear a 32DD, btw, and need a particular type of full cup padded bra to contain my tennis balls in socks.

QuinnFabray The measuring is only a starting point and you will probably need a different size in different styles and makes. The best thing is to try a range of sizes in each bra. Time consuming but the only way really!

IDugUpADiamond As PPs have said, there is no way that a 36B is going to work for you. It's 3/4 band sizes to big and has a cup volume equivalent to a 30DD which is too small! I have never managed to get an M&S bra to work, they are a bit rubbish tbh with a lot of moulded styles.

I am nowhere near a Bravissimo so I think I will order a selection of bras from them to try on at home. I feel like a 14 year old looking for her first bra, quite embarrassing to think I'm in my 40s and have no idea what suits me/fits me or what size I am.

I have measured myself over and over and I measure 30" tightly under the bust, so could be 31" more comfortably, and when I lean forward I'm between 36" and 37" if I'm doing it correctly. I should say that there isn't a massive difference between the measurements over my bust when standing up and leaning down. I don't have big boobs.

To give you an idea of my shape in general, I am a very petite pear shaped size 8, quite often at the moment I require a size 10 as I'm over my usual weight at the moment.

I thought I would order 30D, 32D, 30DD, 30F, 32E. Should I order anything else to begin with?

Thank you all for your help

Diamond you need bigger cup sizes, honest. Sorrel has given you good advice - start with a 30F and 30FF. When you've got it, log back on here and we'll tell you how to fit it!

Honestly, don't bother ordering anything smaller than an E. I'd order three styles all in a 30E, F and FF.

Are your breasts more top or bottom heavy? Where is the fullness? Are they wide set, do they project a lot or are they more shallow?

There's no fullness to my breasts honestly, they're tiny. Would it be illegal to take a photo of my breasts and post it here?

What would be the harm in ordering some F cups as recommended? You could always return them but you will probably be pleasantly surprised!

Honestly, you'll be so surprised at how small the cup is on a 30F! Order a DD too, then scoop and you'll almost certianly have quad boob!

Okay, I'm going to do it!!!!

Going by this, I am apparently a 30GG, due to the aforementioned extreme droopiness of boobs. Am currently quite happily wearing a 34DD. Is this really possible?

Absolutely.

I could wear a 34dd. It would look alright ish. But totally unsupportive and potential quad boobage if I so much as sneezed in it. (I am a 30gg, fitted by bravissimo, measurements concur with new fitting guide on here too). The difference a 30gg makes is immense. You know the difference when you have a well fitting bra.

Quinn, a 34DD is designed for someone who measured about 39" round the bust - just 34 under. A 30GG is for someone around 40" over (so pretty damn close) but 30" underneath. The difference in support, lift and comfort will be massive.

Honestly, I wear a 30f and no one would say I had big boobs. The cups are petite!

Okay thank you. I will give it a go when I have some spare bra cash ( after Christmas! ).

Fairylea ( and anyone else ) can you recommend a good bra/brand that caters for that size?