Bra intervention help pleeeeeeeeeease!

[JimmyCorkhill]

Ok, I have been reading all the bra intervention threads for months and been waiting to lose the baby weight to get a properly fitted bra. I am currently wearing the saggiest worn out nursing bras which don't fit at all.

I measure 30" round the chest and 37" when I bend over and measure my boobs. So I think that makes me a 30F.

I was so excited to try some on today but it didn't work The bands were soooo tight they hurt, and the back fat, oh my eyes, the back fat

Plus my poor little boobs are husks of their former selves due to breastfeeding and only filled the bottom half of the cups.

I tried some of my pre children bras on today (32B) and the band seemed perfect. The cups were too small though.

So:

1. Am I a 30F?

2. Is there a particular bra style that flatters deflated breasts?

3. Where's best to shop online as the range in Debenhams was poor?

Thank you in advance!

OK, first things first:

Which bras did you try (style, make)?
Did you scoop?

Good on-line shops include Bravissimo, Figleaves, Brastop, My Curves & Me, Leia outlet and Amazon.

I just went to bravissimo and bought a couple of balconette type bras which seemed to work for my deflated breasts! Haven't even stopped feeding so god knows what they'll look like when I have finished

Thank you

I did scoop. I even bent right over when I did it to make sure I got everything!!

There weren't many 30Fs to try so I had a padded one, an underwired one with mahoosive cups and a non padded one. I don't know what the brands were as I just took what they had in my size. I'm sure at least one was a balconette but I thought they were the half cup ones and all the ones I tried had what looked like full cups.

So am I a 30F then? It did seem to me that if I cut the top half of the cup away the fit was better for me. Is it normal for the band to be so incredibly tight? The 32" band seemed better but I am definitely 30" with the tape measure.

I will check Bravissimo out now.

If you tried Debenhams' own brand, then I'm not surprised to hear that the bands were tight. Their Gorgeous range tend to come up small in the band and cup so it wouldn't be unusual for you to need a 32 in that brand and a 30 in others.

What sort of shape are your breasts? Fuller on top or the bottom? Wide set or close together, shallow or projecting? I am going to hazz\rd a guess and say that you need something like a shallow half cup (e.g. Cleo Lucy, Cleo Juna, Tutti Rouge half cups, Bravissimo half cups)

I bought this one here which might well suit. The ones I used to wear- anything approaching full cup are now terrible because as you notice the tip half just isn't filled! With the right bra though, it makes all the difference. Go and get fitted at bravissimo if you can- I must have tried on 20 bras and the fitters really know their styles/sizes.

Oh yes, the Idina! A fabulous bra.

Thank you, you are all really helping

My breasts are fuller on the bottom. Shallow. Closer together I think (definitely not wide set).

Half cup sounds perfect, I always thought that was a balconette bra. I will check out those bra styles. I think the ones I tried on were Debenham's own brands so I'm relieved to find out they are tight. Wasn't good for the self esteem I can tell you!

I'm a 30f and always find plenty of choice in Bravissimo. I fit their own range better than the branded ones but def go and spend some time (& money) there trying on!

I've just checked and my nearest Bravissimo is in Cardiff which is doable. That's good to hear that they measure properly. I've only been measured in M&S. I've always (pre kids) been a 32 A/B there .

M&S are just useless! I'd second what Sorrel said about the debenhams own brand bras, notoriously small. I'm a very definite 30, sometimes a 28 but the only one of their bras I own is a 32.

Thank God for that. It was pretty depressing seeing all my fat squidged either side of the band!

My breasts are fuller on the bottom. Shallow. Closer together I think (definitely not wide set).
I actually looked at my chest properly before showering and my boobs are definitely wide set!!

yup, would echo sorrels suggested bras then, you might also like curvy kate especially their showgirl range

Thanks for the curvy kate tip - lots of bras on sale yippee!

Quick note on the CK Showgirl range, their bands are insanely stretchy so if you're doing a big order for size, make sure you try some 28's as well (adjust for cup size). I measure 32 exactly underbust and generally wear a 30 bra as I like very firm support. But in CK Showgirls I wear a 28 with a bit or room to spare! Interestingly I find their non padded ordinary bras much truer and sometimes need a 32 in those.

It's all so complicated!!

Thank you for all your replies though. Looks like I need to order a bundle and see what works

proseccoco Sorry, I missed this! I like the Fiore Half cup but they don't go up to a 30GG.

Ok, what are the issues with the Fiore?

From your measurements I'd suggest trying a 30DD/ at least. You may like the Cleo Juna, Marcie, Bonnie, Lily, Meg. For something smoother, I really rate the Panache Idina Balconette.

Always fit the bigger boob. There's some useful info here about asymmetry.

The lace on the Idina is sort of in the material IYKWIM? It's very smooth and quite retro in style (the matching pants are a bit 40s). It's just come out in a baby blue colour too. Other nice smooth bras are the Curvy Kate Daily Boost and the Bravissimo Satine.

You may need a bigger cup in the Idina, Panache run smaller than Freya/Fantasie.