Needing a bra intervention!

[dmsz]

I'm currently wearing a 34b, for a while I've known this was the wrong size, my back strap rides up my back by the end of the day (but I always thought this was because it was too small, until I read that being a size 8 would mean I probably wouldn;t be 36, or even 34 ) and then I came across a scoop and swoop article on a lingerie blog on Friday. After doing this I ended up with quad boob (and actual cleavage!) but now my bra is more uncomfortable than ever, the wires are digging into my ribs and I keep needing to scoop everything back into place until this evening when I couldn't take the pain anymore and just took it off and gave up.

I measured then used some online calculators and got a huge selection of results so looking for some help from those in the know! Some of these suggested sizes were 32e, 30f and 32dd, so no idea where to start. I was browsing the Next site with the intention of ordering 1 of each size to see what fits but found they don't do those sizes in the types of bras I wear (the 2 sizes bigger range) My underbust is 31 inches and bust 36.5inches.

That's a lovely bra dmsz, you're the same size as me and I ended up getting a 32D in Debenhams too, a 30 back was just too small.

That looks pretty good from that angle. Because you are an in between measurement you might find you take a 30 in some brands like freya or curvy kate, and a 32 in others

Hi, me again - I've just got back from a fruitless trying on session in Debenhams - I tried 34 F and FF, and 36 E and F and then, because none of them seemed right, I tried 36 FF, although that wasn't one of the suggestions. When I looked behind in the mirror I still seemed to have "back fat" hanging over the band. Also, a couple of the sizes left a little gap where the cup merges into the strap. I can't face any more sessions in the changing room for now - can anyone recommend a good website where I can order a few different sizes and not have to pay to return the duff ones?

Also, any suggestions about which size to try next? The bras were a t-shirt type of bra if that has any relevance - I don't normally feel "supported" unless I have quite a firm cup - is that where I'm going wrong?

Sorry to be such a Nork Dork!

Can you tell me which bras you tried as that makes a huge difference? also - re the back fat - did you scoop?

t shirt bras are a disaster for establishing fit

I found one of the only Next 30DD bras THE perfect fit for me last season (better than anything Bravissimo offered me) after I was bra intervened from a 32C and was looking forward to them adding more 30DD's to their range this season. But...there are NONE at all!

Good job I bought it in almost every colour.

Hello! Can I gatecrash please?
I used to wear a 38jj in the Bravissimo Alana but I have now lost 3 stone! My boobs have conpletely changed shape! None of my old bras fit in the cup they seem to have changed to a teardrop shape?

Anyway, I am going to debenhams tomorrow so would appreciate some help with sizing! I will be steering towards Freya bras I guess as gorgeous always used to come up small.
Measurements are:

35 underneath
44 (so hard to grab and measure though) over the boob...

Any ideas? Thanks

Ah bending over the over boob measurement goes up to a 47 :(
Also I know my left boob is at least one cup bigger than the right! Hopefully I can just find something that makes me look like I have actually lost the weight as my current bras are doing nothing for me

You might find your breast shape changes again - it's very common when you lose weight for the top fullness to go so they become more teardrop shaped, but that often readjusts and comes back a little. Your measurements suggest a 34HH/J or 36H/GG. That's a fair bit smaller than you are in just now as a 38JJ has the same cup volume, roughly, as a 34KK.

There's some info on managing asymmetry over on the better bra campaign blog. Freya brands tend to run big so the 34 is more likely

well done on the weight loss

Hi StatisticallyChallenged, thanks for answering. Yes I did scoop, quite vigorously! It was a Debenhams pack of 2 t-shirt bras - what type do you suggest instead of these? And I am worried that the softer flimsier cups don't lift me enough - would this be a different matter if they actually were the right size?? It's all so confusing!

Thanks again

Can I hijack too?

How on earth are these new sizes to fit? I've worn a 34b all my life (except pregnant and BF I went up to 38dd)
I measured 31 under and 35/6 over. I tried 30 and 32 back, D and DD cups, way too tight with heaps of flesh spilling out from the back and sides.
I scooped but there is no way I would wear a bra that tight, it would look just awful under clothes,

So I bought a couple more 34Bs, and they fit me

Am I still wrong or does this new way of bra measuring not really apply to absolutely everyone?

Thanks stat, that's helpful! :) I'm hoping to lose the sale again so don't want to invest in the ewa lovelies just yet, but I started a new job last week and just want one that lifts them you know! Shows off the waist! I'll report back later, unfortunately I got rid of all my old 34s years ago! Having always been large of nork I've always been fairly ok with sizing and was taken to bravissimo young but this shape change has thrown me!

Which bras did you try bayrans?

I tried several, mainly from Debenhams, their own stuff and Frost French and a couple of others. I can see that the cup sizes on smaller bands look like they would fit but it's the band size I was struggling with! I'm an 8/10 still got a little baby weight to loose and tone up a little.

The debenhams own stuff is notoriously small in the band - it's the only brand I size up in. I wouldn't swear to it, but I think Frost French is made by Debenhams too.

Try a 32 in something like Freya and see how that feels. And do scoop! At 31" you definitely shouldn't need a 34

Currently in debenhams... 34j is too big in the back!! Lady going to find me a 32jj! If thy even exist!!

The underbust measure does need to be firm, and it's quite common for those of us with heavier boobs to need to wear it tighter...the weight at the front can pull the band. Don't worry, 32JJ definitely exists

They have no 32jj :( she did know all about scooping though

She said it might be a 32k? Looks like internet shopping for me, what a palaver!!! I just need one to perk me up, I'll be continuing to lose weight for a while!

If you're down to a 32 it's quite possible. You'll want to avoid most T shirt bras just now as they're generally quite tall so when you've lost top fullness they tend to gape at the top. The Alana might still work quite well actually, it's good for that shape