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Original poster

Bra intervention-Is it meant to be so painful?

31 replies

Jefferson · 20/09/2014 11:58

Ok so I bought some new Bravissimo bras after the bra intervention.
I was a 30 band and 36 breast measurement so bought some 30E/F. The 30F fit really well even though quite tight.
They feel fine during the day but can start hurting by 6.

It's when I take them off that it's really painful. I feel sore, bruised and heavy. Sometimes I have to cup my breasts Blush to relieve that sore feeling. It takes up to 20 minutes for the pain to subside. Is this normal?! Will I eventually adjust?

OP posts:
ThisBitchIsResting · 20/09/2014 12:08

If your breasts are sore, the cups are too small! Pain around your ribs and that could suggest the band is uncomfortably tight, but if your boobs are being squished you need to go up one if not two cup sizes.

AnythingNotEverything · 20/09/2014 12:09

Did you get fitted in store? They have a great refund policy if so.

Fairylea · 20/09/2014 12:12

They might feel a bit odd if you've been wearing the wrong size for ages but they shouldn't be painful. Definitely go back to bravissimo for a fit check again. I've done that before and they've refunded two bras I'd been wearing for a week but just didn't feel comfy.

Having said that, I've been fitted properly as per here and at bravissimo and i'm definitely a 30GG but by the end of the day I am desperate to get my bra off! I don't care if they're down to my knees when I'm 80, I just hate wearing bras at home and find them so restrictive. So maybe some people are just natural freeboobers.

Original poster
Jefferson · 20/09/2014 12:15

I didn't get fitted in store, I bought them online. I've already worn and washed as well so couldn't refund anyway.
I can't believe I could go up a cup! To a 30G? That's sounds mahoosive and my breasts don't feel squished when I'm wearing the bra. They seem quite nicely encased Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Jefferson · 20/09/2014 12:16

But maybe I should go in. There's not many bravissimo shops are there? I'm going to have to Oxford st which I hate!

OP posts:
Fairylea · 20/09/2014 12:17

You can still return for an exchange if you have washed and worn - I've done it myself. They don't advertise the fact they do it but if you ring them and ask and say they are painful they will normally exchange as a gesture of goodwill.

ThisBitchIsResting · 20/09/2014 12:20

Are you scooping? If not, your breast tissue could be squished at the sides causing you pain?

Fairylea · 20/09/2014 12:24

Also are you wearing them on the loosest hook? That's how you're supposed to start off and then you have somewhere to go to when they lose their elastic.

Some bras just don't suit everyone though. Personally I can't wear full cup styles as the under wires always come up high in the middle at the front and i'm quite bony there and it's painful. Perhaps you need to experiment more with different styles too.

tinkerbellvspredator · 20/09/2014 12:26

You can go to Covent Garden store instead of Oxford Street

VestaCurry · 20/09/2014 12:31

Jefferson, I'm a 34FF and can relate exactly to what you are experiencing! It doesn't get any easier as you get older and these natural assets decide to travel further south Blush.

Every style of bra is different, so there might be some 34FF's that are too small/big in the chest and/or too small in the cup.

Take your bra(s) back to Bravissimo and explain you were fitted but you have the wrong size, because after a few hours you were experiencing a lot of pain. I had exactly the same problem when I tried to buy bras from Bravissimo, returned them and got my money back.

I don't know where you are, but Rigby & Peller have been opening more stores in recent years. If you can get to a branch it is well worth it. Their fitting service is superb, much more intuitive. Staff seem to have a v in depth knowledge about which styles which fit your size and breast shape. That's really important because the shape of our boobs makes a big difference in terms of which bras will work (along with the size). In my experience, this is where R&P get it right and Bravissimo fall short. I've never had to take a bra back to R&P.

If you can't get to a R&P, search for independent lingerie shops in your area. Ring and check they do larger cup sizes beforehand (some don't which I find ridiculous) Make an appointment for a fitting with the actual shop owner, who generally have a v good knowledge of manufacturers styles and whether they might be suitable for you. They do the buying, hence the v detailed knowledge.

VestaCurry · 20/09/2014 12:32

Ooh loads of post added in the time it took for me to add my twopenneth worth Grin

VestaCurry · 20/09/2014 12:37

May I just add I so wish I was a 32A like my sis. She's 40, still has lovely pert boobs and can still go bra less in the summer when she's out. This has always been totally unthinkable for me, my boobs would have attracted way too much attention if they were unfettered under a t shirt in public Sad.

Original poster
Jefferson · 20/09/2014 12:59

Thanks for all the replies.
I am definitely scooping and wearing on first hook.
Not sure about styles. I have to wear underwired as otherwise my boons would just sag. It's very depressing and I don't know what happened to my breasts. They used to be fab. Then I had one child and they just dropped completely. I'm only 33 and I didn't breast feed either.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jefferson · 20/09/2014 12:59

Boons? Boobs obviously

OP posts:
Original poster
Jefferson · 20/09/2014 13:01

I feel your pain vesta

OP posts:
MoreSnowPlease · 20/09/2014 13:07

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

MokunMokun · 20/09/2014 13:08

I also found the bra intervention thing painful. I ended up using some bra extenders I had for pregnancy and it was much better. Some women retain a lot of water so the size you are when you wake up isn't necessarily the size you are after a long day. I really, really don't think it is healthy to be wearing a bra that is uncomfortably tight.

MisForMumNotMaid · 20/09/2014 13:19

I did the bra intervention thing and tryed on in both debenhams and tesco. I brought several at the new size. Some have given a little and become like a firm second skin. One Looks lovely when I scoop and fill it but is agony round the chest after wearing for a while, two or three hours. The ones that fit best on my less full bust (34D) are definitely balconys.

I went to M & S after my discomfort and they measured me the same as the bra intervention. She told me that i'm better off in a balcony and picked me out lots that she fitted to show me how different styles do/ don't suit even though they're technically the same size. She sugested if I did want a pushup plunge style to go up a band down a cup with the shape
I am. She also told me If I put a bra on backwards to ping the band out after twisting round to let the skin settle, to scoop and to lift the band so its sitting at the right place. They have £5 off if you get measured at present.

VestaCurry · 21/09/2014 14:02

Jefferson, with our cup size, underwired is essential. Bras without it are dragged forward because they cannot support the weight of the boobs. Cue painful shoulders and back.
Finding underwired bras that are comfortable over many hours for larger cups isn't easy. R&P have been happy for me to 'test drive' the bras at home and if any problems, return them. I've never needed to. Bravissimo returns policy is good, so if their shop is easiest for you to get to, them get another fitting and take home 3 or 4 bras that you think might work and test drive them.
The scoop method is essential - lean forward at 90 degree angle to your hips, place boobs into cups, then do up the fastening at the back and put straps on shoulders. Then stand up straight and adjust as necessary.

SorrelForbes · 21/09/2014 17:05

I have to disagree with an earlier poster. IME Bravissimo fitters are just as good as those in R&P. I'm a fan of R&P but they have fitted me, my DSIS IN and DM incorrectly in the past.

You should never out a bra on back to front and then twist it round as it knackers the wires and if you can ping the band then it's probably too small.

Usually you need to go up not down a cup size in a plunge. Please don't listen to anything a M&S tells you. They are uniformly rubbish.

macnab · 21/09/2014 17:29

I have been reading all the bra intervention threads on here with a mix of shock and intrigue. I'd always consider myself very small chested. 2 breatsfed babies and at 40, my once pert boobs are now small and saggy. I wear a 34B. Bras are always uncomfortable. Not like they dig into me but just that I'd always know I'm wearing one. The top part of bra seems to gape, the straps often fall down or have to be adjusted and I realised I can get a whole fist under the band!
I just measured and under bust is 28 (actually 27.5 as a very snug fit) and leaning over boobs are 33 or 34 depending on how tight I pull the measuring tape (not sure how to do that bit)
So I should try a 28D?!
It just seems wrong, even though I'm permanently uncomfortable in bras.
Mind you, after I measured I then squooshed all the flesh at sides into my 34B bra cups and that has made a difference.
Am just so dubious. Will be taking to the shops at lunchbreak tomorrow and will report back...

HazleNutt · 21/09/2014 18:18

try about 28E macnab

macnab · 21/09/2014 19:28

Thanks HazleNutt.
I get why people aren't happy with m&s for measuring, but once you know the correct size are their bras ok?
I'm not in uk so dont have a huge choice store-wise. I hate the thought of buying lots of bras online and returning most of them. Would rather try on in a store. I'd imagine a 28 band wont be the easiest to find?

TallulahBetty · 21/09/2014 19:34

IME, M&S bras are an accurate size. I am 32GG and find that size comfortable from there.

Fairylea · 21/09/2014 19:56

Personally I'm not a fan of marks and s bras at all... even though their sizing is mostly okay for the bras (fitting awful) I just think if you are above a D cup the structure just isn't there. They tend to squash boobs down and spread out rather than poke them together and forward, which I think is a more flattering shape. I've tried loads of their styles and they all do the same thing.. also hate the skinnier straps. They always dig in. I'd rather go for a Freya or a bravissimo own brand any day (I usually get my fit in store and then look up the same bra on ebay)!

I'm not keen on panache bras - I find the wires come up too high on me but I know others swear by them.