I need the bra people - is it possible I have worn a bra 6" wrong all my adult life?

[CharlotteSimmons]

I am not sure of the names of the bra experts but I remember reading a thread a while back and finally got hold of a measuring tape...I am pretty petite, sporty and extremely flat chested, especially post breastfeeding. I always wear a bra, and prefer under wired padded ones, but I don't think I actually need one. I have always worn a 34A, I was measured once I think but they have always kind of fitted, I think...anyway, they have not fitted nearly as well since finishing breastfeeding and I was trying to come to terms with the fact I must be a 34 AA but then I read the thread, finally got a tape measure and...I am a 28" and a 32", so what bra size do I need? And where makes good bras for people with an underwhelming chest?

but you never can tell without trying on anyway.

Yes Sorrel, exactly right. But I have such small boobs, surely not a f?! TMI but a little bit of back fat on a 34 band so wouldn't 36 be better?

some of that back fat will be breast tissue so a tighter band will keep it in place within the cup once it has been scooped into position

No, back fat is often because the boob tissue isn't supported right and just kind of falls backwards. My backfat is worse in a 34 than a 30, and I'm no skinny minnie!

Ooo, I'm very excited about going to try on a completely new size, let's hope I can find some 30s!

When I mentioned it to DH, he said 'but wouldn't they be, you know, like, big?' so reeeeally hope to shove them in his face. In a non fun way

Sorry for crashing your thread Charlotte but thanks for starting it!

Lookslike, have a look at the link I posted upthread - you can change the criteria to see "real" 30Fs

I did, think they look pretty similar to me apart from the super skinny lady I'm also ridiculously excited that I may not be an a/b cup! Now to get rid of small child while I try things on...

Happy to have you crashing looks - it's more exciting having someone to share the revelation with! I had gaping with my 34A and just assumed the cup was too big so needed a AA, didn't occur to even think about the back size. Have ordered a few 28Ds from John Lewis, with a lot of interest and crossed fingers that I will finally have a bra that fits. Will report back.

Lots of small independent lingerie shops also fit 'by eye' and are brilliant. If you are in West Sussex, south surrey or east Hants, pm for details of one near you.

After years in a 36dd I am now utterly comfy in a 32HH. And I look like I've lost a stone in weight. My DD who is very slight has just been fitted in a 28FF and is really comfortable and less self conscious than in her old wrong size.

Wow what luck that I've seen this thread!

Have been meaning to start a thread myself about my complete failure to find the right size bra for my entire bra-wearing life!

OP I have almost same measurements as you 28" and 31" (smaller than i used to be post preg and breastfeeding )

What sizes shall I try oh wise ones?

ColdTeaAgain You measurements indicate a starting point of 28C. What size are you currently wearing? What issues do you have with the fit?

Thanks Sorrel

I have a variety of sizes but 28C is not one of them! I'm now back to wearing my pre pregnancy bras which are 32B but they are padded as I need a bit of help to fill my tops and dresses! But would say my boobs arent as full as they were before. They fit ok but would say the cup is a bit too big, I'm not filling the space in the middle - the inner corners of the cups - and they gape a bit across the top, hope that makes sense, don't really know how to describe it!

CharlotteSimmons 28D isn't the easiest size to find but it is out there. I searched high and low at Bluewater with my DD a week ago and could have kissed the shop assistant when she said "Yes" after I asked if they had any non-wired 28D bras (DD is only 11!) We got her some of these in the end

Can I hazard a guess that you're wearing moulded cup type bras? If so, these are quite tricky to get a good fit with especially for those who have lost some fullness.

If you scoop, do you get any overspill?

Yep I'm currently favouring a moulded foam push up to give myself a bit of shape. Not hugely padded like some of the crazy creations out there but enough to give me a bit more confidence.

The problem with moulded type bras is that they don't fit your shape IYSWIM?

I'd suggest trying some unpadded bras first to establish your size. A smaller breasted friend of mine (30DD) likes the Bravissimo Satine as it gives her a cleavage. The Lepel Fiore plunge is nice too.

Just left M&S in tears. Nothing bigger than 30E which was way too tight band wise. Measurements suggested 30F but ended up in 32D which wasn't much more comfy than my 34B. Debenhams had 30F but were all hideous with massive straps and rode up waaay too high under armpits. Ladies in both places looked at me in complete disbelief that I could be a 30 and didn't seem to care what I ended up with.

I can't afford little boutique places. Looks like I'll have to order loads online. Problem is, you only know they are really uncomfy after you've worn them a while. Aaaargh!

Do order online and give them a two hour or more trial at home whilst you're not doing much, or least ways not getting hot and sweaty running around or exercising. It's really worth while getting the right one for you!

Lookslikeimstuckhere Don't despair. The 30E in M&S would be too tight for you due to lack of band space. Although you measure around a 30F it wouldn't surprise me if you need a 30FF in some bras. M&S sizing is shit too!

Debenhams own brand 'Gorgeous' comes up very small in the band (and often the cup too).

Ignore the fitters in both places, they obviously still use the +4/5" method (and wonder why no one leaves feeling happy!).

Some brands do come up higher than others under the arm and the trick is to find a brand/style that works for your shape. Remember that you have been wearing a 32A which volume wise is the same as a 30B. You're making a huge change in size and this means that you're trying on bras where the cup is actually big enough to encase ALL your breast tissue. The wires should come right round your body and finish approx. half way across your arm pit (especially if you have wide set breasts). This is probably going to feel a bit odd at first.

What shape are you? Shallow, projected? Wide, narrow set? Fuller on the top or bottom?

Thank you so much for all the advice, brilliant!

I think I need to spend an evening doing a big online order to try out a bigger variety of brands.

It baffles me - if it is so well known that M&S fitting and sizing is rubbish, how come they don't cotton on and sort themselves out? They must do enough sales to not notice or care they aren't doing it right, that must equal thousands and thousands of women in the wrong bras!

Oh Looks, I feel your pain, I once did a marathon trying on session in M&S and still left with nothing except raised eyebrows from the fitting room ladies

I have been wearing 36d prior to pg and 36e after.
Turns out I am in fact a 32ff!!
I got measured in John Lewis and am now wearing 32ff bras by fantasie.
They difference it has made to my shape is amazing.

Sorrel thank you for the advice, they did seem a bit useless.

I'm pretty broad shouldered and I've always maintained I'm fairly flat chested so guess I'm shallow and wide spread. Fuller at the bottom.

I'll have a look at Figleaves and just order lots in diff sizes. The Debenhams 30F still seemed a bit big in the cup size, when I measured I did the 90 degree thing, is that right or would I be better off measuring whilst standing normally.

This is all a complete revelation to me. I cannot believe that so many stores are getting this wrong. Maybe a bra revolution is needed ladies.
We could set up a nationwide chain of stores that actually do it right, bet we are all over the country...

Bravissimo does it right. The trouble is that they advertise themselves as a shop for big-boobed women, so women wearing M&S fitted 36A's won't go there.

Lookslikeimstuckhere Bravissimo is that chain of stores but alas, they don't quite cover every town or city - yet! I would guess that the more people buy from them, they more likely it is that they'll expand. I've dragged at least five people into a branch of Bravissimo in the last 10 months so I'm doing my bit

What type of bras did you try? I'd recommend sorting your size in a non-moulded, unpadded balconette style to start with as they are easier to get a good fit with. Freya may work for you as may the Bravissimo own brand half cup styles.

I basically tried anything that was in the sizes closest! I'll take a look at those places, thank you so much.