Bra intervention before I make a t*t of myself please...

[MyMeMy]

I've worn a 36a bra for at least 30 years (not the same one, obviously). Thanks to the numerous MN bra threads, I measured myself and I'm 30inches under and 35 around - little wonder I've never been comfortable really, I can't even remember how I ended up thinking I was a 36a!!!

Before I venture to Bravissimo, I'd just like some reassurance that this does actually make me within the realms of a D cup, and that I'm measuring correctly. Some guidance suggests you need to bend forward 90 degrees to measure cup size, I measured standing up straight... I'm still in shock

That would suggest a starting point of a 30DD. So in Bravissimo territory. We normally suggest bending forward as it tends to be a bit more accurate but pretty much everyone has a bigger dangling measurement than standing measurement.

Bravissimo fitters are lovely as a rule so they wouldn't laugh at you anyway

And I can guess how you ended up in a 36a - it probably involved a bra fitting once upon a time. Or following the guide in a catalogue or something!

Flipping heck!

Thanks for the reassurance Statistically - have made an appointment at Bravissimo

Sorry to hijack the thread but would you suggest measuring standing straight up if the bent over measurement was WAY off?! Only my bent over measurement has me at a ridiculous cup size which would fit my head but never my saggy boobs! Wondering if measuring differently would be more accurate?
Thanks

What do you measure at bent over, did you try it, and what do you wear at the moment?

An alternative is to take an overbust measurement when lying on your back (braless)

Currently wearing a 32g but measured at (I think, it was a few weeks ago) about a jj which is ridiculous! Honestly, I'm nowhere near that.
Hmm, laid down I look quite flat chested with huge saddlebag boobs

Well, as long as it's a small enough back size, the larger cups will push your boobs up and out. Saddlebags no more!

Well, still reeling at my new 32DD boobs

Bravissimo fitter was lovely, would definitely recommend.

My greatest MN discovery yet (even beats tightlining) - thank you ladies

Glad you got sorted MyMeMy.

ShowmeShowme, can you take your measurements again? Do you by any chance get, erm, armpit boobs in your current bra? Or back fat?

Went into Debenhams today to harangue politely enquire as to whether the bra fitters fit the 'old-fashioned way' - adding 4 or 5 inches to the back size.

They do!

I then picked up 3 of their own-make 30D bras (they have the best selection on the high street and are £10 each, bargain) and are sooo comfy. I was marvelling to the cashier that size 30 is so much better than the 34A M&S measured me as. She said they add inches "as the bigger back sizes are more comfortable for most women". Hmmm...not when you can put your whole fist inbetween the band and your ribcage

More comfortable, ha fucking ha. Those too loose bands cause major back problems for bustier women. Long term, physical damage.

Will measure again shortly. Defo get armpit boobs and back fat what have I done wrong now?!

Both are signs that your cup is too small, and can also mean you need a smaller band. Post up your measurements when you have a chance and we'll work from there.

I also got the armpit fat with my 'old' size. I always thought I was a bit of a freaky shape... standard size 8 with fatty underarms

Bravissimo didn't actually have anything in stock that fitted me, but the fitter (who was a similar size) recommended Boux Avenue - I bought 3 in there and another 2 Lepel bras in the HoF sale. None of them give me fat armpits

You might find, given your measurements, that in some brands you'll want to try a 30DD/E too MyMeMyy. Now that you know what a good bra should fit like you'll spot the problems but Lepel and Boux I think both run on the smaller side band wise - so you might find with say Curvy Kate or Freya that you'll want a smaller band size.

Thanks for the advice Statistically, I can't believe how different wearing the right size feels - it's like a whole world of lovely bras has been opened up for me!

Right, just measured - 31 under 47 bent over

Those measurements suggest something around a 30K. If you scoop in your current bra, do you get overspill and/or does the back fat improve?

30 or 32K showmethewine. Definitely Bravissimo biggest selection for K cups.

See this is the thing! Currently in a 32g which rides up but not much back fat. Cups fit though, bones lay flat to chest and round boobs. No double boob or excess fabric?!
Thing with underboob is, actually have a lot of breast tissue under there, not just fat so can't scoop that into cups iyswim?
Confused.

The current cups will be too narrow which is why they're not containing the side boob.

First day wearing correct size bra - it felt much more comfortable, but couldn't help thinking it flattened me out a bit, somehow my boobs look wider - I adjusted the straps as short as I could go without cutting off circulation

So what should I be looking for to pull me in and lift me up? I have a feeling its going to be a case of trying a load of bras on...

Basically yes - if you are after cleavage you need a plunge bra. Some brand are narrow and give a more upfront shape, whereas others are wider and almost make your boobs point away from each other. Some have wide but shallow cups, others are narrow but deep. It's a bit of trial and error to find the shapes which work for you. Unfortunately I'm not that familiar with Boux so I can't say what their bras are like shape wise so it's hard to compare.

Is it that the cups are pushing your boobs apart, or is it kind of flattening them to your chest?

Ah, that's as I suspected!

I went for plunge styles as I just felt wrong in the balcony ones, they do sort of flatten to my chest and the cups almost seem too far apart. I am aware that this may just be me getting used to a new shape, but it think it's the wideness that bothers me most

Do you mean the plunge flattens you, or the balcony?

Personally I wear a lot of balconette styles day to day - under clothes where I don't need cleavage they give me a good uplifted shape. I do have cleavage bras for when necessary though

I'm a fan of the Cleo unpadded balconettes - Lucy doesn't suit me (it's a different, shallower cup) but I love Marcie, Millie, Minnie, Meg and Lily (and a few other with the same cut) and they give me an upfront, rounded shape but no clevage. . It doesn't work for me, but the Juna is very popular too.

For cleavage you could try the Freya Deco, Cleo Neve, Bravissimo Satine, Curvy Kate Smoothie, Panache Porcelain Plunge. They won't all work - but chances are one of them will and it will give a good indication of what else will suit IYSWIM.

I also wear a lot of Ewa Michalak bras - they're a Polish company so I'd suggest trying a few more UK ones to get a better idea of what fits in different brands first, but have a look at the website. The uplift and shape on them is stupendous, and their PL (plunge) and S shape give me awesome cleavage. They also make you very upfront.

Sorry, I meant that the plunge bras I bought flatten me.

Wow, that's a great list to work my way through, thank you so much! I'm more interested in the shape under clothes rather than cleavage, so may be a case of trying balconette bras too, I can see exactly how I'm going to spend the next few weekends