Talk to me about bras.

[CaulkheadUpNorth]

I've just ditched two bras, and I need to replace them. One black and one white.
I can't remember when I last bought a new one, or where is best to get them from. I'm a 34b (measured about a year ago) and can spend up to about £25 unless you tell me I can't get anything for that

Where shall I go? I'm in a large city, so most shops are here.

When people post their measurements on bra threads, almost no-one is smaller than a C cup and on slimmer back sizes, even E/F cups are only medium breasted.

Someone posted her DHs measurements and he came back at a 34D .

Perhaps Bravissimo should drop their 'bras for big boobed women' strapline, because it would appear that almost everyone is a Bravissimo girl.

I'm almost 40 and was always measured 'the mumsnet way' . As a teenager I was so unbelievably self conscious because I was a GG cup. Now, bras in that size were few and far between 20 years ago, so that was part of the problem. But I thought I was a freak, a total freak. I would have died before I would have revealed my bra size to someone. In fact, it's only in about the past six months that I've realised that I was roughly the same size as all those girls at school who said they were a 36DD. But you could buy a 36DD bra in M&S and hence no one thought they were strange. It makes me quite angry looking back.

That should say a 30GG. Only 20 years ago no one made 30GG so you had to wear the one bra that was available in a 32G or GG and hope for the best.

I've always been measured standing upright, the way shops do it. Even when much thinner I was still measured as this size.

I'm quite flat chested to look at, so was excited I was even a B cup. Makes sense though about the width number making the difference.

Thank you oh wise ones.

Mr too treacle, 23 years ago I was fitted as a 32F. I was a bit of a goth so didn't want white bras. The only bra I could buy was the Warners French collection bra in black, for a few years. At least I could buy the correct size though. And thank fully I did realise that nobody was stopping and staring at me in the street so I wasn't that much of a freak.
Caulk if you're getting a bra that fits and so gives you shape, rather than the wrong size that flattens you the cut/style of the bra becomes very important to give you the best shape possible. I always need a balconette with side support. Plunge bras I lean forwards a little and fall out. It all depends on the type of boobs you have, this is why Bravissimo is so brilliant, they teach you this stuff.

I always thought I was too small for bravissimo. May have to take a trip there.

Could I have a bra intervention too? I've worn many a size over the years (not helped by buying bras in three countries) and got two nice bras a few years ago which where smaller round the back and bigger in the cup than I had ever worn before. But now they don't seem to fit properly anymore. I've also lost a bit of weight recently.
Any advice?

I spent years thinking was 34B, now I wear a 32C or a 30D/DD depending on make/style. Still can't believe it took me so many years to get it right!

rivier do you have a tape measure handy?

If so, follow this guide, post your measurements and we'll have you sorted in no time.

here

Scaredycat - my first properly fitting bra was Warners French connection! I miss their bras - they were always comfortable. I have an amazing seamless one which I keep for after mammograms. It has not got long for this world

Fantasy seem to be the only ones that are the right shape. I have a drawer full off brightly coloured failures. I might take them to put in the box at the breast clinic.

This thread is giving me a warm (well-supported) glow . I do love a successful intervention

I feel well supported. My body will soon too

Delighted to see another successful intervention

Once you've got your size sussed, the next bit is to find the right shape, which is equally as important if you want to be comfortable.
It still amazes me that women expect a bra to fit just because it's their size- you wouldn't expect that of jeans or shoes.

DayLillie- Fantasie/Freya bras tend to work on boobs that are relatively widely spread/spaced across the chest, and rooted quite high in relation to your armpit. The wire consequently has a more gentle curve.

Wires on bras from the Panache/Cleo range are often shaped in a sharper curve, so that there is a more pushed forward shape and narrower side profile. For me, I look great in Panache bras but find them agony, with the wires feeling as if they are poking up into my armpits!

It's usual to find one of these brands more comfortable and better fitting than the other, like working out if you've got wide or narrow feet

I am a 34H mostly, I get measured twice a year and move up and down, it also changes depending on the brand, I have everything from 32 GG to 34H in my wardrobe.

I once got measured with a tape and the assistant was determined I wore the wrong size. She came with "her" idea and it was so loose and incorrect I just handed it back to her and said "let's try again".

I find that investing in decent bras not only helps with your posture, they last longer.

Beaux avenue is a new-ish bra store which is well priced - also check bravissimo online (and in store depends if you are near one) they do from a DD cup size and often have a sale on.

Ha ha didnt see the next page - bravissimo changed my life :)

"Fantasie/Freya bras tend to work on boobs that are relatively widely spread/spaced across the chest, and rooted quite high in relation to your armpit. The wire consequently has a more gentle curve."

Iiiiiinteresting. I have pretty widely spaced boobs and have a Freya bra that fits really well, good to know that the entire range is similar. M&S bras don't fit me at all, in any size.

Well I only have a measuring tape in cetimetres, my measurements are 74cm and 94-95cm which apparently converts to 29 and a smidge and 37-37.5 inches

I've just tried on some in m and s. 34dd and 36d seemed to be the best. I'm so so amazed that this is what size I am. They fitted much better than my current one, even though I didn't realise I was wearing the wrong size.

Im 34b I like next 2 for £20 black and white or nude and white etc tshirt soft cup bras underwired. Really comfy and can wear under anything and last really well too :)

"almost no-one is smaller than a C cup and on slimmer back sizes"

Except me . On the bright side, I went from a 34A to a 32B. I can't breathe in a 30 band width, but my shape looks so much better in a 32B.

I have no back fat to scoop either.

rivier as a starting point those measurements would suggest something like 28G or GG, or 30FF or G. There is a bit of trial and error involved, so try plenty on

Spent years thinking I was a 32C, turns out 28F. I now constantly tell people to get properly measured!! I have a couple of Cleo bras which are so comfy.

Try Bravissimo. The best bra fitters in the world. Buy what they recommend and then later look for the same brand/size on eBay (new/unused, of course). Or look for the size they recommend in M&S. The Rosie (Huntington-Whitely) range is good, and sometimes on sale.

Thanks treacle. Any idea what I would be looking for in a european size? apparently the cup names aren't the same?