bra fitting for big boobs

[LadyB49]

I have always thought that I wore properly fitted bras and that the problem was me being a difficult shape.

Couldn't understand why the M & S 'bra fitter' with the store contents at her fingertips could not find something to fit me and gave up on them a long time ago

Recently I've put on weight and I'm now wearing Fantasie FL6500WHE 36G. This bra style is very full cup and plain, clean lines, good for under smooth clothing. It is definitely not pretty but it holds in the boobs and is not expensive at around £23.

However, wearing the 36G on the tightest hook it still tries to go up the back a little. It does come in to the breast bone. It appears to encase the whole boob. The right strap always wants to fall off my shoulder. I so have it in 38G which doesn't fit any better, can't remember why I bought it ??

I have measured myself without bra and bending forward - 38" under the boobs, and 50" (yikes) when bent over and doing the dangling bit.

I need boobs well enclosed, without underarm flesh and straps that stay in place.
Fantasie did for a time do an unpadded Esme which had angled back straps that stayed in place but it doesn't seem to be available any more. Though there was a little bit of underarm flesh on show.

Can you help me please. I would love a bra that fitted me, was comfortable. I'm willing to forego lace and pretty.

But hope I'm not ready yet for the Triumph Doreen !!!

I know we are all different - but I'm a large 16 and wear a 34

It may feel odd at first, but thats because all the pressure points of it are new, so it's like way back when you first started wearing a bra all over again.

I have a size 10 friend who does the +4 plus abit more thing and she wears a 36 - and won't believe me that it's not right.

I wear an 18/20 on top, which is why the 34 band sounds small to me but I will definitely give it a go.

I am a size 18 , and I wear a 32J/JJ - so go and enjoy- they are good a Bravissimo :)

furball and agoodbook, I am impressed.

If I go by measurement charts I'm a 20 up top - realistically I wear 14/16 depending on the stretch in the fabric and only by shirts from Pepperberry - but I'm a 30 back

There are a LOT of people who need smaller bands...

I was a 36/38 GG, then lost 4 stone so was remeasured at 32J- but depending on the style and make it can be a J /JJ or K - my biggest problem is that a lot of styles cut me in the armpit at the front - I am tall, so straps are at longest they can go. I did tell Bravissimo about it, and they now have a couple of styles which have a lower cut around and a longer strap thank goodness

LadyB sometimes Bravissimo can get busy so make an appointment before you go!

Never thought of making an appointment.... Will do.

Appointment made with Bravissimo for next Wednesday 31st.

New year, new boobs! (they might feel like new boobs after a Bravissimo fitting!)

Well.... I've been to Bravissimo. The proposed 20 minute appointment became 1 hr 5 minutes.

It seemed like we faced an impossible task to get a bra that didn't come too high underneath the arms and dig in, or have too much/too high cut fabric at the front of the arm/side of the cup. It would seem we'd found just the ticket and then the straps would want to come off my shoulder.

The (unattractive) answer is a pack containing 2 silicone pads that fit on the straps to prevent them moving. OK, I gave in and got them for £6. They can be easily whipped off if wearing a garment where the strap could accidently show. It was the only way I was going to get a bra.

Today I was wearing my Fantasie bra 38G which is as good a fitting as I've ever got pre Bravissimo. However it is plain, basic and very matronly.
www.fantasie.com/lingerie/essentials/speciality/cotton_polyester_smooth_cup_bra.aspx?colour=white

Today the fitters were so patient. My fitter called in another fitter to pick her brains "regarding size/style and running out of options".

I was not limiting my choice to any style or colour. My goal was a well fitting bra and we got narrowed down to this one bra.

www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie/sensational-sets/fleur-bra/burgundy/ln103bur/?level=2#reviews

As previously mentioned my taped measurements are 38" under and 51" over.
The 36" band was just a bit too firm and I have been fitted with a 38H.
The sides which might have been a problem digging in, I have hopefully resolved by wearing the back band about an inch lower at the back than the fitter had placed it.

It is a beautiful bra, not expensive at £30 (plus £6 for silicone pads), feels good, and I really hope that it still feels good when I've worn it for a day.

Thank you everyone and also Adrena and Bridgitte in the Belfast store.

I'm glad that you got something. It sounds like you really got the benefit of actually going to Bravissimo in that they will actually find a bra which fits you rather than just giving you a generic size. I would say, if you are trying other brands online, that Bravissimo own brand bras tend to run on the tighter end of the band spectrum, so if you are trying anything by Freya, Fantasie or Curvy Kate (which are all looser) you might find you want to try the 36s as well.

Yes, I noticed that the Fantasie were looser in the band. The fitter tried her 'go to' bra which was Fantasie Belle and it was fine in the 36".

Unfortunately the fit of it and me were never meant to be a partnership.
to all who helped me in this thread.

I a happy to say that my Bra Bravissimo Fleur is now excellent after a few wearings and no silly silicone shoulder pads needed, might ebay them.

I've been looking on ebay and came across this bra

Panache-Andorra-Full-Cup-Balcony-Bra-5675-Pearl

Would the ladies in the know have any idea if this would fit anything like the Bravissimo Fleur.

Bumping........anyone got any ideas if the two bras would have a similar sizing and fit.

I'm afraid I've never tried either so can't really help but there are a couple of reviews here and Bratabase gives some ideas for related models (to Fleur).

SF thank you - great to make a comparison :)

Just to update on my Bravissimo Fleur bra. 38H
For anyone who thinks the band on their new bra is very tight.

In the store the fitter tried me with a 36 band and I was afraid... it felt so so so tight. I went for the 38H. At first the 38 felt pretty tight on the loosest hooks, certainly firm. Also the centre wires dug in a bit.

I've worn the bra about 8 times and I'm happy to report that the wires are no longer an issue.
The 38 band which initially felt rather tight on the loosest hooks has started to creep up my back, and I have now progressed to the centre fastenings and once again it feels nice and firm.

I'm thinking that for a new Fleur bra the 36 band with a HH cup could be of interest..... supposing I could tolerate the first few wearings until it would ease up.

That's useful LadyB49. They do loosen up a lot! I know a few people who wear extenders with brand new bras for this reason - so they can get the smaller size.

StatChall .. extenders .... now that is a really good idea.