A mini rant about bras

[WipsGlitter]

Went to M&S today and was perusing the bras. There were loads and loads of padded ones. Why?? Do most people want enhancement - I'm a 38c and there's no way I want extra padding!! Plus they look so stiff.

Also what is the point of a 'balcony' bra?

I tried on one same size as my current M&S bra and it was awful. Squeezed my boobs right together with a huge cleavage.

Gave up and went home!

[HowsTheSerenity]

Ok got DH to measure and I'm nearly 36 inches not 34.

[AnythingNotEverything]

Serenity it might just be that your cup is too small. If there isn't enough fabric in the cup, it'll steal from the band, making the band feel too tight.

If you put the bra on backwards, how does the band feel then?

I can't advise a cup size to try as I get lost counting when you get to some of the double sizes ...

[HowsTheSerenity]

The band is too tight. I have lovely deep red marks at the end of the day.
Normally I would go to my proper bra fitting lady but she is now 11 hours drive away so bra fitting is now DIY and order online.

[BestIsWest]

I'm an 18 to 20 and measure 36 under bust.

[IfYoureHappyAndYouKnowIt]

If you are 36/46 then by my calculations this is a 36gg as a starting point.

[SorrelForbes]

HowsTheSerenity if you're nearly 36" then I'd probably stuck with a 34. If you put your bra on back to front, how far from your body can you stretch the band? Deep red marks are fine (a bit like sock or waist band marks) but they shouldn't be sore. My bra band marks are still there in the morning!

If the band feels ok back to front then I'd try a 34HH/J to see if that helps receive the tightness.

[WipsGlitter]

Ok. I've measure and its 36 under bust and 44 [gasp] with them dropped down.

[WipsGlitter]

[WipsGlitter]

So 36h???

[ilovepowerhoop]

36FF (I think you missed a couple of the double letters)

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Yup, 36FF WipsGlitter as a starting point.

Howstheserenity there's some inconsistent information online, but it looks like a 12G might actually be the equivalent of a 34G in the UK. UK cup sizes go A,B,C,D,DD,E,F,FF,G,GG,H,HH in most brands. I've seen a chart which says a 12G is a 34H but I think it's either incorrect or specific to an unusual brand as it misses several of these cup sizes out.

The underbust measure should be tight. If we use your measurements it's a starting point of a 34HH, your DH would be a 36GG. I totally understand what you are saying about red marks, but given that you are currently wearing a bra about 3 cup sizes smaller than you measure there is a reasonable chance that you do need a 34, but the cups being too small is making the band feel tight.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Which bras did you try coconutty? The measurement only gives a starting point (which we do explain a lot) so you have to look at the bra and then work from there. What are your measurements, what are you wearing just now etc?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Plus, as mentioned above, the shape of both the bra wires and the cups can have a huge impact on how the bra feels. You can have what is theoretically the right size and it just not fit at all if the shape is wrong. If you have, for example, lost upper fullness thanks to pregnancy/breast feeding (or didn't have much to begin with) then a moulded T-shirt bra is not likely to fit and will gave even in the right size.

[marriednotdead]

That's right, 36FF. M&S don't do a FF though so if you're determined to find something there, you will need to look at Gs.

You said that the 38Cs looked ok but it sounds as if they are at least 2 or 3 cups too small once you've taken the band adjustment into account.

There shouldn't be a big space between the side of your bra and your armpit, but many people don't see bras fitting as they should.

[HowsTheSerenity]

Sorrel the bra comes away maybe an inch or two at the max.

Stats so a 36GG I should try?

I want new bras.
Im normally only buy them in the sales as a average bra is about $65/£34.

Maternity bras in my size are $160/£82. I'm not looking forward to that day.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Howstheserenity, I suspect you will be much cheaper ordering from the UK once you have worked out your size. I know it's trickier for returns but £82 for a maternity bra is nuts! If you don't want to order from UK, buy normal bras which fit and convert them, it's very easy to do and by the sounds of it would save you a fortune. Oh, and it's safe to wear wires as long as they fit

I think you should probably try a 34HH, 34H and 36GG if you can access them to try on. I'm not convinced you do need a bigger band, I think the bigger cup might sort it.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I've never worn a maternity bra. I don't really understand them. I've ranged from a 32G to a 34J and now pregnant again in a 32j, all wired. For bf I had nursing bras for 3-4 months then converted a wired bra using the kits from eBay.

As with lots of things baby related, just because they sell them, doesn't mean they are necessary

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Agreed AnythingNotEverything, but unfortunately a lot of people (including midwives and some bad bra fitters) tell women that they can't wear wires and need to get special bras. They tried it on me - didn't get very far mind!

[BestIsWest]

So M&S don't go bigger than a G cup by the look of it and I didn't get to John Lewis. I've ordered a couple of 36H bras from Debenhams online.

[ilovepowerhoop]

they have a GG+ range www.marksandspencer.com/l/lingerie/bras/dd-bras/gg-bras

[StatisticallyChallenged]

They do go above but finding them instore is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack, and even worse it looks like they don't do them below a 34 band.

FFS M&S, get it sorted

[ClaireFraser]

singlepringle try the Panache Andorra Plunge, under wired, lace, no padding. I have it in three colours and picked them up for about £10 each from 'my curves and me' and 'the bra stop'.

[HowsTheSerenity]

Thanks. I don't need a maternity bra but I looked at the price out of curiosity and was shocked.

I think you are right about the bigger cup size.

I better prepare for the hunt!

[ClaireFraser]

I'm just about to start the hunt for a maternity bra, I'm 16 weeks and getting to the point where extending my normal bras on their biggest hooks isn't going to cut the mustard for much longer.

I normally wear a 28GG and pay about £10-£20 for them online in the sales, the ones I've seen in bravissimo are v expensive!

Do you still follow the normal premises for measuring yourself when looking for maternity bras? And what about those suitable for breastfeeding? Still the same rules? I can't bear the thought of not wearing an under wired bra for the next however long!