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Original poster

A mini rant about bras

198 replies

WipsGlitter · 29/12/2014 17:49

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!

OP posts:
StatisticallyChallenged · 30/12/2014 21:51

See comments above, there is no need to wear specialist maternity bras. It's fine to keep wearing underwires, you just need to get new ones which fit again as you'll probably have gone up in band and cup at this stage. Likewise for nursing bras, you can buy special drop cup feeding bras or you can buy little bra converter kits on ebay which allow you to convert normal bras to drop cups.

Wires are safe for pregnancy and feeding, so long as they fit well.

In terms of sizing, start by following the usual advice on the blog. When it comes to buying, normally you buy a bra which fits well on the loosest setting - at this stage of your pregnancy I'd reverse that and buy one which fits well on the tightest hook so you can loosen it off and have room to grow!

AnythingNotEverything · 30/12/2014 22:08

Claire I'd say to get fitted for a non wired nursing bra at about 38 weeks. In the early days you may grow a lot in between feeds until your supply settles down.

(And come say hi on the June antenatal thread if you want. We're a lovely bunch!)

ClaireFraser · 30/12/2014 22:19

Thanks Statistically, do you have a link to the blog?

The problem with getting fitted at 38weeks is my nearest John Lewis or Bravissimmo is 80miles away and I certainly wouldn't trust m&s to get it right - they used to have me in a 34d! Thank goodness I happened to go past a Bravissimmo on holiday!

I think I'll have to take all the advice on board and measure myself. At least I know what a well fitting bra looks like on me pre pregnancy, so should give me an idea post pregnancy hopefully.

Thanks Anything, I will hunt the thread out, assuming it's on the pregnancy boards?

odi1 · 30/12/2014 22:23

I did the intervention a few month ago and came out as 38 hh.

I bought a curvy Kate bra but it doesn't seem to fit very well. The straps slip of the band seems to slip down and the ends of wire dig in at my arm pits. I have quite 'wide' boobs and they extend right into my arm pit is there a particular brand or style that might fit better.

I have re measured and the size is the same so that's not the issue. Confused

AnythingNotEverything · 30/12/2014 22:46

It's in becoming a parent - antenatal clubs.

StatisticallyChallenged · 30/12/2014 22:59

odi1, the intervention size is only ever a starting point. What are your actual measurements? It's very common as well for those of us with squidgier torsos to need a band size which is smaller than they measure in order to get the right support. It's a combination of the band needing to be tighter, and larger bands having more stretch due to being longer. Straps slipping is a classic sign you need a smaller band.

Which particular CK did you buy?

odi1 · 30/12/2014 23:27

Hi thanks for replying Smile I'm 39 under and 49 over. I went down to 38 after advice on here last time. I am very squidgy around my tummy but not massively under bust. It's princess balconette that I have.

SinglePringle · 30/12/2014 23:32

Thanks ClaireF but it's not plunge enough - I want a very narrow band between the cups and much more of a slope / not a rounded cup. I had one from (of all places) M&S for ages but it died. Really, I want an underwired triangle bra - sorta '70's in style. The search continues...

StatisticallyChallenged · 30/12/2014 23:57

odi1, it could just be that the shape is off, but can you try it on back to front and see how far from your body you can pull the band? It could be that a 36 is needed. For wider boobs, curvy kate are often good but the other brands to try are Freya and Fantasie, and some Bravissimo branded bras.

Pringle, is this the kind of shape you mean, or am I miles off? There's also this unpadded wonderbra, gossard glossies which are see thru rather than lace...no padding and lace and plunge isn't the easiest combo unfortunately!

odi1 · 31/12/2014 00:08

I just tried it on a bravissimo bra which fits better but still not great (but it is old so maybe that's it) and I can pull it out about 20cm aprox. if I go down to 36 back do I keep the cup size the same or do I calculate it as 36 back 49 bust and increase the cup size? Thanks for the help

SinglePringle · 31/12/2014 00:12

Oh but why Statistically?! They used to be available in abundance, not even 5 years ago. Not every woman wants or needs bloody padding!

this is pretty close but not hugely keen on spending £85...

SinglePringle · 31/12/2014 00:17

Thank you for looking though! Sorry, meant to say that!

The Wonderbra isn't bad but it's moulded I think? And I dont want huge uplift as I want that slightly 70s, deep plunge and seperated look.

But thank you again!

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/12/2014 00:24

odi1, it's a bit trial and error but I'd say 20cm is too far. If your current bra fits in the cups then the first thing to try would be sister sizing, so down one band size to the 36 and up one cup size. That should maintain the same cup volume. So probably start with a 36J

SinglePringle, I think it's probably because most women who are an F cup probably need more support than that shape would offer - there's not much to it IYSWIM and I don't imagine it would give much lift. I do have plenty of non padded bras, even lacey ones, but they have much sturdier shapes and seams. My favourites are probably the ewa michalak sm shape which give a pretty nice cleavage and good uplift, but in very light (and in some cases very see through much to DH's approval) fabrics.

As an aside, they've listed that model as a 34B. Aye, right!

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/12/2014 00:29

It does say the wonderbra is unpadded, I think it was a new range they brought out.

Didn't see your comment re not wanting cleavage until after last post...it is tricky, as the majority of plunges are also sort of push up!

DustBunnyFarmer · 31/12/2014 00:38

I've been looking for a non-padded, lace plunge bra. Easier to find the Holy Grail I reckon.

Singlepringle - have you checked out the Panache Tango Plunge on Bravissimo's site. It's kind of lacy, but definitely mega plungey.

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/12/2014 00:39

PS don't mean to sound unsympathetic, completely understand the frustration of not being able to find the right bloody bra! Unfortunately, although it's got a lot lot lot lot lot better in the last 10 years or so, there are still a huge number of companies who just don't produce bras above a D or DD which does limit the choice. Those who do are generally designing bras which will work for boobs in quite a big size and weight range, so although a 32F isn't really that big, you find that the bras are also being designed to be able to support say a 40JJ where each breast will be considerably heavier.

SinglePringle · 31/12/2014 00:40

Aye, I saw her sizing n'all Grin.

I'll investigate the Wonderbra but may have to resign myself to a pricier make. I still pass the Pencil a Test so don't need loads of added 'omph'! Thanks again! And I'll look at that polish brand also.

SinglePringle · 31/12/2014 00:43

Thanks Dust but I really dislike that bra on me. Bad shape and also not narrow enough on the front band. I'm not looking for this to be everyday - it's to wear under low cut tops / dresses in the evening. A 'bedroom bra' if you will Grin.

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/12/2014 00:46

Hark at you with your pencil test passing norks Wink...gravity will get you!!! Grin

They've not got the really delicate triangle shape, but have you tried any of the Freya unpadded plunges? They have a pretty deep V shape and some delicate fabrics, and I don't find them particularly cleavage creating

here for example

SinglePringle · 31/12/2014 00:52

I know, but in the meantime... Wink

That Freya is really pretty and definitely the sort I'd wear but the band is too wide for 'this' non-sodding-existent bra I'm searching for. I've been hunting for a year!!

HowsTheSerenity · 31/12/2014 03:56

Well I had to go to town (if you can call it that and it's an hour away) and tried on about 15 bras while I was there. I ended up buying a 14F which is a 36G. A 16F also fitted which is a 38G. I'm currently wearing my favourite bra and the one that fits and it's a 14G or 34H.

This is why I hate bra shopping.

I might try buying a 36G from bra stop etc

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/12/2014 10:43

Howstheserenity, which brand did you buy? In most UK brands a 14F is not a 36G I don't think

HowsTheSerenity · 31/12/2014 11:38

Hestia - stock standard brand.
I miss Freya ones. Very expensive here.

StatisticallyChallenged · 31/12/2014 12:14

It may be that Hestia is different and might not work with UK sizing at all, but just be aware that I don't think that's the correct conversion for most brands. The freya size chart is here and converts a 14F to a 36F - they seem to think the cup sizes are the same.

Brastop are pretty good, and if you keep an eye out they quite often do free international shipping