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!

[WipsGlitter]

Update. Tried on a 36 but it still felt too tight and was giving me back and underarm bulge. Tried an f cup and it was too big at the top of my bust. Stupidly only brought one set into try on and there was a massive queue and couldn't be arsed trying any more.

[BestIsWest]

Still waiting for my 36 hs to arrive. I have tried a 38g Freya on the smallest catch and the cups are miles too small. This is odd as I was fitted in Bravissimo for that and I have lost 2 stone since then. 38 GG from M&S is a perfect fit on the bigger side but the band is on the smallest notch and I can pull it away from my body.

[BestIsWest]

By the way, I can pass the pencil test, but only on the right hand side .

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Wipsglitter, which bra did you try on, can you link please? If you had back and underarm bulge you needed to scoop that in to the cups, or you needed cups of a different shape (wider wires) - underarm bulge is boob.

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Hello bra experts, can I butt in with a question?

I ordered a few million bras in the M and S sale. I'm 20 weeks pregnant and determined to have well fitting bras throughout. One fits amazingly and it's a 30DD. I have a couple of 32Ds and they fit well but this one is just the best fitting bra I've ever had! I haven't measured myself but I usually go by the tightest band I can wear and go up cup sizes til no quadraboob so quite happy that this genuinely is a good fit.

My question is - if 30DD is 'my size' in M and S, is it a good bet for other brands? Am seeking one or two more in a similar style. This is my favourite - click on the colour dark petrol to see the detail, also it says padded but it's more just a moulded t-shirt bra type one, not padded really.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I would start there - M&S sometimes run a bit snug in the band compared to other brands but if you are pregnant I'd start there anyway as lets face it, your ribs are going to expand

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Thanks Statistically. I was looking at Debenhams and know they're usually narrow band too. Sales can be good when you're an unusual size, slim pickings but some good bargains.

I did buy a couple of 32DD and they're too big but I'm hanging on to them - it's my third pregnancy and yes I will be the size of a house before too long. I think I was probably about a 36F or something by the end last time but I just didn't really buy bras apart from some hideous packs of white unpadded medical grade type contraptions from M and S - I'm feeling crap about my changing body this time and good bras work wonders as you all know!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

The Debenhams own brands do tend to be on the tight side too, Gorgeous range especially.

[ArgentinianMalbec]

Please help me! I'm a size 12 (ok, bordering on a 14!) and I'm currently in an M&S 36B. I spill over the top a bit, the back rides up and the straps dig in. Nasty thing. Can't wait to get it off most days!! I measured the bending forwards way and I am 35 and 41. What does that make me?? the chart puts me at an F cup. Hahahhaaa. No way. Really?

[WipsGlitter]

Underarm bulge is fat not boob! There's no way you could scoop that into a cup!

[dementedpixie]

Argentinian, if the back rides up then the back size is too big so I would try a 34 back. As you are spilling over then that suggests you need a much bigger cup size. I would try 34E and 34F

[dementedpixie]

Wips my breast tissue extends under my arms. If the back size is correct and the cup size is sufficient that breast tissue can be coaxed into the right place and it will stay where it should be.

[ArgentinianMalbec]

Really demented? Thanks, I will try! Am gobsmacked though, I really don't have big boobs at all!

[dementedpixie]

Statistically I havent really found that the Debenhams Gorgeous range is tight and may have to try a smaller back size than I measure. I have been wearing a 36GG but the newest ones I got can be fastened in the middle and even the tightest setting but I dont measure 34 under the bust (more like 37ish)

[dementedpixie]

cup size is relative to back size though and not all E cups are the same i.e. a 32E is much smaller than a 38E

[ArgentinianMalbec]

Yes of course, you're right. I can't wait to go and try some bras on now!

[ArgentinianMalbec]

Sorry for derailing your thread wips! X

[StatisticallyChallenged]

HOnest wips, underarm bulge can be coaxed in! We've had quite a number of women who have got to the stage of having a separate lump under their arms, and it's often caused by too small underwires (scary huh) but regular wearing of the right bra and scooping it forward helps hugely

dementedpixie I think gorgeous isn't quite as bad in larger band sizes, but in the 28-32 range they seem to have not allowed enough for the fact that shorter bands are, well, shorter so can't stretch as much.

Argentian,a s mentioned above cup size is relative to band size. Look at a 30A and a 36A and you will see the cups are not the same.

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Argentinian my boobs are tiny and I'm a DD cup

I'm an ex M and S 36B, now a 30D (currently DD but pregnant)

[Lloydcolestilldoesitforme]

Jumping on the thread as hoping someone knowledgeable can recommend a bra. I might be taking the interventionists into advanced territory but hoping someone can rise to the challenge. I had a double
Mastectomy with breast reconstruction a few years ago and have struggled to find a bra to fit properly since. Reconstructed breasts don't seem to behave the same as natural breasts and much more 'rounded'. No scooping potential.There is no natural teardrop shape and are not malleable. Think of a slightLy squashed Xmas pudding. I need a bra with wide sides to help manage arm pit overspill and to sit comfortably around the scars. The problem is though that if I go for a wider cup there is so much spare room in the fabric that a small hamster could hitch a ride in the cups. I can't wear anything moulded, padded or balcony as these tend to pull on the scars. I also have reconstructed nipples which are permanently protruding and wierdly padded bras seem to magnify them. I am a 32e and feel as if I have tried on every bra in London but hoping there is a bra out there for me!

[Lloydcolestilldoesitforme]

Ps I need a full cup as breast tissue is now very high up my chest.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Lloydcole, I suspect Marriednotdead will be your biggest help. My best friend had a breast reduction and although obviously this is very different surgery we had similar issues in that the breast shape she was left with wasn't a "natural" one IYSWIM - she just didn't really match many bras.

Something we've found is that quite often ladies who have implants for whatever reason need a band size bigger than they measure to help with wire placement.

I know you said you need a full cup as your breast tissue is high, but that's kind of different to what I would often suggest. I'm quite full on top (which you essentially will be too I think) and the best thing for me is cup shapes which are relatively open at the top so I don't get issues with the bra cutting in. This would also help with the excess fabric issues. Most moulded bras will be a nightmare as they just can't adjust to your shape at all.

If I hadn't read your comments re needing a full cup, I would normally have suggested looking at something like the Freya Patsy half cup (it's very lightly padded but Freya have wide wires as a rule), Curvy Kate Tease me/Thrill me/Fleurty, possibly the Cleo juna or marcie. If you prefer a full cup with wide wires then I'd be inclined towards Fantasie I think.

Have you tried any plunges?

[marriednotdead]

LloydCole- my first suggestions based on your description are (sorry, too tired for links!)

Fantasie Rebecca (or Esme/Jana if you can find one, both discontinued relatively recently)
Panache Porcelain balconette
Bravissimo Mademoiselle
Panache Clara or Envy
Freya underwired sports
Freya Deco non wired

If you can get to a Bravissimo store to try some of them on, it will hopefully eliminate the need to order a zillion bras on your card!

[marriednotdead]

I got your psychic message SC

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Ah married, it's like you heard me!