Bra sizing question

[imalostcause]

I was measured at Bravissimo about 3 years ago as a 34f to ff, depending on the bra. At the time I was size 12 to 14.

I've since put on some weight and my bras are really uncomfortable. I can't get to Bravissimo for quite a while and don't trust M&S, who have been measuring me as a 36c for years! I'll have to order online, but don't know what size to get. I got a 36f, but the underwiring is cutting into the side of my breast under my armpit, I think the wiring isn't wide enough for my breasts?

Any ideas what size to try next?

is it that the end of the wires are kind of stabbing your underarms?

http://m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/embroidered-set-with-non-padded-balcony-dd-g/p/dsec4a33e5ba4936b0150abed140d023d3 This is the bra I bought. It's not too bad, maybe I need to give it time. Are the different sorts of wires and can an unwired bra give as much support as a wired bra?

Also how do I measure my 13 yr old daughter, who is just developing but wants to wear a bra? She's currently wearing 32A, she said 28 and 30 were too tight.

Yes, they do feel quite high under the arms. I have psoriasis and know that they will probably rub and then the skin will be sore.

[http://m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/embroidered-set-with-non-padded-balcony-dd-g/p/dsec4a33e5ba4936b0150abed140d023d3]

m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/embroidered-set-with-non-padded-balcony-dd-g/p/dsec4a33e5ba4936b0150abed140d023d3

(Sorry, on phone and struggled with link).

Measure your DD the same way, but be aware that if she is quite slim you might want to go up one band size - it's only really necessary for those who have little padding on their ribs. I suspect the 28 and 30 felt too tight because the cup wasn't big enough. Very few people (even teens) are a true A cup. If you are wanting to keep her in non wired then john lewis do a few in 28/30/32 up to about an E cup I think. Just type the size you work out in to their search box.

On yours, it could be one of a few things. If you have been wearing the wrong size then a bra which fits properly will feel very weird and sometimes can rub...it's a bit like the first time you put flip flops on after wearing winter boots and they rub your feet even though you know they fit you fine - but they have different pressure points and the skin does have to get used to that and sort of toughen up a little. The other likely thing is that bra might be designed for people who have lower roots on their breasts - not all wires even in the exact same size are the same. Some will be like a deep U shape, whereas others will be more like a sideways C, so wider and shallower. This one might just be too tall for you.

Unfortunately it does take a bit of trial and error to figure out what works for you. It's less obvious to an extent in the totally wrong size as the bra just sits there, but when you start to get close to the right bra yo unotice all the details!

Wow Statistically, you certainly know boobs and bras

Thanks for the info, I'll see how I get on with it and see what the Debenhams one is like when it arrives.

I'll see if I can measure my dd (she's not keen on anyone seeing her body at the moment ) and work out what she needs. She really has not got much, just little buds almost, fried eggs maybe She definitely doesn't have padding on her ribs. Today I bought her these [http://m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/2-pack-cotton-rich-non-wired-padded-assorted-bras/p/p22319978]

Dd 13 measures 27 inch under her breasts and 30 inch on them when hanging But 28 or 30 inch is far too tight on her?

Edd aged 27 measures 28 under and 32 on, but she's wearing a 34b because a smaller band is too tight, she says. I can't convince them to try a different size at the moment

I bet DD13 wasn't trying a C cup though? If she tried a 28A for example then it would have felt tight, because it would be too small in the cup. Her measurements would suggest a 28C probably as a starting point.

DD27, her measurements suggest a 28D but if she is currently wearing a 34B then unless it's gaping like crazy I think she will probably need a bigger cup than that - probably a DD/E I would guess. A 34B is designed for someone measuring 34 under, 36 over.

This website is useful for showing that a D cup doesn't mean massive mammories...the bra band project - it's photos of 'real' women in properly fitting bras.

My dd measured 28 under but I couldn't get the 28 backed bra fastened so we went for a 30 back. She is 11 and ended up in a 30B as that seemed to fit best. We got the bras from debenhams (she has pointy breasts so although she measured larger than a B cup using the intervention there wasn't enough to fill the bigger cup size)

There is also a bit of an issue with some of the smaller 28s (i.e. the 28A-C type range) in that most of them aren't produced by the good bra manufacturers who actually know what the fuck they are doing have consistent standards. We've had reports of M&S 28s being all over the damned shop, and a lot of the Debenhams own brand bras are the same. As soon as you tip over a D you start being able to access much better brands.

It is a problem, but not one likely to be solved any time soon as there are very few people who wear these sizes, as most folk are doing +4 and ending up in a 32, or are bigger breasted and have been to bravissimo!

I think with teens, the most important thing is to teach them what a good bra fit is rather than relying too heavily on numbers. The measure gives you a starting point but a combination of often being very slim, having quite pointy breasts, bad manufacturers etc make it much harder. But taking them bra shopping and making sure they know how a good bra should fit and what to look for is a good start - the guidance on the intervention fitting page applies - and a much better one than taking them for an M&S style fitting