Oh MNers! Please help me find a boody bra! (online)

[margaritasbythesea]

Sorry for the essay, but I want to give information as I am getting desperate!

I have recently lost weight and a couple of months ago went to get fitted at John Lewis when I happened to be in London. The assistant measured me as not dissimilar to what I had been before - we were trying bras around 32e/f - 34E. I had been a 32F before. We tried dozens and she made me feel a bit bad as she couldn't find one that was a great fit. The closest she came were a 34 E in a DKNY t'shirt bra and a 34E in Triumph spotlight which I still felt were a bit loose.

They didn't have the colours I wanted, so I ordered them online and when the came I really felt the band was too loose, so decided to wear my old ones and wait for the sales.

I have ordered tonnes and none of them really fit well at all. The closest was a Fantasie Susanna and a Fantasie Belle in a 32e where the cup was just a bit too big and the shape a bit wrong.

Now I really need suggestions. I am down to one bra which I can actually wear, although it is too big. It's a Cleo Juno in a 32F and is baggy and greying and I just REALLY WANT SOME NEW BRAS! I really like the shape but I think it is a bit of a cheap bra and has never been very comfortable (which is why I haven't tried a size down in it yet). The shape is really good for me, and I do think I really need a balcony style as my breasts are not very full on top (and others don't look right at all).

Any suggestions of something I could try? And thank you very much for reading my bra essay! I would like one in black - or dark coloured - and a nude smooth one as I wear a lot of white, but totally understand if that is just a fuss too far! I will take anything as long as it fits!

Can you measure yourself as described here first of all please?

Also, can you have a look and try to work out whether your breasts are:

-fuller on top or bottom
-do they have wider roots (go round under your armpits) or quite narrow
-narrow or close set (what's the gap between them like)
-how "tall" are they - i'e' does your breast tissue come quite far up your torso, or are they quite compact height wise?

31 and a 1/2 band width
36 and a 1/4 other one.

Fuller at the bottom
Wide, I would say

Off for a squint in the mirror about the others ...

Thanks!

The smallest part of the gap between them is about a centimeter.
I would say they are quite tall. Or perhaps hangy

So size wise, a 32D/DD would be the rough place to start from your measurements which is a couple of cups down from your current size. Apart from it being knackered, what's the fit like on the Juna? How does the band feel? And the cups?

So shape wise, you are bang on - you need balconette and half cup types which basically don't have a top half to the bra. That way you won't get gaping at the top, and your tall roots won't run in to problems.

Styles...the Juna in theory should be good, so would be interested to know what didn't suit. It's normally a pretty well regarded bra. Others:

Freya patsy half cup
Bravissimo branded half cups like mademoiselle
Curvy kate - ritzy, carmen, tease me etc
freya deco half cup
cleo maddie
some masquerade styles - have a look the the mycurvesandme website as they have a few, but rhea springs to mind

I have just tried 32DDs in styles like the Spotlight, Fantasie Eldoie and Susannah and they were definitely too small in the cup.

The band is ok in terms of size, just an uncomfortable band, I think. The cup is too big but the shape has always been good.

I suspect you might be someone who measured a bit smaller than they need. I'm thinking an E might be the place to start

I haven't tried any of those! I stuck with Triumph, Fantasie and DKNY as I have had some success in the past with them (and Elle McPherson just because it was pretty and I was fed up).

It looks like I will have to get ordering again, although perhaps when the many I have sent back are refunded.

My kids are getting quite involved in the whole process and are really rooting for me to get a good one! They come in and look when I am trying them on, calling out, 'Any good mummy? Does it fit?' (They are very little....)

Ad disregard the 34? I do have a bit of back fat... I'm not sure that a 34 really makes it look any better to be honest.

Measuring just under 32 you really shouldn't need a 34 - backfat doesn't get better with a bigger band, you just need to scoop properly in the 32. There's an article on backfat on that website

Thanks for your help. I live in hope of comfy boobs again.

StatisticallyChallenged - I have to say GOD you are good. I now own three bras that look bloody great, feel comfy and were cheap. You are amazing!

what did you get?!

I got a cleo Jun a in their right size -which helps! There rhea which is sooooo pretty and makes my books look amazing and another masquerade one called an toinete. I was so pleased I ordered a whole load of the brands you suggested that were just pretty from my curves and me just to see. I may actually have a choice of bras in nice colours now, not just a black and an white that will 'do'. Thanks.

My curves and me is a great website.

Mycurvesandme is owned by Panache I think - the company which makes cleo and masquerade (soon to be rebranded as Panache Black I believe)

If you get on with Juna, then Darcy is the same cut. There is also a bra coming out this season called the minnie longline, which confusingly isn't the same shape as the existing minnie but seems to have the bra shape of the Juna.

Thanks. What are longlinebras for? Is it just theatre fashion for retro.? And at tye risk of pushing my luck, any ideas for a strapless to Try?