end of tether with bras....sizing, fit and style

[poppymoon]

and very embarrassed that i have got to 40 something years of age and have never ever worn a bra that felt comfortable. this is probably because i have never had a correctly fitting one.

most of the time i have 'worn' a 36A strapless (so i could whip the torturous thing off easily). it would appear, however, that i am actually supposed to be wearing a 34DD/E.

PLEASE DO NOT LAUGH - hahahahahahaha ahhhh go on then as it is stupidly funny.

i did some reading and measuring and reckoned that by my measurements, a 34D would 'do' (one side is a bit smaller than the other). the lady in bravissimo got me to try on a DD and i thought that was alright but she still wasn't happy with 'tissue and wires' so put me in a 34E (which looked baggy to me but i obviously know nothing).

then i bought a pretty balcony style bra from M & S. the 34DD fitted ok but really rubbed under my arms (at the front of my flabby pit, not near the wire). i eventually asked for help. the fitter fetched several matronly bras and juggled me into them. she also fetched the pretty one but in a plunge style rather than balcony. she said the 34dd wasn't big enough and gave me an E.

now i'm home, the E cup feels too big again for me and i still really want a balcony bra. i've been reading that some have wider wires than others and i've got myself in a mucking fuddle.

soooooo, could anyone please advise me on the way these contraptions are supposed to fit 'properly' and let me know if there really may be a 'wider wire, narrower straps' balcony bra out there?

its so tricky when different brands are sized so differently. i measure 33 and a bit underbust so i presumed 34 would do - or at least be a darn sight comfier than the 36A i've been wearing.

i am too pointless - i always thought i had unusual hobbies but bra sizing isn't my forte at all!! stats should open a shop and we could all visit.

oops. just browsed on 'next' website and in their clearance section, they had a fantasie susanna in the size i tried on today but at 2/3 the price. meant to be........just need to track down the matching knickers now.

Or maybe just take us two shopping!!

excellent idea !!

thank you for the tips LL. must admit, i'm already getting used to a 34 band so maybe in some bras, i will be able to go down to a 32. as you say though, a 4 inch drop straight away might make me wince a bit.

that link about find your shape/type was good too. seems i'm wide AND splayed. aren't i lucky......... oh, and add 'settled' to the description too (is that a polite way of saying saggy'?

I'm wide, splayed and have sloping narrow shoulders! Most bra's are too wide set on the shoulder width for me, I need a heavy tapering side up to the strap and a leotard shape back.

I have had success with
Bravissimo Satine
Panache andorra both plunge and full cup
Chantelle C Chic but I think they discontinued it
Prima Donna Madison (very expensive) both full and plunge
I have a great Empriente one but cut label so no name
A wacoal moulded one but its a 32 and currently too big
Fantasie Rebecca which fits similar to the wacoal one.

It took me YEARS to get a list that long. Then they discontinue them

i was torn between the bravissimo one i bought on sunday and the panache andorra. the assistant made a note of it for me in case i wanted to order it in a different colour.

i have quite narrow and a bit slopey shoulders too. i've really never taken much notice of my body shape before now other than think 'fat' and 'pear shaped'.

I can't get the quiz to work. I filled in the first page OK, then added my bra size and it said 'please select a brand'. I want to know what difference it makes if you're short!

select a brand of the bra size you know already fits you well? (if its on the list. mine wasn't so i put gossard as i've tried those on too and they seemed true to size). i'm not sure height would make a difference though?

Height does make a difference actually -well more torso length actually. Some brands have straps which are longer, shorter or not fully adjustable which makes them unsuitable for some people. Wire shape has an impact too

Hit post too soon... So brands like panache often have wires which are tall. Imagine a deep u shape. That makes them unsuitable for people who have a shorter length between bottom of breast and armpit as they wind up stabbing you!

I've not looked at that site for a while, from what I remember the info about your shape was Ok but then the recommendations were a bit off

Hello again.

Am highly amused by some of the boob descriptions on here, some statements can be quite contentious
A polite fitter would describe mine as shallow and wide rooted with loss of volume caused by weight loss, massive size change during breastfeeding and age. Out of earshot they'd probably be saying old saggy deflated flaps that need a good hoik and reckon I'm being princessy when I complain that everything digs my ribs/rubs my armpit/ is too tight

A couple of things OP. Like many Freya half cups, the Lauren runs big in the band (and small in the cup in the case of the Lauren) so you may be a 34DD or E in other styles.

I have the Patsy half cup in 30G, but my Marvel is 32FF and gives more oomph. The Fantasie Rebecca fits in 32F but does not flatter me and is too high for many of my necklines.
The Eden is annoying me size wise because it's looser than Marvel and tighter than Patsy. I need a 31FF and a half

A colleague wears the Andorra plunge and my observation is that it is wider and shallower than the full version that Bravissimo stocks so may suit you better.

Hello bringmejoy - don't I know you from the Kondo thread?!
Decided to wear the Freya bra today. It feels quite comfy but the top of each cup really gapes. Am now planning to return both worn bras to Bravissimo tomorrow and try again, do you think they will be ok about that? I hate returning things, I always feel guilty!

Bravissimo are great about returns, if they fitted you and it's not right, back it goes!

Ask away bringme

i have to go to the docs this morning to get a lump looked at so i've put my old 'go to' comfy bra on. its a 36c and when fastened on the tightest hook, its still irritating the hell out of me. no wonder i always found bras to be so uncomfortable.

i'll look out for the andorra plunge, married. thank you. i've been avoiding plunge styles due to buttcrack cleavage issues but i do find them quite comfortable.

bugger it not fitting well pointless. at least bravissimo seem good with returns so i hope your search goes well.

Thank you. I hope all goes well at the doctors.

Have you thought of the Fantasie Esme bra? It's a seamless bra and quite plain but best of all the shoulder straps come towards the centre at the back (not quite a racer back but similar) so they don't flipping fall off. Really comfortable, well it is for me.

From Bravissimo website looks like it might be discontinued is the only thing.

From your description I think the cups are probably too tall for you, or have been designed for someone with more upper fullness. the cups on a 34c should have been the same roughly so I'm wondering if it was maybe a 32? If so, I don't think it's going to work.

Poppy now that you've started trying bras in the right sort of size you'll be much more aware of the flaws with your old ones!