Bra intervention fine tuning needed please!

[stripytees]

I've followed the instructions on the many threads here and I think I'm nearly there...

Measurements 33 and 41. I was previously in 34DD (fitted years ago in John Lewis, have put weight on since). I'm a size 10/12 for clothes, and also short 5ft3 with either a short upper body or high set boobs (or both!) as a lot of necklines are too low for me.

34DD occasionally gave me quad boob, had a bit of a side boob thing going on and also jiggle when walking fast.

So, I think my new size is 32FF or 32G, yes?

I haven't had time to get to a shop with a good selection yet, but I did manage to get a Chantelle bra in 32FF from TKMaxx and it's already made a huge improvement. The only thing is, my boobs still feel/look quite far apart from each other? I don't know if that's just down to the style of bra, or my body shape, as I had that issue in the old/wrong size too. But it looks ok generally - sits flat in the middle bit, has no side boob, and feels very supportive.

Also hopefully in the process of losing weight so don't want to spend lots on new bras now in case my size changes but I do need a couple of pairs so that I can confidently wear tops/dresses without hiding my boobs under scarves or floaty layers...

As an aside, why oh why don't shops realise that you can be a 32 band size and need a larger than C cup?! So many DD+ ranges are all huge band sizes. No wonder so many women are in the wrong size if they never see the right size in shops.

I'd be tempted to try a 32 F.

If you count up sizes AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E, F. I'd make an F, 8 inch difference between band and cup size.

Its definitely worth going into a big shop and trying on armfuls in similar cup/ back sizes but different styles.

I've got ski slope boobs. Lost some weight so they're not so full. A half balcony with wide straps suits me best. Anything with a fuller cup or plunge looks a bit empty or I bulge out of.

I actually tried a 32F and the cups were way too small from the top edge (totally quad boob).

I read somewhere you start counting from A rather than AA?

You may well be right about counting from A. For me due to shape, size down (starting at AA) balcony worked best.

I thought that if you felt boobs were spaced that you should try cup down too. But if it didn't work the proof is definitely in the testing.

I stand by try on armfuls and use the intervention as a starting point.

Hopefully someone else will be along soon to be more constructive.

I measure the same and am I very definite 32FF or 32G it could just be a style issue as every pair of boobs is different. for me personally, I find balcony or balconette styles best. Your best bet is trying loads of different styles on but if you could look at your breasts and determine whether they are close set or wide set, start well into your armpit or are more front facing and whether they are top or bottom heavy, the bra gurus when they hear the klaxon can give you more style advice

I got a 32G from M&S today.

Could any expert interventionists clarify how tight the right size is meant to feel?

34 band is definitely too loose and the cups in this 32G (and the Chantelle 32FF) fit well but they do slightly dig in under my boobs where the wires are. Is it just the huge adjustment going from the 34DD I wore before?

M&S bras aren't exactly great when it comes to larger sizes. They don't scale up properly and their styles aren't cut right to give proper support. In addition, M&S often miss out double letters so a 32G in some styles can actually be a 32FF.

Many of their bras are quite wide and shallow so might not be the right shape for you. I'd try a few decent brands (e.g. Freya, Bravissimo, Panache) to see the difference.

Going to order some different brands online to try (because way too busy at the moment to make a special trip to John Lewis/Bravissimo etc.) but it would be really helpful to know how the right size feels on?

I think the M&S ones are a good fit - visually everything looks right, I'm just not sure how tight is too tight. I think the 34DD's I used to wear were also stretched (had them for quite a while) so probably even closer to 36.

If you've gone from a stretched 34 to a 32, it's going to feel snug. When it's on, see how far away from your body you can pull the band at the front. It shouldn't be more than an inch or two.

It's normal to get some marks from the band too, just like you would with socks with tight elastic or similar. It should feel firm (especially to start with) but not "OMG THIS HURTS!!!"

Stripytees, I wear these Debenhams full cups as an every day bra and I love them. I have high, side set boobs too and find the M&S straps never stay put.

*wide set. My boobs are on the front of me, not the side unless I'm lying down .

Thanks everyone!

Wearing a new bra makes me feel like I'm instantly standing taller and look slimmer, it's magic! Who knew a well fitting G cup could look smaller than a DD cup! Wish I'd done this ages ago...

Now I want to intervention my mother who claims she's a 36D despite having bigger boobs than I do...

Still on a mission to find anything that makes my wide set boobs look closer together/more central.

So far Panache Loretta Superbra fits best comfort-wise (32G) but there's lots of space between my boobs in that - they sort of point towards my sides rather than the front which makes my torso look wider... Do I need a plunge bra?

Fantasie do some styles with side slings. I also find Cleo balconettes like the lily good for making me more projected - not plunge/cleavage though, more bring the breasts forward rather than sideways iyswim

I'd suggest trying the Bravissimo Satine in 32G based on what you've said. The cups need to be able to cover the outer edge comfortably to then push everything together.
The Loretta is quite shallow with wide wires compared to many other Panache styles, but it may also be worth looking at the Clara and Envy.