Bra ladies! help please

[CrispyHedgeHog]

I've just done the measurements

34/44 - my boobs are very long and empty though.

I've tried 34H bras in the past and they were too tight around the back and cups too big so I'm lost

What brand did you try? Some of them run tighter in the band than others. For example, Debenhams own brand range tend to be much tighter in the band than other brands, so it is not unusual to need to go up a band size.

What shape was it? If it was a moulded cup, it is very difficult to get a good fit, as your boobs will have to exactly match the shape of the cup to avoid gaping.

Thanks Treacle, I can't remember which brands they were but not debenhams and not moulded, not even padded. They were the flimsy lacy underwired sort and I had to pad them out with socks - I bought a few difefrent ones on Ebay. Will go and dig them out later.

The shouldr straps on every bra I own fall down too, but that might be cos I'm a shortarse. Today's bra is a matalan memory foam one which is lovely but not right, if I lean forward my boob falls out. I think it's a 38E

Ooh, I've exhausted my suggestions fairly quickly . Hopefully Statistically Challenged will be along soon!

Right, the shoulder straps are falling down because the band is too big.

Your measurements suggest a start point of a 34GG.

Now, Ebay buys when it comes to bras can actually be very dodgy. The big bra companies have factory outlets where they sell reduced stock - but at least some of it is mislabeled/mismakes etc. Not all, but some. I suspect you can guess where it ends up...

Going from a 38, a 34 is going to feel tight to begin with, but it will fit you. Your band should be taking the vast majority - say about 80% - of the weight of your breasts. It can't do that if it's 4" too big.

Also, its very very important to scoop, especially when you first go down to your "true" size. Breast tissue can migrate under your armpits/towards your back and this is especially likely if you have been wearing ill fitting bras. When I first put my bra on, you'd think I'd never fill the cups and that the back is snug...but it's not.

Grab those 34s (and tell us what they are). First up, put them on back to front. This will let you check how the band is. You should be able to pull it a couple of inches from your body. That's it.

Now, take it off and put it on the right way. TO do this, put the straps on, lean forward and pour your boobs in to the cups. Then fasten it up at the back. Now, stand side on to a mirror. Take your left hand and reach round inside the right cup. Reach round as far as you can, so your hand is all the way under your arm (your fingers might well reach round your back). Now pull forward all the soft tissue you can feel - you basically want to manhandle it forward in to the cups.

Repeat on the other side.

Although now that I think of it, I think falling down straps are a sign of a bra that is too big in the band - it makes sense, because if the bra band is too wide then the straps will sit too close to the edge of your shoulders.

Aaah, cross posted! But I'm glad to see I was right in my assessment!

Sorry I've not been back.. my DD had a baby so it's been a bit hectic.

Current favourite bra says Keia Pink on the label and it's a 34gg which gapes a bit at the top and the shoulder straps slip a bit. It's very snug around my ribs. I just can't fill the top of a cup but because it's moulded it's not noticeable under clothes.

I'm going over to see my DD now so I'll probably be back tomorrow. I do appreciate the help - thank you xx