The time has come.... I need a bra intervention please!

[QueenBean]

I worked in M&S lingerie years ago and we were taught the measure + 4 rule. MN has taught me the error of this! But now I need some new bras and a sports bra and I need help!

Please tell me what I need to do - I have a tape measure handy here....

follow this measuring guide

post up your numbers

Faint when told your bra size!

Give this link a read and start there

Hi SC, fancy seeing you here

Also, have a look at your breasts and think about whether you are:

-Heavier on the top or bottom of the breast, or full all over
-how wide the central gap is (i.e. how close set you are)
-how wide the roots of your breasts are (so do they go pretty far round, or quite upfront)
-are they particularly high set/low set or do you have a short/long torso
-especially firm/soft
-any problems you tend to have with bras/certain shapes etc

As a former fitter you'll have seen lots of boobs so might find this bit easier than most

Fancy indeed, it's not like us to be mooching around here

Thank you ladies!

So underneath: 30inches
On the top: 41 inches

I have been wearing a 34F

Statistically, I have quite round, medium firm /soft boobs, nipples are still quite high (tmi?!), they're very round, more volume on the bottom and outer edges, have quite a cleavage because they're close together, but all bras usually sit on the ribcage ok. I like balconette and tshirt shapes the best, but I really need a decent sports bra most

Thank you for your help so far!

Is it ok if I add my figures here?

Measured 38 back and 54 boobs (when dangled at a 90 degrees). So that's a KK? I'm currently wearing 38K so not too far off. I can only find 4 bras in a kk cup though, looking at bravissmo. Any tips of where to look? I'm not near a big city so online is best.

Could I ask too please. My back is measuring 37" and 48 boobs. So do I look for 36HH? I tried several 36G bras in Asda and the back was too small, so I bought the 38G and I think its too big. Its bloody wrong is all I know.

I am just so fed up being uncomfortable. Every bra seems to cut into me on my right side. Or my shoulders hurt because I am not supported properly. Sorry for hijacking your thread OP.

The more the merrier Larry!

Does anyone mind if I hijack? I measured 36 & 42 so I'm assuming that's a 36e (but also to try a 36dd & 36f).

I would like an intervention too!
30" ribcage
40" boobs

fairly wide set clevage, fuller at the bottom, not particularly firm but not that droopy either. I have been wearing 36DD which I know is wrong!!

Thank you

Me too please wil be back tomorrow with measurements etc.

Ok. OP...30h as a starting point. Given your description I think you should try the panache sport initially. It's a brilliant bra but doesnt squash you flat like traditional sports bras. In terms of normal bras, as you particularly like t shirt bras it might be worth trying the 30gg Freya deco -it stops at a gg but runs big in cups. For really close set Boobs Ewa Michalak are ace and Comexim are good too.

Thatstoast spot on. What is the fit like on your current bras?at larger cups the measurements become a wee bit less accurate so current fit can tell you a lot.

Larry try that 36g back to front. If the cups are too small they nick fabric from the band and make it feel too tight. Always a good idea when self fitting to put it on back to front first so you can check the band fits without the cups distorting. I would suggest you start with a 36h and hh.

4forksake yup start at 36e

Oobedobe your poor boobies. Start with a 30gg. Balconettes and half cups are great for bottom heavy breasts as they don't have much of an upper section so you don't get the issues where it gaps at the top all the time.

Current bra is tolerable? When I was measuring I had a good look at it and it doesn't sit completely flat at the front. I need to use the tightest hooks but it is old.

This might sound mad but at times it seems like my boobs are going to escape down under the band so I find I'm pushing them back up a lot. That might be unavoidable due to droop though?

Thank you statistically . I can't believe that number! Argh!

I would like to go and try a few on, I'm in London and it looks like the only Freya and Panache stores are within department stores. Will the bra fitters there work for their specific departments and be good or work for the whole lingerie department and give bad, old fashioned advice?

Hi back with my measurements
underneath boobs 29"
accross 35"
When you lean forward 36"
Currently wearing 32e, but rides up at the back & digs in at the sides/gaps in the middle also seem to have some backfat.
have short toso(am4ft 10") boobs are soft & heavy quite droopy, fairly close together at the top, then separate, oh currently wearing bra from debenhams, thank you.

Thatstoast...I think you should consider trying a 36. It's not uncommon to need a smaller band than measured if you have a slightly squidgy torso or very heavy breasts. It can also help pull the gore in. Try a 36kk and L.

Queen get ye to bravissimo if you're in London! You're well in their size range and they will stock the bras I mentioned. Their fitting is top notch -they don't use a tape measure at all because they can see and judge on fit so more accurate than the tape but tends to be very close to intervention sizes.

Don't call measurements suggest 28e/f or 30 dd/e. What are the cups like on your current bras? If they're ok then try 30f/28ff Instead as you may be someone who measures smaller than they need.

Please would somebody mind helping me? I've recently stopped feeding so for the first time in 4 years I'm not pregnant or feeding. Pre children I was a 34DD but now I have no idea and all my bras are uncomfy and I'll fitted. My measurements are under bust 34" and dangling at 42". They are look deflated now and a dd cup seems not the right shape for them please could someone help me out of this uncomfy bra situation. Thanks

Worked mine out from the link . I need a 30f. I've been wearing a 34c. No wonder I'm so blimming uncomfortable.

Penguin your measurements suggest a 34e . I suspect that you're needing a different shape -post baby a lot of people lose upper fullness so need something in a different shape. Balconettes and half cups like the cleo juna might be better

Statistically do you work as a bra expert or do you just have a keen interest?

Keen interest - but been doing it for a long time! One day I'll open a bra shop but for now I have a very sensible job with lots of numbers

So you know how I said I was wearing a 38k? Checked the label and it's a 38G! I don't know how this happened. I have ordered a 38KK and will see how it goes.

statiscally many thanks cups are ok I think, would bravissimo be a good place to try & would you be able to reccomend any particular styles? Thank you so much for your help, am
so fed up of buying rubbish fitting bras, both debenhams & m&s advised 32e the ejjits.

thatstoast ok, that changes a lot! As I mentioned the cup size measurement gets a bit less accurate at larger cup sizes so don't be surprised if the 38KK isn't right...Can you try scooping in your 38G actually? PUt the bra on, stand side on to a mirror, left hand inside right cup, reach back under your armpits towards your back and yank forward all the soft tissue which I suspect is hiding under your arms. Repeat on the other side.I'm expecting serious overspill. Bonus points for beating the poster who did this and replied "I look ridiculous. It's like my breasts are wearing earmuffs"

dontcallme Bravissimo are fantastic. Try the scooping trick yourself too, if the cups seem ok after that then I'd guess 30F/FF or possibly 28FF/G will be your true size. In terms of styles, I suspect your height might cause you a few problems as some bras have quite tall wires which might poke you under the arm. Panache are especially bad for this. For close set boobs at the top plunge styles might work quite well although they can be trickier if you are very bottom heavy (but droopy isn't necessarily bottom heavy, it's to do with the shape of the breast and how the weight is distributed rather than whether they've migrated south for the winter ). Half cups and plunges sometimes have lower wires too.