I'd like to talk about my tits. And other people's tits. I'd like to start a Tit Thread.

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

I bra intervened myself with the help of a MN thread from aaaages ago I found on google.

I've changed size shape, not loads, but enough for my bra to be tight. Had cup spillage, digging in around the back, all a fucking disaster.

I was uncomfortable, my back ached and my boobs were deeply miserable.

Current bras were pretty threadbare anyway and the knickers weren't much better. It all needs replacing.

Bought a new bra. Lovely. Fits beautifully. Ordered more. Found a company called Curvy Kate and am already a fan.

I am once again at peace with the world. Bras and boobs are now my new hobby.

However, whilst browsing online for bra advice I came across loads of sites saying the bra measurey ladies in shops just say anything to get you to buy stuff and catalogue/website models are nearly ALL wearing the wrong sizes in pictures.

Is this true?

Is there a conspiracy?

I'm fascinated!

I'm happily wearing my M&S 32Ds and realise I look better in clothes too, the shape not just the lack of nipples I don't think they're badly made, but we'll see after they've been through the wash a few times...

I didn't let them fit me, though they offered, just ran in & out of the changing room with loads bras in different sizes for a couple of hours.

It was interesting that loads of the 32Ds didn't fit me at all well, especially the full cup styles (empty cup space low down on my smaller boob) & some of the balcony bras squashed me into a weird shape

I've found a bra that works well for me so I've stuck with it. M&S Floral Jacquard. The bra fitter at our local one does a good job of finding the right size. It's comfortable and supportive and lasts well.

How tight is tight, round the rib cage??

I LOVE underwear shopping. Literally my favourite thing to buy. Stems from having no boobs at all till I hit 30 and I ballooned EVERYWHERE.

I'm into front fastening at the minute and I just love racer back too. Feels so different

I'm going to intervention myself when I get in. I just bought 36 and 38 Cs in White/cream. I'm hoping this is right ...

You should be able to slide two fingers between your back and the strap at the back. If you pull it should give a tiny bit, but not much. If the little shit sitting behind you in Double French could pull it back and twang you, it's too big... ;-)

What dress size are you, ChildlessAndOK, if you don't mind me asking? That's a good rule of thumb on back size.

My current bras are mostly Panache. The Porcelain fits well, although I should get the next size cup, in fact. They look well, but with a snug top, they overspill.
The Porcelain plunge doesn't fit that well. It gapes a bit on top. I ordered it online (abroad) and didn't bother to return it.

Then, the Deco Strapless Bra by Freya, which is great with straps too, as it allows multiple different positions.

Then a model that is no longer made by Panache.

I wouldn't go by dress size. My sister and I have similar top sizes, but her actual back size is much wider than mine. She simply has no boobs.
This is definitely where the tape measure can help. Having said that, I measure 29 inches and prefer a 30 because I have no fat around the ribcage. I have one in 28 and it does become uncomfortable.
But I agree that we should always test. The tape measures are only a starting point.

Hi Cauliflower. I'm a 14 - the last few years I was a 12 then rose (oh in all ways) to an 18. Last 5 months of hellishly hard self control have resulted in being back to 14. Which I'll probably stay at.

I'm wearing anything between a 36C and 38D and I find fit changes from store to store.

I do shop practically exclusively online, so lit of ordering and sending back.

Ok. For someone that owns 50+ bras... What causes the middle bit to not sit on rib cage?? This has always puzzled me, as some do it yet exact same brand bra could not do it.

Childless, if you're a 14 you're probably not a 36 or 38 back size - at a 14 I was a 34D or DD I've now lost a bit of weight and am more like a 12 (though still with a fairly flarey rib cage), and am in a 32DD or E. I suspect you're probably smaller in the back and bigger in the cup than you think. awaits magic bra intervention experts who will solve all her fit problems

"What causes the middle bit to not sit on rib cage??"

Typically I think it's cup size too small and band size too big. My suspicions are being confirmed... :)

If I understand your question correctly, in some bras the middle bit may not sit on the rib cage if the back is too big and/or the cups are too small.
This is why you should test the back size with the bra back to front, so that the cup size doesn't interfere. And you should test the biggest cup and until it starts being too big.

Childless - I'm a 14 on top - boobs aside, as they throw everything out of the window - and I wear a 32 band, but different ribs work in different ways.

I'd go into a shop rather than faff about ordering online. A department store with lots of different brands, rather than somewhere like M&S or Victoria's Secret that only sell their own brand. Start with a 34DD - I doubt very much you're a 36 or 38 band. Check the band first and ignore the cup - doing as Lweji suggests if it's easier, and fasten it back to front. 2 fingers, no more, not a load of give. Then focus on the cup. Make sure the wires touch your rib cage, lean forward and scoop to make sure all breast tissue is fully enclosed in the cup...

To find your typical fit, choose a full cup or balconette style. Plunges can be all over the shop.

Oh thank the MN gods for this thread!

I did a bra intervention on myself a couple of years ago following the better bra campaign's instructions. Went from a 34C to a 38F! I now need to find my tape measure and do it again as I've put on a lot of weight since then and all my bras are uncomfortable.

That aside, I'm having a new problem now though.

When I wake up in the morning, having slept bra-less, I have such a huge amount of pain around my ribcage (at the sides and back), but inside, iyswim. I think it's caused by massive saggy boobs and sleeping on my side, so they squish together and pull my muscles and stuff. When I first wake up, it takes me a while to get out of bed because of the pain - it even hurts to breathe!
I've tried sleeping in an ordinary bra but it's uncomfortable due to the underwires, and there's just not enough support.

I feel like I need something that will support really really well at the sides (both inner and outer sides), keeping them separated... does such a thing exist?!

Went from a 34C to a 38F!
Or 38C to 34F?

As for bed, would a sports bra help?

Maybe Lweji I can't remember as I cut the labels out of my bras due to itchiness! Something like that anyway. There was definitely a C and an F involved

I've never worn a sports bra so I don't know the 'mechanics' of them. Right now, I feel like shoving some bits of thick cardboard down the sides of my bra and in the middle...

They are non wired but more robust than normal non-wired bras.
I'd try a good sports bra (from a proper bra shop) in your size or slightly larger for comfort.

Sports bra sounds logical Queen...

33 back... 40 cup. I have no idea what this translate to but I'm feeling a shopping trip. Yay.
TY all
A

I'd love some recommendations, if you or anyone else have any? I don't have any proper bra shops anywhere near me, I have a Debenhams and M&S... I have the world at my fingertips though so anything online is good!

Brastop
Bravissimo
Figleaves
And another one I've ordered from and can't remember the name

Ah, belle-lingerie.

QueenCarpetJewels - Bravissimo make pyjama tops and vest tops with built in support. Quite expensive but worth considering to sleep in.

Thanks Lweji I'll have a look at those.

Thanks Cauliflower are they the sort that just have an elastic underband? Or do they have some kind of side and middle support as well? That's what I need (in an ideal world..!) Will have a look anyway.

www.bravissimo.com/products/nightwear/pyjama-tops/ It's an integral soft cup bra, not one of those rubbish elastic shelves. They just smoosh your boobs together and make you feel sticky and unsupported, instead of just unsupported. You might find a sports bra holds you TOO firmly in bed. I wouldn't fancy lying on my front wearing my sports bra...

Oooh I dunno Cauli I do need some pretty rigid support! Thanks for the link. Been looking for a solution for about 3 hours now, think I'll go eat dinner and come back to it later.

I should've qualified... I've never worn a sports bra in my life- sorry -- that tightness thing hadnt registered to me!
Good look/luck!

This thread is great. I'm wondering if anyone can advise me. Currently 37 weeks pregnant. Prior to pregnancy I was wearing the Freya deco style (love it) in 30e and I'm now wearing a soft cup maternity bra also in 30e by panache. I don't like it though and want to go back to Freya deco after birth for breastfeeding and pull the cups down. However I don't know what size I'll need as my 30e decos are definitely too small in the cups at the moment. Should I buy a 30f as back is still fine or should I wait until after baby is born? I'm feeling confused.