Yet another bra question

[MisguidedAngel]

I am desperate. I am slim but wide shouldered and have always had small boobs - when I was young my bra size was 36A and I never had a problem with bras - off the shelf M&S.

In middle age I changed my life, started living on a boat and often in hot countries, stopped wearing bras and realised I didn't need one. My boobs passed the pencil test and looked ok.

Fast forward - now I am 70. I still spend a lot of time in hot countries. I can get away with tight vest tops or baggy things, but anything in between looks awful without a bra - because now my boobs are not only even smaller but droopy. I'd be better off flat chested.
I bought some of those one-size-fits-all soft bras on-line and I like them - but the straps are so wide they look naff if I have a wide neckline.
I've tried on dozens in shops and they're all uncomfortable, plus I don't really want padded ones. I think my size now is 36AAA and I don't know if that actually exists.

Any suggestions?

Firstly I would bet money you're not a 36AAA - the magic bra intervention ladies will be along with the measuring formula, but basically anyone who's been measured in M&S or some other fitters is usually wearing a bra several sizes too big in the back and too small in the cup (I am not particularly big-chested and wear a 32 DD/E). They'll sort of fit in that the bits of boob that don't fit in the cup are actually being taken up by the too-big band, but you won't be as comfortable or supported as you'd be in your proper size.

Measure underneath the bust and measure around your boobs when leaning forwards, as per this link:
thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html

Then post your measurements here and the bra gurus will help!

Go and see a proper bra specialist not m and s crap, I wore 40DD for years and straps were always moving. I walked into a shop and the lady didn't own a tape measure, she said you're about a 38G, she was right I've worn 38GG ever since and am always comfortable and my bra doesn't move.

Maybe try a 34A and buy one that you can use clear straps with. Or buy the tight vest tops which have the boob support in then you don't need to wear a bra.

Agree with previous posters. 36Aaa doesn't exist as a size, it would mean that you were completely flat chested which is what 36 AA is

What is the measurement underneath your breasts with the tape pulled tight? And what is the measurement of your breasts leaning forward as the pp described!

Can I jump on this?

32 underbust, 37 over

Hope you don't mind!

If you're looking for a soft unstructured bra Gap do some very nice & comfy ones. Like this

Silvertap 32DD as a starting point. Worth trying some different styles to check what feels best and maybe some sizes around that as they can vary a bit with different brands. Make sure you "scoop" as described in the betterbracampaign link!

Thanks blue biro, much appreciated

Thanks to everybody. Going out now, but I will definitely do the measuring, having looked at the link. And Gap is on the list for today.

OK, so I did the measurements. 32 under boobs and 36 leaning forwards. If I include AA cup, that makes 32C if I've got it right.

I tried that and couldn't even get the back to meet, and my poor little boobs looked like dead goldfish in a C cup. Eventually I found a 36AA M&S soft touch t-shirt bra, underwired which I don't usually like, and a bit padded, ditto - but it's very comfortable and certainly looks good. I couldn't get to a Gap store, but will try again another time.

Does that formula always usually work, or is it better for bigger boobs?

32 and 36 is a 32D roughly - AA is the one exception in that it is

I am in desperate need to get measured. I have been done a few times before in a different country but assuming they were wrong as we're all drastically different and only comfortable standing still in the shop. As soon as I wore them every day I hated them.
Quite small chested I was thinking of going into Triumph? Has anyone been fitted there?
Any recommendations would be great.

"softer breasts" - how much nicer than what I usually think - "the bags they came in".
Thank you Statistically

Triumph fitters tend to add inches, so not great. John Lewis are pretty good if you are genuinely small, but you might want to try the home measuring just to get an idea as a lot of people find they're a bigger cup size and smaller band than they thing

Thanks Statistically.
I will look into John Lewis, thought t might be better to stay away from department type stores as more likely to have people just working there not knowing how to fit properly?
I've been measured from an A to a C before back sizes 10 and 12 not sure what that is over here?
I will try and find a tape measure and so some at home measuring too.

Can you lovely ladies help me.
I'm 30.5 under and about 33 or 34 bending over.. Wasn't sure if that one was supposed to be pulled tight or loose?

Most of the department stores are terrible but John Lewis are generally not too bad. Bravissimo are better but they're D+ which is why we often suggest people roughly measure themselves just to see if they're in range or not!

Squiffy, that's about a 30C or D -overbust shouldn't be tight

Thanks so much!
Haha no wonder my A cup doesn't fit!
Might pop odd to John Lewis next weekend.