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Original poster

Big breasts, bra sizes and just fed up really!

57 replies

Fontella · 26/08/2016 21:50

I am very top heavy. Size 10 jeans but above the waist is a different story. I have very big breasts on a narrow frame and it is the bane of my life. I am probably an 18 on the top - I don't really know because I live in baggy tops and generally try to hide the upper part of my body.

Wearing a bra is so uncomfortable, I can only usually last a couple of hours. As soon as I get in the house, it's the first thing I take off, and then put on some voluminous garment - oversized man's shirt or similar and am then comfortable. As I work from home it is very easy to spend all day like that.

But when it comes to going out I am always having to find outfits that work around my boobs. Despite being narrow - long legs, short body - I do have a large rib cage (if that makes any sense), which makes my huge boobs appear even bigger than they actually are.

So last night I decided to measure myself properly and get some decent bras that fit and start accepting the fact that I am a big boobed woman and be proud of it rather than hiding it. I went on two separate websites, which suggested different methods of measuring - and both came out the same - 40D. I checked and double checked I was doing it right and both sites agreed that was my size.

So I ordered four bras online last night and today I was out shopping and picked up another one. I got home, put it on and it was miles too big and I mean miles. The cups were actually sticking out with a great big gap between the garment itself and my boobs. I was better off guessing my size because this was so far out it was ridiculous, even though I'd followed the instructions to the letter.

So the chances are the four bras that are on their way to me won't fit either and the whole thing has been a waste of time.

Does anyone else here have this problem? I'm sure some of the responses will say 'go and get properly measured' - but I am the kind of person who wouldn't feel comfortable with all that and apart from that, I'm not well off (single mum blah blah) and can't afford to be spending 50 or 60 quid on a bra.

I know I'm big breasted and I measured myself exactly as I should have done and didn't lie or tweak the measurements (why would I)?

If you are big breasted and have had similar problems to me and have resolved them ... how, without throwing loads of money at it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Fontella · 26/08/2016 22:45

If you try putting the bra you bought today on backwards (cups at the back), you can see how tight/loose the band is. If you can pull the band more than an inch or so away from your body, it's too big.

Both the band size and the cup size are too big. Because the band is elastic it obviously fits better but I can feel it's 'loose' if that makes any sense and and yes, I can pull the band significantly more than an inch away from my body..

But the cup size is just ridiculously large. Without a photo (and I'm not doing one of those) it's difficult to explain, but the bra fabric actually stands away from my breast so there's a significant gap between breast and skin. I could shove handfuls of tissues in the gap.

However, I read somewhere earlier that a D cup on a larger band size is still larger than a DD, E or higher cup on a smaller band size.

So I'm tending to agree with previous posters that I'm a smaller band size and a higher cup size and I just need to find out what my correct measurements are.

OP posts:
NicknameUsed · 26/08/2016 22:52

"However, I read somewhere earlier that a D cup on a larger band size is still larger than a DD, E or higher cup on a smaller band size."

That's right. A B cup on a 34 inch band is smaller than a B cup on a 36 inch band. So, the cup size of a 34B is the same as the cup of a 32C or a 30D.

rollonthesummer · 26/08/2016 22:53

Don't buy any more bras online-you're just throwing money away. You need to try on lots of them. Go on the boob or bust Facebook site and do their online measurement calculator.

I thought I was a 36dd, I am now in a 32G and the armpit fat has gone.

Original poster
Fontella · 26/08/2016 23:04

Fontella don't despair! Measure yourself following this method:
thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html

Just done this (twice) and I am coming up as a 36F.

OP posts:
Momzilla82 · 26/08/2016 23:08

You need to experts: you need Rigby and Peller. They're marvellous for this exact problem. Their bras are more than high street prices but I just own 2 bras now. And both fit and my girls are happy. Honestly don't waste money elsewhere you'll be disappointed

marriednotdead · 26/08/2016 23:38

From all you've said here, there's potentially a bra shape issue as well as the wildly out calculator.
If you're getting gaping in the cups, then they're not 'you' shaped. Were the outer edges of your breasts fully encased or were you still bulging a bit at the sides? I suspect you need a wider and shallower style than you've tried so far. It would also resolve the comfort issues as the wire curve would align with you ribs more accurately.
This isn't something that a tape measure can sort out, you need to do some serious trying on I'm afraid.
As others have said, a start point of 36F/FF sounds reasonable though.

Original poster
Fontella · 27/08/2016 00:43

If you're getting gaping in the cups, then they're not 'you' shaped. Were the outer edges of your breasts fully encased or were you still bulging a bit at the sides? I suspect you need a wider and shallower style than you've tried so far

If I was brave I'd take a picture - but I'm not.

If you think of a potted plant that hasn't been watered and the compost shrinks away from the sides - that's what it's like. The only support I'm getting from the bra is the underwiring. The actual fabric of the cups isn't even touching my skin and it's gaping at the top. As mentioned previously I could shove handfuls of tissue in the gap,

Style may be factor but it's very obviously the sizing that is miles out.

OP posts:
lasttimeround · 27/08/2016 07:37

So far you've just used the wrong measuring guide. Annoying but .... use the one suggested above that does not add 4 inches to the underbust. So it sounds like you have 36F/FF as a starting point and can immediately turn all the 40D you ordered. 36F is not actually massively big in the bust. You arent even at the point of needing a specialist bra. Even m&s do a 36F!

Go to a bra shop like bravissimo or riigby and peller.try a range of styles. Any fitter wants to add to your band size you just growl at.

Original poster
Fontella · 27/08/2016 07:46

36F is not actually massively big in the bust. You arent even at the point of needing a specialist bra. Even m&s do a 36F!

I just told my 21 year old daughter I'm a 36F and she said 'that's massive'. Thank you so much for assuring me that's it not. I know I'm big busted but I see women who are much bigger than me. It's just I'm somewhat out of proportion.

Anyway thanks to everyone who has contributed on here. It really is much appreciated.

OP posts:
Ratley · 27/08/2016 07:59

I would say be prepared to try sizes around the size you measure, or measure standing up not bent over.
I measure 30HH standing up but 30JJ bending over, I don't have anything like enough breast tissue to fill a 30JJ or quite enough for a 30HH but a 30H is perfect.
So think of the 36F as a starting point.

Hoviscats · 27/08/2016 08:04

Definitely follow bluebiros method for measuring, including the bending over to measure! If you search for bra intervention threads on here there are a couple of posters who have in the past given brilliant advice too.

I remeasured myself following the above instructions and then ordered a couple of different sizes in a few different styles from the figleaves website. Free returns and saved that awful slog around the shops!

Ended up a much smaller back and much bigger cup than what I had worn previously but the fit is so much better!

lasttimeround · 27/08/2016 08:09

When I saw my comment all highlighted I went "eep I didn't mean to be dismissive"! I'm glad it was helpful instead. Smile

DoItTooJulia · 27/08/2016 08:09

Hi, I'm no bra interventionist but I love taking my bra off too. So I bought some JML crop tops for this. They're super soft and stretchy and it means I can have a bit of support (they're not proper bras) with the comfort of being bra-less: great for around the house. Lots of other places have started doing them too (sainsbos, M&S) but here are the cheapest JML ones. Maybe worth buying one to see at £9?

hiccupgirl · 27/08/2016 08:16

I'm a 16 on top and wear a 36F/FF depending on the bra size. When I was this size 20 years ago (weight gain in between) I wore a 40C I think which clearly did not fit properly.

Go to Debenhams if possible and try a load of bras in 36F/FF and see if that's any better. They stock Freya and Fantansie as well as their own range so you can try some out.

I also wouldn't say my boobs are that large - obviously they're not tiny but they're not enormous.

rollonthesummer · 27/08/2016 10:02

You need to experts: you need Rigby and Peller. They're marvellous for this exact problem.

What sort of prices are they-are they eye-watering? I'd love one 'decent' properly measured black bra. Are they only in London (I will google now!).

dementedpixie · 27/08/2016 10:10

I've never used Rigby and Peller and wouldn't pay their prices either.

youllneverknow · 27/08/2016 10:10

Bravissimo has transformed my life. You really need to get to one of their shops. Failing that, their customer service is amazing so you will get loads of help over the phone. I am a 32ff and was always wearing a 36 back. My boobs look so much smaller since I've been wearing the right size and no-one ever believes I'm an ff cup Smile

Kaz2200 · 27/08/2016 10:18

Sorry to hijack this post, but I'm a similar size, I measure a 34g, most of this size fit well, but nearly all dig in under the armpit, can anyone suggest makes that are narrow at the sides.

Original poster
Fontella · 27/08/2016 10:28

Hijack away!

I'm just glad it's out in the open (quite literally) as I've hidden away in baggy clothing for years in an attempt to minimise and disguise my upper half. I wish I'd posted on here before about it.

OP posts:
Kaz2200 · 27/08/2016 10:34

Thanks Fontella l, last time I cleared out my underwear draw I chucked out 12 unworn bras, I also wear the stretch Jml type bras, I usually change into one on a night, definitely worth getting one to try.

rollonthesummer · 27/08/2016 16:33

I have just looked and there is a Bravissimo in Cardiff-I am going to make an appointment! I presume they don't follow the +4 inches band system?

ocelot41 · 27/08/2016 16:40

Bravissimo is your friend - 30GG here

Flisspaps · 27/08/2016 17:01

ASDA do up to a G cup, so you can get 2 36F bras for something like £12.

marriednotdead · 28/08/2016 09:19

Fontella, it's really worth going for a fitting because until you have on a bra that fits you well, you've got no benchmark. Once you've been shown the shapes and styles that suit you/are actually comfortable then you can shop around.

Rollonthesummer Bravissimo don't measure at all. They will look at you in your own bra, take an experienced guess at size and suitable style and then fine tune from there. Makes much more sense!

Momzilla82 · 29/08/2016 13:49

Hello. Rigby and Peller are about £60-70 for a bra. Which sound steep. But youre paying them for their expertise. they are trained second to none, and know their stock inside out. First went to them when I needed maternity bra and have stayed with them 7 years. I go once a year and if you hand wash the bras and hang them in the shower they can last up to 3 years.