Having a nightmare trying to figure out bra size

[DonaldTrumpsTrump]

I always thought I was a 36/38 A/B but after deciding to invest in some new decent bra's as mine are all too tight or curling over I thought I would measure myself before splashing out. Well what a can of worms it has opened! I've been given sizes online from 36E to 38B to 40F so I'm more confused than ever. I know mumsnet has their own way of figuring out bra sizes and this is where I got the 36E from but that just doesn't seem right to me as I'm size 16 so my under boob area is bigger but my boobs are pretty small, so I'm wondering if I've done it wrong. Please help!

What are your under and over bust measurements? I am a 36 back at size 20/22.

If it helps, I am a 14/16 and wear 36E

I'm 36 around my ribs under bust and 41 around boobs (bent over)

My under boob bit is 36 inches and when I did the bend over thing and measured the lowest bit of my boobs they were 42 inches.

That makes me feel better then greyboot, thank you. But what I'm wary about is that my current 36B digs in quite badly which is making me think 36 must be wrong, guess I just need to get out there and try some bra's on.

That does sound like 36E, but it does depend on the style I think.

I find a plunge bra seems to suit me best.

The B cup bra will dig in as the cup is far too small so there isn't enough fabric for your breast tissue

The bigger cup size in a 36E helps with the problem of a 36B digging in as the lack of cup steals some of the band size, if that makes sense. Try a 36E and see what it's like

That's a 36DD by my calcs. Honestly i'm an E cup and they're not big, about a handful!

That's brilliant thanks everyone, that will make my life easier as I used to have real trouble finding 38A bra's!! Will report back after I go shopping tomorrow

You need Boob Or Bust on FB

I learned so much from them! I was wearing 34/36b, had the odd c cup bra in there. Did my BOB measurements and im a 32e. I find it hard to shop for 32es so a 34dd works too. And my boobs are small!!

They are very helpful if you have fb.

This calculator is excellent but I suggest going into Bravissimo and trying some on. You won't necessarily be the same size in all shapes as well.

booborbust.com/#info_tab

Also bear in mind that cup sizes change with the band. So a DD cup eg isnt one single size stitched onto a variation of straps. A dd cup gets bigger as the band size increases.

Also, most of the boob support comes from the back strap, so that needs to be as tight as you can bear on the farthest hook.

Thing is though napqueen there's a fine line between as tight as can be tolerated and digging in

But what I'm wary about is that my current 36B digs in quite badly which is making me think 36 must be wrong

Go bigger chest size then. Old bras lose their elasticity so an old 36 bra will be looser than a new one.

Nothing wrong in saying the MN "bra intervention" way is wrong for you. It's absolutely wrong for me. I wasted several months trying to get used to ridiculously tight and uncomfortae bras, convinced that it was style that was the problem, not smaller back size being the problem.

In the end I bought some bras in the traditional chest+4/5" way of measuring - for perfectly. In every style.

I am definitely a 46F and definarely not a 40/42 (42" actual measurement, but "squidgy") J/K.

In my view bra intervention is rubbish for larger sizes. Go back to the traditional method.

Donald but when you have tried smaller bands have you upped the cups? So if a 38b is comfy ish then try a 36c or a 34d/dd. The bigger cup will envelop more of the breast tissue.

I've only recently found out about these sister sizes in bra's so I've not tried changing it up in that way although when I've tried bigger cups on in the past they've flooded my boobs and there's been massive gaping holes. Again, I think I just need to get out there and try lots on in different sizes.

Bravissimo. Every time. I thought I was a 36D or 36DD. Went to Bravissimo for a fitting. I am 32G. It's always worth having a proper fitting and they are lovely in there.

I was wearing a 32C ... turns out I'm a 28DD ... try finding that in a shop ...