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Original poster

Confused about bra sizes

133 replies

dollybird · 04/09/2017 23:08

My DD has just turned 14, and I noticed her bras were looking a little on the snug side, so measured her to see if her size had changed. She's currently wearing a 34b and I've now measured her as a 36a which is the same size as me. I consider myself to be fairly small in the boob department, but DD appears to me to be bigger than me and has a pretty impressive cleavage (which I think she tends to be embarrassed about as she's not really a girly girl). Just a bit confused at how we can apparently be the same size but look totally different. I got her to try on one of my new bras which looked a pretty good fit except she didn't like the underwires.

OP posts:
Chatoyant · 05/09/2017 22:57

Justyou I would imagine you would be smaller in the back than a 34 if you're a size 10. I wear a 12/14 and am a 32 back. Grab a tape measure and give it a go yourself using the boob or bust method. It took me a few goes at measuring to be definite but I'm so much more comfy now.

Justyou · 05/09/2017 23:00

Thank you, is it possible I've just got huge ribs though?

MiniMum97 · 05/09/2017 23:06

Well this is an eye opener. I've been wearing a 34A for years. Am a size 8/10 on top. Recently gone up to a 36A as I've put on a stone due to hypothyroidism. Just bought the bras which seem very comfortable. As we're the 34A until I put on weight. Hope I haven't just wasted my money. Will try to new measurements tomorrow and see what I am supposed to be!
I have small boobs so can't believe I could be more that an A cup!

Voice0fReason · 05/09/2017 23:18

I went from a 36B to a 32F
I often used to wear bra extenders on my old bras because they were so tight. I couldn't believe that a 32 was even going to do up let alone feel comfortable.

The boob or bust facebook page is brilliant if you want help or advice.

bananafish81 · 05/09/2017 23:22

@MiniMum97 it's sister sizes though

A 34a is the same volume of boobage as a 32b as a 30c as a 28D

Hence why I went from an A cup to a D just by wearing the right back size

I couldn't believe it either

KatharinaRosalie · 06/09/2017 08:28

Qwerty did you try the links posted on this thread, or did you google bra calculators? Most online calculators also use the outdated +4 system.

qwertyberty · 06/09/2017 10:26

orangebird I sort of realised that it could do with make/style of bra as when I used to get measured before some bras fitted better than others.

Katharina I used the links on here and got 2 different sizes. Bra guru's and then Boob or bust.

The old way seems to be the best for me, when did it change?
I need new bras as I have lost weight but now doubting going to M&S because of the comments on here. They have always been really good in the past and in two separate stores.

MarklahMarklah · 06/09/2017 10:41

Definitely get measured. I'd been wearing the wrong size for some considerable time. I'd been in a 36b/38b and found it seemed to give me 'armpit boobs'. I'm now wearing a 34d with no overhang (apart from a bit of flab acquired from eating too much).

EffieFuckingFairy · 06/09/2017 10:54

Please don't buy M&S bras. If you measured according to BooborBust go online on eBay and put the sizes in and search for your size bra. I used to be a 34C went to 38DD after kids. Measured by Bravissimo and I was told I'm a 34FF. My first bra was a Panache bra from them and that was 6 years ago. I cannot afford their price so buy it from eBay. Used to stick to Panache only and even buy their swimsuits but have now bought other brands like Chloe, Freya and even Curvy Kate.
Also join this Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/BoobOrBust/

Voice0fReason · 06/09/2017 21:44

qwertyberty put your current bra on backwards to see how loose the band is when your boobs aren't in it. That will give you an idea of just how much your boobs are being squashed by the cups.

What sizes did you get from Bra Guru and Boob or Bust?

Try a bra in your newly measured size but again, put it on backwards. If it feels too tight with no boobs in the cups then go up a band size and down a cup size. When you put a bra on, make sure you are pulling all of your boob into the cup. They shouldn't be squashed or spilling out under your arms or over the top of the cups. The underwires should be sitting flat against your ribcage all the way round.

lindyloo57 · 07/09/2017 10:52

justyou. i am like you, i wear a ten or twelve in tops, i try a 32 bra but cannot bear it so tight, i just need to get the cup right, off to try a 34 DD.

Paintbox · 07/09/2017 10:55

Lindy, a 34 back is likely too big, I know that sounds weird but it will be too big if you are a size 10 or 12. You need to go up in cup size
But down in back size

PaperdollCartoon · 07/09/2017 15:36

Don't add any numbers! Don't get measured in M&S.

Use this calculator:

booborbust.com/#info_tab

The amount of people in the wrong size bra is really sad. I don't think people realise it's meant to start tight, it's meant to support you, and the elastic goes as you wear it in.

lindyloo57 · 07/09/2017 16:24

I have just done the test on Boob or Bust, 29 tight 31 snug 38 standing and 39 leaning it say i am 30 G. But how come a 32 is too tight on me.

TittyGolightly · 07/09/2017 16:27

32 what

KatharinaRosalie · 07/09/2017 16:30

is the 32 also too tight if you put it on backwards?

dementedpixie · 07/09/2017 16:33

Depends what cup you had with the 32 back as a too small cup would make the back feel tight. The sister size of 30G would be 32FF so if you tried a cup smaller than that it would feel tight as there wouldn't be enough fabric for all the breast tissue

Paintbox · 07/09/2017 17:13

Yes Lindy, it's because your cup size was way too small

lindyloo57 · 07/09/2017 18:36

i am wearing a 34 D.

dementedpixie · 07/09/2017 19:04

If you scoop all the flesh into the cup from under your arms at the sides of your breasts do you get overspill? Is the central gore of the bra flat against your breastbone between your breasts?

dementedpixie · 07/09/2017 19:05

Which hook is it fastened on and how far can you pull it away from your body? Just to give an idea of the fit of the band

KatharinaRosalie · 07/09/2017 20:54

If your right bra size is 30G then of course 34D is too tight. Not because the back is too small, but because the cup is.

dementedpixie · 07/09/2017 21:00

Sister sizes of 30G are 32FF, 34F, 36E. The cup volume is the same in each but the back size differs. If you need a 30 back then a 34 will not give the proper support where it's supposed to be.

Original poster
dollybird · 09/09/2017 17:45

So we went to John Lewis and DD was measured and ended up with a 34dd and bought 2 bras the same (non wire tshirt bras). We then went to debenhams as they have cheaper bras. DD tried on a 30e which is what I measured her as, and she could barely do it up. We got her a couple more 34dd's there and some crop tops for night time. I haven't bothered looking for myself yet, it was not the most enjoyable experience anyway (hate going shopping in cities at the best of times, and DD couldn't be less interested in shopping!)

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 09/09/2017 18:12

Sister sizes of 34DD would be 32E or 30F so could be that the cup size was too small in the 30 back and that's why it felt tight. As long as she is comfy enough in what you bought

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