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Original poster

Kind of bra intervention but dd's first bra.

82 replies

strongasmeringue · 22/10/2017 19:35

She's done the measuring as per the usual recommendation. She's 27 below and 34 across. Can anyone tell me what that means in English please and recommend a good first bra? She's been wearing crop tops for a few years, said point blank no for a bra, but I feel she needs more support now and is ready to try a bra.

The only shops we can get to tomorrow which sells bras are Sainsbury's and marks and spencer.

She will not be fitted by a stranger and won't try on in the shop. She has physical difficulties so I won't be making her. I'll just go back and forth when necessary.

Thank you very much.

OP posts:
TriGirl007 · 22/10/2017 21:55

Figleaves and Debenhams are both good online with returns too.

PaperdollCartoon · 22/10/2017 23:01

Try this, and make sure she's measuring properly. No need to be embarrassed, we've all got them! booborbust.com/#info_tab

thewheelsonthebuz · 22/10/2017 23:31

If you have tried 32 and 34 for yourself but they're too tight even though that's the measurement of your ribs, it means you didn't try on a large enough cup size.

Please don't buy a bralet or an Angel bra for someone with 28F boobs, she needs proper support. Hmm

You can foresee what's going to happen here though...

LadyLapsang · 23/10/2017 00:07

Take her into Bravissimo in Covent Garden. They are absolutely lovely and it's very private, I'm sure they would make sure she felt confident and happy.

LikeTheShoes · 23/10/2017 00:25

I don't know if gap body go to that size, but if they do they are very comfortable, come in cool colours, can be wireless and aren't too pricey. They never have them in store but you can get them from the website.

Floralnomad · 23/10/2017 00:39

If she prefers crop tops have a look at the Sloggi double comfort , they are really comfortable and I find they give plenty of support .

Original poster
strongasmeringue · 23/10/2017 07:23

Thanks everyone. Bit more confused now Grin. Covent Garden is not an option for this week. I'm thinking I will ask her if I can measure her just to double check. What she's currently wearing are these I think as the photos isn't great.

OP posts:
Original poster
strongasmeringue · 23/10/2017 07:25

thewheels the 34 fit fine it was just me finding them tight. A bigger cup size would have been ridiculous. What do you mean you know what's going to happen?

OP posts:
Original poster
strongasmeringue · 23/10/2017 07:30

dramallama - the bracket is a good idea, thank you. I'll have to look for white though as that pink flowery number would show through her school blouse.

OP posts:
dantdmistedious · 23/10/2017 07:35

Will she let you measure to check the sizing?

Original poster
strongasmeringue · 23/10/2017 07:37

I think so. I can only ask. She's still asleep so won't be for a couple of hours when I get back from walking the dog.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 23/10/2017 07:41

I would order some online from Bravissimo and just send the one that don’t fit back. They have a loyalty scheme where if you have purchased 10 bras you get one free. It slowly builds up!

Furball · 23/10/2017 07:41

Floral - what can happen is the band steals from the cups so appears to be too tight.

One way to test this is put the bra on back to front so the cups are out of the equation.

Furball · 23/10/2017 07:44

sorry I got mixed up with posters - that should of been for Strongasmeringue

silkpyjamasallday · 23/10/2017 08:01

M&S definitely do 30DD/E, because that's my size (technically 28E but hard to find so I make do) and I haven't had trouble finding them online, just in store stock in my local one is abysmal. Mimi Holliday so small back sizes with larger cups, but they are all quite fussy and lacy and expensive.

Original poster
strongasmeringue · 23/10/2017 08:10

I'm going to ask her if I can measure her per the boobs or bust info while also informing her of the importance of a good fitting bra for support and comfort. She's got decades of bra wearing ahead, I want her to start in a good way while making it not the chore she seems to think it is. I can understand her not wanting a stranger measuring her, and I wouldn't let M and S staff near her, but we have to get this right.

OP posts:
Theresahairbrushinthefridge · 23/10/2017 08:10

Phone Bravissimo. They are brilliantly helpful. They can post you some to try. Free returns until you get the right thing.

My daughter was similarly shy. (And I had a hideous early bra fitting experience myself). So we just tried lots at home. As long as they fit securely in a level way round her back and there’s room in the cup. It’s not rocket science.

(😳34 J here - not been fitted for years as not near a decent shop!!! Bravissimo fan)

Silverstreaks · 23/10/2017 08:23

Strongasmeringue you are being dismissive of thewheels suggestions. If you are not going to approach your bra difficulties with an open mind it is unlikely you'll be able to help your child properly.
Saying a bigger cup size is ridiculous is not keeping your options open. It is only a combination of numbers and letters it does not define you.

thewheelsonthebuz · 23/10/2017 09:02

Yep. You want her to be a 34B etc so that’s what’s going to happen. It sounds like you don’t believe her measurements - why does she need to be measured again?

And to say that my suggestion was ridiculous shows that you don’t understand how sizing works. If you have the correct size back with too-small cups then it’s going to feel really tight and uncomfortable.

Fairylea · 23/10/2017 09:45

I have severe asthma (as per your previous comment) and I wear a 30G bra and am a size 14-16 dress wise. Shops have made us think a 34/36 is an average size back band but it really isn’t. I think you could both do with a visit to Bravissimo or at least chatting online to them (they have a live chat feature).

Original poster
strongasmeringue · 23/10/2017 10:22

You're being unfair. Given the size I am I was shocked she was being suggested an F. I don't give a fuck what the label says. I want a well fitting bra. I've measured it as per boob and bust and have been told 28DD or E so that is our starting point. I knew she wasn't going to be a B. I was just shocked that her first bra might be an F when she has said she was fine in a crop top typw bra.

Every single time without fail I've bought a 32 I've not been able to wear them as too restrictive. One was a 32F, one a J and when every shop gives you a different size it's very confusing.

I thought it was ridilcous to say I needed a bigger cup size when I tried on a G in a different style and that was already too baggy. A H would be too baggy again. That's what I meant.

Thanks to all who have helped. Rudensss is just disappointing. I have explained why I felt the way I did. I will apologise if the poster needs it. Just don't need comments like that.

OP posts:
Rosenspants · 23/10/2017 11:30

Much as I am a devotee to Bravissimo and more recently Rigby and Pellar for myself (32FF/G) my DD didn't do so well there. We did best at M&S with me fitting her and not letting the staff any where near. Had a lot of success with these although smallest back size is 30 Although she certainly wore Angel bras at 14 ( she's 17 now). By the way she looks tiny even now but wears a 30 F in that t shirt bra. She loves it and it's really soft and smooth.

Original poster
strongasmeringue · 23/10/2017 13:02

We tried tkmaxx looking for the 28/30 I'd been advised but nothing there or in Sainsbury's. I asked in M&S where the Angel range was and she said without us asking what size she thought DD would be. At least a 34 if not 36 back size but I can't recall the cup size she said but it was smaller than a D. She tried on four sizes with one I thought might have been okay. I went out and asked a question of the assistant and based on what she said I tried a new size. As soon as DD put it on I knew it was right. 34E. Thank you for all the help.

OP posts:
SorrelForbes · 23/10/2017 13:19

I'm sorry, but if she's measuring 27 under bust then a 34E will be much to big in the band. However, if the E cup works then she'd need the equivalent volume in a 28 band which would be a 28G.

M&S usually add 4 or 5" to the under bust measurement but it sounds like the one you saw has added 9"! If she's a size 8 top then it's very, very unlikely she's a 34 back.

Please take your daughter to Bravissimo before she gets stuck in the bra matrix wearing 34/26 bands, thinking they're the 'norm'.

SorrelForbes · 23/10/2017 13:19

*too