Bras for big boobs and smallish back?

[DressAndGo]

I'm desperate.. my only bra has now had its last (the underwire has broken).

When can I buy? I gave up when I tried to buy before Christmas, feeling like a freak of nature because I'm bigger than a DD.

I had a really bad fitting in Leia, so it put me off. I don't have a Bravissimo near me.

Order from bravissimo online?! Their returns are super easy and their online/telephone support is great.

Another vote for Bravissimo online. I am a 30E and they are fab.
Or Debenhams have a range called Gorgeous which is very good too.

How accurate is their sizing? Do you order several knowing you will return?

(I think I need to look at the intervention threads again!)

Debenhams and Figleaves. I'm a H cup with a 30 or 32 back depending on style. I order a bunch and try. Returns were included. Debenhams I can physically go in.

I'm the same (28F) and Bravissimo is the only place I've found that works. Can you arrange a day shopping in the nearest big town and buy a few in? If not, try ordering o line. You can't always be sure they'll fit - you might have to send a few back before you find the right one.

I'm a 30DD and buy from Brastop.com.

Huge range of lovely bras from loads of brands, and free P&P from £75 with free returns and exchanges.

So I tend to order loads, then just return the styles or sizes I don't like/don't fit.

Their customer service is great and I found them really helpful when I phoned with any queries.

I’m another Bravissimo fan. Any chance you can get to a store?

Use this calculator to check you’re still the same size booborbust.com

I'm a 30FF and only wear the Panache Tango bra (balconette), in various colours. Definitely recommend that one if you do make an online order from Bravissimo

Boux Avenue are ok. And have a 28 day refund policy (I bought in store).

Brastop for me

Freya in any department store are pretty good.

I’m 28ff and Freya deco work great for me; think Debenhams do that brand

Recommend Pour Moi website great range for DD+

Debenhams, Debenhams, Debenhams! Life changing.

Another vote for Bravissimo! Although I did try a lot in the shop to find two that fitted really well - they stock loads of different makes and styles and it does make a difference to the fit. They do free returns and have always processed mine really easily so it shouldn’t be a problem to buy a few and send back what you don’t want.

Thank you! I'll start ordering.

Brastop all the way - I'm 32FF and haven't paid more than £13 for a bra since I discovered brastop. As long as you aren't fussy about colour/pattern they are fantastic!

I've just used booborbust and I came out at 32 j or jj... hope it's accurate!

I've ordered 3 from bra stop (reduced range). One jj and two j cup.

Hope they fit!

Thank you.

I use bra stop too. Never had any trouble with returns.

Argh none fit (at least it has free return and exchange)

What size should I look for?

The band on its loosest point was tight - just a little too tight for comfort and there was no 'give'. I would worry about it remainging too tight, even though they stretch.

Cup sizes measured on booborbust are way too big. It suggested j or jj, but the underwire must have been a good couple of centimetres wider than my last bra.

So, band slightly too tight and cups far too big.

The that fitted best (I got two sizes), my boobs pointed outwards at 10 and 2. I hate this - they were too far apart (my last bra I bought - I treated myself to a good one, that I couldn't afford now), my boobs were well supported, lifted and pointed forwards.

Help!

What brand and style did you go for?

I'm a 30DD or so but find I need balconette styles as my boobs are fuller underneath than on top, and some cups are baggy at the top. Fuller cups can vary, and I can't wear plunge bras easily as I look obscene and my boobs are all squashed up.

This Brastop page can help you find your shape, and links to their sizing pages.

I think you just need to keep trying different styles and sizes. I struggle with Curvy Kate (they just don't fit me well) and love Flirtelle and Panache.

Flirtelle balconette (think it's their own brand) (J cup)
Pour moi madison balconette (J cup)
Freya fresco side support (JJ cup). Quality of this one definitely far better, but absolutely swamped me.

I know once I know my size, it'll be easier, but I've had so many bad fittings, I want to go it alone

I would try and adapt the sizing next time - when I measure according too booborbust I'm a 28 back but I've tried a few and they are all very tight and uncomfortable and dig in, so I always wear a 30 instead. The cup size is more of a guide I'd say as well, you need to try a few until you find what fits best. The style does make a big difference too as PP said - I hate anything with much padding as I have no desire to make my 30E boobs look bigger, I also hate balconette bras - I have large nipples/aerolas and get on best with full cup type bras as otherwise my nipples are often barely covered and sometimes fall out. I think a lot of it is trial and error, and that's why I think a good fitting is invaluable as staff who know what they are doing can guide you on all this stuff in store. I get fitted at Debenhams and have always found them great, I would really recommend them. Boux Avenue were good the one time I asked for some advice when I tried a bra on that fitted but looked ridiculous and awkward on me too and I wanted to check the sizing was correct (it was - it just didn't suit my shape/size).

If you really want to just keep trying things yourself and not have a fitting, I'd guess I'd go for a 34 H or HH? And see how they feel.

Thank you.

I tried a shopping trip with several fittings a month or so ago and came home in tears.

Many places did not have my size (small back, big boobs) and I started feeling like I had a weird bod or something.

I went to Leia and had an awful fitting - too loose on the tightest hook and boob spillage - she told me some people just have it and there's nothing you can do!!!!! Other shops were better, but the bras they said fitted, didn't and there was so little choice. I also hate padded tshirt bras and theybseemed to have loads of these.

I used to go to a lovely expensive independent shop (when I had a better paid job!!!), I ended up comfortable and perky and slimmer looking. I just can't afford that. Their bras started at £50+, now I mad looking at no more than £20 ish.

I've tried to phone bra stop, but there was no answer. I'll have to phone on Monday.

The labels are faded so much I can't see what the size is in my old bra, so that's no help