Bra size confusion, 30D or 34A/B?!

[LeeMiller]

I desperately need to buy a couple of new bras as mine are mishapen from the washing machine and I've also been getting backache, I suspect from wearing strapless bras which are a tad too loose.

I've been blithely wearing 32B for the last 15 years since I was measured in M&S as a late teenager, despite the fact I've gone up a clothing size in that time and my boobs are definitely bigger than they used to be! So I decided to be sensible and measure myself properly before snapping up a couple of bras online.

I measure 30in underneath, 34in around (though my boobs go up and down with my cycle, so it's probably a little less at other times of the month). So according to the mumsnet measuring guide that would be 30D, right? -Which seems like a really inconvenient size in terms of choice and availability!-

I was looking at the size guides on a couple of EU brands I like but now I'm really confused - according to Intimissi's size guide I'm 34B and Princesse TamTam 34A! Surely 34 would be gaping? Do I need to follow their sizing if buying bras from them, or should I I should stick to the mumsnet way?

Stick to the MN way. It will feel weird, & quite tight, especially at first (because you are not used to it). But it's so much better! And it suddenly gives you a bust that just wasn't that visible before (I'm a similar size to you!) But you're right, it's not terribly convenient for actually buying... I'm a 30E or a 28E, depending on my weight... 28 band is virtually impossible to shop for!

Maybe try Figleaves & sort by size?

I'm a 30E and I get bras online. Bravissimo sell larger cup sizes. Or Debenhams are usually quite good I find.

Oh and make sure you remember to scoop. See below.

www.curvykate.com/blog/this-little-trick-is-the-only-way-to-know-if-your-bra-really-fits/

Just use this booborbust.com

Yes 30D is less common to get hold of, but it’s not impossible and wearing the right size bra makes all the difference

Wow scooping and swooping is a revelation! I can't believe I've got to my mid thirties without knowing this stuff .

I'll check out Debenhams, thanks. I was a bit annoyed when I typed 30D into figleaves and most of the pretty stuff disappeared leaving mainly plain black/white/nude bras... but I guess comfort and posture is more important! I saw Mimi holiday have some pretty (and expensive) bras in small back sizes though I dont' know the quality.

Make sure you do the scoop when you try the bra on in the shop... at a 30D size, or thereabouts, it can make a whole cup size of difference. If I don't, I'm barely a D, but with, I'm an E. And less rib fat.

I just tried the scoop with one of my 32B bras and my nipples are popping out and the back is shooting up to my neck! I've clearly been doing this all wrong! Next stop is trying out that booborbust link, thanks paperdoll.

Never thought I'd be a bravissima customer! Surely lots of brands are missing a trick by starting at 32, and only doing up to a c/d cup? That makes more sense if you do the m&s adding 4in thing, otherwise 32 isn't especially small really.

I agree with everything except the scooping bit- that really is just pushing armpit and 'side of back' fat into your bra. Fine if you want to do that but it's not breast tissue.

I was in 34As for years then 34B. I popped into a local bra shop years ago and the owner took one look and said no way was I a 34 back. I am a size 8 in clothes up top and measure around 29 inches as a band.

I now buy either a 30D, 30DD or sometimes a 32C/D. Everystyle is different. I've bought some 30 bands that don't even meet when I try to fasten them, and some 32s are dropping off me- I think this is a quality control issue as well as differences in brands.

I tend to order online and always order around 4 sizes- 30 and 32 back and D/DD cups.

M&S do 30 backs (mainly online), so do John Lewis , Next and also Figleaves.

Surely lots of brands are missing a trick by starting at 32, and only doing up to a c/d cup?

Yup.

I agree with everything except the scooping bit- that really is just pushing armpit and 'side of back' fat into your bra. Fine if you want to do that but it's not breast tissue.

When I BFed my DD, I was amazed at how far back / round the breast tissue extended. When I was over-ready to feed her, I couldn't even put my arms down comfortably - and as I mentioned above, I'm not massive of chest.

Agree that a 32D (say) in one brand won't necessarily be the same as in another brand. Not as bad as the difference between a size 12 in Topshop vs one in M&S type thing, but enough that you'd need to try a few on.

Thanks so much everyone! I'm so fed up of constantly tugging down/ rearranging my bras every half an hour so feeling like finally getting the right fit might be life changing!

I'm overseas and there are no department stores nearby, only places like intimissimi which do a very limited range in 30 so I suspect will try to put me in a 32. I think I'll do what you do Polly and order a few different brands from figleaves as a starting point, and send back what doesn't fit. Thanks again everyone!