help please....I'm scared of bras.

[AntiqueOlive]

I haven't worn a bra for a few decades. I'm very flat chested, and haven't needed to wear one for comfort.

Infact any bra I've ever owned has been very uncomfortable because I could never find one that fitted. I find the nylony straps itchy and the hooks fiddly. My boobs seem very wide apart and never fill the cups. Even a 32a is/was too big. The only time I wore a bra was when I was pregnant/breastfeeding and then I could fill a B cup!

Mostly I've been quite happy being flat - but now with age I'm sort of saggy flat, rather than perky flat....and I decided my clothes might look better if I had some underpinning of sorts.

I've tried vests with "secret support" but they just flatten me further.

So I went to look for a comfy bra which would give me a bit of a boost

But there are hundreds of bras in the shops. :/

The choice is enormous - I honestly don't know where to start! The sizing scares the pants off me and it's like an explosion of nylon and lace and the bras all seemed so - solid! Like polystyrene armour. Its been nigh 30 years since I last went bra shopping and I felt completely daunted and overwhelmed. Too many bras! Too many sizes! Too many styles! Too many colours! Too many bad bra memories! I ran away....

I suppose I'm looking for something like a crop top with a wee bit of padding/shaping, in a cotton mix....

Does such a piece of clothing exist?

Please help me !

Just thanking this post as I got to measure myself with the guide provided.
I do come out as 34 A/B as I am right in the middle
dementedpixie I have 4 inch between under and over bust.
Problem is that I am very slender, and no fat over my ribs so guide suggest you may want to go one up, that is one of my issues I always felt I could not breathe, but now I know why!

I did check my measures against JL(eg 34 A/B) is 10 cm difference between under and over bust.
www.johnlewis.com/buying-guides/lingerie-size-guide

Op - yes just order a couple of different bras and try at home if is more comfortable ,

4 inches between under and over bust equates to a D cup! What are your actual measurements. You do not add extra inches to the under bust measurement

That size guide is sooo bad btw.

booborbust.com try this calculator instead

Calvin Klein do some lovely, dimple little cotton bras. House of Frazer and John Lewis sell them.

Thank you to everyone who has given suggestions. Everything is helpful.

So yesterday with my new 30D knowledge, I went back to Marks and there was a 90% clearance sale on. I scooped up lots of different bras in 30 inch - all different styles and cup sizes ( even a DD)- I got 9 bras for under £12!!!!!

And then I was feeling so jaunty and gung ho, I went to Primark too, and bought a bralet ( which I hadn't seen yesterday in amongst the "look at me" styles), which I'm wearing today - and it fits, gives me some shape (but feels a bit sweaty, so would still like something cottony.)

Haven't tried any of the Marks beauties on yet though...they are still in the bag. Still a bit daunted by the real bras, ones a rather lurid green, but others are plainer - it's quite exciting actually :-)

I have 4 inch between under and over bust. - that's a D, not A!

Ok,
My underbust is 31 inch and over bust is 35
If I am not wrong that is not a D? But very happy and welcome some light as I would love a comfy bra.
I am actually v slim, just that I have a wide rib cage imo.

I would suggest trying 30D/DD and 32C/D

dementedpixie
With that I am a 32 C!!!
I cannot believe, but I will go bra shopping next week and get a few sizes around that and try
Like a lot of women around I would not be surprised if I have been round all my life in a wrong bra ...

dementedpixie thank you 😊

I second Brastop. I love them.

I had a big bra try on and cripes, you guys were right - the 30DD fits the best.

I do find it a bit tight to be honest But maybe thats just because its brand new and it will loosen slightly with washing - , but the cup size is great and gave me a great shape. I can't believe its my boobs. :-)

I'm a DD cup - wait till I tell DH. ( He won't believe it either)

I'm going to try a 32 C and D next time.

Thank you so much everyone :-) THIs has actually become fun now!

Excellent! 😀
I am going bra shopping this week then, I am hoping for a 32D result or similar!
Very excited for you op

Update - after trying a lot of bras and being all my life in 34 A/B bras I came out as 32C!
Tried to go 30 but was too uncomfortable for me, and tried D cup and was a bit big ... but still I cannot quite believe
I am glad I followed this thread now

After putting on loads of weight and none of my bras fitting I've just measured myself using this method and am 35 underneath and 43 round my boobs. Can anyone help with what size bra I should be looking for x

I wore a 34B for years - turns out I'm actually a 28D!

I loathe the few bras that are available in this size, they're desperately unflattering to my shape, so I wear a 30C which is super comfortable. I wear a lovely Calvin Klein Push positive bra which is non wired but push up and is super comfortable but looks fab, and very flattering. I also love the uniqlo wireless bras linked above.

Mossend put a few more measurements into this booborbust.com and you'll get a size

Thank you for this thread OP - I'm going measuring!

Glad you've found the right one for you (did the lurid green make the cut?).

I totally feel your angst !!! I'm a 30FF ... it's just as bad finding great bras !
A good bra fitter won't even need a tape measure .. I have to go to Bravissimo and have learnt to love my shape !!
I wouldn't bother with M and S
For a bikini I was pleasantly surprised with Boux Avenue ..

Hm. This method makes me a 32G... I imagine my face looked a bit like yours did OP

I'll go try a few, but looking down at m'baps I'm (currently) at a loss to see how that'll work out. Will update.

Well, it's been fun, but bras just aren't for me.

After years of going without, trying to wear one now just feels too much like getting dressed up for an occasion....it's not coming naturally to me at all for everyday.

The over the head no fastening crop top ( with a bit of padding) things are best. I got some "lounge bras" from Primark like this, and the one I ordered off Amazon is good too. And it's so easy - just a Size Small - no faffing about with cup sizes.

I'll keep a couple of the M&S bras its nice to have them in case I'm going on a special night out and want to be super padded and sculpted. The others...well if anyone wants a jade green satin plunge push up 30D...let me know!

And good luck to everyone else having fun with their new sizes.

I am with you op! I kept a couple I got on my week shopping for those special occasions...but nothing beats the ones over the head with no fastening and light padding!
I think is just not for me either