Bra interventionists needed!

[SemiAquaticEggLayingMammal]

I followed advice on here a while ago and ended up with a bra size much bigger in the cup but smaller in the back, and it was great! Made me really happy to have boobs that felt secure

I've changed weight/ shape since (cheers ds3) and someone kindly pointed me in the direction of booborbust as I couldnt remember the original measuring instructions.

It can't possibly be right, the reason i need to redo the measuremenrs in the first place is because there's a load of "gap" at the top of my cup already. My boobs don't fill the cup as it is because they're big but not full if that makes sense. More kinda floppy :( (thanks ds1 ds2 and ds3 ) which is why the leaning measurement is big I guess.

I'm wearing a 38GG but site recommends a 36J. Measurements-
Tight: 36
Snug:38
Standing 36
Leaning: 46

Do I just need a different bra style rather than size?

Sounds like you need a different style. If I wear full cup bras there is often some loose fabric.
Same size but a balcony/balconette style is great. They're not always called this, but once you know what you're looking for you see loads of them

Devil thank you! I have tried some balconette styles this weekend, gone up to a 38 and down to a FF and i have boobs that stay put and fill the cups again!

Hurrah for boobs

Excellent! Hurrah for bras that fit.

Your standing measurement is wrong. It should be measured at the fullest part of your bust (which isn't necessarily where the nipples sit). It can't be the same as your underbust tight measurement unless you are literally flat chested.

emwithme I'll have another go! What you say makes sense.

Measuring tips (it's easier if you can get assistance)

Tight - under bust (right up in your boob crease), so tight you think the tape may snap. This isn't usually more than your UK clothes size plus 20 (so if you're a size 12, it's not expected to be more than 32, if you're a 16 no more than 36)

Snug - in same position as tight, loosened off a little (so you can fit 2 fingers side by side under - usually an inch or so more than your tight measurement)

Standing - relatively loosely across the fullest part of your bust, not necessarily the nipples, not squashing anything

Leaning - as standing but bent at the waist so your body is folded at 90degrees.

Ok so ive remeasured. Thanks for help em!

Tight: 36
Snug:38
Standing 45
Leaning: 49

booborbust calculator now suggests a 36HH, which I just can't understand because the GG was too big in the cup. The 38FF I bought at the weekend was a bikini so possibly not as accurately sized as a bra but it felt ok.

Since my change from a 40E a couple of years ago when I went to a 36GG I usually find that I get a bit of a back boob effect from overspill- but being -ahem- squishy of frame- I've sort of accepted it. The band stays level at the back but I do find that most underwires dig in quite close to my armpits and this can be really uncomfortable.

Any recommendations as to what I could try?

It may be that you need a lot of projection in your cups (I also have really droopy boobs and need a lot of projection for them to fit properly and am squishy of torso). Pre-pregnancy I was a 36GG/34H and now at 20 weeks I'm a 38HH/J. I've found a fabulous Fantasie bra in Debenhams that works well but I literally tried every bra on they had in my size (about 15) and only one fitted properly.

What do you mean by projection? Not sure I understand what you mean (imagining uber pointy boobs like Madonna but pretty certain this isn't really what youre on about )

Projection is basically how much your boobs need to go forwards in a straightish position before the bra curves upwards.

It's more likely that a boob with a big difference between standing and leaning would need more projection to fit all the boob in the right place. I can fit into a bra a good two cup sizes smaller than my BoB size but it becomes uncomfortable very quickly and gives me all manner of armpit/back fat. In a bra with good projection I have none of this.