Why are my bras going this to me (pictures attached)

[BakerBear]

My bras are so uncomfortable! They dig in and make awful marks around me.

I ve been fitted by bravissimo and wear fantasie bras. They are a 34G and I’m a size 18.

They are cutting in and giving me sores. I itch along the redness during the day.

Whenever I mention about having a 36 band instead they always say it’s too big for me. I can turn the bra around on me on the 34s that I have.

Surely bras are not suppose to make this much redness on you?

Definitely try a 36. Im size 18 (on top) and a 36ff. Another to look at is how much lace stuff there is below the underwire and how stiff it is - if its just around the underwiring thats fine but many bras they sell it extends below. Only by a few millimetres but enough to act like a cheesewire on me!!

Bravissimo can fit people too tight on back, they do me. I cant stand it so tell them I'm going up a size. I'm size 8-10 and wear a 32 band. I can't see you being a 34 op

Band sizes....

I had a breast reduction due to severe backache. It made a huge difference.

But before the reduction l was a 34 J. Now I’m a 38D. Yet nothing was taken from my torso just my boobs.

Looking back l think l was wearing my bands too tight.

I'm a size 16-18 and wear a 34FF/G, so the OP wearing the same size doesn't surprise me. I'm just very narrow at that part of my body, always have been. I've also tried a few 36 bands and, while ok initially, aren't supportive enough in a very short time.

However, I don't often get sores like you, OP. It has taken me a long time to find a brand that seems to work best for me (Charnos) so it might just be a case of trying on lots of different styles and brands. Maybe trying a smaller, independent lingerie shop to get properly measured. Bravissimo worked ok for me but they don't do any actual measuring.

In the house I wear a soft crop top. So much more comfy but I'm worrying about sagging!

I had the same issue at Bravissimo!! I hated the bras they sold me, far too small in rhe back band. Returned them and went a size up at M&S. Much comfier.

Don't be bullied by the fitter - make sure you are comfortable!!

But before the reduction l was a 34 J. Now I’m a 38D. Yet nothing was taken from my torso just my boobs.

But your ribcage hasn't expanded surely? I've had breast reduction too and afterwards I also went up a band size. But it wasn't that my measurements had changed around my ribs it was just that there was so much less weight in the front of the bra that it didn't make it ride up at the back any more so it didn't need to be as tight as it did before in order to give decent support.

Bravissimo go for the idea that the bra shouldn't move and all weight is on the band and cups not the shoulder straps. It's great. BUT once you start to add some lovely lady rolls in there it starts to get less and less comfortable. I'd choose their fitting advice for a sports bra now, or a strapless, but not an everyday one.

As each brand is different anyway, and dyes react differently with elastic (hence a white bra might be perfect but buy a black in exactly the same model and size and it's not quite the same) start with their sizing and then go up or down to something comfortable as well as supportive. Bravissimo seem to go for support above everything else and aren't (well, weren't - I stopped shopping there) accommodating of the idea that comfort was equally important to me, because "This is your size". As long as the bra sits ok, doesn't give you quadruple boobs and doesn't hurt, and you like it, who cares what Bravissimo's sizing suggests! If you need to be running or jumping then yes, you need something tighter. Otherwise, it's your body: comfort is a good thing!

Firstly dress size has no correlation with boob size inasmuch as it is a combination of many different measurements.

I am a size 12, however if you use my bust measurement I should be a size 18..... which is clearly not the case. I have 32HH boobs, a measure 32inches around my rib cage. Bravissimo did in fact want me to go down a size, but as I have moved from a 34FF, it already felt too tight. Actually now that I am used to it, it is the best bra I have ever had, no marks, shoulder straps are loose, and my boobs look amazing, not droopy or mummsy.

OP obviously has a bra which is too small, but on the other hand you shouldn't be able to move the bra around your body, or get anything more that a couple of fingers down the back. I would second a lot of comments and suggest non-wired in cotton. It looks like a combination of things going on including friction, allergy, reaction to wires etc etc.

OP hope you are hand washing your bras in something like Woolite, otherwise they really shouldn't be deteriorating at all.

It looks like I did in my Rigby and Pellers after they'd done their shtick at a fitting and walletectomy taking two off the band and putting two on the cup. It's bloody ridiculous imho. Snugness can translate into pain and those R&P bras went back! I'd definitely go up a band size.

Try third love . com they do bras in half cup sizes and have a 60 day wash and wear return policy. You answer a questionnaire about other bras you like/dislike, the shape of your breast etc and make a bunch of suggestions. I got a 30% discount code from a podcast "Guys We Fucked" and now have 5 bras from them which I LOVE.

Bravissimo a very expensive mistake for me too.I fell for their patter also.
There is nothing for it it but to try on different sizes designs until you find one that is comfortable.

I don’t wear tight fitting clothing so can get away with sports bras or AVON The ONE pull on bras.

Marvellous!

I think with the athlete leisure fashion there is a move away from having your boobs hoisted right up.

Royce have a sale - they are non wire specialists. I actually don’t have experience but I recently met someone who had worked there ages. I’m a 34gg and she convinced me to try a non wire. Said I’d be amazed at how comfortable they are in comparison.

Bravissimo are AWFUL. They make such a big deal about how they do sizing the right way and everywhere else does it wrong. But they squeeze people into bras that DON'T fit, look ridiculous and cause pain.

The best thing I ever did was get a measuring tape, use the sizing guide on figleaves and order some of their t shirt style bras and try them at home.

Bravissimo are a pile of crap. I'm a size 12 but have a 30 band size. Bravissimo bras are spectacularly uncomfortable and for the price it's not worth testing. Curvy Kate, Fantasie or Pour Moi seem to be a lot better.

I've put weight on recently and one of the rolls of fat around my middle causes my bra to roll up and makes my skin red. Could it be that?

Many thanks for all your suggestions.

I have put some weight on tbh. However i ve always had this trouble with bras even when i was a size 12 and wearing a 30/32FF.

However its the sores that have been quite new, but the marks have always been there.

I have 5 of these bras all the same, had them around 8 months or so.

Im going to go to M&S but try them on myself as everytime i ve been fitted there they look a droppy unsupported mess.

Im a size 8 and im a 34dd/e
No way on earth are you a 34 back, id lean towards trying a 38 . The band shouldn't be that tight. The straps are meant to take the weight mostly. Not the band. Also id say cupsize is probably wrong too. Go to an independant lingerie store for a fitting.
Also get some thrush cream on the sores. Looks fungal.

It sounds counterintuitive but have you tried adjusting the shoulder straps? I find if mine are either too tight or too loose, that the back band digs in and gives me marks (although I usually take it off before it gets too bad because it annoys me more and I can). Good luck!

rigby and peller get measured properly
Prima Donna is the best brand imo for bigger boobs.
try a Madison
www.rigbyandpeller.com/UK/primadonna/madison/balcony-bra/caff-latte/-0162122LLRC090
shope around to find it cheaper

perhaps try no wire for a while until u heal

consuela Sorry to disagree, the band is what holds your boobs up, not the straps. They straps should just lightly support and not dig in at all.

The band should take 80% of the weight so it does need to be firm. I'm a 14/16 and can fit a fist under a 36 band hence wearing a 32/34 which pulls around an inch away from by back at most

If you’re not healing, then ask your GP for a prescription for Trimovate cream, steroid, anti bacterial, anti fungal. Really works.

Letting the straps take the weight instead of the band is a recipe for disaster if you have big boobs. That way lies neck pain, poor posture and huge grooves in your shoulders, because the strain causes people to hunch their shoulders and push their head forward to compensate.

As with all things bra related, it probably doesn't matter anywhere near as much if you're smaller breasted because there isn't so much heavy breast tissue needing support.

I would say they are definitely too tight.

Ignore what people are saying about if you measure 40 you should be wearing a 40, that's not right. The best bra fitting I had was a lady who asked me to stand in front of her with no bra on. She hadn't got a tape measure and she immediately told me I am a 38GG. I tried a few different brands on, around those sizes as they all vary and Freya and Fantasie are my preferred choice.

Since loosing some weight I've dropped to 38G.

You need a bra that's tight round the middle and sits flat between your boobs but definitely not one as tight as you're wearing. Your boobs need to be in the cup without any overspill or gaps.

I've attached two pics, first one underboob, slight marking but nothing major and second one strap mark which is just slightly there.

I hope you find a comfortable bra. Start by increasing size and if cup ok stick with it. Once they go loose after washing fasten on tightest hook. When you buy the bra you should be wearing it on loosest hook initially.