Went to Bravissimo on Sunday to get fitted....

[Birdly]

... and thought they were great! The fitter was really helpful, and from my vague descriptions of what I wanted she somehow managed to find bras I loved. She was very thorough - even suggesting that I try on the different colours I wanted in the same style, just in case there were any tiny differences in fit. She also stressed that quite often you need different sizes in different makes/styles, and I did indeed come out with bras in two different sizes. She didn't rush me at all, and kept bringing different styles and sizes until we were both happy.
I thoroughly recommend them! So much better than my last long and unproductive session in John Lewis

Katiepol, the right size won't ride up at all, I promise!

Lizz, I don't have a third nipple, I am just not sure that I could fill out anything in your shop lol! They might send me to Tammy girl or something .
I can get there during the week - I will let you know when I do...
Aloha, want to take a bet on my size then?
(I am going for a 34C, just to be on the safe side..)

katepol - what bra size do you wear now, and what dress size do you take?

Lizzz earlier she said that she currently wears 36 b/c but measure 31 around the back - so I predict 32d at the smallest cup/largest back!

Then I am sure she will find a bra in Bravissimo no problem!

Well, I will try, and if it all goes wrong and I am utterly humiliated, I will see you in AIBU...
Lizz, M&S said 36B and I am a size 12-14...

I got a Panache plunge bra from Bravissimo on Saturday - it's fab!

I always got there, get fitted as often as I can and use the website. Would recommend phoning to book an appointment at the weekend though - there was a 45 minute wait for those that didn't last week.

But I am a 31 inch back and fit in size 8-10 clothes - with my gel bra on!!!!! If you def only measure 31" around your rib cage then you must have some norks (even if they look small and flat etc without a bra on!) Honest mine are concave at the top!

Clayhead
I got this bra on saturday in the sale, thought it would be fine. Put it on this morning, no probs, feeling tres fab. Then, buy mid morning I looked like I'd grown another tit in the middle of my bust. Its about 3 sizes too small. In the biggest cup size they do it in. POO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cargirl - well, I checked again. I measure 31 around where my bra sits. I have always thought myself flat-chested - I certainly pass the pencil test even after 3 children.
What can be going on?!
I just checked the bra I was wearing today. It was a 38B. It rode up at the back, but felt quite comfy. Gapped a bit at the top of the cups
I might just sneak into M&S and try on some smaller backs before I brave big nork land...

Lizzombie - that sounds scary! Sounds like you might stick out in a crowd?

Kind of a hijack but can anyone who's bfing in normal bras give me some tips? I hate hate hate my non-underwired bfing bras (they do fit correctly but I just really need underwire support) but I've not yet figured out how to bf in a normal bra without getting completely undressed.

Ditto all the lavish praise of Bravissimo, by the way; always go there when I'm down south. North of the border Jenner's in Edinburgh is pretty good too.

there is a bravissimo in glasgow if thats near you

MissT - I sorted a mate of mine out recently, she is still BF and wears 'multiway bras' so normal underwired ones, which have straps which can be used as halterneck/strapless....or for BF! She is a 34D and the bras were £8 from M&S. Bravissimo has a bigger size range and theirs are by PANACHE (think Debs do these too) and are £24 I think.

Katepol!! If it rides up you might as well not be wearing it - particularly if it also gapes at the cup!!! You need a 32 and the cup size will be bigger.

Can I just point out. D CUP IS NOT BIG.
AA = Pre pubescent girl
A = flat as in ironing board
B = flat with bee stings
C = lady bumps
D = size of a small bread 'bap' possible to
hold a pencil underneath
DD = slightly larger than a D
E = marginally larger than a DD
F = woopee cushion sized
FF =
G = 34 G/GG is the size that I sell the most of, in fact I would say these most common size
if you are over 30 years old and have had a kid.
H = I would say from a GG onwards this constitutes large breasts.
HH
J
JJ + = very large breasts.
K
L
M

Obviously this all depends on your back size. But if you think of 42a being a mans bra size you can sort of see why its not a feasible size for a normal shaped woman.

I was a 32D when I was 14 years old. I was in no way bigger than any other girl I knew. I just got measured correctly from a young age.
Nowadays I fit girls of that age into all kinds of sizes. Some as big as a J at 14. And they are not all overweight at all.
I reckon its something to do with estrogen. If their mothers and their grandmothers were on the pill, then I think its a knock on effect from that. I my personal unscientifically proven opinion.
right, am off to clean my bathroom...and get 'off my tits on toilet cleaner!' x

Lizzzombie - that's the thing I really like about the current Bravissimo tv ad - all those women in "big" cup sizes - but none of them have especially big breasts.

I wore a DD cup until I went to Bravissimo and discovered I was a GG

MissTea4Me - I breastfeed whilst wearing this style underwired bra. Because it's plunge-style, it's quite easy to hoik my breast out and the cup doesn't put pressure on while I'm feeding. But the bra still holds my boobs in place nicely the rest of the time.

MissTea, have you tried this one?
www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=MC-E71-135&mci=&size=&colour=&image=r443-p27293-f ront#reviews
Expensive, but I wear a 32E and it was the only breastfeeding bra that I found OK. I binned the other ones and bought a couple of these.
But no, sorry, couldn't work out how to breasfeed in a normal bra without having wire digging into uncomfortable places or being largely naked.

Thanks cornflake & Liz-- I'm off on hols tomorrow but when I get back will get myself to a Bravissimo to be sorted out toot sweet. Thursday, thanks too; that one looks good but doesn't go up to my size (36GG)!!

OK people I am reporting back! Spurred on by you all I took leave of my family this morning and headed to Covent Garden! Got to Bravissimo at 10, was offered an appointment at 11.40! Which left time for me to buy a cardigan in Gap sale (happy with that) and some shoes in Shelleys sale (which will have to go back ).
Anyway, you predicted correctly Lizzombie as I was a 32F! But...I am wearing it now (just bought one to make sure) and I just do feel it is too tight. I know I know you all told me it would, but although the boobs definitely do look better, I have to say I dont like the bulge of fat under the armpits. The woman who fitted me assured me that was just normal('unless you wear a 38') but I dont like it. Any thoughts?
I have to say I liked the shop and I liked a lot of the bras although a couple I asked for were not aavailable in my size.

Hi
Just read this and am kicking myself that I didn't go to Bravissimo when I was in UK last week. I probably won't be back over till next summer.

Anyone ordered from Bravissimo online? I am very tempted to but unsure.

Soyabean, it's a big change, it's bound to feel wierd. Keep admiring the new look. I find the armpit fat is worse with some styles, I think it depends in which directions the bra pushes your norks. You might find it's better with a different bra. Figleaves.com also do a really good range and returns are free, you could maybe try ordering a few from them, prancing around in front of the mirror and seeing if any particular style is more comfortable?

Goodness me MissTea, well yeah, I see why underwiring may be essential. I'm feeling rather flat chested now....

Thanks Thursdaynext. I felt like all the ones I tried did the bulge thing (and I am not particularily fat, just normal mid forties three kids etc!). I bought a black one which I think I will wear but am feeling a bit 'compressed'!