Another bra problem

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

I have followed the threads on here and measured and got what I thought was the right bra size.

But recently, I'm finding the underwires dig in uncomfortably on one side under my armpit. Looking through old threads suggested I should go up a cup size, but when I've tried the cups are half empty. I used to wear plunge style but now I'm wearing full cup style and even then the top of the cup doesn't quite touch my skin. I think my boobs have dropped and splayed with age and quite possibly have become asymmetrical! Any suggestions for a better style/fit to try? (Currently in M&S full cup underwired, too small for Bravissimo, much prefer somewhere I go and try on as I don't want to order dozens and have the hassle/expense of returning them.)

Nobody?

This happened to me. I measured and came up as a 36 e. I was in agony by lunch time as left wire was digging into my breast tissue. I went up to 36 f and it felt very uncomfortable. Because the back band was digging in. (Tried 3 styles. ) went to Debenhams and the lady there measured me as a 38 F and I haven't looked back. I wear the m and S super soft full cup padded bras in 38 F and they are super comfy and fit really well. I find I just need to go in and try in and then wriggle round in it to check it's comfy.

Step away from the full cups and try balcony / balconette styles.

Thank you both! I will give a balconette style a try (I've tried them on before and felt I was falling out of them but they may have been the wrong size.)

Sounds like you need an experienced fitter. Do you have an independent lingerie shop local to you? I find the people who own these are usually better at fitting than those in larger chain stores.

I find M&S useless for me.
And I think it is because I am what you called splayed as well as having a large cup size.

I actually find Sainsbury's bras fit well (it's the only thing I get from Sainsburys - I am more an Asda/Tesco but their bras are not nearly as good as Sainsburys.

Is the back of your bra riding up? Because that can cause the underwire to dig in. If so you do need to go up a cup but also down a back size.

@Notanotheruser111 No not riding up - the band is fine, in the right place, with the gore flat at the front too - just pain at the side where the wire seems to be pressing in to my left boob. It's like the wire curves up too close to the front.

@Cydonia no local fitters and the one independent I found by googling in the next town charges £25 for an appointment so god knows how much the bras cost!

There’s a few bra experts on here who should be along fairly soon, but from memory they recommend Freya / Fantasie for wires that are shallower (less U shaped) for people who find the more U shaped wires (Panache is one of them) stab them in the armpit.

Are you scooping your breast tissue in from under your armpit when you put your bras on? Wearing the wrong size in the past means your breast tissue spreads out under your arms towards your back. When you put your bras on you need to scoop it back. That night help a bit with the wires.

Or as others have said, they may just be the wrong shape for you. I exclusively wear one bra (different colours) as I managed to find this one that’s the right shape for me.

£25?! That’s terrible! I wonder if people were going to get fitted then buying the bras online. In that case there are some good experts on here that should be able to help.

What size are you OP? It would help us in making suggestions.

If you're a smaller size, John Lewis fitting staff tend to be very good, with a good selection. I had the same problem but actually needed a balconette with a higher wire, so no possibility of it curving in and attacking me. I have Panache and can't get off with Fantasie, and my mum is the other way round!

• get on with Fantasie. I'm not trying to get off with them!

It might not be that you're in the wrong size so much as the wrong shape of bra for your particular boobs?

Are you sure you are too small for Bravissimo? If you have access to one anywhere near you I would go anyway - I've found their assistants super helpful and kind, and i'm sure they would advise you on why it was digging in and what shape is best (even if they don't have anything in your size)
Go at a quiet time of day so you don't feel they/you are rushed.

Even with the correct size from measuring I think it very much varies from bra to bra. Also, you do need to scoop, or bend forward so that all the breast tissue is at the front. When I first read about the prophet way to get your size on MN, my DM and I went to Debenhams and tried on millions of bras. My poor DM had a bra strap shaped hollow on each shoulder from wearing the wrong size all her life. Those hollows are completely gone now. But not every size in the new size fit well or was comfortable for either of us. In fact we went to M&S prior to that and couldn't find anything, and it made me wonder if the measuring thing was not the answer. I'm a 32C and quite little, she's a 34 F/G and quite large. I was wearing 34B, she was wearing 36C.

My favourite bra is from TKMaxx and is from a brand called Maven, which I never heard of before or since - was less than a tenner.

I think bra sizes are like clothes and vary according to shape and brand.

*proper way, there were no prophets involved

Loubie Lou’s in Ashby de la Zouch. Make it a day trip if you have to.,

@BillywilliamV That would be a whole weekend rather than a day trip, and I'm not really prepared to go those lengths for a bra!

To those asking about scooping - I am doing that as I read it on here a while ago (had never been told that before!)

Size - the boob or bust site suggests 36D as a starting size but I'm wearing 36c as when I tried, I just didn't fill a D cup, especially at the top (M&S). I really don't want to go to Bravissimo if I already know I won't be able to buy anything there, seems very cheeky and like I was wasting their time. The difference in styles and fitting between brands is what is bamboozling me, I didn't know where to begin, so your suggestions have really helped - thank you. I'll try some 36d balconette style in John Lewis and see if that style is better than a full cup, but as I said, I felt a bit exposed in that style when I tried it on before. It's just a case of getting accustomed I expect.

In case anyone has specific style/brand suggestions, I am looking for something very simple, plain, padded, ideally smooth with minimal or no lace for everyday, preferably navy or black and definitely not that dirty beige they call nude.

Bravissimo stock bras starting in 28D so they should be able to help you op.

If you read my post you'll see M&S weren't great for me or my DM, even with the correct measurements!

Yes, @Apileofballyhoo, I think that may be where I've been going wrong!

Could you order a few online and return to store free of charge? I can do that in Ireland from Debenhams.ie. So much easier than actual shopping.

I know you said you’ve done the BOB calculator before but do it again, really follow the measuring guidelines and then post your measurements. What does the band test say in the 36s? Full cup may also just be the wrong shape for you
booborbust.com/