Anyone used Boob or Bust? This can't be right surely???

[peaceanddove]

Just measured my boobs using the Boob or Bust calculator and it tells me I am a 32H!!! How is this even possible? I'm currently wearing a 36F bra and it's a bit too snug under my boobs so how can I possibly be a 32H?

Last time I got measured in M & S I was 36D but I’ve put on a fair amount of weight since then so may try this. It really is amazing how wearing the correct size bra can transform you. And lately I’ve been suffering with back & boob pains so know I need to do something

I went from 32 b to 28dd..def feel more comfortable... Got measured by John Lewis and they came out with 28d/dd...

Didn't work for me. Had me two sizes to big and even though I'm large chested the girls were rolling around in there.

Got it done properly at Bravissimo instead

Yes I also find that BoB will often give you a bit bigger cup size, especially if you have lost some fulness. However it's very easy to see if the cup is too big. So if the back fits but cups are gaping, you simply go down in cup sizes until you find the fit.
It is, however, not so easy to see if the bra is a size or 2 too small, and a lot of women squeeze themselves into too small bras or go up in back sizes to compensate.

Also a size 16 and I am 33/34 under bust and 44 over - so a 34H or J

It had me at 40HH but my noobs looked like 2 satsumas in a carrier bag. I need up wearing 40f. However I'm having to wear my old 40 Es until lockdown is over.

Where do you all buy your bras from, and are the sizes generally universal? If I'm a 28e or a 30d then M&S don't sell that size, they start at 32 for the most part! Occasionally I've seen a 30-something but not a lot.

I've got such a problem. My breasts are tiny in a huge cup if I lean forward, but if I lean back they look like they're too big for the cup. If I stand normally they're a funny mix of too big and too small. I'm getting so fed up of it and nobody is open during lockdown to put me out of months of daily misery (wearing the wrong size bra). I've tried loads on and it almost seems to change daily.

@skinskin maybe it is the type of cup? I can't wear a full cup as I don't have fullness at the top and so they look too big, I have to stick to half cup or balconette.
Bras are a minefield to get right!

I measured myself on blood or bust yesterday and I'm sooo confused! I used to have massive boobs(well the seemed big on my small frame 34d) then children and weight loss made them dissappear. I have been wearing a 34a for years. Measured on bb at 36e?? The 36 seems right as 34 is tight but an e cup? I also have 1 boob that is noticeably bigger than the other. I'm going to measure again but don't want to buy a bra that I can't try on and have to mess about with returns if it wrong.

@Fleurchamp that's a fair point actually as I gravitate towards balcony, but thought that's because I wear strappy tops and don't want it peeping out at the top! Balcony bras aren't all that easy to come by though, not without lots of itchy lace at any rate!

OP, the thing to remember is that it's a different system. You don't add 5 to the under-bust measurement; so obviously the band size is going to be smaller.

I'm not entirely convinced, I have to say. I'm prepared to believe that the BoB bras are made to that fitting, but when I tried M&S ones in the bandsize the system insists I am I couldn't even do it up.

Cynthia what dress size are you? Because you say you had small frame and then lost weight, so 36 sounds a little odd.

Skin I would also recommend half cups, I have the same issue with full cup bras.

It can be down to style as well as size so do try a variety of styles too.
I'd always recommend bravissimo - they have sizes from 28D upwards. It's obviously good to go into the shop and try bras on but if you aren't nearby (or at the moment) their call centre staff are trained as bra fitters so can help over the phone.

I wish la Senza were still on the high street, they had lovely stuff and great fitting. Sigh.

I could try bravissimo but can just see myself buying them all and returning them all. Takes weeks! 🙈 and ends up costing a lot in deliveries.

Where do you buy your half cup from @Fleurchamp?

I used brastop online, easy returns and no hassle

Brastop
I bought this most recently

www.gossard.com/products/Bras/Plunge/Superboost-Lace-Plunge-Bra/Black

@SkinSkin I think bravissimo only charge for the first delivery. I've exchanged before now and it was free delivery

Nice one. Thanks so much, and I hope this is helpful to you too, op!

M&S bras often aren't the same size as other brands, which adds to the confusion. They don't make FF cups as far as I remember, so if you find a bra in a G cup it's a size smaller than non M&S brands. Which also adds to the number of people who try the BoB measurement and then find it doesn't fit, because they've tried an M&S bra.

Omg I've just used BoB.
Since lockdown I've put on weight, mostly on boobs and bum and my current bra's are now too small.
According to their measuring system I'm a 32K
I'm not going to find an abundance of bra's in those sizes am I?

@peaceanddove

You say you've measured yourself at 32 inches so yes a 32inch band will fit you!

You've clearly been selecting cups that are too small and forcing the band away from your chest for years.

I suspect the front of your bra between the cups never sits flush on your chest does it?

I’m right between a 32 and 34 band. (33 inches). I tend to buy 32’s and they do stretch out after a while. I also have those little extender things that I use occasionally with new bras when they are a tad too tight in the beginning.
This sort of thing

It works for me for non wired bras, which gave me a really great fitting non wired bra. It’s miles out for underwired bras, where the shape of the cup can’t mould to the boob in the same way.

On Boob or Bust the band size will be correct but the cup size can sometimes be slightly out. But the most important thing is to get the band size right and then you can try different cup sizes until you find the right fit. The best way to check the band size is correct is to do the backwards band test - put the bra on back to front and see how far you can pull out the brand. You shouldn't be able to pull it out further than about 2cm IIRC. The reason for putting the bra on backwards is that if the cups are too small it will feel too tight (even if the band is too big).

Personally I find that even though my band size is 32 I do find some bras rather unforgiving and uncomfortable, some brands are tighter than others - I find bravissimo own brand is a bit more forgiving so the 32 is a comfortable fit.

Weirdly black bras are tighter than other colours in the same style (it's the dye apparently, it shrinks the fabric slightly).

Boob or bust measures me at 32 FF however the 32ffs I bought need an extender to be wearable, so I bought some 34fs and they are a fantastic fit (so I went up one back size and down a cup size).