Question for people that understand bras 🥴

[justanotherneighinparadise]

So I picked up a bra from a charity shop that’s extremely flattering but just slightly too small in the cup, fits on the back though. It’s a 36dd. If I want to go up a cup size is it as simple as just finding a 36e? Or does the back need to change if I go up a cup? 🤔

It was a Primark bra btw. Secret Possessions I think it called. I’m shocked at how flattering it is!! Even DP was making comments about how gravity defying my boobs looked in my top lol 🤭

I always go down a back size if I go up a cup size. No idea if that is always right but seems to work for me.
Didn't know you could get Bras from charity shops, I always bin mine rather than send with donations I thought it was a hygiene issue. Another thing I can donate now I know.

If you just want a bigger cup then yes, it's 36e you need.

If you go up a band size, the same cup would now be called one size lower. So if you go up from a 34c to a 36b or 38a, the cup size is actually the same on all of the above, it's just the band size that is larger.

Thank you xx

@Cattybumbum

I always go down a back size if I go up a cup size. No idea if that is always right but seems to work for me. Didn't know you could get Bras from charity shops, I always bin mine rather than send with donations I thought it was a hygiene issue. Another thing I can donate now I know.

I’ve seen underwear in charity shops, corsets, all sorts lol

Have you measured yourself?

@Branleuse

Have you measured yourself?

Not recently no. I’ve lost 1.5 stone so could be anything! Always used to be 36c but find every bra seems to come up slightly differently. So now I take a punt 🥴

Actually that’s a lie. I spent half my life being 36c. Then went up to 36d. Now seem to be a DD but sometimes I fit a 34 back so that might be why.

if you measure how many inches you are under the bust then that should tell you what band size, and then you might need to round up or down according to preference.

So I just measured and I’m 33 inches.

Have a look at Boob or Bust and measure yourself properly. Will be the best Xmas gift to yourself!

You wouldn't need to go down a number just a cup in that case.

However don't trust charity shop bra size because the band stretches.

The number is the measurement (like with a measuring tape) around the ribs under the boobs. The cup letter is the difference between that value and the measurement around the body over the nipples. (Different brands and different models can change a bit depending on the shape and materials)

A 36 C has the same volume as a 34 D and a 38 B

ALWAYS try a bra on on the tightest hooks

And all of this is why people get professionally measured good luck!!!

You can always check the Bravissimo website. They have a very good guide to well fitting bras

I don’t have a soft measuring tape. I will use string tomorrow and follow the measuring guide and see what I come up with.

I think the problem is many of us still think are boobs are the same size as they were in our twenties. After breast feeding two children mine look rather different 🤭

@Cattybumbum. You may have a bra bank near you,

www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/recycling/bra-recycling/

You could get away with a 34 band, possibly even a 32 if you need a lot of support. Id look for a 34ff or 34g ( they dont sell that size in primark, but they do in m&s, debenhams, next etc

ALWAYS try a bra on on the tightest hooks

I was told the total opposite when I got professionally measured in a Very Posh Bra Shop. They said you should get a bra that's comfortable on the loosest hooks when you first get it. As the band stretches over time, you then move to the tighter ones.

[quote Ernieshere]@Cattybumbum. You may have a bra bank near you,

www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/recycling/bra-recycling/[/quote]
M&S will recycle them for you too.

Different brands and styles fit differently so in some you might be a 32 band (bravissimo own brand bras tend to be quite stretchy/forgiving in the band) and in others that come up tight you might be a 34 band. Try the backwards band test, put bra on backwards and see how far you can pull the band out - should only be a few cm.

Once you've got the band right then you try different cups until you have a good fit.

If you have a soft measuring tape (or string and ruler/tape measure) you can measure yourself, see www.booborbust.com/

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow

ALWAYS try a bra on on the tightest hooks

I was told the total opposite when I got professionally measured in a Very Posh Bra Shop. They said you should get a bra that's comfortable on the loosest hooks when you first get it. As the band stretches over time, you then move to the tighter ones.

This

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow my bad, you're right. I got confused. (Dealing with baby #3.... I need a holiday)