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Original poster

Best bra for a 36D

62 replies

doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 10:37

I’ve been living in bralettes but my return to work is looming and so I’m in need of some new bras.

My history with bra shopping is horrendous. I have never felt like I’ve owned a bra that truly worked for me Hmm

I’m looking for something simple looking that is smooth so it won’t show through clothes. Ideally a tshirt bra, I suppose! I’m not a fan of lace and bright colours Blush

I need the lift though as they’ve changed somewhat after baby! I also have a long chest and my breasts sit low so anything without the lift just makes them look saggy.

Has anyone in my size found the perfect bra yet?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:09

Have you measured to check that is your correct size?
My last Bras were from brastop

Lou98 · 01/04/2021 11:10

I would highly recommend bras from Asda. I'm a 38E and it's the only place I've found them to be comfortable and they're affordable too which is a bonus!

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 11:16

I have been measured before and have received different sizes from different shops! I’ve also just measured myself and got three difference measurements on different websites.

36D, 34E & 32DD.

It’s so stressful Blush

OP posts:
JemimaTiggywinkle · 01/04/2021 11:18

I find Freya bras very good... supportive and comfortable. They are expensive but they last well. They say hand wash only but I wash them at 30 degrees on a low spin and they’ve always been fine.

dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:22

@doireallyneedaname

I have been measured before and have received different sizes from different shops! I’ve also just measured myself and got three difference measurements on different websites.

36D, 34E & 32DD.

It’s so stressful Blush

What are your over and under measurements? Basically what you measure underneath is your back size The difference between over and under gives cup size; 1inch - A, 2inch - B, 3inch - C, etc (D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG)
dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:23

Or try this

www.booborbust.com/

Although given you got 32DD on one suggests 36D is not your correct size.

woodbeez55 · 01/04/2021 11:25

I'm struggling with this at the moment too. I'd always worn underwired bras until an operation in 2019 which meant that the bottom of my bras irritated my scar. I switched to non-wired then and bought a size 40D but I've since lost a bit of weight and need new ones. But I keep getting different sizes from the online calculators too. I tried a 38D and it felt too tight, but another site recommended a 32FF! I always used to get regular checks at M&S and then buy their bras and they were always great. But their non-wired ones don't give much support I've found. Their staff who do the fittings do seem to know what they're doing though so if you can hold out a bit, maybe you could try that? I think that's what I'll end up doing despite having to wait.

dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:26

M&S are terrible for measuring as they often add inches to the back size. They had me at 40C but I'm actually 36GG

PoTheDog · 01/04/2021 11:33

@woodbeez55 I have always found m&s to have their own "unique" measuring system which is archaic and not useful. Their measurement technique is from when bras were made with non-stretchy material, which is not true now for most bras.

If you have been used to feeling like your bra band is quite loose, then your best measurement will feel rather tight at first. But 80% of the work done by the bra is at the band, so it needs to be tight to give lift. And the stretchier the material used for the band, the more you will get the feeling of being pulled in there. Probably more so in non-underwired bras because you don't have the lifting effect of wires to help.

I appreciate this may be harder for you due to scar tissue, but a 38 inch waist would equal a size 20, so for you to be a 38inch ribcage, you're looking at probably a size 18. Does that sound about right?

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 11:36

@dementedpixie It was 83cm back & 94cm around my breasts.

The thing is, it says to wear a “well fitting bra” to take the measurements, and I don’t have any that fit 100% correctly as I’ve lost a tonne of weight post bath, so I’ve had to measure in the best of the bunch.

OP posts:
Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 11:37

Post baby, not bath. That would have been great though Grin

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:42

[quote doireallyneedaname]@dementedpixie It was 83cm back & 94cm around my breasts.

The thing is, it says to wear a “well fitting bra” to take the measurements, and I don’t have any that fit 100% correctly as I’ve lost a tonne of weight post bath, so I’ve had to measure in the best of the bunch.[/quote]
You don't wear a bra to take measurements. What site says that?

Can you measure in inches

dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:45

Although 83cm seems to be just over 32 inches. You are not a 36 back then

You measure with no bra or top on

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 11:46

@dementedpixie Thats what I though, but they all asked which type of bra I was wearing and one website asked questions specific to said bra (if there were gaps; did the straps dig in etc)

OP posts:
Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 11:47

Bravissimo & M&S! Hmm

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:48

That's more about assessing how your bra fits so you can see if the cup needs to be bigger or the back smaller - back riding up means back is too big for example

Boob or bust I linked to measures with no bra on

WildCherryBlossom · 01/04/2021 11:53

Whenever I am measured I come up as 32E but my favourite bras are Triumph 34DD. I've just got a new T shirt bra from them and it's perfect.

dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 11:54

34DD is a sister size of 32E so the cup volume is the same on each but on a different back size

woodbeez55 · 01/04/2021 12:09

@PoTheDog Maybe that was why I used to get on better with M&S bras in the past (in my mid-50s now!)

I'm actually 34 inches under and that's my waist size too, size 14. My over measurement is 40, so would that make me a 34E according to what @dementedpixie said? That would definitely feel much tighter than what I've got now Confused

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 12:09

@dementedpixie thanks - I’ll give the link a try.

Partner is going to be in for a treat. The measurement leaning forward with boobs dangling down sounds delightful. Blush

OP posts:
PoTheDog · 01/04/2021 12:18

[quote woodbeez55]@PoTheDog Maybe that was why I used to get on better with M&S bras in the past (in my mid-50s now!)

I'm actually 34 inches under and that's my waist size too, size 14. My over measurement is 40, so would that make me a 34E according to what @dementedpixie said? That would definitely feel much tighter than what I've got now Confused[/quote]
Yeah, you definitely aren't a 38 band then! I always think the tightness of the band reminds me of compression leggings. When you first wear them it's really obvious, but you do get used to it.

I was the same two years ago, wearing a 34d, when I am actually a 30e. I thought I was right because the 34 still had bulges out under my pits, so I couldn't possibly size lower. Turns out those bulges were boob from a too small cup and the lift and shape under clothes now looks so much better. Even though I never thought I looked bad before. It is a "journey" though and takes some effort, trial and error to get something perfect because your boob shape can also matter too.

Also the first time you try on a bra, it's a bit like new shoes, it can take a few wears before they soften and break in.

I don't want to derail OPs thread, and @dementedpixie is full of useful advice as well, but am happy help if I can

SpeckledyHen · 01/04/2021 12:51

OP I was fitted by Rigby & Peller and it was some of the best money I have ever spent . I checked their sizing with BooborBust and it was exactly the same . Once you have your correct size you can then move on to trying to find the style that is best for you .

My appointment at R&P was almost 2 hours and we tried 20 odd before finding the perfect style for my shape . That’s why it is so difficult to do at home for ourselves .

Good luck!

StillOnlyMondaySigh · 01/04/2021 14:17

I have the same problem in that I struggle to find a bra that works for me.
A colleague recommended sumptuously soft from M&S and it is game changing...… I don't even know I have a bra on!

Original poster
doireallyneedaname · 01/04/2021 17:36

I used the link above and it said 32FF! There’s no way I can be an F. I was a D before (measured by two different places) and I’ve lost almost 5 stone since then!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 01/04/2021 17:54

A D means nothing without a back size as a D on a 32 back is much smaller than a D on a 36 back

What was the back size on the D cup?