Bra sizes

[FeistySheep]

Hope this is the right place for this.

I've always thought I was a 36C. I've done the at home measuring guide on Boob or Bust and another couple of sites, and they come out with sizes from 32DD up to 30G (this last one is blatantly bananas)!

The trouble is that I know that when I try on a 34 bra in a shop, it is painfully tight. As it is, I like to take off my 36 bras in the evening if staying in, and get an 'ahhh' moment when I do! It's not painful, but just a relief when it's off. So how an earth would I fit in a 32?

My chest size is 30-32, depending how tight/loose I hold the tape measure. I always thought that meant 36 bras (4 inches up rule) and indeed they do seem to fit my chest. Has this rule changed? If it has, why are 34 bras too small for me, let alone 32?

Many TIA :)

What cup of 34 bras have you been trying? Because that matters as well - if the cup is too small, the band will be too tight, as the breast tissue has to squeeze in somewhere.

Try your 36 bra back to front. see that it's nicely parallel, not climbing up or down. Is it still too tight?

You are likely trying a cup that is too small and that makes the bra feel tight. You don't add inches to the back size. What size did boob or bust give?

It's because in a 36/34 the cup is too small so it's pulling the band tighter to make room for you boobs in some of the 'band' space. You'll notice the bit in the middle between cups probably doesn't sit flush to your skin in a 34/36 but actually 'floats'? You may even notice breast tissue outside of the wires?

Watching with interest @FeistySheep because I feel the same as you. I'm currently wearing a 34D, measured by eye in Rigby and Peller and it fits beautifully, but Boob or Bust make me a 28G! I'm positive I wouldn't be able to do that up.

I thought I was a 34b but boob or bust thinks 30G 🤣 guess there's only one way to find out

The 36C actually fits 'okay' - it rides up slightly at the back but not much, and the straps fall down quite often (minor annoyance). But the band is tight but not sore, and the wires sit flush against my skin. All the boob tissue is contained nicely! I just put it from loosest fastening onto tightest fastening this morning and I'm noticing I'm wearing it much more.

When I tried 34s I went up to a D, as I thought that's what you did? The cup size seemed roughly right but the band too tight. So 36C is comfy but probably not quite right, and 34D hurts my chest. Boob or Bust said 30G and two other sites said 32DD.

Is the best thing just to wait until I can get to a shop with unusual sizes and try lots on?

Haha greyspottedgoose and chasingmytail - so many of us wallowing in bra-confusion!

If you measure between 30 and 32 then try both 30 and 32 backs, not 36. Do you measure around 39 inches over bust? You are very far from a C cup if so. A C cup means only 3 inches difference between under and over bust sizes.

Back riding up and straps falling down are signs of a back that's too big

If a 36C has a cup that's too small then a 34D will also be too small as both those cups hold the same volume of breast tissue. You need to go up several more cups.

@dementedpixie 31-32 around chest, and 37 around boobs. And 39 if I bend over like Boob or Bust told me to!
That's really useful to know about the straps falling down, thank you!

So should the band feel tight but not painful when you try it in the shop? Or should it be painful at first and then it will relax after a couple of wears/washes?

id try a 32DD or 32E next time OP

I'd maybe try 32DD or E to start with.

32DD is actually a sister size of 36C with regard to breast tissue volume (32DD=34D=36C)

It should feel snug but not painful and should fasten in the loosest hooks

Thank you @dementedpixie and @branleuse - you've been really kind to help I will try to find a place that sells those sizes (in Inverness)!

Brastop is good for online

I really believe in boob or bust, but if it’s measuring you two back sizes smaller and 2 cup sizes bigger, maybe try moving one of each instead of 2 to see how you get on. The big change can be too much for some people.

I'm 31 under 38 over, I wear a 34 d dd, but just lately my two new ones brought last year are really tight, there's no way I could wear a 32 even if I tried a larger cup, its just too tight, I tried some when I ordered different sizes on line, for some of us the boob and bust don't work.

DD

You're probably around a 32F. Sister size is 34E. Bras can feel tight if the cup is too small on the correct back

Measure your ribs tightly in inches and then slightly more relaxed. If those numbers are similar to the number on your bra then you probably have the correct back size. If it's more than 2 inches out then you probably don't.

If 32 inches of non stretchy tape fits around you then a stretch fabric 32 bra with adjustable fasteners will. You just have to get the cup right.

Try doing your bra up backwards in the correct place on your torso but with the cups on the back. If you can get more than a few fingers in it's too loose. If you can get both hands in and waggle them about it's definitely too loose. (Ditto riding up at the back, and bra straps falling down. You're wearing a bra made for a woman whose rib size is considerably bigger than yours.)

Swoop and scoop is important. Wearing the wrong size bra forces breast tissue out to the sides, down onto your tummy under your arms, and even round your back, so make sure you scoop all of that into the cup.

Try a 32F OP. What have you got to lose?

Thought I'd update ☺️ Tried lots of sizes, and yes, as expected, 32 bands are just painful on my 31.5inch chest. I tried up to a 32F and still really sore.
So I've ended up with 34DD and 34E - different manufacturers.
They are definitely better than the 36C ones I had before, so thanks everyone for your help ☺️