Help with bra sizing

[Newone78]

Hi,
I have a bra problem :(
I’ve been wearing 32B size bras for years. For a while now I’ve been finding the band feels tight and the cup is just right or depending on the time of the month gives me a “double boob”. Visually I have clear red band markings in my skin when I take my bra off in the evening. These are oldish Primark bras.

I measured myself in the B&B website and I got a 30D or 30DD sizing. Went ahead and bought a few pairs from John Lewis on both sizes. 30D was far too small and ended up keeping a 30DD. This looked fine to start with but after wearing it for a while the banding was so tight it hurt and markings in my skin even more pronounced than with my normal 32Bs..

Any ideas what I should try next? Should I continue to wear the 30DD in the hope it will feel better at some point?
Should you be expected to get lines from bras if the fit correctly or is it always a sign the bra is too small?

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

I’d personally try a 32C. They do say a properly fitted bra should be very snug around the band as this is what gives the support, not the straps, however digging in and leaving red marks is never nice and I personally think you should stick with your 32 band measurement and just move up a cup size for the ‘time of the month’ issue. Oh another tip is always start with the loosest fit of the hooks on the back then move it into the tightest fit over time as the band stretches over time and this accounts for it getting looser. Finally, just go with what feels comfortable & looks right, fits vary between brands so try different styles & see what’s best for you. Good luck.

I don't think increasing your band size should be your first move. If you measured your underbust and got 30 then you should be able to wear a 30 band. Try going up a cup size (or two!) and see if that helps. I'd try 30E next. The band can feel too tight even if it's the cup size that's the issue. It might just be that the style you've gone for is a bit less generous than others and increasing cup size will fix this for you. A 32C might feel more like what you're used to but it'll still be a bra that doesn't quite fit properly.

I think whatever size you measure you have to be comfortable. Not everyone gets on with wearing the same size back that their ribs measure- I don’t. According to the boob or bust things and bravissimo I’m a 30GG but although they give me a great shape I’m so uncomfortable and can’t wait to take them off. So I actually go for a 34 band depending on the style and hover around an F cup. People here would shoot me but they’re my boobs! My actual bra of choice is a molke - even then I wear a larger size than the size thing says (supposed to be a small super and I prefer a large cosmic). Life is too short to be uncomfortable.

I agree with Bagelsandbrie, I measure between a 30/31 but I wear a 34 the b& b don't work for everyone.

Hi, I’m so sorry I have not responded to your suggestions, I had a terribly busy day yesterday and didn’t find the chance to read your lovely comments xx ok so, taking into account your different views I’m going to buy both a 30E and a 34b and compare them to see what feels better. I’m half expecting them to be more comfortable but cups will most likely be too big.. but I’m fed up with getting up in the morning and still seeing marks from the day before! Plus it makes me feel fatter than I am as I can see bumps everywhere from the bra digging in.. thanks so much for your help xxxxxxx