Another bra fitting thread.

[Imtoooldforallthis]

OK so I know what size I am 36ff give or take, been measured at Bravissimo and done boob or bust. I have a couple of bras that fit but that it is. On my last clear out I had 15 brand new bras. I know the problem, but I can't solve it. All bras in my size or sister sizes are too wide in the underwire, by a lot. I need a very small underwire with a lot of volume if that makes any sense. Has anyone else got the same problem.

I wish I knew, but you can lower or raise the underwires by altering the shoulder straps.

It's the fact they are too wide, without fail they dig in under my armpit.

Have you tried going down a cup size?
And basically I'd get yourself to rigby & peller if you can. You need a specialist if you are an unusual size/shape. They are experts

I’m a 36G but could do with recommendations for plunge styles - I’m so short of torso that anything in balcony or full cup the wires come up too high between my boobs and dig in!
Anything bigger than DD manufacturers think you need armour plating

www.bravissimo.com/products/niya-bra-ln659/?gclid=CjwKCAjwqvyFBhB7EiwAER786SoeTcw8k8iCNx3OOA62KJK9PneKgYHffmDSMLvmOEqWZuyJWyQjtxoCCZoQAvD_BwE#white-ln659wht
This is the style I need - but preferably cheaper
I bought this bra and although normally a bravissimo fan didn’t find it washed well

I’m similar size and really struggling to find a swimsuit for proper swimming, my costume that’s fits cups well makes me look like I’m wearing a wonder bra so ok for in the garden hot tub but not the local pool

You need Polish bras, and to go down a band size if you can. You could always use an extender at the back.
I am a different size (28H) but I have the same problem with all brands apart from Polish ones as they grade their wires differently. I need fullness in the cup, but not something so wide that it sits half way round my back.
Are you lean or more padded? As your ribs might be smaller than your band size suggests, if you have a bit of extra padding there, and that will affect where your breasts naturally sit on your frame.

With most Polish brands, the wires vary with band size as well as cup size, so you don’t get that thing of having a cup just get wider and wider, when what you need is more depth but not width.

Ewa Michalak, Comexim, Avodado, Kris Line are all Polish brands.
Have you tried Empreinte ? As they grade their wires differently from other brands. I haven’t tried them yet, but intend to. Expensive but then so is having 15 unwearable bras.

I have the same problem. Going down a back size makes it so tight it hurts and leaves me covered in angry red marks. Going down a cup size gives me quad boobs. I've taken to angrily removing the underwires everytime an underwire starts digging into my armpit but it's not a great solution.

I have this exact same problem! The wires come too far round my side so they’re digging into my armpit. But if I go for a smaller size my boobs spill out of the cup.
I’m going to have a look at the Polish suggestions above.

As others have said, it sounds as if you need a more projected shape with a narrower wire curve. Sadly this seems to be out of vogue as the flatter wider look is in. Unfortunately our breasts will be the shape they choose!

The Polish styles seem to be more inclined towards the pushed forward look but it is hard to gauge online.

Off the top of my head often many of the Cleo range- eg Asher/Hettie are good for this, and the Panache Jasmine. Stretch lace and balconette styles can also help:

Another suggestion go to Rigby and Peller .

Yes the bras are expensive but the fitting expertise is worth every penny and you won’t have another drawer full of wasted money .

Thank you I'm going to look at all those Polish brands.

I find that going down a band size and using an extender helps enormously. I think I need to be fitted for the breasts first and adjusting for the back.

I've never heard of any of those Polish makes. Where can I try them?

I've just ordered a Kris Line one off eBay.

This is exactly my problem with Bravissimo sizing - there’s loads of bra under my armpits, and because the wire goes so far around, it can flex weirdly as I move my arms and dig in at the front (plunge bras are always ridiculously painful). Also the bra itself is sitting so far under my armpit that it looks odd with vest tops. And they cover so much boob that it’s hard to wear anything low cut. I resorted to going up two back sizes and down two cup sizes to try to find a bra that didn’t do that. I’m short and busty, so they all just seem to come up really high on me.

I'm also short and busty, I will report back on the polish one.

I do browse the Bravissimo catalogue, but every bra I've ordered over the past few years has had to go back as nothing fits like my Polish bras, so even though they are a pain to order I don’t wear anything else. I usually order straight from the brand but this site has a few different Polish makes. I have not used them yet so can’t comment on returns etc. www.lace-lingerie.com/ewa-michalak

Did you know there are different styles of wire? Generally a brand will have one style they choose. Eg Freya uses a U shape wire that is high in the middle. Some brands use a less strong wire, so it flexes more with your rib cage.

I can't wear Freya, or any that are a big U shape. I generally go for plunge style, as that is so much more comfortable.

And finally the Bra manufacturers are making larger sizes non-wired. Cmon people, we can put a man on the moon, you can design a supportive comfortable bra that is actually nice.

Well I think Triumph might have done it. The new 'fit smart' in 4 sizes. It's great.

This why I say go to rigby & peller, they will show you which brands suit your body. The same size is NOT the same in different brands.

I have been to Rigby and Peller twice, and I think they are very overrated. the first time I was young, it was over thirty years ago, before you could buy 28 or even 30 band bras, they had nothing that fitted me at all and the fitter was very brusque- I left embarrassed with a 32 bra that was actually loose , the bra I was wearing when I went in was a better fit. At the time I measured 25 around ribs and 32-33 at my bust, they made me feel an annoyance.
The second time was when I was pregnant 16 years ago, I thought I would give them another chance as it had been so long. Only one bra in the whole place was acceptable, and again, I felt they were irritated that nothing fitted me rather than being sympathetic . They were busy, as always, and the fitter seemed harassed, I was stressed and tired as pregnant and worried I wouldn’t find anything , it was not a pleasant experience .
I have had much nicer and less bossy fitters in other places, Fenwicks, Bravissimo. One lovely lady in M&S fitted my then 13 year old daughter with real kindness and sensitivity. She actually took the bras home and altered the bands beautifully to fit my tiny framed daughter , she was an angel !