Quest for a bra after weightloss/breastfeeding- please help!

[FujiSakura]

I have been really struggling to find a bra that fits my new shape (or lack of) and I'm really hoping someone can help.

I have gone from a 36D/ size 14 to what I think, through trial and error and various measurements, is a 36A/ size 8.
To look at, my upper torso looks pretty small at the moment but my back measurement still seems to be a 36.

I really want a bra that I can wear under clothes to give me a boost and some shape. Clothes don't seem to fit properly at the top sometimes as I don't have anything there anymore. Every bra that I buy seems to gape at the top but I can't get a smaller cup size. I am not bothered about creating a cleavage as I don't really wear low cut tops and bras that do that just seem to pile my now empty breast tissue up in an unattractive way. I would like padding though to create shape.

Physical shops do not seem to ever stock my size and I have lost count of the number of times I have bought a bra online, only to have to return it again. The latest being from Pour Moi which I was particularly excited about as these specific ones were aimed at smaller breasts and promised 'no gape'. What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

No way are you a 36 back at a size 8. I wear a 36 back at size 20/22!

If you measure tightly under your bust what is the measurement? Don't add any inches onto this figure

Measure more loosely around the fullest part of your bust to work out your cup size.

Each inch difference means a bigger cup e.g. 1 inch = A, 2 inch = B then it's C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, etc

Thanks for responding.
I get what you mean about the band size. What I didn't make clear is that I have ordered other smaller sizes based on measurements and they always dig in or ride up or squash bits out sideways under my armpits so I have settled on 36 through trial and error as being the back size that seems to 'fit'. I'm obviously going hopelessly wrong though!
I have just done my measurements again and it's approx 29inches under bust and 34 at the fullest part which gives different results in different online calculators.

30D or DD or thereabouts

When you ordered smaller back sizes you likely ordered a cup that's too small and that made the band feel tight

Riding up means the back is too big btw
Breast tissue squashing out the sides means the cup is too small

P.s. my dd is a ladies size 10 and wears 28 back bra so 28 or 30 sounds about right for you

How do people lose weight on their back itms to need a smaller band.

Yep 30 or 32 back - 10

I think I have tried a 30/32 band before but this was probably with a smaller cup size so I think perhaps my next step is to try a 30 D and see where that gets me! It feels like such a mission at the moment. I can't even go off advice about 'wearing your best fitting bra to measure' etc as they are way to big cup size now and won't help at all in terms of determining my current measurements as they are so different. Thanks for everyone's advice so far!

Oh and it doesn't seem to be my breasts that get squashed out sideways but my armpit area!

does anyone know where one can find these elusive small band/large cup size bras..?

I'm also (almost) post-breastfeeding multiple children, and because I used to be a D cup, my (empty ) breasts are still quite wide at their base, IYSWIM? Even though v shallow now - probs an A cup. So I'm after a wide but shallow cup with a 28 or 30 band size, preferably not in polyester...

That all needs scooping into the cup
BTW a 36A has same cup volume as 34B and 32C and 30D and they are all sister sizes (same cup volume on different back sizes)

@HBGKC

does anyone know where one can find these elusive small band/large cup size bras..?

I'm also (almost) post-breastfeeding multiple children, and because I used to be a D cup, my (empty ) breasts are still quite wide at their base, IYSWIM? Even though v shallow now - probs an A cup. So I'm after a wide but shallow cup with a 28 or 30 band size, preferably not in polyester...

Brastop maybe I got my dd a 28F from amazon

I'm in the same boat and yes you'll be a smaller band and bigger cup. Balconette style bras are supposed to be better for a loss of top boob fullness but I still find it a struggle to find a non gaping cup and like you have gone from a 14 to an 8/10.

I’m a size 8 and wore a 36A for a decade before realising it was completely the wrong size. when I finally got properly measured about 6 years ago discovered that a size 28D or 28DD is perfect. No gaping, bit of shape / boost and bras look 10 times better. I usually go for a moulded cup with underwires. I had to go to a small local lingerie shop though to find a proper range. Not M&S who, despite their reputation, are apparently terrible at measuring accurately.

According to your measurements you are wearing a band size bigger than the fullest part of your breasts! That cannot possibly fit. I think you need to check your measurements (use the boob or bust method and then try on the band size your measurements give and and the next size up in a variety of cup sizes using the cupsize generated by B or B as a starting point.

I would not think 36 at a size 8

What i found is that i needed a bra that suits boobs that are full at the bottom, and have a good sized cup. Before i thought my armpits were spilling out but i tried a bigger cup and it solved it!

T shirt bras dont work for me now post breastfeeding. Its like my boobs are lacking at the top!

Agree with winky re balconette styles. I’ve got a lovely one from Panache, which fits v well and creates a bit of cleavage with even my teeny boobs

You need to measure using the Boob or Bust system on their website OP - it will change your life!!!

Thank you so much everyone. Just taking it through on here and reading about people in similar situations is really helpful. Yes, that's a good way to describe it, I have lost the top breast tissue and have some excess skin there and things are a lot lower than they used to be. So much more to consider now when trying to get the fit right!

I'm a size 12 and a 36 band size. Anything less is uncomfortably tight - and I have tried.

@FuzzyPuffling

I'm a size 12 and a 36 band size. Anything less is uncomfortably tight - and I have tried.

Going up the cup size will solve the tightness

Going up the cup size will solve the tightness

I thought it would, but it didn't, and I tried several brands, sizes and styles. I still got uncomfortably constricted around my rib cage.

Maybe I am just a funny shape!

Maybe up quite a few cupsizes? I thought I was very flat but still wearing a 28F!

Definitely measure using boob or bust

I'm a 6-8 and measure as 28D but for comfort I wear 30C. Calvin Klein do them, as do Boux Avenue. Although since lockdown I have only worn CK racer back bralettes, not sure I can ever go back to underwired... There is one with a bit of padding to give shape.