Bra size help

[scoopydoopy]

God I am just so frustrated. So basically I've not worn a proper bra for about 2 years. I have massive awful wide apart boobs and I've been wearing tesco sports type bras with removable cups to squash them down and hold them in place. But they don't look nice with thin strap tops. I just went online to try and measure myself and I came across so many ways to measure that I just got so pissed off. M&S online fitting relied on you having a bra already. One was measuring chest and bust and taking away the chest measurement from bust. And another added 5 inches on to chest ?! I am just so confused. Wish I could just chop them off sometimes!! It's so difficult for me to get in to a shop to get measured (work/small child) so thought I'd just figure it out at home 🙈

Basically your under bust measurement (fairly snug) is your back size.
The difference between the over bust (round the largest bit, not too tight) and under bust give the cup size. Some size guides ask for a bending over measurement too.

Each inch difference gives a larger cup e.g;

1 inch - A, 2 inch - B, then it's C, D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, RTC

Try the booborbust site for a detailed guide

One was measuring chest and bust and taking away the chest measurement from bust. this one is your starting point. Then, with wide apart boobs, look at curvy Kate and Freya. You might need to fiddle with styles and sizes to get a good fit.

The add 5" thing is a throwback from the days before lycra.

www.booborbust.com/

The problem with measuring and then buying is that not all bras fit the same, so you may be one size in one store, and a totally different size in another.

The best thing would be either to go instore and try on (if able to in current times), or order a few different sizes and take it from there.

I'd also suggest trying a proper bra-fitting service if you haven't worn bras for a while. I found M&S to be awful, whereas Bravissimo were brilliant. Expensive yes, but you can always buy online in the sale once you know your size in that store.

Good luck!

Thank you for your responses! @dementedpixie I tried that and got 32J - Jesus!! That's enormous! 😩

What size are you currently wearing?
Sounds like you have a small back size with larger cup size which can be hard to find

Well the ones from Tesco are a 'large' haha. The last bra I got was from next years ago and it's a 36dd - I basically grabbed one I thought would fit and it was alright ish. But it was made from really soft material so wasn't a 'proper' bra if that makes sense.

Saying that, I have been weight training since April so it's possible that was closer to my size at the time. So maybe this is right..

28J = 30HH = 32H = 34GG = 36G = 38FF

These are all sister sizes and have the same cup volume (breast size) as each other. Think booborbust can sometimes overestimate the cup size so maybe try a variety around the same back size or try a sister size

I think a good bra fitting would really help you. I agree with the post above that going to a higher-end store to be fitted (either a specialty bra store or a high end department store will be good.) I prefer a dept store like Selfridges because their staff is very well trained and in a dept store they are not measuring you for a single brand's styles, but just an overall accurate measurement. You don't have to buy anything then, but can then go online and shop for deals.

A well fitted bra can help prevent issues with your posture, back, and neck, especially for ladies with a larger cup size!

There's a bravissimo about half hours drive away from me I think. Perhaps I'll try and find some time to get there. So frustrating! Looks like I'm going to struggle to find anything that is budget friendly at that size. I hardly earn anything so I'll struggle I reckon.

Go on booborbust to determine size, then order a range of styles in that size from Bravissimo. They are good for returns so you can send back anything that doesn't work for you.

Brastop often has good reductions on bras

You can often find new Bravissimo brand styles on eBay for a fraction of the price, they often accept returns too - check each seller. I’ve found the same bras in a 32H on eBay for about £10 that are £36 on Bravissimo.

How full are your boobs? Booborbust is a great guide, but if you've got a good amount of sagginess it can overestimate the cup size. As an example, borb measures me as a GG, but I'm an F cup. Order a few sizes around the recommended size if your boobs aren't very full.

@dementedpixie

Brastop often has good reductions on bras

Was just going to recommend this site too. Usually free returns so you can order quite a few and then return the rejects. I love Fantasie as they have side support.

@CorrBlimeyGG

How full are your boobs? Booborbust is a great guide, but if you've got a good amount of sagginess it can overestimate the cup size. As an example, borb measures me as a GG, but I'm an F cup. Order a few sizes around the recommended size if your boobs aren't very full.

For want of a better description they are sooo floppy haha.

I'll have a look at brastop. Such a pain having rubbish boobs!!

I think I'm going to have to try and find the time to go in to a shop. Otherwise I'll have to just keep wearing what I am

I've hated buying bras since I was 16, 40 years ago. Sadly, there is no short cut to getting a decent fit. Find the best corsetiere/bra shop within 20 miles and plan to spend a hour trying on bras. Once you have completed this misery, then you have a starting point. There really isn't a shortcut, but getting it sorted now will let you decide much better which clothes you like to wear, and that's really much more important.

@scoopydoopy

Thank you for your responses! *@dementedpixie* I tried that and got 32J - Jesus!! That's enormous! 😩

The cup letter/size is all relative to the band size - ie a J cup on a 32 back will not be the same size/volume as a J cup on a 38 back. As per the attached pic, a G cup on a 30 back is the same size as a C cup on a 38 back.

I wore a 36DD for years. Measured with BoB, then went to Bravissimo - turns out I was a 32J. My boobs never looked better and my clothes sit better on me too.

@RinkyStinky1

I wore a 36DD for years. Measured with BoB, then went to Bravissimo - turns out I was a 32J. My boobs never looked better and my clothes sit better on me too.

This gives me hope. I just need to find some ££!

The Boob or Bust has a really good FB group and a selling page where you can pick up really good quality, lightly worn bras in decent sizes til you find your size.
Trust in it as a starting point though. Make sure you scoop up all the escaping tissue to the front too. Makes such a difference

Thank you for all the replies, you've all been really helpful.