To think the boob or bust bra evangelism goes too far!

[hihellohihello]

I can't use this method. I've scars and sensitive skin after a mastectomy and then menopause. Soft tissue which will redden and go dry if anything digs in.

I don't feel that these issues are unusual. Granted, many women have not had mastectomies but many have soft tissue, dry and sensitive skin. No matter what size they are. I have tried to build muscles up and have but still got a layer of soft skin over them on my back and underarm area. I'm not big - the opposite 5 ft 7 and size 8 with a BMI on the low side so losing weight would not be the best option for me.

So I choose bras with a 34 back size. (Measure between 30 and 31). However, this seems almost taboo now. They don't ride up and don't leave red marks. They are the most comfortable apart from comfort bras/bralettes (which I get in a medium). Tighter bras leave red marks and my skin gets dry.

So sick of hearing 'You'll get used to the underband being tighter' and 'You need to go up a cup size' . Complete with a Facebook page. I've tried it. It doesn't work. I see so many pictures even in lingerie catalogues of flesh billowing over underbands. Underarm rolls and back rolls (Although the breasts may defy gravity). These rolls aren't suggestive of a good fit. Granted my breasts are not as high as they could be versus hoisting them up with a smaller band and shorter straps. They don't look like they are about to defy gravity. But they look normal and don't sag, when wearing my bra, at least. They're not at my waist or anything - they are where they should be.

I understand it might be empowering to get some uplift / look slimmer but horses for courses. Running everyday, watching what I eat, walking and weights got me slimmer already. My bra just needs to be comfortable, hold a prosthesis and not show under my clothes.

But such is the Boob or Bust evangelism that many stores will not even publish measuring guides. Thankfully, I do know about 'sister sizes' - one thing I can thank Boob or Bust for, I suppose.

Rant over. 🥴

If you don't like the fit from BoB then don't use it. But if someone posts asking for bra advice then why wouldn't people it does work for mention it?

@MorrisZapp, to be fair No one in real life is. It's just the marketing and when you look up how different companies fit it's converting over to boob or bust - even on mastectomy lingerie company sites. Which I think is wrong - there's such a complex range of issues we need a more openly tailored approach. Wouldn't take much, a questionnaire or talking about overcoming common issues. Including digging in and tightness of underbands. Not go up a cup size. The 'back band should only pull out 1 and a half inches' from a mastectomy lingerie company is misguided.

I have to confess I've never been on BoB. But a lot of these Facebook groups (thinking if Curly Girl and Styled By Susie) can get a little cult-y...

I'd avoid.

But I don't agree that you can tell based on your own bras that someone you've seen a picture of has an ill fitting bra because she has rolls! It's a bugbear of mine because I always thought the same, as models when I was growing up were so lean they never had any rolls so I bought huge back sizes and developed back problems!

My takeaway from this thread is to avoid BoB and also that people think back fat must mean something is "wrong" which is kind of sad, but not surprising

No problem with a mention. The insistence it's the only way is what I object to.

hello I've just looked at their website. Goodness knows what they have done.It seems that they've spoiled a very, very helpful system. For what purpose??? I'll email them and report back.
If it helps at all, their system very roughly helped me (relative to boob or bust) to be = plus 2 in band, one or two inches less in cup size.

Agree OP. I’m a dress size 10 and wear 34 D. BoB has me at 32. No way. Not if I want to breathe!

I too notice the evangelism online, and it would mean I would never put the above info about my size n another thread, it would just get derailed with boob or bust nonesense.

As an aside, I think this will soon start to be quite an out moded idea. I see a lot of younger women now not wearing bras at all. That would not be practical for me, or perhaps others no longer 20 something(!), but I suspect the fashionable silhouette is changing.

@CoffeeAndTV1, I can understand that is the other side of it. Rolls for me, personally cause problems because my skin is sensitive. It's not wrong to have rolls but I don't want to artificially create them IYSWIM. I observed other people (lingerie models) had them and assumed they were exasperated(on the lingerie models) by the bra and associated that with the uncomfortable skin I get when rolls are created by tight bands of clothing.

I totally see where you're coming from and you have your reasons for thinking that. Glad we could enlighten each other!

Agree OP. I’m a dress size 10 and wear 34 D. BoB has me at 32. No way. Not if I want to breathe!
I'm a 34 overbust, 30 under and need a size 10 top! Dress size would be an 8 as I need a compromise between a 10 chest and 6 hips.

@Svara, yes, dress sizes are often a compromise. I'm usually an 8 in most things, @ 35, 25, 35 measurements.

I'm very similar, 34, 25, 34 (but only 5' 5). One reason why I don't buy dresses, much easier to buy a 10 top and 25/30 or 6 in jeans!

Boob or bust had me in some mythical 26H. I can’t breathe in a 30FF. I’m very comfy in my 32Es so I’m staying there.

I’m between a 6 and a 8. I’ve dresses in both sizes, but I’ve got a bad back and painful ribs so I’m going with what’s best for me.

As an aside, I think this will soon start to be quite an out moded idea. I see a lot of younger women now not wearing bras at all. That would not be practical for me, or perhaps others no longer 20 something(!), but I suspect the fashionable silhouette is changing.

Nor me. I'd look pretty odd without a bra all considered!😂

Well, I'm glad I started this thread. Feel a bit less weird now for not liking Boob or Bust method because there very definitely are others who don't get on with it either. I fully acknowledge it has worked for some people but we are a diverse lot and require different things from a bra fitting. I hope this 'right' and 'wrong' in terms of bra fitting gets thoroughly debunked.

I to agree, I measure 32 and wear a 34 DD, I still get red marks, I used to work as a bra fitter in the days when you were supposed to add 4 inches, I never did, it was mainly 2 inches more that fitted better, and the larger the lady say 38/40 round the body upwards , sometimes then you didn't add any inches, all bras brands fitted differently, our ladies used to take in up to ten bras in at a time, to get the best fit. We used to have the same customers coming back to us year after year.

Totally agree.

I've tried boob or bust, I fully committed for a while, but I've gone back to my old size now and I'm much happier.

In my supposed boob or bust size the band digs in so much it leaves welts and it's so uncomfortable it's actually really painful sometimes. The cups are unflattering, too, there's SO MUCH coverage and not a chance of getting even a hint of cleavage. I'm amazed how many people evangelise about it.

Oh I wish it was for me! I've used bravissimo since I was about 16 and was a DD in the old sizing age 14. I remember being a 34G, then a HH and now I'm a 34K. Not because of sizing changes but because the damn things didn't stop growing
I lost 3 stone and all that happened was I dropped a back size

I did BoB and it put me at 30F from the 32/34 C that I was wearing. The 30F feels like it's cutting me in half! Yes it fits my boobs lovely but it was so tight! So I have gone back to what I was wearing. Wear what makes you comfortable is what I say.

BoB put me three band sizes down, forget tight, it wouldn't physically fasten!

I buy all my bras from M&S and use their measuring and everything fits great.

Oh, and another thing - bras vary so wildly in size between brands that I think there is no substitute for just trying a load on anyway.

BoB places WAY too much trust and faith in manufacturers being consistent with sizing/ fit.

Great thread OP.

@Flyinggeese1234, thanks. It does feel rather cathartic. Pleased it's been useful to others too.🙂

I don’t think a bra should be uncomfortable. I tend to find a bra might be slightly tight on first wearing but very quickly the force of gravity and my straining bosom loosens it up and makes me realise what a sterling engineering job its doing. I went from a 34C to a 30FF and have never looked back.

BoB works great for me - I’m around a size 16. I think they really raised the conversation up around the “sister sizes” thing, which is great and can be v empowering for people to experiment with.

I had to play around a bit with the suggested sizes as of course all manufacturers cut things a bit differently but I think one reason people can be so evangelical is that they know how it can seem like it’s not going to work but (because of sister sizes) it actually might. Of course it doesn’t suit everyone. But it’s good to try things out.

I think it’s great but I wouldn’t recommend to my mum who wears bras “far too loose” because I know she has sensitive skin and would not want a closer fit.

I think it’s great but I wouldn’t recommend to my mum who wears bras “far too loose” because I know she has sensitive skin and would not want a closer fit.

@Talipesmum, I think that's a good take home message. I think there needs to be more listening to actual women's needs instead of telling them 'you'll get used to it!'. 'Put up and shut up' is a message women seem to absorb from the cradle really and it's wrong when there's stuff which can help them out there. And the stuff which actually helps can be as diverse as the women themselves. Also when we have found a good clothing solution which works for us (and most people don't even see) we don't need to be told it's wrong - especially when it's just a piece of underwear!