Bra size advice

[Megan70]

I am really bad at finding the right size when getting a bra, I have tried different methods and even I went once to get it measured at M&S ( I don't know if there are any other places around that till do it), but still after having it measured at M &S and buying it there on the spot I found out (on the next days) that the wires were digging in my skin. I don't seem to find a way to know (and be happy) with the size I buy.
Do you have any "fool proof " to measure yourself and know exactly your size? Do you go to get measured (where)? I would really appreciate some advice, I absolutely hate buying bras. It always feels like a "guessing" game.

@Hillrunning It is Fit to Bust in Chapel Allerton.

After years of trying on and getting measured in numerous shops, following all sorts of online guides and advice, I've gave up on wires. They just never allow comfort for me
Having largish boobs, that are both close together (so the middle but never lays flat) and start pretty much from under my arm (the wire then rubs my inner upper arm) makes it seem that bras just don't fit.
For reference, I find non-wired bras sized 36DD-36F fit me well, depending on style and brand.
M&S size is a 36E.

See if you can find an independent shop near you, you'll almost certainly get a good experience. We (me and my teenage daughters) go to one near Southampton who fit by eye and somehow manage to get it spot on each time. No tape measures, just comfy bras!

You sound like you have a very wide breast root and yes, very hard to find wires made to accommodate. Bras are mass produced and sadly manufacturers don't cater for extremes. Glad you found non wired to fit

I've never heard the term "breast root" but yea, I'd agree with that statement. It's totally annoying. Maybe one day I'll try making my own and seeing if I can get a comfortable one

I used to bra fit,we would measure round then go by eye on the cup size. By the time you've fitted hundreds if not thousands you know by sight.

Even now I can tell a woman in a badly fitting bra a mile off (and I'm currently one of them, it's almost time for my yearly splurge on bras). I hate bra shopping though, it's always so hot and painful constantly twisting bras round.

I go to Perfect Fit in Keynsham (between Bristol and Bath).

Blimey a B to an F! You must have been so uncomfortable

I saw a woman at the pool at the weekend. Back of her bikini top was totally riding up ie too loose and cups were waaay to small. It must have been a 34b and she was a 32 d at least. Looked very uncomfortable and it gave her zero support.

Non wired is my holy grail now. Also can't have a middle gore. Wires just hurt. I think bra technology needs to step up.

I second rigby & pellier. Really good fitters.

Fantastic independent lingerie shop near Southampton called hidden agenda

If you go in they'll measure you. They don't even need a tape measure. They have a near magic ability to do it by eye!

I tried this, followed it religiously then none of the bras in that size fitted me!

Bravissimo or John Lewis, both have properly trained fitters. John Lewis better for small cup sizes.

As a rule of thumb, generally most people are trying on bras with back sizes too big and cup sizes too small. So it’s worth reading about what a good fit looks like (flat to the chest in the middle, can get a few fingers under the band, not much pressure on the straps, scooping whole breast in cup with no bulging) and then getting a massive range of sizes to try, even if you think “I can’t possibly be that back / cup” and keep trying on.

Boob or bust is a starting point, not the holy grail. It does give you an idea that if you think you are a 34A you are much more likely to be a 30C for example.

However there is no substitute for going to a shop that knows what it is doing not M&S and trying on a lot of bras.

I used boob or bust, thought the size sounded ridiculous (30h)

Went to bravissimo and that was the size they fitted me as as well

Interesting. I have tried all the methods usually recommended online," if you can fit more than two fingers here then it is not your size, blah,blah,blah.." even the tape measure under boob and over boob and follow the chart to find size and cup, never works. I used to get them (many years ago) at a small shop, they would eye ball me coming in and hand me a bra that would always fit me, but they closed many years ago. Having into account that our sizes constantly change after losing or putting on weight, or having children, right now I have no clue at all what size I can be. I am in South East London, so hopefully I will get to see if there are any Bravissimo, John Lewis or rigby & pellier shops around as they seem to be the most recommended so far. Good to know also that Bravissimo takes appointments online, I wonder if it actually works well as this seems a very good option (and convenient).