Where to buy a 'decent' bra?

[OMGitsnotgood]

Was in a boutique trying on a dress for a special occasion. Lady in the shop advised me I needed a 'decent bra' to give me more shape. Was a bit taken aback as i thought my trusty M&S bras had served me well!
Now paranoid. I'm a 42DD, which MN keeps telling me isn't big but I do look quite busty.

While I don't like showing too much cleavage, I do like a lowish top and often wear vest tops. Many of the more 'robust' bras I've tried on are too high at the side and in the cup, especially coming into summer.

I much prefer to buy in store but have to accept there aren't many places left, so if online only, they need ti accept returns.

Based on the above, do you have any recommendations for brands/specific bras please? thank you

I would definitely try some others as some can be labelled wrong or too tight and I don't trust M&S bras at all - they tried me in a 42HH when I'm a 34K
Black comes up tighter
I'm in an Elomi 34 band and it's so comfortable I've fallen asleep in the afternoon wearing it!

You may have just been unlucky with the bra you tried.

As previously said, I tried 5 or 6, must be very unlucky!

@OMGitsnotgood as I said I don't think the boob or bust method works for everyone. One thing you can try is 'sister sizes'. This works on the premise of how the cups fit and are labelled on different back bands. So if you go up a band size you go down a cup size for a bra still to fit your shape but give a looser fit on the back. So a 30D is like a 32C, a 34B and so on.

So if you were to go down a back size you could try a 40E for a firmer fit on the back which would allow you to adjust the straps shorter without the band riding up and achieve more uplift.

Go to bravissimo for measuring and try on bras in different styles, take the dress with you to make sure it fits underneath (also another favourite top perhaps so you see where it lies) I tend to buy bras from them then buy knickers from Asda as they are too expensive at bravissimo to buy both. M&S do have decent bras sometimes but I find that they aren't that supportive after a couple of washes

If money is tight, the best of the supermarkets is Sainsbury's but you need to go up a cup size I find. I would recommend trying a 38G from there and seeing if it fits (they do stock them, online free delivery and returns to store)

Not RTFT so this has probs been said but definitely go to bravissimo. They're fab and will bring you loads to try til you get the right one.

I am very difficult for bras for numerous reasons and it is always a nightmare if I have an occasion for which I would like to look good and make the most of my shape. The most important factor is the experience of the fitter. I have had good fitters in M&S and poor fitters in specialist shops. If the fitter is going by formula or gives me a size and sends me off to pick a bra without having the knowledge of their ranges and which bra is likely to work for me I can guarantee that the shopping trip will be disappointing. Usually an independent shop has worked best for me but we have no near R&P or Bravissimo so maybe I have missed a trick there.

I do this - the band is too tight otherwise - does up but digs into skin leaving marks and gets uncomfortable for all day or hot weather wear.

So sister size so bigger band and smaller cup gives me the best fit - for first time the bit between sits as it's suppose to flush next to the skin - whenever I've been measure and it's not doing so it is remarked on then ignored - also band sits in place and doesn't ride up and I can get a finger under with elastic so I think it's fine.

https://www.bravissimo.com/us/sister-sizes/
https://sizechart.com/brasize/sistersize/index.html

OP - everyone is different l it sounds like a visit to a really good independent shop is your best bet. We have a local one that is really good so it may be worth googling what’s in your area.

Last time I was measured in M&S they put me in a 38C. Went to our local independent fitter and she put me in a 36E Marie Jo balcony which gave a lovely shape but was definitely £££.

I'm thinking now that I really need to get refitted. I can get to John Lewis easily at Bluewater, but if I need Bravissimo I'd need to go into London. What would you knowledgeable people recommend? Is there anywhere else?

Totally worth taking a days annual leave and a trip, completely changed my life.

https://www.rigbyandpeller.com/en-gb/appointment-booker-in-person

Well as people have said, there is no way you are a 42.
If the 36g wouldn't fit, why did t you try the 38?
Although I find it bizarre that you'd need a 38 at size 14. 38 is a really big band. If B&B measures 36 then you are broad but it makes no sense you wouldn't fit a 38

Hi OP. A couple of suggestions for your bra trying.
Bras vary a lot brand to to brand and style to style, much like most clothes. You might be different sizes in different bras.

When trying a bra on for the first time, try it on backwards, just doing up the band without your boobs in the cups. This will help you judge if the band is the right size on its own. It shouldn’t pull out more than a thumb width, it should be tight. The wires should fit right under your boob, and the wire should point almost to the back of your armpit under your arm.

With the bra on the right way round the wires should be right up in the crease of your boobs. It’s most likely you need a smaller band and bigger cup. If the 36G couldn’t do up, I’d try a 36GG or H. But check the band first. As a size 14 it’s unlikely you need a bigger band than a 34, but if you have a very wide back you may need a 36. Again, always check the band on its own.

Cup sizes aren’t static, they just indicate how many inches bigger than the band the cup is. DD is 5 inches bigger than the band, very little. GG is 10 inches bigger than the band measured around the bust. Once you understand how it works it’s easier. So much variation between brands doesn’t help though!

Well as people have said, there is no way you are a 42. Yes I've acknowledged several times on this thread that I am in the wrong size and must have been most of my adult life. I feel a strongly worded letter to M&S coming on!

If the 36g wouldn't fit, why did t you try the 38?
I'd tried lots of 36s in different styles/brands and had the same issue with all so assumed I'd measured wrongly so rather than try lots of 38s, decided I needed to re measure as must have made a mistake.

DH has pointed out that I've lost a bit of weight since I tried those bras on. Am still very much in 14 tops but they are looser. Will measure again, as need to go to M&S for something else so just out of interest will go when I have plenty of time to try on sizes around whatever B&B recommends now and will report back.

Had hoped to go to Bravissimo when in town recently but appointment elsewhere overran so missed it. Will try again.

Not sure I want to pay Rigby and Peller prices, especially as not all comments about them are positive.

Appreciate the feedback and suggestions, thank you all

I am a fat 14 and a 34 definitely does up.

Either you would be better in a 38, or it'll fit you now as you've lost weight. Plus you may have needed a bigger cup size.

A 42DD is a weird size as it implies a big body with v small breasts. Which is just not how women's bodies work.

I'm not sure dress size is that good a guide, I'm a 16 and can't get 36 to do up. I was sporty as a child so I think I have a bigger than usual rib cage

I went to an independent lingerie shop in my local town and the person in there was so helpful. I would suggest doing that as they are trained to fit bras.
I went from a 34c to a 30e and the difference in the fit is amazing. I am a size 8-10 and have boobs you would not assume they are an E.
The wire on my bra goes from the centre of my chest all the way round to the side of my body under my arm pit; so much wider than ili thought.

If you’re a size 14 there’s no WAY you’re a 42 band! I wear size 12/14 tops and I wear a 34ddd (Victoria’s Secret) or 34e elsewhere

Bravissimo is excellent for getting the right size. John Lewis is good too.

I've posted recently that iI was measured 38c in M&S and 36e in our local (expensive) independent.

On a recommendation yesterday from a friend I popped into George at Asda whilst out today. I tried on a 36e which felt a bit loose, but a 34f was perfect. I got a set of 3 basic t-shirt bras for £15 just to see how they go, but on first fitting I have to say I'm impressed.

forgot to add that I'm a size 14

Try Brastop. Flirtelle and Adella bras are good and won’t break the bank.