Matronly bossom!

[eggplant16]

Gosh , what a nasty shock to see myself on a photo. In another life I had contemplated breast reduction, no chance now. I suppose the best thing is proper underwear and a V neck.

a proper bra fitting can turn matronly into marilyn.

I think its hopeless. I can't stand underwires. I feel embarassed about my body , I have a lot of sun damage, Its a mess.

Have you had a proper fitting? I always think that if you can feel the wires, something probably isn't right with the fitting. If you can afford it, go to a specialist who really knows the detail of how different brands fit to find one that fits your shape. Otherwise, do measure yourself properly - it's so common to need a smaller chest size and a higher cup size than you thought. Years ago Jo Brand was on Trinny and Susannah and she hated what they did to her - but was impressed by the way a proper bra fitting gave shape.

Please don't feel embarrassed about your body - sun damage or not, it's you, it does amazing things, and everyone has hang ups about something. We are all so paranoid about our own lumps, bumps and matronly bits that honestly no one really notices what bothers you (for example - I am so focused on my own wobbly cellulite covered legs that if I saw a woman worried about her boobs, at best I will think "look at her lovely slim legs, I bet she can get trousers that fit over her hips"). X

That sounds like it's about more than the bosom.

Sorry you're having a hard time. I too am looking rather matronly these days. I've had to ditch the wires although have found that M&S flex fit full cup give a very good shape considering.

There are things you can do for sun damage and to improve your body image , but short term mainly covering it is easier.

Thanks, I have paid a lot for 2 bras post bra fitting at John Lewis. They are so uncomfortable. I ended up buying a cheap thing ( again JL) and just stick with that.

I can't afford any interventions such as getting warts frozen off. Just have to accept the situation.

No you dont have to accept it if its making you miserable

Seriously the best thing you can spend your money on is with a good fitting bra. Where I live - rural - getting fitted professionally isnt happening, so I used an online calculator , and went to the three shops we have that sell bras and used that measurement as a starting block, Seriously, take a few hours, wear something lose fitting because you are going to be in and out of changing rooms like a rat out of a trap, but you should be able to find a bra that lifts and shapes , or minimises or whatever it is you want from a bra. And just because that size fits you in that brand, that really wont be across the board. And a balcony bra will be a different size to a full cup. I seriously dont think any of the bras I have are the same size

As for the look of the decolletage , sure mines not beautiful either, add the start of a turkey neck to that as well. Too late for me to be worrying about sun protection, damage is well and truely done, but I moisturise, I might bring a bit of foundation or bronzer down to even the tone ( blur a bit ) add a bit of highlighter to my collar bone and I wear big jewellery - cheap but big.

As for warts, theres wartner and the likes. I actually just picked one off that appeared overnight ( Im not advising that btw) I also exfoliate daily whilst in the shower, just the gloves, but it does help

Seriously a bra that fits and is comfortable will be the best money spent, Just never buy one off the shelf, try one, try a larger band or larger cup because no two bras are the same

Skin damage is far worse than that, Bust is heavy, hence first part of chest is flat....think Camilla on a bad day!

Try boob or bust bra calculator. It has worked wonders for me.

I had lost a lot of weight and boobs are now very floppy. the M&S bra calculator said 38e. Boob or bust said 32gg. I was very dubious.
I ordered a couple of bras in the new size from Bravissimo, not under wired, as I hate those. They are amazing! Really well fitting, great support and incredibly comfortable.

John Lewis Oxford Street was the worst bra fitting I ever had. She didn't find one that even she could claim was good and ended ip tutting at me.

Best was Selfridges Oxford Street. She didn't even use a tape measure. She looked at me and bought me something that fitted me (and that was a completely different size then I'd ever been measured at). It was for a special event so i haven't needed to rebuild but it was great.

Bravissimo was also good. 5 years on I'm still wearing the same style bra.

Bravissimo have recently made me feel so much better about myself.I hated wires and now wear them comfortably, feel supported and have shape.I'm also NOT a 32DD which M&S measured me at but a 30FF! I have skin damage on my chest too.But V necks suit me better so I'm ignoring it.I'm almost 52. I figure I can't do much about it but I can spend money a good bra each month that makes me feel a bit better.

This was/is me to a tee. Never in my life have I mean measured as a 34EE, but here I am, wearing a comfortable wired bra that holds those babies up and in without the wire digging in under my armpit after years of pain and bruising and no indents over the shoulders from the weight

@eggplant16 , seriously , getting the right band measurement makes all the difference , now the chest wall takes the weight, not the shoulders. Because Im wearing a smaller band size, but a bigger cup, the band is wider, so no back boob or under arm spillage and Ive dropped a dress size. Never in my life have I been able to wear a size 12 dress, never before gone below a 14, even the 14 dress I bought for sons wedding in september last year (cost a fortune) wont be worn again as now its too big across the bust , yet put a tape around my boobs and Im still 42 inches across the nipples. But now I wear fitted tees and jumpers where as before it was always loose fit which also helps with the general silhouette , sure Ive middle aged spread ( read fat belly ) but the boobs being held up and out diminishes that. These babies only tuck into the waist band when Im bra less now, before there were so far down my chest I could have tripped over them as I walked

Dont be embarrassed . Our bra fitter ( I work in a small department store ) has to work with all sorts, from the young pretty things with their beach ready bodies to those that need mobility scooters to get about on. Im sure shes seen more then her fair share of grey bras, wrinkly skin, skin tags and warts and Im sure she is impervious to it all because her job is to get you into a bra that fits, is comfortable and gives you the best shape , she takes great pride in being able to do that. But I have to admit, I was you, so I did the size calculator online and took myself off to a store ( our equivalent to marks ) and spent a couple of hours going in and out of the changing rooms. Now Im wearing clothes better, I look better, I feel so much better about my body, Ill strip off in front of any bra fitter without a finch

Having a good fitting bra makes such a difference . I rate Bravissimo. I still find the bras uncomfortable at first but soon get used to them . When my boobs are lifted I have a waist again and clothes look so much better .

Thanks folks, I'm going to invest time and effort in myself .

@eggplant16 ... I'm another fan of Boob Or Bust on the internet.. Do you have a Bra Lady franchise near you? I booked an appt with the one near me, I was the only person in the shop, didn't feel rushed or pressured, and came out with a couple of bra's that look & make me feel great.
I have lots of skin tags across my neck and chest, but have some lovely chunky necklaces to try and detract from the tags - I'm loving the necklaces Clare Balding is wearing on the Olympics coverage 😀

You need an Elomi Lucie bra,amazing fit!

Marks and Spencer are shit at measuring, a relative has just had breast surgery and the surgeon tutted at the bras she brought into hospital as they were so poorly fitting.

It's not just the right size but the right fit. If you look on line you'll find companies which guide to to the best shape for you. Forints a balconette is best for me, but a plunge might be best for youm