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"Fuller bust" bra sizes even when your bust isn't particularly full

26 replies

HootyMcB00b · 05/10/2025 20:21

I finally found my accurate bra size a couple of years ago. Boobs fill the cups, wires and bit between the cups lie flat against my ribs, can fasten comfortably etc. Excellent!

BUT it's a much larger-seeming size than I ever imagined myself to be: 34F. If you were to see me, you would NOT describe me as busty! 😆 So I find it very odd and frustrating that pretty much all bras in this size are in the "fuller bust" category in shops - amongst all the minimiser bras, ones with extra side support, and often not available in the styles that are most flattering on me.

I don't need my already-modest chest minimised or forcefully contained... Why on earth are all cup sizes beyond C considered so massive that they need their own distinct category and specialist retailers as well??

OP posts:
APatternGrammar · 05/10/2025 20:36

If that’s genuinely the difference between your band and your bust (and it sounds like it is) then your cups are fuller, it just sounds like your bust is in proportion to your body so they look ‚right‘ rather than large. I am a 30H and while they don’t look small, they don’t look massive.

TeaRoseTallulah · 05/10/2025 23:21

Does it matter if it fits well?

TheOGCCL · 05/10/2025 23:27

It would be interesting to know the percentage of the population over a C cup, to know whether all this talk of ‘specialist’ is warranted or not. I agree some seemingly large sounding bust sizes don’t look that big in reality.

Devilsmommy · 05/10/2025 23:30

Oh I hear you. I'm a 30D and it's not a big size at all, but can I find a bra in a shop? Can I fuck! I get them online now because I'm not travelling that far for a bra😅

HootyMcB00b · 10/10/2025 11:54

TeaRoseTallulah · 05/10/2025 23:21

Does it matter if it fits well?

It does but only because it seems harder to get practical but pretty bras in these sizes. Everything seems to be made of synthetic material and/or looks like it's some kind of industrial garment issued in prison. I just want a multipack of somewhat-attractive cotton, unpadded balcony bras, but they don't seem to exist or they're all sold out in my size, which highlights an issue!

OP posts:
HootyMcB00b · 10/10/2025 11:56

TheOGCCL · 05/10/2025 23:27

It would be interesting to know the percentage of the population over a C cup, to know whether all this talk of ‘specialist’ is warranted or not. I agree some seemingly large sounding bust sizes don’t look that big in reality.

I would think that in the UK, the average cup size is probably nowhere near an A-C. I feel gouged every time I try to find a bra.

OP posts:
HootyMcB00b · 10/10/2025 11:57

Devilsmommy · 05/10/2025 23:30

Oh I hear you. I'm a 30D and it's not a big size at all, but can I find a bra in a shop? Can I fuck! I get them online now because I'm not travelling that far for a bra😅

Oh definitely! It's such a stress going to a physical shop. What online shops do you use?

OP posts:
TheZingyFish · 10/10/2025 11:58

I would get yourself to somewhere like Bravissimo where they do an amazing array of bras and are experts with normal “larger cup sizes” bras.

Devilsmommy · 10/10/2025 11:58

HootyMcB00b · 10/10/2025 11:57

Oh definitely! It's such a stress going to a physical shop. What online shops do you use?

Brastop has been my favourite one by far. Not too pricey at all and the bras are so comfortable. And the prices are still the same for the bigger cup sizes too

DeclineandFall · 10/10/2025 12:07

I am a 36E. So not massive- just bigger normal. No one would look at me and say I had massive tits. Went emergency bra shopping in M and S and in the hundreds of bras there were only 2 bras in my size. Most styles stopped at a 36DD. They had lots of A cups and B cups left but after a D not much in stock
Probably because they have been sold to the middle aged women who shop there.

earlyr1ser · 10/10/2025 13:16

Take a look at Marie Jo from Rigby & Peller. T-shirt bra style, so enough fabric to give a smooth outline, but very simple and not at all prison-bra style. Suits my very normal-looking 34E perfectly.

HeidiLite · 10/10/2025 14:23

I'm a 30DD, that's barely there - but still need to shop in specialist stores, as DD is apparently large, no matter what back size.

Whichhandbag · 10/10/2025 18:51

28DD (can get away with a 30E) - they're tiny ha. Went to an independent boutique and they confirmed Wacoal is my brand - some gorgeous bras, available in that size. Available online.

BalloonSlayer · 10/10/2025 18:55

I am really not large busted and used to wear a 34DD, which was a perfectly normal size and every bra in M&S came in it. Since they changed the sizes I now wear a 30F and now if I go to Marks I have to go to the Big Tits section! Very frustrating.

Marlaysydney12 · 10/10/2025 19:14

Agree, there needs to be a mid size section! I'm a 36e which is big but not massive and suits my larger frame. I tick over into the big sizes and everything is super rigid and pointy.

ItsNotYou852 · 10/10/2025 19:24

BalloonSlayer · 10/10/2025 18:55

I am really not large busted and used to wear a 34DD, which was a perfectly normal size and every bra in M&S came in it. Since they changed the sizes I now wear a 30F and now if I go to Marks I have to go to the Big Tits section! Very frustrating.

When did sizing get changed? I've been the same size for years, and it still fits?

BailOutChapsGingersGornSquiffy · 10/10/2025 19:34

I’m a bit mystified by this, I’m a 32FF and don’t have a problem getting pretty bras.

Most of mine are from about Boux Avenue. I filtered on 34F and they offer 92 to choose from:

Search Result

I’ve also got some from Pour Moi who have 203 bras in a 34F (although some are indeed fuller bust many are really lovely)

https://www.pourmoi.co.uk/lingerie/bras/?page=2#size=bs-34f

My favourite is the India non padded:

India Bold Floral Embroidery Non-Padded Bra B-G in Black | Pour Moi

Packetofcrispsplease · 10/10/2025 19:36

32 f or sometimes a FF here and I am not big either .
I look curvy but nobody would look twice they’re definitely not humongous

GreyCarpet · 10/10/2025 19:41

I agree with you, OP. I'm a 34F. I do not have big or full boobs and yet, once you get to F, many of the bras have wide straps or are minimisers.

I don't like buying bras online because I like to try them first but getting an F cup in standard high street shops isn't easy. It's bafling. No.one would ever say I have big boobs!

MrsHero · 10/10/2025 19:45

It's so frustrating! M&S in particular wind me up no end... I'm a 32GG and I am yet to find one single bra in that size 'in the wild' in store. That said, they have some nice unlined balcony styles online which are pretty good value, so worth ordering a few to try.

BobnLen · 10/10/2025 19:57

It's because of the way the sizing is, as the back gets smaller the cup gets bigger so someone like me with a large ribcage needs a 36C, whereas if I had a nice slender ribcage I would probably be a bigger cup in a smaller back size but still have the same size boobs which are fairly average size. I would say I was more the outlier though with my big ribs but for some reason I'm the easy to get bra size

NotTheMrMenAgain · 10/10/2025 20:00

30FF here and I feel your pain! Extra wide straps, umpteen rows of hooks and eyes, super strong mesh bits makes some look like ugly, utility garments. My boobs aren’t even large! I just need normal bras with a normal amount of support, but manufacturers seem to think they need to be caged to prevent them from escaping and running amock……

CWigtownshire · 10/10/2025 20:07

HootyMcB00b · 10/10/2025 11:57

Oh definitely! It's such a stress going to a physical shop. What online shops do you use?

I'm a 30GG and always buy from Bravissimo. Since being measured properly and wearing the right sized bra I feel so much more comfortable. Yes, they're expensive but worth it to be comfortable and have a half decent silhouette.

SafeSex · 10/10/2025 20:13

I agree. I wear 30F and while I'm by no means flat-chested they're still fairly modest and I can easily go bra-less. Certainly no need for any sort of special bra.

MonGrainDeSel · 10/10/2025 20:15

I'm a 30E or 28F and would say my bust is on the smaller side of average. I don't look like I have big breasts at all! It is partly to do with shape though, as my sister is exactly the same size but a totally different shape in her bust and she absolutely does look quite large-breasted! We are otherwise the same dress size, within an inch in height and a similar weight, but my breasts are wide and flatter and hers sort of project outwards a lot more but are narrower.

Agree about the terrible industrial bras, though. They never do the pretty ones in bigger cup sizes. I'm going to Boux Avenue soon with my 18 year old (who has similar issues) as I have been impressed with their size range online.