Help me find a bra, please

[OvertiredandConfused]

I’ve recently lost a significant amount of weight. For a long time, including through my weight loss journey, I have very happily worn Honeylove soft form bras.

However, as the type of clothing I wear changes I’m finding that the straps are showing when I’m wearing anything that doesn’t have a collar or properly high neck. And if I want to wear anything lower cut, it shows then as well

I got a balcony bra from M&S for an event last week and it was perfectly okay but not really something I want to be wearing every day. It felt a bit flimsy and lacking in support (although it did allow me to show an appropriate amount of cleavage)!

Pretty sure I’m a 38D now – that’s certainly what fit me from M&S!

Don’t really mind whether it’s wired or not, but it does need to fit properly and give enough support. Quite a few of the wired ones I tried last week actually gave far less support than the ones I’ve been wearing

Am I searching for the Holy Grail?

Same @OvertiredandConfused I've dropped 50 kg and gone from a 24 to a 12. I've narrowed things down to a 36E from a 46J at my largest. Measuring suggests I'm a 34 but I find that too tight. I'm sticking with Wacoal brands so going from Elomi to Fantasie or Freya.

The one thing I've realised is that bras are a lot cheaper in this size range!

I’ve done R&P twice. First time was at least 25 years ago and life-changing. Then about 10 years later and the opposite. I wlll try again.

I’m happy to go with a tighter band but no-one will convince me that red, sore indents on my skin with huge rolls of fat (obvious when wearing a t-shirt) is the right fit!

Try a 36F. It’s the sister size to a 34FF and might be more comfortable if you don’t want a very firm band.

But my boobs were lost in a DD. Doubt a 36 band would even fasten. But I’ll try anything at this point and appreciate the suggestions

honestly I never thought I would ever go down this route but ive stopped wearing underwired bras and wear ones fro Boody now. they give loads of support as I have very big boobs and give me the best shape I have ever had.

Cup sizes are relative to the band size. It feels like they should be standardised and comparable across band sizes but this isn’t how a bra works. Your previous size of 38D is equivalent, in terms of breast volume only, to a 42B, 40C, 36DD, 34E, 32EE, 30F, etc etc.

You realise a 36DD is a much smaller cup than a 42DD right?

Yes, sorry. I’m not being very clear now. Partly because I’m exasperated and partly because I’m not in a position to try on any more sizes until next weekend! I’ve got a fitting booked at R&P for next Saturday afternoon. There isn’t going to be anything really to update before then.

I really am grateful to everyone who has commented and offered suggestions

Quick update.

Just back from a fitting at Rigby and Peller in Mayfair.

As some of you had said, and I experienced the first time I went, they were amazing.

I probably need to remortgage the house, but I have three bras that fit beautifully and feel comfortable.

Two are a 36F and one is a 38G!

Despite that, she agreed that the 38D from M&S is miles too big in the cup, so I wasn’t going completely mad.

I’m probably going to plan another trying on session in Bravissimo and John Lewis armed with what I have learned - just to see if I can have some slightly less expensive options.

Thank you to everyone who offered advice on my original post. Very much appreciated

If anyone looking for a good bra shop that does fitting in Ireland (east coast), I can recommend an amazing place. I travel an hour to get to it.

So pleased you got sorted @OvertiredandConfused . I went to the Mayfair branch and had fantastic service there too.