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Original poster

irritating bra question

27 replies

rosiejoy · 18/02/2009 21:38

at the moment im wearing 34B size bra, i was 34C before kids, but am some what deflated now! the underwiring is the wrong size for me and its cutting in, but if i wear a bigger bra there is too much material as i dont fill the bra....does the letter refer to the width of the underwire? or to the amount of material to cover the boob?

to be honest ive always had this problem, the 'cup' of the bra is never wide enough for me and cuts into the breast tissue, but i still dont fill the bra itself. anyone else found this? short of custom made bras is there another solution?

OP posts:

differentID · 18/02/2009 21:39

you sound like you need to increase a back size.

namechangecosfeelingsad · 18/02/2009 21:40

Sounds like you need a bigger back ize (36?) as this is what affectes the wire size. You will probably need to go down a cup size, so how about trying a 36A?

harpomarx · 18/02/2009 21:42

you probably just need to try different styles. I think the cup size refers to the width of the underwire but obviously the 'material to cover the boob' is in proportion to that! I think I am probably similar to you and cannot wear certain styles or makes, regardless of sizing. Full cup bras work best for me, as I tend to spill out of the other kind.

Original poster

rosiejoy · 18/02/2009 21:44

yes, i know it sounds like that, but i am a size 6 so then they are too baggy and dont give any support! its the actual piece of underwire that i want to increase (still a size C) but the rest of the bra 34B (possibly A) is that possible to buy?

OP posts:

JackieNo · 18/02/2009 21:46

I think you need to go to a good underwear shop - not M&S - their fitters aren't great. Either an independent one, or if you're in London, Rigby & Peller are the bees' knees, apparently. Maybe you need half cup or balconette ones, as then there's less material for your breasts to fill, iyswim?

fishie · 18/02/2009 21:46

i'm wearing a 34 and am a size 16 on top! get thee to a john lewis or bravissimo for measurement. NOT m&s they are shit.

beaniebaby25 · 18/02/2009 21:47

why don't you have someone measure you? like a posh department store. i was measured recently at Rigby and Peller by Harrods and found that I'd been wearing the wrong size for 10 odd years. (I also thought i was a 34B - apparently this is the most common size that people thing they are when they're really not. i am now a 32C )

get a professional to help you

harpomarx · 18/02/2009 21:47

blimey, if you are a size 6 then it sounds unlikely you are a 34... fwiw, I'm a 10/12 and am a 32/34. Have you tried a smaller back size and bigger cup?

beaniebaby25 · 18/02/2009 21:47

x-post with jackieNo - two votes for the same!

KatyMac · 18/02/2009 21:51

What are your actual measurements
a) under your bust?
b) round at the fullest bit?

Original poster

rosiejoy · 18/02/2009 21:52

hmmm, well i think youre all telling me what i already know really. i need to stop buying bras from H&M and get some proper 'grownup' bras properly fitted. cant really afford it at the moment but i will definitely try 'experimenting' with the different sizes in the changing rooms at least. i have tried to measure myself to work out my size but it surprise surprise has not been very successful....and i do like the thought of being 32C

OP posts:

differentID · 18/02/2009 21:54

my bf is a size 8 and she was wearing a 34c/ 36b. she was measured properly and was actually a 32dd. Get thee to a bra shop!

differentID · 18/02/2009 21:54

you could be a 30d.

Original poster

rosiejoy · 18/02/2009 21:54

katymac- can only find a metric tape measure!
i am 76cm under the bust, 79cm at the fullest part...

OP posts:

Original poster

rosiejoy · 18/02/2009 21:56

ok, so i think thats 30 inches and 31inches
i think i can safely say i am not a 30D!!

OP posts:

YesSirICanBoogie · 18/02/2009 21:56

Get measured (Not M&S!) or measure yourself. I'm a bit shy! Measure where your bra sits under your boobs and it should sit firmly but not tightly then measure round the fullest part of your chest. If it's greater by one inch then you're an A cup, by two inches you're a B etc.
My friend had been wearing a 34B and it turned out she was a 28DD. Se takes a size 6 so it just shows you how wrong you can be!

differentID · 18/02/2009 21:58

maybe not rosie!

beaniebaby25 · 18/02/2009 22:03

at rigby and peller (and most other decent places i assume?) you dont have to buy one of their bras and the service is free. i did buy one as i'd just been paid (it was expensive ) but there's really no pressure. She took one look at me and said i was wearing the wrong size. She went and got some bras in my right size and i instantly felt better, like my posture was corrected a bit too. it's definitely worth a try.

Then once you get your correct size you can go back to h&m or wherever and just buy your proper size. genius

oh and it sounds like i work for that bra shop. I don't! Just very impressed.

KatyMac · 18/02/2009 22:05

I estimate a 34A - but mess around a bit try a 36AA & a 32B

I can only wear one style of bra from one company so I really struggle - my local JL spent 3 hrs & called in a member of staff in (who was on leave) to try & find me a bra & they couldn't

Original poster

rosiejoy · 18/02/2009 22:11

yes i just used an online guide and got 34A too. i forgot i have mostly been wearing 34A but last week i found an old 34B that was much more comfortable.

i think youre right, i need to find somewhere that suits my shape and stick to there,just bit tricky when money so tight!

OP posts:

Horton · 18/02/2009 22:11

You're a 30 or 32 something. Not a 34. I am about 30 inches under the bust and 36 or 37 inches at the fullest part and wear a 32D comfortably but am really a 30E. Definitely get measured at R&P if you can. They are FABULOUS and you will never look back. They also aren't as expensive as you'd think. They stock plenty of bras that are less than £30 and you totally don't have to buy anything.

Tinker · 18/02/2009 22:16

Is there a website showing pictures of what these sizes look like in the flesh, as it were? I doubt it, I suppose but it would be really useful. I too wear the seemingly ubiquitous 34B and, after reading a few of these threads, bought a 32C since convinced I must be in the "wrong" size. But it just flattened me!

Original poster

rosiejoy · 18/02/2009 22:18

ooh, just googled rigby and peller, i love that red set on the home page. i could make a late new years resolution to wear bras that properly fit, would improve the quality of my life immensely.

they are quite far from me, would require a special trip- has anyone been fitted there and then bought future purchases online? im wary of buying a bra i havent tried on

OP posts:

Horton · 18/02/2009 22:25

I have been fitted there and bought future purchases online. But you do have to stick to the brand(s) that fitted. Different brands are surprisingly different shapes and sizes. Once you know what a properly fitted bra feels like, it makes it much easier to shop, though.

trixiethepixie · 18/02/2009 22:32

I dropped from a 34B to A after bf and even though those size bras fit me, the underwiring digs in as I'm quite boney - a size 6 too. I pull out all the underwiring and it makes them so much comfier.

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