Can we talk about bras please. Why is it that...............................

[Saltire]

this bra

this bra
and this one, all in the same size, don't all fit? I am sick of having to try on bras, some fit in my size some don't. The top one I linked to, when i tried it on, it pushed my boobs out the top, the bottom one is a great fit, really comfy,a dn the middle one is too tight across the shoulders, even when the straps are adjusted.
I got a gorgeous one from DH at Christmas, but ended up changing it for a 36C (I am, according to woman in M&S, a 38D).

Aargh, Saltire, don't get measured at M&S! After years of being told I was a 34C or something like that by M&S, and having had a monoboob all my adult life, I got measured at Jenners in Edinburgh and discovered I was in fact a 30E! John Lewis measuring ladies are also very good and very nice, Jenners is now a House of Fraser so don't know what they're like. Do you have a JL near you? I seriously wouldn't trust M&S in the measuring department. Having said all that, I still always try on bras and even the ones that technically should be the right size don't always fit.

I don't understand it entirely either, but when I got properly measured (and fitted) for some bras last year the woman (small independent shop in town) brought various ones out and after trying them on reeled off a list of shapes/styles of bra that I can't wear.

Unfortunately I can't remember what those are so when I got another one later last year I "had" to go back to the shop to make sure I got the right one

Go to bravissimo and get properly fitted I would say.

in the same way that one top might fit perfectly in one size/style/make and not in another.

also bras are all made up differently. seams, widths of bands, esp strpas, band round the back etc..

my only plea to those finding it hard to find a bra, is PLEASE measure under you bust, your back measurement. DON'T add on inches to this, it's wrong.

what ever you are comfortably under you bust with a tape measure is what you are in the number part of your bra size. Then work up wards, with the cups.

Agree with BandJ - go to Bravissimo.

M&S measured me as a 34C. I had that 4-boobed thing going on, strap far too stretchy at the back, bugger all support.

Bravissimo took one look at me. Popped me into a 32E and lo and behold my boobs took up residence in the position they were pre-DC.

Not cheap but soooooo worth it. They are like little bosom fairies in there I tell you.

another hater of M&S here.

they think I am a 34c.

I am in fact a 32d!

altho that said, some bra are wonderful in that size, other make me with how they make me look..

Nice independant shops are def the way to go. The one in my town has a lady that looks at you, and then produces a number of bras that fit perfectly.

Some of us just don't have enough norks for Bravissimo

Agree with piratecat and the others...M&S are the devil's work with bra-measuring! I think that how a style fits depends on you body shape as much as size- a plunge bra will probably make you fall out if your boobs are already full in the front, but they work great if you are more of a boobs-that-creep-towards-your-armpits person. I won't say which I am

Go to Bravissimo WHATEVER your current bra size. My sister (on my pushing!) went in a 36A and came out a 32DD .

please listen to everyone else and go to bravissimo

you know it makes sense

I have never even seen a branch of bravissimo

Well the nearest Bravissimo shop to me is Brighton! A bit too far away

M&S told me I was something like a C.

At that point I was an E.

Even the woman with the tape measure took one look and wandered off to find something sensible

Fab tip

argh i am having similar problems, gave up bf in jan (after 2.5yrs of pg & bf).
went to get measured after, i though, boobs had deflated as much as they were going to.
got measured (at M&S, it's there or mothercare here) and was a 34B (pre-dc was 34A so quite pleased).
bought lots, they fit, was happy.

then boob deflated some more......

now nothing fits, the pre-dc 34As don't fit, the 34Bs don't fit. am going to have to get measured again and buy more, grrr. but wondering if there's any point with M&S.
may need a trip to Lakeside/Bluewater, any recommendations for places that measure there?

am wearing vest tops under my tops at the mo, anyway with such small boobs it doesn't really matter

Totally agree, M&S are rubbish at bra-fitting. I'm a 28F or 30E as fitted by Rigby and Peller and M&S told me I was a 34A. I tried a 34A on and the band literally hung loose all round my chest. I just looked at the woman and said 'I don't think this can be right, can it?' She wasn't remotely abashed.

R&P at BW is very disappointing.

The one is London is alright though but I didn't have all the best service when I went and wouldn't go again.

I know everyone loves Bravissimo, but i really hate them! I went in to get measured, she looked at me, said "32ff" I am in actual fact a 34e but was willing to go with this as i had heard such great things and thought i must be one of the many women who wears the wrong size. So she brought some out, and i couldn't get them done up, i mean i literally couldn't get the hooks to meet, but she was having none of it and practically had her foot braced against the wall pulling with all her strength to get the bloody thing done up. She wouldn't give up and just measure me. I'm sure i just had a bad experiance, but it has put me off for life!

TheProfiteroleThief Tue 17-Mar-09

When a well fitting underwired bra is retired , cut the wire out and take it bra shopping with you. Unless the wire in the new bra matches it, no point even trying it on.

Sounds like a Viz Top Tip doesn't it?

There was thread the other day about "crap tips" sent into magazines, you should send that in to take A Break and get £60 for it!