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Original poster

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

74 replies

Saltire · 17/03/2009 15:29

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).

OP posts:

TheYearOfTheCat · 17/03/2009 23:42

Rigby and Peller are by far the best. I wouldn't consider buying anywhere else, even though I have to wait until I am in London before I can get there.

I bought a new bra there 6 weeks ago, and at £70 it was certainly more pricey than M&S, but my boobs look fab (although I say it myself ), and the bra will last for years.

Compare that against buying 3 mediocre bras at £25.

newlysinglemummy · 17/03/2009 23:49

I agree never ever get measured in M&S, I got measured there when I stopped bf and was so disappointed, they said I was 34c which was fine, then when i tried on the bras they did not fit on the cup area, so I was given a 34b wich made me look like I was boobless.

I was so upset and came home nearly crying. Then I went the next day to a department store and got measured and was a 32d. I looker like i was completly lifted up.

I recently went back and i am a 30dd or 30e and feel the right bra can change alot. So I will never go to M&S again...

Aefondkiss · 17/03/2009 23:54

Any independent bra shop is worth going to, I live in a rural area and my nearest wee town has an independent bra shop, they realy have the experience to measure people well, big departments stores don't usually have the staff with the same experience.

I always buy freya bras, they fit me well.

jura · 17/03/2009 23:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheYearOfTheCat · 18/03/2009 01:08

Jura, 8 bras! Bet you got matching pants too.

JustKeepSwimming · 18/03/2009 06:41

So it's a no to the Bluewater one though? and no tips for Lakeside?
Or Basildon?

we have a Debenhams in town but don't think they do measuring.

have tried the DIY sites but there are 2 schools of thought:

measure under boobs and add inches
measure under boobs and DON'T add inches

which is right?
(somebody, sorry can't see who) said not to add inches, that would make me a 31...

Nabster · 18/03/2009 07:29

I went in to the one at BW and was surprised how little stock there was and also there was nothing I liked.

I am sick of buying bras. I seem to need new sizes every few months.

piratecat · 18/03/2009 07:35

i meant don't do the old add four inches divide by so an so method that seems to get everyone buying bras that fit the cup but end up round your ears cos tha back is too big!

I would put you in a 32 if you are 31. It deoends on how tight you feel you can wear. A ra that fits well will be tight yet comfy round your back, not ride up, becuase you have bought the correct cup soze. Am an ex Rigby and Peller employee, and that place has made me passiante about bras!!

JustKeepSwimming · 18/03/2009 08:07

Right have measured and got:
under - 31
around - 33

Then tried various sites for measuring:
36AA (85b)

36B (her room.com)

36C (sandras online)

34- (bare necessities)
{too weird, i seem to end up with a negative cup size }

36- (brameasurement.co.uk)
{again no cup size small enough}

36- (bbc site)

If I add the 5 inches to the under measurement to get my band size of 36 then i can't get a cup size to fit - AAA maybe?!

Sure i saw one where it said not to add 5 inches, just round up to nearest even number which give me a band size of 32.
I'm happy with a 34 band but never tried a 32 so can't fairly comment.
maybe i'm a 32A (god i can go back into the kids section )
(the brameasurement.co.uk site would give me A/B if i insist on 32).

Starbear · 18/03/2009 08:26

I've got to look for a branch of Bravissimo.
But all my bras cut into me at the end of a working day to the point that I'm red and sore. I have to wear a very uncomfortable uniform and it seems even sports bras cut in. If I buy one size up my boobs jump all over the place. I'm thinking about taking a spare to work and changing at lunchtime!
I don't think bras are comfortable to wear all day I think our boobs need a bit of freedom. I need a comfortable band under my boobs and they just don't make them!

BitOfFun · 18/03/2009 08:38

JustKeepSwimming- start with a 32B

VinoEsmeralda · 18/03/2009 08:40

I dont like Bravissimo as I seemed to change size every few weeks with their bras.

if you are in Oxfordshire it is worth going to Joy Lingerie in Summertown. The lady that owns it (best fitter of the two)looks at your boobs and get bras that fit properly and look good too

I only went in there to get a strapless bra (after I was told by another independent shop in Abingdon that as I had breastfed my DC it would look like my boobs were in my waist if I wore a strapless one)but came home with 4 bras plus a nightie. Went back couple weeks later for a few more!

And BTW the strapless is perfect, she used a few fillets here and there and they look as new .

They also stock hotmilk and are great with kids. (I am not on commission although I should be!)

alicecrail · 18/03/2009 08:44

Starbear i live in sports bras as like you, they are the only ones that don't rub by the end of the day. I think its a bit like jeans, you put them on in the morning and they are snug, by 6pm they are quite loose and you have to do your belt up another notch. Bras have a lot of elastic in them so it makes sense that they stretch over the day

JustKeepSwimming · 18/03/2009 08:51

thanks BoF - will have to find a time to go on my own and try lots on.

see, that's what i read about the elastic thing.
that previously elastic would 'give' over time so that's why we added 4 or 5 inches to the chest measurement to give a band size but elastic is better made now so only need to add 1 if an odd number.

piratecat - any thoughts?

BitOfFun · 18/03/2009 08:54

I think there is some research to show you shouldn't wear a bra for more than 10 hours a day as they restrict lymphatic flow, so I am a believer in dangle time once you get home from work

Starbear · 18/03/2009 09:57

BitOfFun I agree but what can I wear at home without frighting the horses? I thought a cami top with another t-shirt on top. I have very sticky out dark nipples
but if you can't say it on MN where can you?!!!!

BitOfFun · 18/03/2009 10:33

Bravissimo do some great vest tops with support for loungewear.

Starbear · 18/03/2009 11:44

OH1 Thank you I'll go on their website now! Cheers

SoupDragon · 18/03/2009 11:55

I got fitted at House of Fraser recently. The woman just looked, guessed and bought a variety of bras in the style I asked for to try on and perfect the fit. It can depend on the fabric eg one bra I got in black had to be a size up in white because of the different fabric.

Now I have the right size, I no longer have an extra breast under each arm

SoupDragon · 18/03/2009 11:56

I remember JL refusing to measure me once because I'd stopped breastfeeding less than 6 months ago. It takes a good while for them to settle back down again apparently.

Seeline · 18/03/2009 12:01

I think the important thing to remember is that all bras are different. Just because they have the same size on teh label, doesn't mean that they are all identical. Different styles fabrics etc all make a difference. You have to try each bra on and be flexible with the sizes. That's why somewhere like Bravissimo is great, because they tell you how to fit a bra - what to look for, where straps should be etc. I bet we've all got different sized shoes in our wardrobes, depending on their style etc - same with bras.

Seeline · 18/03/2009 12:04

Oh yes - I agree don't go to M&S. Before kids, I'd always been 36C/D. After I stopped BFing they measured me as a 42 DD and none of the bras in that size went anywhere near fitting. I went to Bravissimo and they fitted me as a 34 GG - perfect. How can a simple measurement be so complicated?

piratecat · 18/03/2009 12:43

black bras can be slightly smaller than their white bra couterparts, (ie size, style) becuase the material shrinls in the dyeing process-fact!!!

justkeepswimming

bitoffun was right, go for the 32b or c. in the old days, there weren't so many variations on sizes. ie not all the bands in all the cups. Not so long back you couldn't get a 34e in (shudder) m + S, sooooo they wuold put you in a cup that fitted your boob, ie a 38c, becuase that cup would hold your boob, and to hell with the band/back/underboob measurement.

it might help if women understood how bra sizes work, and i say this in every thread about boobies, but here goes.

if you go up in the back, you come down in the cup. and vice versa. I remember when i was told this at Rigby and peller and i was FLOORED!!!!

if you are wearing, say a 36c from (shudder) m + S, and you think hmm, it is too big round my chest, but ok with my boob. You would try a 34 (inch) and to compensate you would go 'up' one size in the cup to a 'd'.

Also, start your bra on the first hook Loosest), then as it stretches over time you can tighten it.

Flamesparrow · 18/03/2009 12:43

Is the 4 breast look not desirable SoupDragon?!?!

piratecat · 18/03/2009 12:47

can i just add that M + S seem to have got alot better, and that in the smaller sizes, 32, 34, 36, a b and c, have some nice stuff.

The problem comes, when us ladies with larger cups, come along and we get no support.

Also larger boobies, think 'straps'

if you are puttingon a bra with string like stretchy straps, and you are something like a 32 e, or an e cup in 'any' band width, you are not going to get that support!!!!

I buy fantasie bras. I swear by them. The ones that are especially flattering are balcony styles, NOt full cup.

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