Calling bra-experts! Help please.

[Adair]

right. None of my bras really fit properly and they are not showing me off well, so I know I have to buy at least one two new one. I don't really have much money - could spend maybe up to £15-20 if it was aMAZING.

AS a 30yr old, mother of two my boobs are clearly not what they were. I measure 29" underbust and 35" on fullest part. Though my boobs are now quite er... floppy (not the pert pre-bfing ones I used to have. sob) and practically concave on top .

I am convinced they would look fabulous again in a decent bra though - what style should I be looking for? The bra that fits me best is a 32DD ultra cheap t-shirt bra ~(thick straps) from M&S. Though I am probably more a C cup now. However, I have the 32D but it gives me a slight 4-boob appearance (nice). so think a different style maybe?

Help! and Thanks in advance

get thee to bravissimo

Agree with KristinaM. Go to Bravissimo - or a good department store, get measured and get them to find you an assortment of bras to try on.

there's no substitute for being properly measured, but figleaves have a very good fitting guide, that will give you a start, especially the wrong fit/right fit pages.

that should read being properly fitted, sorry, fitters often don't measure.

Where do you live? I tried the self measuring malarky & was wearing a 38D. When I finally got measured & tried on a 34F I felt happier with my figure than I'd done since dd. It makes SUCH a difference. Get measured properly. Even in m&s. It is free & you don't have to buy their bras. My bf swears by H&M bras. But please please get measured first. A proper bra is the best thing I've bought in 2 years (& I buy lots!!)

if a dd cup fits you better than a d, why do you think you could be a c??

you are prob a 32e, like me!

I always answer these threads, i used to work for posho bra shop in Knightsbridge.

I now live nowhere near, but I do firmly (haha) believe in Fantasie bras, in a balcony style such as these.

http://www.figleaves.com/uk/nsf/qwiseranswered.asp?dept=undefined&page=2&searchhandle_rhs=A%253d34DD %2BFantasie%2BNot%2BIn%2BOlet%257eB%253d34DD%2BFantasie%2BNot%2BIn%2BOlet%257eD%253d12%257eE%253d0%2 55e0%255e2%255eLifeTime%257eK%253d4%257eL%253d1%257eM%253d5%257eN%253d2%257e&sortorderrhs=1&sortor derrequested=&originalquery=34dd+fantasie+not+in+olet&size=&colouranswerselected=&match=&fid=&hd=&pr oductid=&productcolour=&sortorder=4&selectpagesize=12&sortorder=4&selectpagesize=12 here

Gonna cost £25, but will last 3 yrs.

oops!!!

look for fantasie bras, i can't find good links at mo.

I like

fantasie, belle, helena.

M&S will measure you at 34B, but I make you a 30E, so you see the importance of being measured correctly. It's also a matter of finding the correct shape and style of bra if you have lost volume in the upper part od your breast. Do try somewhere reputable like Bravissimo or an independent lingerie shop. You need to budget twenty quid at least though for a decent bra, sorry.

Find a good debenhams for theones i suggested. I find on e i like then alwys get them new on ebay.

Oh i forgot, I have been measured in DEbenhams. And m&s but ended up taking bras back with both(though one fitted at Debenhams I loved).
You're right. Need to proritise and Get Me to a Bravissimo (or Debenhams again)... though isn't that for large-bosomed ladies?

Cheers - though still what styles do you think I should be aiming for? (narrow it down a bit...)

I am thinking 32 BOF, as the shock of a 30 may be too much!!

you are large bossomed!!! they cater for all tho!

Sack M&S They are rubbish!

Seriously Bravissmo is the way to go. Yes they are for large bosomed ladies but they also deal in smaller back sizes.

Check out their website and see if they have a store near you.

You are probably right, piratecat- ease her in gently

D, maybe DD?

Aw Thanks Ladies!

Boobs don't feel big-bosomed anymore!! And not sure I trust M&S particularly hence the drop in cup size. But really, no, I have no friggin' idea. You have inspired me - I will spend some cash on a decent quality bra that makes me look great

1 good bra will work wonders. Balcony is fab on saggy boobs because it holds them up and out. Avoid plunge styles like the plague!

Good luck

I was measured by M&S and the bra they 'fitted' has remained in my drawer ever since. Completely wrong. Too small - I fall out of it. I shouldn't have let myself be convinced into it at the time.

Bravissimo is the way to go!
I went in as a 34B and came out as 28FF .

!!!???

I like Freya bras, but find every style is a different fit, recently got fitted, went from 32F to 30FF - but I was really limited by the choice in the shop. [country bumpkin]

The woman who fitted me said I would have to try every bra on before I bought one, i.e no to internet shopping. Does anyone here think that is rubbish? Or am I just a weird shape?
TIA

I agree, fo to Bravissimo. i have never looked back since I went, and the service is fabulous.

M&S used to measure me and they were awful - they had me in a 38C - I am actually a 34E! You will be amazed at how a good fitting bra makes a difference to how you look.

All bra's do fit differently though - I live Freya and Fantasie, but it depends on the bra so make sure you try them all on before you buy any!

Hi
It's best to try on lots and lots of bra's - so had to John Lewis, House of Fraser or an independant who stocks lots of makes as they all fit different.

I went to get measured on Saturday (36D) they measured with tape as 40E, gulped but tried on 40E massive all over, then a 38F massive, 36F and E massive and finally 36D fitted! This was a fanasty everyday full cup bra, also tried on freya and had to have a 38C anyway you get the idea!

Have a look at figleave as well, even if you find one is a shop as they always have discounts on and have a outlet part on the site.

Happy Nork Fitting!

As a maker of said garment unless I see the articles in question can't really help.

Style etc. is a matter of where you carry your flesh - some above/some to the side etc.

I can say you need to get yourself measured properly before starting.

Also as a guide it doesn't always work, if you move up a cup size come down a band size and vice versa e.g.

you go from a 32C to a D cup try a 30 band size so you'd try on a 30D, somebody did once explain it to me but I've forgotten why.

Each and every maker uses different measurements so sizing is just a guide but an experienced fitter will be able to tell more from your shape than what the tape tells you.

SeenMoreBoobiesThanIsGoodForAPersonTiggaxx

Could you get yourself to Temple Fortune or Brent Cross? In Temple Fortune, there's an independent lingerie shop - full of, shall we say, more mature ladies ... but the women who work there are really good at measuring ... I usually go there and then order online.

In Brent Cross, you've got John Lewis and Rigby and Peller in case you win the lottery!

There is actually an independent lingerie shop here though am about to go and live somewhere else!

Would like to try the actual bras on before buying as I think that's part of the issue,that they vary so much- could Do DEbenhams on Oxford St - oh god, it'll be Christmas though.. Maybe I can combine the two. Have JL vouchers though...

I like la senza, they ve always been really helpful and give good advice. The gel three way bras are brilliant for putting everything where it once was plus a bit