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Original poster

Best way to measure bra size. M&S were crap!!

55 replies

Tortoiselookingforwardto2010 · 29/12/2009 18:51

A while ago i went to M&S to get measured, she couldn't find anything to fit!
Now my last (badly fitting, uncomfy)bra has broken, under wiring popped out! So now it is very uncomfortable lol!

I see Figleaves has a sale so was thinking might buy something from there but i don't know what size or style would be best.

I have BF 4 DC and am left with saggy sacks of nothingness! Certain bras (or maybe just the size/fitting) i find if i bend i fall out the top of the cup!

Please, please help.
Last bra is 36c if that helps but i don't think it every quite fit properly!

OP posts:
DiamondHead · 29/12/2009 18:57

Can you just go to a decent fitter - house of fraser/selfridges whatever.
You'd come away with a few makes/styles that suit your shape and can order these off figleaves when you need them.

Original poster
Tortoiselookingforwardto2010 · 29/12/2009 18:59

I don't know of any good fitters locally. Apart from M&S.
Who else is good at measurements?

OP posts:
SleighGirl · 29/12/2009 18:59

What you measure under your rib cage is your number measurement, none of that adding number on anymore.

One of the sites gives a detailed cup size will go look.

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 29/12/2009 19:00

If she couldn't find anything to fit I would say she was good. What is crap is selling you something that turns out to be wrong.

Go to a proper store and get yourself fitted. Don't fixate on the measurement. You can be different sizes in different styled bras.

SleighGirl · 29/12/2009 19:01

any department store with a bra section has fitters or a la senza

Original poster
Tortoiselookingforwardto2010 · 29/12/2009 19:01

Fab I tried on around 20 bras of different sizes and styles. Surely she should have been able to find one to fit?

OP posts:
mrspnut · 29/12/2009 19:02

Measure your back size by using a tape measure under your bust. Pull it tight but not cutting off the circulation.

This is your back size, no need to add any other numbers on to it.

Then measure your boobs round their fullest part (this can be with a bra on) and subtract the boob size from the back size.

1=A
2=B
3=C
4=D
5=DD
etc

Then the most important step is to try bras on, use your measurements as a start but you may need to go up a cup size and down a back size and so on until you get something that you are happy with.

There are guidelines out there that tell you what to look for when fitting a bra especially on bravissimo.

SleighGirl · 29/12/2009 19:05

Biggest shock is wearing a tighter band that what you are used too btw.

I suit balcony style bras and M&S never seem to have anything that fits my shape, although I found their maternity/ bf ones good.

purplepeony · 29/12/2009 19:08

The biggest fault is wearing too big a back size and too small a cup size. eg you might be better off with a 34D or 34DD.

I used to get a 34A then went up to a 34B and now find a 32C- usually- is right for me.

But every bra is different. I buy quite a lot at M&S but their sizes vary hugely- some 34s are huge and others are okay.

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 29/12/2009 19:09

Not necessarily. She can only fit with what she has.

purplepeony · 29/12/2009 19:09

I always find the measuring over your boobs a bit tricky- cos if your nipples are cold and pointing out it can add on another inch!

dearprudence · 29/12/2009 19:10

Do you have any small specialist shops near you? I went to one of these and she 'measured' me just by grabbing my ribcage (slightly alarming at the time).

If you're a D cup or above, Bravissimo are very good. They 'measure' by eye, then by trying several different bras on.

IME, when most women get fitted properly they end up with a smaller back size and a much larger cup size than they wore before.

mowcop · 29/12/2009 19:15

I struggle to get anything as I have no boobs at all, but recently went to La Senza.
They were brilliant and I now have the one and only bra in the shop that fitted in every colour. It is double padded, but smooth, so will go under everything and makes me look like I do actually have something in there! Sleigh girl is bang on though, when they fit correctly they feel really tight in the back.

MmeLindt · 29/12/2009 19:16

Bravissimo are the best, they can even fit you over the phone. My friend did this from Germany and they were able to fit her a new bra without seeing her. She had to send the first one back but that was no problem and the second one that they sent fit perfectly.

They have a sale on at the moment, and do free UK returns.

abbierhodes · 29/12/2009 19:20

How come you don't add numbers any more? Have sizes changed? How can that be? I don't get it!

purplepeony · 29/12/2009 19:22

I really agree about the back size. It does get better!
I went into a local bra/boutique some time ago to try some expensive Elle McPherson bras- the owner took 1 look at me and declared no way was I a 34 inch back. (I am a size 10 everwhere else.). I didn't buy but think she was right.

MmeLindt · 29/12/2009 19:25

Bravissimo say that using a tape measure is nonsense as womens norks differ so much. Two women wearing the same size bra could have be a very different shape, depending on the shape of their norks.

Here is their advice on getting the right size of bra.

Generally you find that women who buy at Bravissimo wear a much smaller bra with bigger cups. I went from 38D to 32G.

purplepeony · 29/12/2009 19:31

But Bravissimo only starts at a D cup- no good for me

TheBolter · 29/12/2009 19:38

You need to measure under the bust, around the rib cage then add four if it's an even number and five if it's uneven.

For example, if you are 26" under the bust you are a 30" back size. If you are 27 under the bust you are a 32" back size.

M&S are crap - I am a 30D / 32C according to John Lewis and La Senza and M&S measured me last year as a 34A!! I only thought to get re-measured as the bras I was wearing in a 34A / 34B didn't fit and were practically dropping off me.

purplepeony · 29/12/2009 19:40

no, no, no- TB- that adding on it old-hat and not done now- read previous posts.

Ages back we had an ex -fitter here and she swore that you don't add those 4-5 inches any where.

purplepeony · 29/12/2009 19:41

p.s- if what you said worked, TB, I'd be buying 36 inch back which is crazy as I am a size 10 and get into a 32 inch back , often on the tightest hook.

TheBolter · 29/12/2009 19:43

But I don't get it pp ... I measure just over 26" under my bust but I'm not a 26 bra size! Enlighten me!

bellissima · 29/12/2009 19:45

I have the same problem with M&S. I have the skinniest back imaginable and yet their 32s dig into me and I have to get a 34. In other makes I'm a 32B and in M&S I'm a - not particularly well fitting - 34A. God knows who they make their 32s for.

MiniMincemeat · 29/12/2009 19:48

Bravissimo can fit you over the phone apparently.

John Lewis generally good and Fenwicks too.

beyondfurious · 29/12/2009 19:48

There are 2 measurements.

You measure under your bust (even if you have to put the tape under your boobs). This is your back size.

Then you measure across the fullest part of the bust.

So if you are 34 under your bust and 42 around the fullest part there are 8 inches different. Which would make you a 34G.