Bra problems

[victoriascrumptious]

If your bra underwiring digs in under the armpits where it didnt before-does this mean I need a bigger cup size or to go bigger around the back?

Also going up a back size means that I am getting fatter doesnt it? Does it?

Impossible to get a proper fitting with 3 kids in tow. Also no tape measure in the house.

Hi Victoria. Sounds like you need bigger cups, the wires are not big enough to reach beyond your breast tissue. You don't need a tape measure to sort this, just a bit of patience and lateral thinking. Try on the newest bra you've got and if the back can easily do up on the loosest, you need a smaller band. If you need one band smaller, go up two cups, if you go down two bands, go up 3 cups. This is assuming there was no major 4 boob thing going on in the 1st place!
The wire should lay flat against your chest wall and once the breast tissue is pulled up into the cup and away from the armpit, it should all fit tidily. If the wire tilts forwards in the middle, you need a smaller band and/or a bigger cup.
HTH. Feel free to ask more, I'm a pro

oh married, maybe you could find me a perfect strapless one then!

My bra size is 34e/f but they are all a bit too tight across my back (overhang and they leave marks where they dig in). I need to go up to 26 so do i drop a cup size?

Oh can I ask a question to?

If there are only 2 styles of Freya Bra that 'fit' me are there any other makes that are likely to? (they all come up too high in my armpit)

I have that problem with a lot of bras too Katy, the ones that are too high then irritate my armpit!

Hi MND. Thank you so much for replying.

I'm so confused about this. I was fitted at Bravissimo about 2.5yrs ago and was 38E. The bras I got then were perfect. Now all my perfectly fitting bras are stabbing me under the arms.

Like you suggested I assumed that I needed a bigger cup size so last night I went to tescos and tried some 38F which resulted in me not filling the cup so then I tried 40F and I still didnt fill the cup, then 40E and the cups were still too large. Then I tried 40DD-same problem. I eventually came away with a 40D and I still have a gape at the top but it was the only thing that came close and they closed the changing rooms at that point so I gave up and bought it.

Now this 40D underwired bra which I am currently wearing is reasonably supportive and doesnt ride up across my back. I have the shoulder straps hoiked up as far as they will go and the back strap is on the tighest setting but I can fit quite 4 fingers between my skin and the strap. The wiring between my breasts also isnt sitting flush against my ribcage.

So, based on what I am reading in your post I need to go back down to 38 on the back and up to G on the cup??

I tried on literally dozens of bras in each of the sizes I mentioned previously-I assumed that it was just Tescos weirdness but now I could be a G cup?

Thats a bit of a mindfuck really.

Kate and Scratch are you short? I am 5 foot. Is it a short issue do you think?

5ft 5

But I am short waisted - hour glass but I look more like a snowman; I mean it goes in at the waist but you can't tell because the top & bottom are out so far

I just measured my back and I am 37inches under my boobs and 43 inches over the fattest part of my boobs.

Oh i'm totally flummoxed now. One thing is for certain. I have an freakishly fat back the extent of which I didnt trully grasp until yesterday. I also clealy no longer have amazing perky melons but instead they are mear rolls of fat which are an extension of my backfat.

I will have to go into M&S and buy those bras which come in boxes and have names like 'Lucinda'.

I may as well end it

You sound like a 38F to me, but you can only tell by eye when it's on

Tesco bras don't come up the same size as 38Fs in other brands- you need to keep looking, and try different styles too.

Really BitofFun? Do you mean that?

say its true
say it is

?????

No word of a lie

dunno where you are but rigby and peller can sort you out in no time at all
they are massively experienced and always have the perfect thing ime
expensive but v v worth it

Its not a short thing, I am 5ft 10 and it happens to me!

As a woman of large norkage,and ex-nurse who worked on a breast surgery ward where we fitted prosthesis,I am OBSESSED with people having the right bra.Tips:

No need for a measuring tape.The support from a bra should come from the band-not the straps.The straps just hold the cups in place.The band(main body of bra),should be flush to the skin,not ride up,and if you can fit two fingers in under the bra at the front it fits.This may feel uncomfortable at first if you have been wearing bras too big.

The cup should encompass all the breast.The breast should be moulded in the cup.Not sitting at the bottom of the cup,or pushing up out of the cup.

If you are using underwired bras,where the wires "meet" at the front should also be flush to the skin.

Personally,I have never been able to find a bra to fit me at M&S,Debenhams or any other chain store.I live in Ireland,but have sister in London,and go to Bravissimo.But I go to Rigby and Pellar in London once a year,as I find the fit is second to none and the bras last years if you handwash them.If you are big boobed,I don't think you should scrimp on bras,they make a huge difference to your shape,and good ones are so comfortable!I'm a 34H!

woops, can I ask a question?

I can fit two fingers under my bra at the fron, in the middle but I think the bad is too small. It digs in me and leaves marks all around where it has been. It is uncomfortable around the back where it digs in. So should I go up a band size?

Wow, been out all day, lots to read.
scratch, try going up a band size but you may need to go up a cup as well/instead. The best strapless out there is a smooth Fantasie one- try a 36E as the cups come up big. Better slightly big than bulging over though so don't be scared to try an F
Katymac, if Freya bras you've tried come up too high then it may be the style. I have this problem sometimes- it's to do with the length- or lack of- between the shoulder and underarm. Panache are the best fit but certain styles are even higher than Freya.
Victoria, 38G is quite a possibility, definitely sounds like 40 is too big in the band, hence the wires falling forward. Don't hoik the straps, you just get (permanent) coathanger shoulders . As Woops explained, the band should take virtually all the weight of your boobs.
I find Panache/Masquerade and Freya/Fantasie work best for me. The only high street brand I've found worth looking at is Debenhams, and only in a few styles (am a 32FF ATM so don't have that many choices there)

I would like to join in .

Before babies I was 32DD. After breast feeding 3 of the little Fabs I am now 36E. They are touching each other in the middle, causing a very unpleasant sweat situation.

They are just so massive .

Fab, even if you have gone up 2 band sizes, they still shouldn't be that close together if you're wearing underwires- are the wires flat agianst yor chest wall? Am thinking you need bigger cups tbh, 36E is not massive in the scheme of things

Feels big to me .

Just had a feel while sat down and there is day light between my skin and the wires.

I love buying bras but get so fed up when they don't seem to fit for long.

The bra I am wearing was new at Christmas.

agree, they shouldnt touch in the middle. i am 32f and very old (and also post bf) and they dont touch

suspect you need another style of bra

IME they don't last very long - i only have 2 at a time ( nude and black) and i expect them to last 6 months

but they are not rigby and peller

and i am trying to get fitter/lose weight so boobs are changing a bit. also my age

But this bra has a diamond on it .

And Dh chose it for me and it is one of my favourites.

Any suggestions?

well theres your problem - you let your Dh chose your bra

you need support and an excellent fit ( for everyday) - not a daft wee wisp of black with red lace