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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Bra problems

154 replies

victoriascrumptious · 20/05/2010 21:58

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.

OP posts:

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 21/05/2010 19:05

It actually fit perfectly when he bought it. Cream and very nice.

marriednotdead · 21/05/2010 19:06

Fab, not sure where you're shopping but you should be able to make them last longer than that. If they are not supporting you anymore, maybe they were a bit looser than ideal in the band to start with. 'They' rarely tell you but wired bras should be handwashed with no fabric softener. Average bra should last 6 months but I've got several a couple of years old. Agree with Kristina, you may need a different style. The ones with really low fronts are not usually great post bf as I some women slump out of the centre

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 21/05/2010 19:11

I am never going to be faffed about hand washing so it needs to be bras that can be machine washed. I don't use fabric softener.

I might try a different shop.

Thanks.

BTW I don't really go for sexy bras. Pretty maybe but not a bit of lace barely covering the breasts.

Northernlurker · 21/05/2010 19:13

Dh gave me a bravisssimo voucher to spend in London a few months ago. I am a H cup but had been kidding myself that going 2 sizes bigger in the band and getting a G cup would work out....only now do I realise how much it didn't

Now I know the style that works I'm just going to order over the net as new colours come out. Currently I've got this in red, black and violet

Op - you need to get away from the kids find something that fits and then order on-line if you have to. It's taken me years to prioritise this part of my wardrobe - and in the end dh had to make me do it I'm sure he was entirely disinterested....

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 21/05/2010 19:15

That is a very nice bra Northernlurker.

marriednotdead · 21/05/2010 19:21

Northernlurker, that is THE best bra for big boobs on the market, and the most affordable. If you get bored and want to try a different style, the Panache Harmony full cup has a similar shape. It is a tad tighter in the back so you may need to go up a back and down a cup. Most independents that stock them know what they're doing if you're not near a Bravissimo. OP, just don't use any of those silly online size calculators- they all make me a 36D

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 21/05/2010 19:24

marriednotdead- What size would you suggest for me and can you buy them on the high street?

Katymac · 21/05/2010 19:26

this is the best one that fits me

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 21/05/2010 19:31

That is nice too.

I am getting some money soon and will definitely be buying some new bras.

Northernlurker · 21/05/2010 19:36

thanks marriednotdead - that's good to know

littlebrownmouse · 21/05/2010 19:36

I've been a 36aa for ages (mini knockers here) but now seem to be a 34a. Trouble is I seem to have fat bits under my arms when wearing some bras. It makes it very difficult to buy and I think I've been wearing them too loose round the band for years so am a bit confused. I don't need them for support as my knorks are so teeny, I need them to make me look as if I have some knorks if you see what I mean. What does fat armpits mean? Its almost as though my bosoms are too far apart and seep out at the outside edge. They're a bit droopy since breast feeding and I can't buy the smae size from the same shop twice. Any advice re. fat bulge under arms would be good!

marriednotdead · 21/05/2010 23:13

Fab, unless you have gone up 2-3 dress sizes since having dcs, try a 34F/FF for starters. If you can comfortably do it up on the loosest hook (but the tightest is a bit too tight) then the band is about right. You can find those sizes on the high street but everywhere fits differently. Bras are like jeans and shoes- a very personal fit.
Littlebrownmouse, you sound like one of those 'widely spaced' gals
Fat underarm is usually breast tissue trying to escape so a bra that is cut slightly higher at the sides like this or this can help you pull it into the cups and may well make you a bigger cup size too
Katymac, that's my favourite bra of all time, fits me perfectly though it does come up big in the cups so I only need an F

laundrylover · 21/05/2010 23:36

Oooh, how exciting - a BIG BRA thread!!.

Northern Lurker I too have the Tango from my Bravissimo fitting a few weeks back. I can't usually wear balconette (no boob at the top - think Aboriginal stylee!) but this is fine. Back at Slimming World so a teeny 34GG.

My sis and I took our mum for a fitting last week and she came out with a 32K ...think they only had one bra in stock.

I've also got this one underwired sports bra which is a great fit. It's for my hols because when we go cycling/pub lunch etc. I hate wearing my sports bra as it gives me have one boob like the queen! OK for running but not lunching.

PricklyThistle · 21/05/2010 23:46

I see a whole new topic needing to go on MN, with married as a resident expert. I have the same problem with bras chafing (for want of a better word) under the arms. Got fitted at Bravissimo and find that the band leaves red marks (which I don't think can be right).
No idea what size I am, but am going to have look, and post again to get some expert advice.

laundrylover · 21/05/2010 23:50

Ooh but they do like to fit you real snug at Bravissimo Prickly....are you on the loosest fastening at the back?

Why am I asking this when I should be in bed????

Both DDs are in our bed as DP is at the pub...maybe that's why I'm putting it off!

laundrylover · 21/05/2010 23:53

Whilst there's some big boobed women about -where can I buy a fairly plain supportive swimsuit that doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money??

BTW need it this weekend for hols so answers on a postcard as quick as like please ladies .

marriednotdead · 22/05/2010 00:32

Have a nosey in M&S or BHS. Not sure what bits you want supporting but quite a few about with actual cups in and tummy control. Of course if you're bigger than a DD cup it needs to be properly bra sized = extortionate a bit dearer

marriednotdead · 22/05/2010 00:37

Enough for now, am off to bed! Have 7 hours of performing miracles with big boobs fittings tomorrow so back in the evening I guess

purplepeony · 22/05/2010 12:15

I agree with all said about smaller back adn bigger cup.

For years i thought I was, and wore a 34A. Then I progressed to a 34B but always fastened on the tightest hook.

Now I am wearing a 32C and it feels fine. Yes, tight to begin with a bit and I do have red marks round my back at the end of the day, but on trying my old 34 bands on I can see they are just too big and don't really support.

It also depends on the bra itself. I have just tried ona 32D and TBH it isn't a bad fit either. I like push up bras which make the most of what I've got and the cup sizes seem especially small as they are full ofpadding!

MsDav · 22/05/2010 14:02

I'm a 36DD but the boobs tend to slip out at the bottom over the course of the day. Do I need to go up a cup and down a band then or the other way around? I've tried a 38D and the cup was too small and the band had to be done up on the tightest hooks but was still too big. I'm 5'10 and a size 16 if this has any bearing.

Nymphisseeingstars · 22/05/2010 14:56

Can I join as well? Been waiting for fab bra shop in town to be open when I'm around but they are on holiday now.

I'm pg with ever changing sizes and have just expanded again. Currently wearing 36dd which was the back measured by fab lady but I went up 2 cup sizes. Now doing the 4 boob/ overflowing thing.back is on smallest size so guessing I need to go down one? What about the overflowing problem?

purplepeony · 22/05/2010 14:59

I'm not a fitter but boobs slipping out under the band implies it is too slack- ther is no way anything could slip out under my band!

Have you measured under your boobs around the rib cage?

I measure just over 30 inches and am wearing a 32 band- which I can get done up on the tighest hook- down from a previous 34 inch. I bet some fitters would try to put me in a 30 inch band!

I'd suggest you go down aband size at least- maybe measure yourself- and up at least one,maybe two cup sizes. Maybe try a 34F or a 34G?

MsDav · 22/05/2010 15:17

purplepeony, have been measured at M+S and La Senza, they both try to say I'm a 38 or a 40 on the band then look a bit mortified when they see it just hangs off me!

I had breast reduction done about 15 yrs ago and went down from a EE cup to a C but over the last few years they've got a mind of their own and started growing again, I've gone from a C to a DD ( and bigger it would seem!) in 4 years. Sigh, all that scarring was sooooo worth it

FabIsGoingToGetFit · 22/05/2010 16:56

married - I used to be about a 14 all over pre kids. Now I am a 16-18 on top though I had to get a 20 in a cardi in M&S last month .

Should the middle part of the bra be right against the chest between the breasts? I have never had a bra do that fully before.

Do Bravissimo have shops or are they online?

purplepeony · 22/05/2010 17:00

The middle part of the bra should rest against your ribs- if it sticks out away from your skin the cups are too small- as your boobs are pushing the cups out and the band away from you.

If you measure 38-40 is that the actual measurement or are they doing something mad like adding on 4 inches- which was the "old" way?
That's how I thought I was a 34 band- measuring just over 30 and adding 4 inches!

what do you get if you measure yourself- it's UNDER the boobs remember where the bottom edge of the bra touches your tummy.

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