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.

That's not good. I'm guessing Brighton or a trip into London are your nearest options I can't seem to find anywhere I'd trust/recommend although these people sound like they might have a clue.

ooh brill.. some bra advice

I'm in a 36F or FF depending on the bra and some of them gape at the armpit but they are a v snug fit everywhere else. Not sure if it's relevant but I have long saggy boobs due to massive weight loss (used to be a 54C )

I don't think I need bigger or smaller but I just can't work out what's wrong.

Just tried on all but 2 of my bras apart from 4 in the wash, and they weren't too bad . The best one is the one I have had the longest and the one I am always sure doesn't fit right. Still going for a refit though.

married - that site doesn't seem to work apart from the home page. I can't face Bluewater today so I will just go to House of Fraser.

Would it be really embarrassing to take all my bras and get them to check them?

Fab and everyone else, I can't emphasise enough how important it is to get yourself properly fitted at Bravissimo, R&P or similar (NOT a chainstore). Not only will you find out your true size - and a well-fitting bra can be a revelation but they will help you understand how your bra should fit, for future reference. It's one of those things that's impossible to explain but which makes total sense once you've experienced it . Think about all those Trinny/Gok makeover programmes it's always the bra and the haircut that make the difference.

Yes yes get them to check them, they will explain why they do/don't fit so you won't make expensive mistakes in future.

fab - once you have a bra that fits you properly you will be able to judge yourself if the others fit you.

did you look at the bar fitting guide on thebravissimo website

when you say that the one that doesnt fit you is the best - do you mean its in the best condition? I am a little that you tried on all your bras except 6! do you think its possible that you have too many bras? its just if you have a lot you will be tempted to keep them when they are no longer the best fit

i have changed shape/size a lot over these last years with pg/bf/weight gain/loss etc. So i only have a sports bra, two everyday ones (nude and black) and one pretty, lacy one. I expect i will have to get new ones on 6 montsh as I'm still trying to lose a little more weight and shape up a bit. Also my age

seriously , you MUST stop sending your Dh for bras. It doesn't matter what size it says on the label, you need to try it on.

eg i have 32E, F and G that fit me but some are on teh tightest hook, so if i tried on one with a more stretchy band i might need a 30, which means i would need a different cup size

Yes, label means fuck all.

Those bra finder things always make me a 40A when I am a 32G

How did you get on Fab?

I went to House of Frazer and found the Rio bra and tried on the recommended size of 36G. Perfect. Was slightly put off by the assistant saying she wasn't trained so just decided to buy one and the matching knickers. £42 for both. Felt bad about spending so much so figured now I knew what I needed I could try elsewhere for slightly cheaper ones.

I tried La Senza but was going to have a long wait to be measured and fitted so went to M&S.

They had one bra in my size which was very nice but no good.

Back to La S. Tried on about 12 bras. They measure the add 5 way. None fitted though one was surprisingly close.

Tried BHS. Took 9 bras in, gave up after trying on 4.

Back to H of F having spoken to DH and okayed the spend.

Bought 3 new white bras and 2 new pairs of knickers. £120.

I know have 1 black and 3 white bras that fit in 36G, 36G, 36F and 36F.

Instantly I knew they fitted perfectly. Just wish I was better at spending money on myself and then wouldn't have wasted time in the other shops.

I bet you wish you hadn't asked now.

not at all, we want you to be properly supported . i bet you look and feel miles better with the correct size. but be warned, if you have been wearing the wrong size before you will feel the band around your back too tight for a while

Woohoo- great shopping trip- no wonder you are wiped out! Can you see the difference it makes?

I have been wearing a 36E so what should I look out for that will be okay as will settle down? I really can't have spent this much and have got it wrong. I made notes from the Bravissimo website and the biggest was the middle part sitting perfectly flat against the middle of my breasts. :-p to the M&S woman who had no clue.

Still wearing my old 36E atm but that is going in the bin tonight and I will be modelling them for DH trying them all on later .

You sound like you did a great job.

I hope so. It is a lot of money.

I like this thread.

OK, so I was apparently a 32G when I was pregnant, which was the last time I was measured. The baby will be 9 months when I get married in August, i will be wearing a strapless dress and need to be able to breastfeed, but I would like a half decent cleavage. Very limited budget and living near Newcastle, if it means going into real shops, although I can visit my sister in London or my mum in Preston if need be. Any ideas?

Also, is there anywhere that will measure me for a nursing bra that isn't horrible? I have m+s ones that look like they belong to an old woman. Intending on feeding the baby for at least another year, and sick of looking all unsupported. Again, very very limited budget.

Thanksmarried looking at least an F then. Will see what debenhams have ( nowt else here) & if that fails wait for the bra shop lady to come back from holiday!

I havejust read the most ridiculous thing on a BBC site about how ot get your correct bra size.
This is it:

measure round your back- under bust.
ADD 5 inches
Measure round the fullest part.
Look at the difference between both measurements.

If it is 1 more inch then you are a AA cup, +1 = A etc etc.

This means I measure 30- 31 (just) inches under boobs, add 5 = back size 34, 35 or 36- take your pick.

Measure over boobs - 35 inches.
AA cup.

How mad is this? According to them I should wear a 36AA.

I am currently wearing a 32C and have sized down/up from a 34A in former years, to a 34 B and now find a 32C or even a 32D are a good fit. I'd be swimming in a 34 or 36 back- I am a size 8 or 10 in a top.

No wonder so many wmen wear the wrong size with so much conflicting info.

Expert fitter- so- I measure 30.5 under boobs nad 35 over- what size do you reckon?

That sounds like the way it used to be and the way La Senza still measure..

I think I have the opposite problem to most people here - my boobs are quite small! I'm very narrow, and I know I'm wearing the wrong size. I usually wear a 32A but around my ribs I'm a 28, just nobody seems to sell anything so narrow. So my cup size must be different too, right?

I really can't afford to buy anything from Rigby and Peller, but everyone says they are amazing for sizing so do you think I could go and be measured there but not buy anything, or is that really appalling?

kitty - I am not a fitter. but i dont understand why you are wearing a 32 which is same as me when i measure 30 around band under bust and you are two inches narrower. Isn't the band too loose?

I understand R&P are very £££ but Figleaves for example sell 28 and 30 bras and I'm sure there are others

and if you have small norks, you need all the help you can get , so you deserve a bra that fits you well