Bra shopping!

AJayneC

scotsgirl wrote: »

eg - 29" underbust, 38" overbust, old school would have been calling somewhere around a 34d. But this system doesn't actually work as that back would be far too big with all the support coming from the shoulders,poor posture, backache etc and it's only now that people are becoming more aware. Btw, the measurements above actually equate to a 28gg or a 30g depending on fit.

Is this right? I wear a 28/30 and my back size is 24/25" !!! Do they go smaller than a 28?

scotsgirl_3

unfortunately not! I have heard of 26s but never seen one. The above are my measurements and were more showing how daft the old system was, although I did have my fitting checked in bravissimo today funnily enough and they confirmed the 28gg (and h in some, argh)

Sadly bra sizes aren't the most exact of science tho. I have often wondered why there isn't a smaller size though, as I'm not that small really (8-10 waist, end up in 10-14 tops for bust space lol) so someone slimmer may not get the same lift. I think it depends on cup size too, as bigger cups tend to need more support from the back.

After trying a few today, I found that the back on Panache is smaller than Freya, and the panache plunge (which only has 2 hooks in my size as opposed to 3 in the balcony) was smaller than the balcony back.

this was the smallest 28 I tried:
http://www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie/everyday-essentials/panache/plunge-bras/pnb5-details.aspx?colour=Purple

vixarooni

I think in some ways people need to let go of, "i am a (insert size here)" The size you are fitted into should be a guide, unless you shop with the same make and then its a little more set in stone but even then its probably only 80% true that your size will fit every one they do.

I think i need to PM blue monkey and moan about bra fitting ha. I could seriously go into a tanjent!

Debenhams do a few 28's

scotsgirl_3

oh yeah definitely - the info above was only given to try and explain bra fitting to a bloke - you have to start somewhere!! I have bras which I wear in sizes from 28-32, f-h! I think everything has to be tried, with your 'fitted' size being a starting point

Funny I think I may have had the same conversation with Blue Monkey. I HATE seeing women in ill fitting bras, I was walking home today and there was one girl I was so tempted to stop and send straight for a fitting. She had a white top on, so you could see the back of her bra, and I swear, the middle of it was only about 6 inches down from her shoulders, and the front was really bouncing up, down and sideways. It looked painful tbh.

paulacoco

I always recommend to get measured professionally. I've written an article that's aimed at women who are determining their before and after breast size for cosmetic surgery but it's equally applicable for other women. It includes some info on where you can get measured for free - not just M&S!! It's worth getting measured at a couple of places to see if they are consistent.

Scotsgirl on your other point regarding increasing bust size whilst on the pill, this is most likely due to the oestrogen. I have an articel on my site which covers this in more detail in the alternatives to breast enlargement cosmetic surgery article.

Paula x

afroscot

It was suggested to me long time ago that Mothercare is worth a look! Having just looked there are some big cup sizes and the sale seems to be reasonable. Mind you - you might not want the clip down cups - or maybe you would!

blue_monkey_2

Mothercare bras are hideous, very badly made and not enough support for the larger boob. I was a J in Mothercare bras when I was pregnant 8 years ago so there was none of the big brands around like there are now, so I bought 2, in the sale, for £8 each. They lasted 3 weeks before the elastic went through wear and they were unwearable. I ended up going to a website in the US and buying some bras from Leading Lady which were fab and last a really long time.

Shortly after this, because I was so frustrated about the availablity of larger sized underwear for women in the UK, I researched the brands in the UK and learned how to fit - back then brands such as Freya were really not very well known and decided I was going to set up my own online lingerie business so I could offer affordable larger size undies to ladies in the UK. In the early days the business was huge, once people found out I was 'there' and as there was no-one else offering these bras online every day at good prices, we sold hundreds of bras each week as we offered them at affordable prices. But I did not have the money for advertising like some companies do and along came Brastop who offered the same as me but they just had the money to buy everything they could, their website in the early days was really poor but they could afford to advertise in the glossies whereas I couldn't..... and the rest, as they say, is history!! But we tick along and I have my 'regulars' and I am always happy to offer advice to anyone who asks, if you sell a bra you have to make sure it fits. There are lots of people who do it just for the money but I feel this is wrong, that you cannot sell something that you have no idea of the fit of and I always try everything I can, if the fit is poor then I don't sell it (and there have been many!!). So that is my rant for the day, LOL.

Many people think that buying cheap bras is moneysaving but they are very wrong, a good well fitted bra that is handwashed and hung to dry will last you 2-3 years if your size does not change, the fit and material will be the same. You'll be lucky to get 2 months wash and wear out of a cheap supermarket or Primark bra - in all sizes. However, there are places that sell past seasons collections at a discount of the RRP so you get great fitting bras without the price tag.

I find that people just don't want the hassle of handwashing which take a few minutes, stick it in to soak for an hour while watching TV/making dinner or the like then rinse it out and hang it up to dry - it really does not take long! I am always lecturing people about sticking their bras in a washing machine. Unless you have non-wired of course - but then you do the hooks up first so they do not get caught on something and stretch.

Vix, we could go down to a shopping centre and set up a bra fitting advice stall and grab people and tell them how rubbish they look in bras that do not fit them and that having 4 boobs is not attractive - I would be in heaven, LOL!! And don't even get me started on swim suits, I just sit there watching people and tutting to myself, there is no excuse now they do swimsuits with a fitted bra inside - and once you get one there will be no going back and you'll never wear a conventional suit again..... they are the best thing ever, I love the fact I can go swimming without having to worry that something will escape out of a badly fitted suit that is too big for my body because it has to fit my boobs. Ha ha!!

About 10 years ago I bought a 2 part Speedo bikini and the short bottoms were a little big but I had to get that one so that the top would fit. I went to Florida and went to Typhoon Lagoon (and if you have been you'll know which one I mean - the wave machine sends out huge 8-12ft waves), the wave came over and knocked me around and next thing I knew it had whipped my bikini bottoms clean off. I had to send my daughter to retrieve them from the beach area. To this day I wonder if anyone had an underwater camera........

I ony came online his morning to do my Tesco shop and I've not started yet.... LOL.

Pheobe21

just go m&s - best quality and prices around.

consultant31

Pheobe21 wrote: »

just go m&s - best quality and prices around.

Only if your size is considered normal - try getting a 28H in M&S

blue_monkey_2

Pheobe21 wrote: »

just go m&s - best quality and prices around.

Errrr, no, you clearly have not read the thread. The bras might be 'cheap' but 'quality' they are not. And when they stick you in anything because they do not sell your size that is NOT good!!

Everyone I personally know or who i have sized that wears bras from M&S HAS been in the wrong size.

They may be OK for A-C cup bras but anything bigger than you should go elsewhere such as Debenhams, JL, Bravissimo or a local Independant where you will have a choice of brands and styles as what fits one may not fit another. M&S make bras for themselves so there is no choiuce other than colour or style, you should buy from somewhere that offers a choice in brands, styles and a wide range of PROPER sizes.

I could go out tomorrow and buy a whole load of M&S discontinued bras tomorrow from a wholesaler (and I know where to get them) and they are cheap - about £1.50 a piece - and could make a very healthy profit on them. However, the fit is so poor I would not even bother!! :mad:

The problem is that M&S are on every high street and they are seen as having a good name, people trust ladies to put them in the right bras regardless of whether they fit or suit them at all. M&S are trustworthy they think. Wrong!! I've a whole bag of bras that one of my customers was put into by M&S - the band sizes are all 10 inches too big, the band size 10 inches too small. How on earth is this good practice - she is one of many and not from the same area. :mad: :mad: :mad: Scotsgirl, we have had this conversation haven't we.... And you know, when I get a lady in a good fitting bra the first thing they say..... 'oh, the wires are not digging in anymore and I feel so much lighter'. Do yourself a favour and DO NOT shop at M&S for larger size bras!! I am on a tangent now....