Do you REALLY know your bra size?

dreaming

trudij wrote: »

Id LOVE someone to sort mine out - they really need it !! (and I need the help - Im too scared to do it on my own,cos i will muck it up !!)

I have been inspired by blue_monkey and have decided to try a place she has recommended fairly near me (Northamptonshire). Big thanks to blue_monkey for her help and encouragment. :A
I posted earlier about having suffered headaches/neck aches and think it is my bra straps digging in, as when I take it off the headaches go (although need bra as big lady). Am ringing them tomorrow to arrange fitting in my week off soon and have decided that even if I am a bit embarassed it won't kill me, and will hopefully improve my life. It's mad really as I wouldn't dream of wearing the wrong size shoes!

Probably would run a mile though if someone approached me in street, but would also probably go home and realise they were right and regret not looking into it.

blue_monkey_2

Dreaming, please PM me and let me know how it goes. I *think* they are closed on Mondays but they are open on Saturdays. Remember, they see different shaped ladies all the time, day in, day out as it is a busy shop so please try to feel at ease about it and think about how much difference it wil make to your life and health in getting the right bra. They are lovely ladies and will do their utmost to help you find the right bra, please explain about the headaches to them too. The strap is probably digging into a nerve in your shoulder so you might need something with a wider set strap.

PS. I have some work to get done, have been for a massage and fake tan tonight, I am too scared to look in the mirror, LOL, but I'll be back on Friday now to reply regarding the question I asked.

MizB

Blue Monkey, you are wonderful.I have loved this thread, I have been properly fitted by Bravissimo, and I know after reading your comments that I know how a bra should fit, I am happy, but can I ask a question?
I am a 30F on any Kalyani balcony, a 30E in the Fantasie moulded balcony, (but an F if I am even a teeny bit fat)and a 28G in Panache Tango 2 balcony although the right cup is a smidge big, , and a 30F in any Freya balcony. The band sits level and never rides up, the bit in the middle of the cups sits flat, but by the end of a days work they are all uncomfy and the wire on my left side digs in. Can I get a bra thay fits properly but is still comfy after 12 hours? Is it just that I am slouching by then? Or does my bra not fit after all? I tried a 32 for curiosity, but even in the changing room the back rode up. If I go for a bigger cup I don't fill them.

Your advice has been so good, and you come across as so determined, in a kind way, that we all wear the correct bra size I feel comfortable asking for your advice.

blue_monkey_2

Hi Miz, just checking in before bed - I am addicted to this thread now, LOL.

Can I ask Miz, does this happen on all bras or just one type of bra, and all the time or is there a certian time of the month? I also have this problem with my Freya Rios but just at certain times of the month.

Usually I would say that it is down to the cup being too big or the style being wrong for you but if it is happening on all of them you just need to have a little adjustment. I probably do it out of habit to be fair but I am usually rearranging myself a good few times a day and bringing the breast tissue forward into the cup as yes, it is normal for a small amount to creep out during the day and it needs popping back into the cup, especially after 12 hours.

Also, I do not think mentioned this before, it also depends on your cycle to how a bra fits. I go up a whole cup size 2 weeks before my period, so it could depend on your hormones as well, one day a bra could fit you perfectly, the next day it might not if your preiod is due and your breasts are swollen.

I am glad that you are all happy with the advice I am giving, I have such a passion for what I do and I am just happy to see everyone wearing the right size bra.

I was up the PO sorting office a few weeks back and there was a girl in front of me who was wearing her bra strap almost at the top of her back. The words were choking inside my throat and I so wanted to tell her but there were loads of people in the queue and I did not want to embarrass her. I just thought.... why....? I think that women have babies and still wear their pregnancy sized bras because they do not think they have lost weight. And then habit sticks and they buy the wrong size over and over.

And now it really is bedtime. Night all.

MizB

Hi, Blue Monkey, thanks for such a quick response, yes, it happens with all my bras, not one of them will last the whole day. As for the time of the month, I am well past all that, I havn't had a period for 5 years. I have to wear a balcony, as I am too soft and squishy for a plunge bra, but I do want a bit of oomph. I will try having a readjust during the day, if thats all it takes it will be wonderful. Thanks again.

donnac2558

Hi Blue Monkey, I am one of the weird ones.:D
Belfast we only have House of Fraser, Debs and Marks and Spencer's. Pretty Woman was a great independent store and it closed. So its mail order from Bravissmo.

Debs, sorry total rubbish. Measured me and give me a bra too big in the back and way too small in the cup size. Infact the Belfast branch does not even stock an H cup now.

I am a size 16 on top but really small backed all massive boobs:( Lost 4 stone since last year and have no idea.

Now using your tips I am actually a 33 around the rib cage, but I can still get fingers in the gap at my spine. I have a dip from mid back to my backside. Someone long ago measuring me commented on this. Usually wear Fantastie or Panache but have to go up a back size and cup in the latter brand. Now one boob is a full cup size bigger than the other. But I am wearing a HH cup and big gap at the top where my boobs are. I have a Fantastie bought in the sale ages ago which is a 34 HH but feels like it is getting loose round the back as its on the tightesh fasting and is very comfortable as in feels like not much support. Not worn much as I put on so much weight. I have a Fantastie bra style I love very smooth cups only they now seem to have stopped making that one. I am thinking perhaps I am now a 34 H?

Thank you for your help.

Skint_Catt

I got 'measured' in Bravissimo shortly before my wedding in June and was extremely disappointed with the service. Firstly she aksed what size I was already wearing (38D) and based all further trials on that. I tried several bras on with her in the changing room and they all looked awful but she didn't say a thing! Convinced me that I was a 38DD/40E and that was that. Spent £170+ there and haven't worn the stuff once - have gone back to wearing my comfy M&S 38D t-shirt bra's!

blue_monkey_2

MizB wrote: »

Hi, Blue Monkey, thanks for such a quick response, yes, it happens with all my bras, not one of them will last the whole day. As for the time of the month, I am well past all that, I havn't had a period for 5 years. I have to wear a balcony, as I am too soft and squishy for a plunge bra, but I do want a bit of oomph. I will try having a readjust during the day, if thats all it takes it will be wonderful. Thanks again.

Hi Miz, I'd say you just need a quick adjustment then. Think about hot feet inside shoes, you kick them off to let them breath a bit - its the same with boobs but we cannot take the bra off so a little adjustment should be all that is needed.

If you cannot wear a plunge but like some Oomph I really do suggest you try Freya Pollyanna. it is a balcony plunge (balcony cut but sits lower than usual) but it gives a great looking cleavage without making them fall to the front - you'll know what I mean. It is great for wearing all day as it is an exeryday bra. Give it a try.

blue_monkey_2

Skint_Catt wrote: »

I got 'measured' in Bravissimo shortly before my wedding in June and was extremely disappointed with the service. Firstly she aksed what size I was already wearing (38D) and based all further trials on that. I tried several bras on with her in the changing room and they all looked awful but she didn't say a thing! Convinced me that I was a 38DD/40E and that was that. Spent £170+ there and haven't worn the stuff once - have gone back to wearing my comfy M&S 38D t-shirt bra's!

If you was unhappy with the bras you should have said so at the time - always ask people if they are happy with the bras as although it might look nice on, the customer has to like the bra as well. There are lots I like but my customers do not.

The thing is, we are now back to comfy v fitted and some women do not like fitted, they prefer comfy and while we advise that you should wear a fitted bra for posture and support, some women just prefer comfy. You have to give yourself time to get used to them though, you have to break a new bra in - especially if you have changed sizes.

blue_monkey_2

donnac2558 wrote: »

Hi Blue Monkey, I am one of the weird ones.:D
Belfast we only have House of Fraser, Debs and Marks and Spencer's. Pretty Woman was a great independent store and it closed. So its mail order from Bravissmo.

Debs, sorry total rubbish. Measured me and give me a bra too big in the back and way too small in the cup size. Infact the Belfast branch does not even stock an H cup now.

I am a size 16 on top but really small backed all massive boobs:( Lost 4 stone since last year and have no idea.

Now using your tips I am actually a 33 around the rib cage, but I can still get fingers in the gap at my spine. I have a dip from mid back to my backside. Someone long ago measuring me commented on this. This would not make a difference to be honest, we would still be fitting the band around your back. Lots of women have the dip in their spine.
Usually wear Fantastie or Panache but have to go up a back size and cup in the latter brand. Now one boob is a full cup size bigger than the other. This is also very common, most women have one smaller boob, always fit the bra to the largest breast, always fit the bra to the larger breast as a wrinkly cup is better than having a 'double boob' on one side.
But I am wearing a HH cup and big gap at the top where my boobs are. Can I ask what style this bra is please - in the label there is a code starting FA please can you give me the 4 digit code.
I have a Fantastie bought in the sale ages ago which is a 34 HH but feels like it is getting loose round the back as its on the tightesh fasting and is very comfortable as in feels like not much support. Not worn much as I put on so much weight. I have a Fantastie bra style I love very smooth cups only they now seem to have stopped making that one. Can you also give me the code, was it Allure? I am thinking perhaps I am now a 34 H?

Thank you for your help.

I've put some comments red it break it down a bit. The bra you are wearing is going to make a difference to my reply on sizing so I shall wait for that. You definately need a balcony cup bra - are you wearing a full cup bra at the moment. There are very few smooth cupped bras in an H up cup to be honest, they do not give the support you need.

If you are finding the 34HH too loose around the back I would suggest giving the 32 a try. However, this *could* mean going up to a J cup I am afraid - as if the HH cup fits you still need the same volume in the cup. The reason it feels there is no much support is because the band is not giving you the support it should, the cup still needs to hold the same size boob. There are some gorgeous bras in J cup, again Pollyanna - give that a try. I would avoid a full cup bra and all of the Fantasie bras in a J cup are full cup, so I would consider moving to Fantasie who sell mainly Balcony or Balcony plunge shaped cups in a J cup. Have you tried the Panache Tango II?