Do you REALLY know your bra size?

Sharon87 · 15 June 2011 at 6:03PM

I REALLY need to get fitted again. My only black bra is WAY to small, its a 32 or 34H, I can't remember lol. My other 34H's still fit me (just) I've put weight on recently and a friend commented that they seem bigger

I must be a 34 or 36 now, probably a HH or more!! I hate bra shopping with a passion, so haven't been motivated to go.

I did buy a bra in my size from Asda, but it didn't last very long - the underwire came out when I was jumping up and down moshing to rock music in a club! Had to take it out half way through the night!

j.e.j. · 15 June 2011 at 7:39PM

Hi, hope it's alright to jump in on this thread:).
I usually go to Bravissimo as I find you get good service, but I ALWAYS have the same problem.. I''m quite a bit bigger on one side, meaning that one cup fits and the other is either too loose or too tight

Does anyone else find this?
I try to look for bras made of stretchy fabric, but can't often find them.

Miss.Sian-Marie · 16 June 2011 at 9:58AM

I got measure a month or so ago in an underwear shop and it was shocking, the size she told me I was had gaps between my boobs and the cup. The other size she gave me gave me the 4 boob effect.

I hate bra shopping too! It's fine knowing what size you are but I always find that a certain style and size in one store is different to another!

blue_monkey_2 · 16 June 2011 at 10:10AM

Miss.Sian-Marie wrote: »

I got measure a month or so ago in an underwear shop and it was shocking, the size she told me I was had gaps between my boobs and the cup. The other size she gave me gave me the 4 boob effect.

I hate bra shopping too! It's fine knowing what size you are but I always find that a certain style and size in one store is different to another!

I am sorry you have had such a bad experience, you should always go back if you are unsure of the fit of a bra they have put you in. Sounds like it was someone has decided there was money in it - or had an assistant that did not have a clue - how awful. If you need help with sizing then please do ask me.

The idea of getting a good fitting bra is that when you go and choose the next bra, you know what you are looking for in the fit. So no gaps, gaping or bulging. One decent fitting with 'top ups' every now to remind you what to look for.

blue_monkey_2 · 16 June 2011 at 10:13AM

j.e.j. wrote: »

Hi, hope it's alright to jump in on this thread:).
I usually go to Bravissimo as I find you get good service, but I ALWAYS have the same problem.. I''m quite a bit bigger on one side, meaning that one cup fits and the other is either too loose or too tight Does anyone else find this?
I try to look for bras made of stretchy fabric, but can't often find them.

This is quite common, I know you will feel like the only one though.

There are a lot of moulded bras on the market now, these will even out the smaller side - they are made of a type of foam so the cup is shaped and it will be smooth all over, even if the cup is not full. A full cup bra will also be useful for you because of how the evens out. Some balcony bras too as they will lift everything up.

Always fit the larger boob - and if there is a big difference use one of the fillets to help with your confidence. You should avoid plunge bras as they will enhance the difference.

Stretchy fabbric is NOT the best idea as it will mean you end up in a bra unsuitable for you and you'll end up with sagging on the larger sise.

blue_monkey_2 · 16 June 2011 at 10:19AM

Sharon87 wrote: »

I REALLY need to get fitted again. My only black bra is WAY to small, its a 32 or 34H, I can't remember lol. My other 34H's still fit me (just) I've put weight on recently and a friend commented that they seem bigger I must be a 34 or 36 now, probably a HH or more!! I hate bra shopping with a passion, so haven't been motivated to go.

I did buy a bra in my size from Asda, but it didn't last very long - the underwire came out when I was jumping up and down moshing to rock music in a club! Had to take it out half way through the night!

Get a decent sports bra for moshing. At your size it'll make a whole world of difference! You can even wear them on their own if you don't wear much (remenises to her earlier days.....).

You say that your bra does not fit but that your 34 does - stay with the 34, you ar enot a 36. Try a 34HH.

If the 34 feels too big in the band then go for a 32J instead. Remember, the 32 is the band size that goes around your midriff. If this still fits then do not go up a band size. This is a very common mistake to make.

If you cannot get motivated to go, get loads from an online store that does returns and try them on at home when you have a spare half an hour.

flightinfo · 5 July 2011 at 7:18PM

I'm after some advice please. I have bought a dress for a black tie event of which I am the hostess. Having said I definitely didn't want strapless as it is just not me, I have bought a single shoulder strap dress. The shop will alter the dress so I have a matching strap on the other shoulder which was my first thought and I am confident that they would do a good job. However, they have suggested I try strapless bras first.

I am currently trying to pluck up the courage to go to Rigby and Peller. Lots of the strapless bras I have seen, seem to 'push' you up which I definitely don't want. Are there any makes which don't make more of your assets if you don't want to show them off!! Also, would it be odd to wear one bra strap - the shoulder strap on the dress is wide enough to wear a bra strap under. Just thought this might give me a bit more support than no straps at all.

The other option is to buy a 'decorative' bra strap for the other shoulder but I'm not sure if this would go with the dress.

Any help appreciated.

ali-t · 5 July 2011 at 8:33PM

What about a multi-way bra and only use one of the straps so you get more support than a strapless and it won't fall down but you can still flash one shoulder.

blue_monkey_2 · 5 July 2011 at 8:38PM

What size are you flightinfo? If you are not feeling secure about staying in the strapless bra then get some fashion tape and stick the bra to your boobs. It should be fine though, bras are much more secure now and as a GG cup I wear one and it stays in place, even when jumping around to the Black Eyed Peas, LOL.

I'd go for a black bra if wearing a black dress or a Nude strapless bra is wearing any other colour. If you do not want a seam look for Panache Porcelain, Fantasie or Elomi Smoothing bras, or there is Freya Deco which is lower plunge though and you might not want that look. They do not push you up but they have a foam moulded cup so you can keep your shape. There is also Panache Evie but that does have a seam.

It MUST fit you on the back else it will slip down, this is essential.

elantan · 5 July 2011 at 9:14PM

blue monkey, i am struggling with wearing underwired bras just now (bleeding bruising etc on the one side) due to a car accident frozen shoulder issue ... do the non underwired bra's give the same support? i am currently a 34 HH ( always always get fitted) i generally wear fantasie and rigby peller bras do they do non underwired bra's ? could you recommend any good bra's for me to try? i am going into house of fraser tomorrow so will try and see if i can get anything there but suggestions would be most welcome