Do you REALLY know your bra size?

Youdontseeme

As a porker (size 26) who appears to be rather small chested, yet flabby and droopy, I have always had a HUGE problem with bra's (once went in to Evans to get measured the woman gave me such a dirty look and told me it was obvious I was wearing the wrong size after a bit of faffing she told me I should be wearing a 48B. The bra I had on was a ........... 48B!)

Having just measured myself with Blue Monkeys guide I work out to a 50C but most of the time a C cup is really big on me (sometimes even a B cup is a bit baggy) and I am so tired of having bra's riding up my back through the day or diggig in. I have two that are comfy and wear all the time, I know they dont give me the best shape though.

Tis my birthday soon and would like to treat myself to a proper "grown up" bra!!

Im in London but is there any point in going to Bravissimo as they dont do my backsize? Any other recommendations?

Any help or tips?

Thanks in advance.

blue_monkey_2

elantan wrote: »

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

There is a brand called Elomi who are made by the same company that make Fantasie and Freya but they make a good number of non-wired. Also Goddess, more or less the same as Elomi but Elomi come in more colours and Godess tend to be black or white.

There is also a Freya Pollyanna in a soft cup (a nice looking bra) or the Freya Active non-wired but choose a 36H in that one. it is slightly pointed though but, for a temporary measure and to keep you supported.

Finally there is the Panache support bras but we are at the very start of a new season so you may only get Sophie. They do not give the *same* support but you need one that is very structured and it will give you support yes. You can get ones that are not as well structured but they'll make you feel saggy and heavy.

I hope that helps. I hope that you are feeling much better soon. Sounds very nasty.

blue_monkey_2

Youdontseeme wrote: »

As a porker (size 26) who appears to be rather small chested, yet flabby and droopy, I have always had a HUGE problem with bra's (once went in to Evans to get measured the woman gave me such a dirty look and told me it was obvious I was wearing the wrong size after a bit of faffing she told me I should be wearing a 48B. The bra I had on was a ........... 48B!)

Having just measured myself with Blue Monkeys guide I work out to a 50C but most of the time a C cup is really big on me (sometimes even a B cup is a bit baggy) and I am so tired of having bra's riding up my back through the day or diggig in. I have two that are comfy and wear all the time, I know they dont give me the best shape though.

Tis my birthday soon and would like to treat myself to a proper "grown up" bra!!

Im in London but is there any point in going to Bravissimo as they dont do my backsize? Any other recommendations?

Any help or tips?

Thanks in advance.

youdontseeme - where do you live in London?

I would find any good Independant shop as if they do not have it, they will be able to order it for you.

Evans recently fitted one of my customers in a 46F and she is a 38HH/40H. When you are a bigger size it is much harder to measure yourself, because of how the bra sits you cannot really get the right measurement with a tape measure, so I really do think that it would help to go to a store that stocks a range of everything and who can measure you properly. John Lewis would also be a very good choice and possibly Debenhams. Can you get onto Oxford Street?

And if anyone looks at you in that way again tell them 'thank you, I will take my business elsewhere'.

elantan

blue_monkey wrote: »

There is a brand called Elomi who are made by the same company that make Fantasie and Freya but they make a good number of non-wired. Also Goddess, more or less the same as Elomi but Elomi come in more colours and Godess tend to be black or white.

There is also a Freya Pollyanna in a soft cup (a nice looking bra) or the Freya Active non-wired but choose a 36H in that one. it is slightly pointed though but, for a temporary measure and to keep you supported.

Finally there is the Panache support bras but we are at the very start of a new season so you may only get Sophie. They do not give the *same* support but you need one that is very structured and it will give you support yes. You can get ones that are not as well structured but they'll make you feel saggy and heavy.

I hope that helps. I hope that you are feeling much better soon. Sounds very nasty.

thanks very much for the help blue monkey ... i think my shoulder issues are basically going to be me for the rest of my life now ... the accident was over five years ago and the frozen shoulder/muscle /calcified tendons issue has not improved in the last few years so i reckon i am stuck with it ... it would just be so nice to have a comfortable fully supporting bra and not to have to wear toilet roll tucked underneath my current bras ( at the bit that cuts me) all the time... or even to be able to wear a bra for more than a few hours would be good ... or joy of joys not having to wear a sprts bra ALL the time sigh ... will take those names into house of fraser tomorrow and see what they can come up with


thanks again much appreciated

Youdontseeme

Hi I am in East London and yes both JL and Debs are options although again I'm not sure if they go up to that back size but will give them a go, I guess I wont know unless I try!!

Thanks
YDSM

blue_monkey_2

No worries el, if they cannot find anything, drop me a note and I'll see what i can get you - in the sale of course

blue_monkey_2

Youdontseeme wrote: »

Hi I am in East London and yes both JL and Debs are options although again I'm not sure if they go up to that back size but will give them a go, I guess I wont know unless I try!!

Thanks
YDSM

Give them a call and ask if they stock Elomi bras. They are the best brand ever for bigger back sizes and run to a 56 and they give so much support and they are really pretty. If you are a 44 then you can choose from Fantasie as well but get yourself measured first.

I can get them but I would prefer you to get measured because I have measured quite a few ladies been sized at your back size (by Evans and M&S) and they have actually been a 38 or 40 which is a huge difference. It is quite hard with the larger figure, especially if you have been wearing the wrong size bra. Give them a call, I am pretty sure they will stock something in your size. You might even want to try Bravissimo too, they should have something from Elomi.

If you get stuck and cannot find anything, have a look on www.eveden.com choose Elomi and then give them a call to find out where your local stockist is. I am pretty sure that Debenhams stock them though as my rep has mentioned being in there for fittings.

flightinfo

blue_monkey wrote: »

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.

Thanks for this. Sorry, don't really want to post my size on public forum (just me!!). Have to say, have just measured myself using your guide and cup size is probably a bit bigger than have been wearing. Will go for a nude bra and will look at makes you suggested. Will also have a look at fashion tape which I didn't know you could get.

What do you think of ali-t's suggestion of a multi-way bra and just using one strap - have to say this was what I was thinking of. Would this make me appear lopsided?

I do realise I will have to overcome my embarrassment and go and get professionally measured as it is a very important function and I will need to feel both confident and comfortable in how I look.

blue_monkey_2

That's OK, I understand that - I should have said to PM me, this is what most people do. The bras all start in different sizes so this is why I asked, I can be more specific with the style you need.

I personally think the one does would not make a difference and the strap is there for confidence really, if the band and the cup fits, the bra will not move. They market the one strap bras because they are cut quite low and there is a risk you can fall out of the middle and the bra needs anchoring in place, the ones I sell are more structured and this does not happen as long as the fit is right.

I have some Panache strapless bras in Nude for £10 but only a select few sizes left, I also have a Panache Porcelain chocolate strapless bra for £7.50 - have just got a few left, I've sold a few of the strapless bras recently, but I might have something for you cheap link is here if anyone wants me to remove the link, let me know and please PM me if you want, it's no bother.

**Juice**

I know I'm not wearing the right size (weight gain) but I don't want to go and get measured as that's like an acceptance of the gain, and it means I have to buy a load of new bras. I'll have to join the gym...