Do you REALLY know your bra size?

LilacPixie

interesting thread. I'm pregnant and bras i previously considered comfortable now are not. I have tried debenhams, M&S and lasenza and TBH none impressed me. Around the back I measure 34 and have bras is sizes from a 36DD to a 40E. TBH I am at the stage where i now want to just throw out the lot and start again. Cup wise I need 2 hands to cover all breast tissue so i think both bits are wrong. I need to find an old lady bra shop i think

blue_monkey_2

LilacPixie wrote: »

interesting thread. I'm pregnant and bras i previously considered comfortable now are not. I have tried debenhams, M&S and lasenza and TBH none impressed me. Around the back I measure 34 and have bras is sizes from a 36DD to a 40E. TBH I am at the stage where i now want to just throw out the lot and start again. Cup wise I need 2 hands to cover all breast tissue so i think both bits are wrong. I need to find an old lady bra shop i think

Congrats. I would get measured in either somewhere like J or Debenhams. I was measuerd at an old lady shop (before I got into this) and they fitted me 4 band sizes too big, was a complete waste of money, was not impressed.

Your body is going to be changing daily and you need to wear a bra - preferable - without wires. And I tell you this as someone who had a blocked duct - it is really, really painful. Anyhow (lecture over) 40 is definately too big. 36 sounds fine - however, if a 40E 'fits' your bust I would suggest you give a 36FF/G a try. While pregnant and in the first few weeks after the birth I would buy cheapies to get buy and then invest in new, quality bras, after this. Especially if you are going to BF. I would never expect a pregnant lady to spend £25 on a bra she is going to wear for a few months.

Go to google.co.uk and look for emma jane nursing bra and the sort into price order. You'll find some cheap ones on there that will last you long enough to get through pregnancy. And if you need more help then please PM me and ask. I do not mind helping anyone find their correct size.

LilacPixie

Thanks BM Debenhams said i'm a 40DD but i feel it squashes and spreads my bustrather than cups and supports it, I also seem to 'feel' the wires in my armpit if I lean forward.

ithinkyourcrazy

This thread has been very useful! I live out in the sticks and haven't been measured for years when a lady in M&S gave me a 30AA to try on and i couldn't even get it on! I now wear a 38D and i know it's the wrong size. I am a 12-14 dress size, measure 35 around my rib cage and a 41 around my back/boobs. Blue do you have any advice on what size i should try next time i am shopping?

System

I cheated and bought 2 bras from primark in a 38F but i have a bra extender so its ok

PinkLipgloss

ithinkyourcrazy wrote: »

This thread has been very useful! I live out in the sticks and haven't been measured for years when a lady in M&S gave me a 30AA to try on and i couldn't even get it on! I now wear a 38D and i know it's the wrong size. I am a 12-14 dress size, measure 35 around my rib cage and a 41 around my back/boobs. Blue do you have any advice on what size i should try next time i am shopping?

Beware of the dress size rule - it certainly doesn't apply to me!

I would recommend going to a specialist independent shop - they will most likely take time to ensure you care correctly fitted as small businesses like that depend on repeat custom.

ithinkyourcrazy

I would love to go to one but there isn't one around here. The nearest big town centre is a good 50 miles away! I will google some places and have a mooch around the internet.

PinkLipgloss

That's a pity - perhaps blue_monkey will be able to help you out

HeidiHi

blue_monkey wrote: »

As a rule it tends to be that if you are a size 8 you will have a 28 back size, 10=30, 12=32, 14-34, 16=36, 18=38, 20=40, etc.... I have had many a lady come to see me thinking they are a 40-42 and they have been 4-6 inches out. If you are a size 16-18 then you are probably a 36-38 bust size. There are exceptions to this but from experience I can pretty much apply this rule to each of my customers.

Maybe that's why bra fitters always look at me and before I've even taken my coat off they're already telling me that I can't possibly be a 38 no matter what cup size it is.

I'm a 24, 26 or 28 depending on the brand and by your guide I should be a 44 46 or 48 back size but even a 42 is enormous on me and a 40 is obviously a bit too big as well. My boobs fall out of the bottom straight away and once I get them precariously balanced in the cups the band heads upwards to my shoulder blades at the back.

My friend's the same, she has a small waist, big boobs and a bootie so she wears a size 14/16 but has a 28G bra size. She struggled in 34s and 32s for years until she went to Rigby and Peller for her bridal underwear and got fitted.

No disrespect to your capabilities but a lightbulb went of above my head when I read what you said there.

PinkLipgloss

HeidiHi,

Agreed - its a 'general guide' that certainly can't be applied to all!

Definitely recommend ppl to visit professional fitter - the lovely lady at the shop I went to didn't even have a tape measure!