Help with Bra Sizing

Nicki

It sounds like you (like me and many women) are a bit bigger up top, and so will find it hard to get wellfitting bras in most high street shops. I would say it is definitely worth a trip to a specialist lingerie shop for a proper fitting, even if that means travelling a bit of a distance.

The trouble with being measured or even fitted in a high street store is that they will give you the closest size to what they have in stock, even if that doesn't properly support you or give you a decent line under your clothes. Very few high street shops go much above a DD or E cup, and if they do, these cup sizes tend to only be in bigger band sizes.

Lots of women with big chests after they have been properly fitted in a shop like Bravissimo or Rigby and Peller are amazed to discover that rather than being a 36D as they have been told in M and S or Debenhams, they are in fact a 32J and that when put into a bra of that size, they suddenly have gorgeous boobs, look a couple of dress sizes slimmer, and that nagging backache has gone. I am one - went from wearing 34/36C to 32E and suddenly discovered I had "an awesome rack" to quote that Oxford student, rather than looking like Betty, the older barmaid out of Corrie

Armchair23

Sorry not a lot of help, but I was wearing a 40B/C courtesy of M&S and went to a 36 DD (or E depending on bra) at Bravissimo.
The smaller chest size feels odd when you've been used to a bigger bra but it's worth a go, and you do look really different in the right size bra.

happy35

I would recommend that you make the trip to a Bravissimo store, I was measured as a 34E by a local shop, the bra was terrible

Bravissimo measured me as a 30G, this is the size I get in most styles but sometimes do have to vary.

I usually buy one of the cheap styles that they offer and pay about £23 I think.

j.e.j.

Nicki wrote: »

It sounds like you (like me and many women) are a bit bigger up top, and so will find it hard to get wellfitting bras in most high street shops. I would say it is definitely worth a trip to a specialist lingerie shop for a proper fitting, even if that means travelling a bit of a distance.

The trouble with being measured or even fitted in a high street store is that they will give you the closest size to what they have in stock, even if that doesn't properly support you or give you a decent line under your clothes. Very few high street shops go much above a DD or E cup, and if they do, these cup sizes tend to only be in bigger band sizes.

Lots of women with big chests after they have been properly fitted in a shop like Bravissimo or Rigby and Peller are amazed to discover that rather than being a 36D as they have been told in M and S or Debenhams, they are in fact a 32J and that when put into a bra of that size, they suddenly have gorgeous boobs, look a couple of dress sizes slimmer, and that nagging backache has gone. I am one - went from wearing 34/36C to 32E and suddenly discovered I had "an awesome rack" to quote that Oxford student, rather than looking like Betty, the older barmaid out of Corrie

This is very true. Sadly it's false economy to buy cheap bras if you take a larger cup-size, and it can be very frustrating (as you've found!) to attempt to get a good fit yourself. Do go along to a specialist shop and get fitted, OP. You won't regret it

Skyllo

I'm yet another person who has had bad experiences with most places before I discovered Bravissimo! My problem is that I'm a 28 back but most shops would fit me as a 32 as that's the smallest they stocked...avoid anywhere that uses the "measure and add 4 inches" rule as that's ancient and doesn't apply to modern bras.

The staff in Bravissimo are wonderful, I usually end up trying on most of the shop before I find one that I like and fits (I'm short so have problems with straps being too long). It is MSE in a way as their bras are fantastic quality.

Have you got a John Lewis any closer? That's the only other place that I've been fitted properly in and they stock some of the same brands as Bravissimo (Freya, Fantasie etc.).

rosie383

Just going to add my tuppence worth here.
After some great advice from Blue Monkey, I am now much,much happier than before. I had exactly the same problem as you. If I bent over in the garden, for example, I had to heave everything back in my bra!! It was driving me nuts! I had been wearing ones which were too big in the back, and too small in the cup.
I had measured myself and bought, .like you, 36f from Asda, and was still falling out.
I went into Debenhams, and tried on a few really expensive bras, and am definitely a 36G or H depending on the bra.
Now, I don't know about you, but I couldn't afford to spend maybe £70 just on 2 bras to get me started. I was lucky to walk out of Debenhams, into the charity shop, where I found a Panache bra in my size for £3.50! Went home and bought a gorgeous Freya bra from ebay for £5. Soooooo happy now. I can put my bra on and forget about it!

Mrs_Arcanum

calleyw wrote: »

Well thanks everyone.

I have just bought from Asda a 36F. I still think I am spilling over a little bit.

Bit I will wear it and see how I get on. I am in the process of losing weight. So hoping all the Bra's I have bought over the last month I can get some wear out as I lose weight.

Yours

Calley

If you get properly fitted the only thing that should change as you lose weight is the cup size. Your bra size will remain fairly constant. Sounds like you may need an even smaller chest size and bigger cup. The centre part of the under-wires should lay flat on your chest between your boobs. Anything else is a recipe for back problems.

I actually measure 37" under the bust and wear a 38F but this can vary by manufacturer & style (M&S T-Shirt Bras I need a 36G). Based on the old way of measuring (with all the adding 4 or 5 inches & then working out the difference to the full bust measurement I would be a 42A :eek:

shegirl

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

If you get properly fitted the only thing that should change as you lose weight is the cup size. Your bra size will remain fairly constant. Sounds like you may need an even smaller chest size and bigger cup. The centre part of the under-wires should lay flat on your chest between your boobs. Anything else is a recipe for back problems.

I actually measure 37" under the bust and wear a 38F but this can vary by manufacturer & style (M&S T-Shirt Bras I need a 36G). Based on the old way of measuring (with all the adding 4 or 5 inches & then working out the difference to the full bust measurement I would be a 42A :eek:

I disagree with that,as you lose weight your back size can change too (and often does) so can end up needing a smaller size.

Nikkisun

I'm struggling with bra's at the moment - I'm currently wearing a 34b or 34c which due to weight loss is definitely too big as the cups are gaping!

Have looked at loads of online guides and they come with such differing sizes I don't know where to start.

My underneath measurement is 29" and my fullest measurement is 33" - one website says I need a 30D and another website says 34AA!!

Help!

Mrs_Arcanum

shegirl wrote: »

I disagree with that,as you lose weight your back size can change too (and often does) so can end up needing a smaller size.

Have been a 37" chest for 30 + years but used to fit into a 36C when 3 stone slimmer.