how to work out my bra size......help...

Bargain_Rzl

Yes - the wire at the front should sit flat against the breast bone. The wire once it goes round the back of your boobs should also sit flat against your ribcage - it should enclose your whole breast and not dig into your actual breast tissue at all. The elastic round your ribcage should be pretty tight, with just enough stretch left to be able to fit two fingers between the elastic and the skin, and it shouldn't ride up at all. The shoulder straps should also be adjusted to be a snug fit.

On the occasions I used to get fitted at M&S they were NEVER got the bit right about where the wire should go.

natzini

I thinnk I shall be going to Bravissimo in Brighton to get a fitting before I go to work... honestly I have had enough with bras! When I worked at M&S I thoought I'd go and get sized etc and they told me I was a 36c... all the 36Cs seem to do is ride up because the back is too loose and the wires dig into my breasts... I think my OH is used to me having purple wire lines as an accessory now!!

Before the last time i got measured I was weraing a 32D, but found the cup sizes too small... I thought that being measured again they'd tell me if I needed a DD or an E cup, but no! I'm stuck with uncomfy bras This thread has got me inspired to go and get a proper fitting at Bravissimo now!

Ooh and is it just me or are US bra sizes different to over here? My Uncle took me to Victorias Secret to get measured (he told me I was wearing an ill fitted bra and needed a bigger one... but he isn't a pro at measuring, obv!!) and I was a 34C there.... their bras fit me well although I think I've gone up a cup size or two and they rarely go above a D cup. If you go to the States though and want to get some undies, you should go to VS as their staff are so helpful and bring out literally a trolley of drawers full of bras to try on

cupid_s

When I was measured for a bra at La Senza I was told I was a 32A. Well I ignored that luckily. I went to M&S and she measured me as a 32 but based my cup size on how my breasts looked. She said 'you'll need a D'. Tried that and she agreed it was a bit small on the cup, so now I very comfortably wear a 32DD or D depending on the bra. But still if I go according to measuring instructions you find online and on bra packs I come out as a 32A.

I don't understand how I can be a 32DD at all though as I am really really flat chested

full-time-mum

kittiwoz wrote:

I didn't change shape much at all between 14 and 17. I lost about 2 or 3lbs and grew maybe 1/2 an inch taller but that's it. My boobs started developing when I was 11 and stopped growing when I was about 14, maybe 15. That's why I went to get a proper fitting then. I certainly didn't change from a 36D to a 32FF. The fit of the bra the woman at M&S put me in didn't change and it always caused me all the problems I listed, they didn't get worse or develop but they did disappear completely when I got a well fitting bra. I know it might sound stupid that I was wearing such a badly fitting bra for years but I didn't know what it was supposed to fit like and being young and not very confident to start with I trusted the fitter. I'm much more confident nowadays and I know my own body so whatever you might think was the cause of the problem, I know you are wrong.


With the greatest respect you cannot measure a bra size properly because it only gives an approximate measurement that way so you need to have a fitting somewhere where they can fit you buy eye and identify fitting problems and good fit. It sounds like in your case the approximation you get by measuring is near enough to give you a good fit but I don't see the point in being fitted by someone who can't identify whether that approximation is good enough or not.

Sounds like you just got unlucky. As I said, I've always found my M & S to be very helpful. They have always measured me and then checked the bras I have tried on and suggested when I need a different shape style.

If you read my previous post, then I am in agreement with you re: measurements/approximation.

I also suspect, although I am by no means certain, that it isn't that I am lucky that an approximation works for me but that you are in the unlucky minority where the measurements don't. The only way to get a bra that fits, is to try loads of different styles until you find one that works for you.
For me, I struggle because any style which covers the top of my breasts don't just work.

You also need to take into account fashion and the effect you are trying to get. Sometimes, it seems that it is fashionable to have a round and bulging style whereas other times bras seem to be designed to give the pointy madonna look. Some fashions work better for one person.

Moral of the story: Try several different stores with fitting services and if you are luck enough to find one that is really good - hang on to them (and let your friends know)

helen_caslass

Justie wrote:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: yeah but could you drink from them without hands

only if i had a straw not flexible enough to bend that far back...

COOLTRIKERCHICK

well me and my new bra:D are just about to leave to go to minehead for a 70's weekend at butlins loads of other bikers:D .....bike all packed up ready to go.....

and my boobies are all packed as well:D

so thanks guys... will speak to you all on monday night....

Shez

Have a nice time CTC!

this thread has been interesting.....I too get measured at M&S and have found them to be ok.

However, I used to wear underwire bras....but since being pregnant and having kids (where you cant wear underwires) I find that I cant go back to underwires now as they feel uncomfortable? which is annoying because all the "pretty, nice, sexy" ranges are all underwire! so im left with trying to find the most pretty non-underwire ones (which isnt much!)

anyone else experience this?

Bargain_Rzl

Shez, dare I suggest that if you find underwired bra uncomfortable it mightbe because you are not wearing the right size?

That's not definite, but if you have a wire that's lying against part of your breast rather than against your ribcage and breastbone, you will be uncomfortable, and you wouldn't have a clue that it was the wrong fit until you've been shown what a really good fit looks like.

Just a thought.

kittiwoz

full-time-mum wrote:

I also suspect, although I am by no means certain, that it isn't that I am lucky that an approximation works for me but that you are in the unlucky minority where the measurements don't.

I suspect not:

The average bra size worn in the UK is a 36C, but Bravissimo, which specialises in bras, swimwear and clothing for bigger boobed women, estimates that the true average size is likely to be nearer a 34DD or E. Their research shows two thirds of women are wearing a bra that is both a back size too big and too small in the cup, and that 6 out of 10 women wearing an 'average' C cup should be at least a D cup.

(from http://www.ivillage.co.uk)

There is a Which report on bra fitting. You have to be a subscriber to read it though which I'm not. You can take a 30 day free trial but I don't want to use it for this since I'm wearing the right bra size now and I might want to look at Which reports for something more relevant to me at some time in the future.

gingababe

well ctc, I hope you have a fab weekend , you have inspired me to go and get measured, I was measured in 2003 in rigby & peller for my wedding underwear & they were very good, however a tad on the expensive side , I know have a little girl & could do with being measured as I lost loads of weight after giving birth.London is too far , as I`m in the West Mids, but am thinking of Giving Bravisimmo a go, just worried my boobs are too small ..... will go on tuesday & let you all know what happens

Ginga