bra size measurement... help.

blue_monkey_2

Dill, girls bodies change so quickly then the breast may have a growth spurt and this is when the bra can dig in and it can cause damage later on. For example the breast tissue can be damaged and it can make breastfeeding difficult later on.

Sadly, most of the bra manufacturers are yet to offer decent non-wired bras but there is one exception, Lepel make a fantastic supportive and pretty ranges in both wired and non-wired up to a DD cup, after this I would certainly say that wired are best. However, because of the Wonderbras and boosting bras younger girls want to make themselves look like they have more - and of course, these are all wired. I will tell my younger customers that for a special occassion, or once a week for a night out, then it is fine to wear wired, but as every day wear no, get non-wired and let your body develop properly and wear them when you are older.

I always tell my ladies to think of bras in the same way as shoes, you would not cram your feet into shoes that are too small/hurt/are ill fitting and in the same way you would not put ill fitting shoes on your growing child, it is the same with bras. Because they are under our clothes lots of people neglect this though and then you end up with poor fitting bras, saggy breasts and poor posture.However, even on a teenager I would recommend that a DD cup (or a larger backed D cup) and you would need a wired bra to give support. You can get flimsy fashion bras but these are OK to wear now and then but not all day every day as they will not give the support you need.

This time of year drives me nuts if I am honest. Park yourself on a bench in town for 5 minutes and watch people walking past, count how many people you see with the 'four boobed' look or with ill fitting underwear, people seem not to care that their bras are the wrong size and the summer means everyone is wearing less and it shows more.

blue_monkey_2

MrsTine, yes, I am with you really, there are no pretty non-wired bras around in a GG cup. Royce make some that go to a K cup but their sizes run different - you would need an 32J in Royce bras if this helps. http://www.royce-lingerie.co.uk/

They also do a teenage range called Missy.

Ooh err, where are the paragraphs tonight, they are being a bit tempermental!!

blue_monkey_2

MrsTine wrote: »

I wore underwired long before I was 16 (albeit YEARS of wearing the wrong size....) as a 32GG then I can't find a decent (pretty) bra that fits and doesn't have wires whether I want them or not!
I think the important thing is makign sure they fit and whilst she's growing then take her back to say Bravissimo every 6 months to be refitted. They're very good and have a good selection

For under 16's I'd recommend every 3 months tbh, the body changes much quicker and you'd be surprised how quick girls can put on or lose weight during the ages of 13-16, even 18. Once past puberty and the growing rate has slowed then it is advised to check every 6 months, or more often if you feel that your bra is becoming uncomfortable.

sarmia

Can I ask a question to the bra fitters?

Sometimes a DD can be loose but a D too small what can I do?

blue_monkey_2

sarmia wrote: »

Can I ask a question to the bra fitters?

Sometimes a DD can be loose but a D too small what can I do?

Hi sarmia,

Change brands or style and find one that fits you in either size. All styles are cut slightly different so a standard lacy bra in 34DD might be too big but a t-shirt bra in 34DD will. You can have 5 different 34DD bras and only one will fit you properly - this is why it is always best to try some on first before buying. Or make sure the place you are buying from has a returns policy.

There is just one brand and bra that I feel comfortable in for 14 hours a day but it took ages to find out which one was best for me. Don't let someone else tell you what you should be buying, buy what you feel happy and comfortable in. And once you have tried the bra on put your top back on to make sure it loks OK with your clothes too.

sarmia

Thanks for the quick reply.

I will make sure I buy a couple of sizes on bravissimo/figleaves so i get a good fit.

Thanks S x

MrsTinks

blue_monkey wrote: »

For under 16's I'd recommend every 3 months tbh, the body changes much quicker and you'd be surprised how quick girls can put on or lose weight during the ages of 13-16, even 18. Once past puberty and the growing rate has slowed then it is advised to check every 6 months, or more often if you feel that your bra is becoming uncomfortable.

You're quite right - It's been a few years since I was last 16

I guess teaching her about how to check how well it's fitting might be a good thing too - now I know how to check it's easier to go bra shopping.

I will however go and check for those ones you mention!

One thing I will say though... it's worth every penny of the £35+ I normally pay for bra's rather than £5... I have much less back pain since getting the correct bra's and it's worth every penny it really really is!


BTW I DREAD the day when we have kids from a bra perspective... 32GG/H is bad enough... nursing size bra's just fill me with dread!

Millie's_Mum

Is the bra expert still around?

I'm pregnant (12wks) and i am still in my normal bras but I will own up to the 4 boobed look at the moment. I guess its now time to go and get measured and get a decent non wired bra but how often am i looking at replacing or is it down to how I think things are going?

Its just that babies are expensive enough without having to replace all my bras every 3 months!

I can't remember from my last baby, around how long after baby arrives before they will have settled into whatever size they are going to be this time?

blue_monkey_2

MrsTine wrote: »

You're quite right - It's been a few years since I was last 16

I guess teaching her about how to check how well it's fitting might be a good thing too - now I know how to check it's easier to go bra shopping.

I will however go and check for those ones you mention!

One thing I will say though... it's worth every penny of the £35+ I normally pay for bra's rather than £5... I have much less back pain since getting the correct bra's and it's worth every penny it really really is!


BTW I DREAD the day when we have kids from a bra perspective... 32GG/H is bad enough... nursing size bra's just fill me with dread!

Hi MrsTine,

Freya do a lovely nursing bra now called Rosalie - it's a great style and perfect for larger sizes, I'd recommend this one every time.

Yes, again, you do pay for what you get. Can I ask if you have tried Panache bras, I am guesing you are in Fantasie or Freya but Panache are slightly cheaper and give a better fit (this is my opinion from wearing a G+ size). You can also get 'Fashion' colours on all brands at the end of the season for half price so this saves some money too so stock up then if you are not fussed on colours. Fantasie make me look a bit 'pointy' while some of the Freya bras are a bit light for everyday wear and I ache at the end of the day if I wear one. Panache I would recommend every time for day to day wear and swimsuits. As long as you look after them they will last a long time, I grew out of my last ones before I threw them away and some were 2 years old. I love my swimsuit as well, feels much more supportive than the usual one peices with the shelf. I am in a G now but was a GG before, I started rising to an H and lost some weight and went to a G, the smallest I had been for ages.

MrsTinks

Millies mum what size are you normally?
Granted bra's can be expensive but they don't have to be... the bigger the cup size the more they generally cost - there is nothing wrong with bra's from Tesco and Asda PROVIDED they fit you...
Go and see Bravissimo and hey can show you how the bra should fit... that way you can check cheaper places (even ebay once you know the size in that brand & model) and that should help keep the cost down.
The "4 boobed look" is however in my view a definite bad thing!