Ladies - help me find a good bra!

lindseylocket

I've recently started buying bras from Debenham's gorgeous range and think there brilliant, wish I'd gone there years ago.

They give great support and lovely shape. The bras are really good quality with wider, strong straps , some have side smoothing and the strap adjusters on the front (sounds strange but brilliant for getting a neat fit)

I tend to buy the smooth t-shirt styles which are really nice, especially the lace trimmed ones. They do a lot of fancier bras and sets too.

Counting_Pennies_2

swingaloo wrote: »

Thank you for the replies so far. I have looked at the Bravissimo and they look very pretty. I think my first thing though is to find somewhere to get measured properly and I havnt been successful with M&S.

Im handy for Bolton, Wigan, Leigh, Chorley and Manchester at a push. Any suggestions where is best to go please.
Thanks

I am another fan of Bravissimo (although I only go for nonwired bras (so it does narrow my choice to one or two) but they are always pretty and they keep them in their place.


Since the birth of my children I don't seem to be able to wear wired bras, they dig in very badly.


Bravissimo will measure and fit you (I found it very accurate)


Honestly I would say give it a go

System

The best fitting bras for me and the most consistence in sizing was La Senza. However, I am only a D cup.

I was looking for nice bras on Saturday in Debenhams and as a previous poster suggested, they stock larger sizes.

[Deleted User]

meritaten wrote: »

same size as my DD! another one who shops at Bravissimo. they do fit so well! but, as the fitter told her she may need a different cup size depending on the 'style' of bra and shape of the boob...

This is just what I was going to say. It is not only your size, but your shape too.

Look in the mirror when naked and see what shape you are. Also, feel them to see where the bulk of the breast is - not very glamorous I know, but it may help. For example I know that even if I buy the correct size bra if it is not a balcony style one, or a half cup then it will be baggy at the top.

Then start by trying on different shapes so half cup, full cup, ones with slanted cups and ones cut straight across the cup. See which fits best and then at least you know the best style to buy. Then find somewhere to be measured to work out the correct back and cup size.

Ms_Chocaholic

I go to an independent lingerie shop (unfortunately nowhere near you) and they don't measure you with a tape measure but look at you and know your size.

They stock Fantasie (which I think are the best) amongst a range of others.

If you can, try and find an independent shop.

tomtontom

My mum was measured as a 42DD at M&S. She has since been fitted at John Lewis and Bravissimo as a 38FF! She wears Fantasie Elodie, I'm a 34G and wear Panache Tango - you'll find both in JL, Bravissimo etc.

To get an idea of back size, I would expect a 42 back to be around a dress size 22. If you're not, I'd definitely look at getting fitted elsewhere.

theoretica

meritaten wrote: »

s Did you know that the reason you have three settings on the back fastening is so that you start with the tightest setting and as the bra gets worn and washed you can tighten it by moving up a setting? if your bra is on the last setting when new - you are wearing the wrong size. (just thought I would put that in because it amazes me how many women don't know that)

I have heard that but don't believe it - because bras come in band sizes which jump by 2 inches a time and women don't! The total range of adjustment between inner and outer hook is about 1 1/2 inches. So a 34 band bra on its loosest hook will be half an inch tighter than a 36 on its smallest setting.

As you say, bras stretch, so perhaps the solution if a new bra fits on its tightest hook would be to wear the size smaller with a band extender until it has stretched.

OP, if you are coming under your band when you tighten the straps I am convinced the band must be far too loose.

meritaten

theoretica wrote: »

I have heard that but don't believe it - because bras come in band sizes which jump by 2 inches a time and women don't! The total range of adjustment between inner and outer hook is about 1 1/2 inches. So a 34 band bra on its loosest hook will be half an inch tighter than a 36 on its smallest setting.

As you say, bras stretch, so perhaps the solution if a new bra fits on its loosest hook would be to wear the size smaller with a band extender until it has stretched.

OP, if you are coming under your band when you tighten the straps I am convinced the band must be far too loose.

No, if you are wearing the correct size bra, then when it is new it should be on its tightest setting. this is what my DD was told and my mum says the same, and she worked in corsetry.

tomtontom

theoretica wrote: »

I have heard that but don't believe it - because bras come in band sizes which jump by 2 inches a time and women don't! The total range of adjustment between inner and outer hook is about 1 1/2 inches. So a 34 band bra on its loosest hook will be half an inch tighter than a 36 on its smallest setting.

As you say, bras stretch, so perhaps the solution if a new bra fits on its loosest hook would be to wear the size smaller with a band extender until it has stretched.

OP, if you are coming under your band when you tighten the straps I am convinced the band must be far too loose.

That's a good idea theoretica, a 34 is large on the tightest hook but a 32 too small in the loosest. I'll pick up an extender next time I'm at JL

Nicki

meritaten wrote: »

No, if you are wearing the correct size bra, then when it is new it should be on its tightest setting. this is what my DD was told and my mum says the same, and she worked in corsetry.

Isn't it the other way round? When the bra is brand new it should be tight on the loosest setting (ie the hook nearest the end of the back strap). As you wear and wash the bra it stretches and you move to tighter settings so you end up eventually using the hook furthest from the end of the back band.