(1001 Posts)
Silverstar2 Wed 01-May-13 15:16:24

hello and welcome!

Wooo! I have more questions.

Is it normal to feel some slight discomfort when changing between different style bras? I have recently bought two t-shirt bras and though the central gore is very low, the sides of the cup come up very high and sometimes feel like they are rubbing under my arm pit. The bras are definitely the right size : no back fat, no overspill after scooping, central gore sits flat. Is this a style issue rather than a fit one?

HalfBakedCleverCookie Wed 01-May-13 15:46:19

The wires round my armpits were digging in when I was wearing a 32f, a 30g is perfect comfy fit.

Are you sure you have definitely got the right size?

I'm absolutely certain, it's not the wires that rub, it's the material as the cups are so wide at the sides.Perhaps it's just weird feeling because I'm not used to wearing a bra so big since before the bra intervention thread, I'd been measured as a 36A and am now in a 34F/FF

I suspect that's the size change - on a 36a the edges of the cups (and therefore the bits that can rub) will have been in a totally different place

That's what I suspected. There is, after all, a major difference in size! I'm sure I'll get used to it, it's just strange having so much cup to contend with when I'm used to tiny little bras!

BriocheBriocheBrioche Wed 01-May-13 20:38:55

Glad ive found this thread... I live in France where bra fitting isnt really done. I spent my whole pregnancy in ill fitting bras and now I only bf once a day I feel like my boobs are back to pre pregnancy size. All of my bras are old and tired so im going to treat myself to some new ones. How do I measure myself and how do I know when a bra fits right?

Brioche have a look at this blog - which explains about fitting and measuring. The sizing guidance will give you your UK size.

For standard European sizes the cup sizes are generally the same but the backs are in CM. It's not a straight conversion though - basically years ago they came up with the "add 4 inches" method for bra sizing. In the UK, this meant that someone who measured 30" would wear a bra that was sized as a 34. In Euro sizes, rather than doing that they built the 4" flex in to the sizes. So someone measuring 30" (75cm) would wear a 75 band size. However, we now know that with modern fabrics etc adding 4 doesn't work anymore, so in the UK now a 30" wears a 30. But in EU sizes you now need to take that 4"/10cm off again - so now a 30" back wears a euro 65.

I believe french brands are different again - you may want to google for a size conversion chart but please make sure it's just a UK to FR converter. I think Freya or Panache may have one on their website.

ALternatively you may end up ordering from the UK anyway depending on your size - we seem to be a bit ahead of the game in terms of large cup sizes and smaller backs. I'm sure a few french-residing ladies have said getting good bras isn't very easy

Good morning, just checking in smile

sparkle12mar08 Thu 02-May-13 07:51:39

Ooh I thought you'd all run off together! Glad I've found you all.

<settles in comfortably>

So, having not paid much attention to comments on Bravissimo bras on previous threads, cos of some insanely wide set wires on one I tried previously, I'm now coming to the conclusion that their half cup styles really, really suit me. I have an opportunity to get a new Alana for pennies, so can anyone tell me about the fit on those please?

CelticPromise Thu 02-May-13 07:54:25

Hello all. Still keeping my mn time down a bit, but signing in to loiter. smile

SorrelForbes Thu 02-May-13 08:13:25

Good morning fellow bra-ites

Alana is much more forward and pointy than the half cups. If your boobs are quite shallow and rounded it may not work, bag at the front/nipple. Good lift though. Fits a cup smaller than a standard Panache style like Tango.

How comes you've cut back CP? <nosy>

ChunkyChicken Thu 02-May-13 08:25:16

I'm so glad I've seen this thread!!

I joined the bra intervention thread quite a few wks ago & discovered that I was a 30G/30GG instead of the 34(36 at times)E/F I was wearing.

The problem is I'm seeking nursing bras & really struggling.

I found a few on 1 site - the Royce ones seem baggy under the cup but come up too high on the chest to adjust. A different style was too small in 30G but I couldn't track down a 30GG.

I found a Panache (Sophie) one but the band is too big & I couldn't get a 28 from that retailer. Finally I found Bravisimmo do the style in 5 different sizes (28 & 30) so I'm awaiting that delivery...

Mine is a more general question though.
If the band seems ok when doing the 'stretch' test, is it just hunting for a good style to get the cup to be smooth & gore to be flat to the chest?


You are unlikely to get a non wired gore to lay flat unless it is one of the fuller cup styles like the Royce ones.

The Panache Sophie is loose in the band and small in the cup- am hoping 28H or even HH is on your order...

CelticPromise Thu 02-May-13 10:02:20

Hi married. A few reasons really, was spending too much time on here anyway, and I miscarried in March which triggered a bit of a break from lots of things. Now am doing more paid work and RL is busy in other ways. But I am on from time to time and I like to check in to interesting threads so I can find them easily.

Still desperate to stage a bra intervention on half my Zumba class smile

JazzDalek Thu 02-May-13 12:25:26

Hello all, I need some help confused

So I measured myself according to the Bra Guru's instructions, and results were 29.5 underbust, 33 over. Which I figured was a 30C, rather than the 34B I've worn all my life.

Popped into M&S today just for a look, and thought the 30Cs all looked on the small side, so came away with a pair of basic t-shirt bras in 30D (I know I should have tried on, but was pushed for time and wearing various layers of clothing and bags).

Tried on at home and found the band really uncomfortably tight - I could only just get it on on the loosest hooks confused. I also found that once I had 'scooped' myself into it as per the instructions, I was spilling out somewhat.

Anyway, went back to the blog and noticed this footnote:
Is this me, do you think? And if I try a 32 band, which cup size should I be looking at?


sparkle12mar08 Thu 02-May-13 12:53:25

If you were spilling in a D cup on a 30 back, try a 32D instead. Bras should always be fastened on the looser hook when new and may well feel tight, but I wonder if you try a 30DD and E you might find that the tightness was because the cups were stealing fitting room from the back?

Hanginggardenofboobylon Thu 02-May-13 13:02:11

Found you again,

Quick question, how long should bra's last? I have noticed the bravissimo Satines have become much looser in the band. I have only washed them twice and have only had them 6 weeks or so (I have several other bras I alternate with too) I am now onto the middle hooks and they have way more 'give' in them. Newer bras in the same size are still almost uncomfortably tight.

I am worried that my bra bill is going to bankrupt me!

sparkle12mar08 Thu 02-May-13 13:25:45

I've come to the conclusion that it's worth buying a bra that's very tight to begin with because stretch seems to be a huge problem these days with modern fabrics. I'm even happy to wear an extender for a couple of weeks if necessary because if I go up a band they're useless after a month or two, like you say.

I'm finding my new 34 backs have already stretched after only two wears each! Problem is, I've tried and absolutely cannot get a 32 back round me never mind fastened so its 34 or nothing hmm

sparkle12mar08 Thu 02-May-13 14:21:05

Try an extender for a little while - even my local little waitrose sells them in single packs on their haberdashery stand. Or try a local independent lingerie shop if you have one, or a John Lewis. Will cost about £2-£3 for one, and they come in two and three hook versions.

sparkle12mar08 Thu 02-May-13 14:24:22

These are the ones in store in my local Waitrose. And there are loads similar on amazon with free delivery.

Will have a look for one. I'm quite shocked at how much the 34's have actually stretched, both bras have been worn twice each and the I can pull the backs out a good five or six inches now versus when I first got them and I could barely move them.

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