Bra shopping :0(

Hey Ladies,
Feel like I haven't posted on here for ages!
So I went bra shopping the other day. Took my OH, as thought it would be a fun experience... I was wrong!
I just went to a town near me, so no bravissimo or anything like that...
I started off in Debenhams. I didn't bother to get measured, lady with tape measure in hand in the changing room... whats the point in that! I had measured myself before I left home anyway. My measurements made a 34DD. ribcage 29inches - boob measurement 38
So I looked around at all the nice bras, they either were lovely bras, but no matching knickers, didn't have mysize or were full of padding. I found a lovely bra, no padding, found my size and went to try it on. WELL... the bra I saw was lovely, had two hook and eyes depth on the back and really pretty. When i got in teh changing room, the bra in my size was 4 hook and eyes deep and had changed the look from a pretty thing, to something my gran would wear.... obviously for bigger boobs you need support, but that was rediculous!
So i then went to he next shop which was La Senza.... Nearly every bra had padding. Ones that didn't were just plain T shirt bras. I took 6 bras in the chagning room. All the same bra, just different sizes... 34D, 34DD, 34E, 32DD, 32E. The 34's were bay far too big. Having the weight of boobs which I didn't before, the bras just ride up straight away. The one that fitted best was 32E, but still wasn't comfortable. Staff was also very unhelpful.
I then go to Anne Summers (I'm working round shops here, not picky, just want a nice bra!) The only bras anne summers had in 34DD or 32E were VERY highly padded. So padded infact that my OH shouts out 'OMG theres a whole other boob in this bra before you've even got it on, thats just false advertising!)
I tried on one of these 'instant boob job' bras and it looked awful. Because of all the padding it made the cup massive, made the bra look like it took over half my body and didn't even give any lift to my boobs.
So on to Primark.... loads of beautiful sets, but hardly any in a 32 back at all let alone a 32E. I managed to find one....
So i head to M&S... again most of their bras didn't have any matching knickers... very pretty bras, but I want sets... I cant do mix and match!
Finally found a few lovely sets went into the changing room (my OH sneaked in too) and satrted to try on the 10 or so bras I had (again different sizes etc due to different makes) after trying on a couple I broke down in tears.... I was hot and sweaty from trying on and getting dressed and undressed, I expected to be able to find pretty/hot/sexy bras easily and make them look good with my new boobs, but the whole experience was such a chore. I cried, my OH was confused and we ended up going home... I think I could of found s couple of nice ones in M&S but I was too upset and tired and my boobs hurt from all the trying on!
Bra shopping was not fun

So at the end of the trip, after trying on a million bras I have one bra to my name... Good old primark! It fits like a dream, is so comfortable AND is part of a matching set... and was only £10 for the set too!
Oh and I'm definitely a 32E
I'm attempting shopping again on Monday... See how I go then!

My new Avi has my new bra in it :0)
xx

New avi looks amazing! Maybe take a trip t your nearest bravissimo or something like a specialist underwear boutique, but if you know your size I've found the nicest ones online. Xx

Goooooorgeous avi!!

How did u know cup sizes from your measurements?? Xx

Bra is beautiful, is it supportive? I worry that it's more bedroom underwear than supportive! Have a look on eBay they do lots of good pretty bras and knickers from the likes of Freya, panache curvy Kate etc cheap!!

I hate trying stuff on in shops I always end up depressed

Thanks girls... I finally have a boobie avi :0) woo hoo!

Littlewellies... Bra measuring is a fine art haha! And often if you follow the standard size thing, its normally wrong!

But what you are supposed to do is measure your ribs... if its an even number add 4, if it an odd number add five. So mine being 29 rib cage, I'm supposed to be a 34 (but am actually a 32!)
So you now have your band size
for cup size, it works something like this
1inch bigger than band size - A cup
2inches bigger - B cup
and so on and so on.... But like I said its not perfect, but will give you something to work with. My measurements mad me a 34DD, but I'm a 32E....

If you go down a band size you go up a cup size, so roughly right I suppose!
xx

Yeah, bra is very supportive. Quite shocked with it being from primark lol.
I saw lots of Freya ones in Debenhams, but they either didn't have matching undies or weren't really y cup of tea. I will be buying my everyday bras from freya, but as it was my first shop, I wanted some sexy/pretty ones!
xx

Debenhams gorgeous range normally have nice reasonably priced matching sets that fit lovely and their super soft tshirt bras that are £20 are really comfy xx What a shame xx

I normally go on my own as opposed to with DH as I find him being there is more of a hindrance to be honest xx

Good Luck Monday xx

I think having my OH with me did put pressure on... didn't want him to start moaning that I was dragging him round, but he was lovely when i got upset, so that was nice!
I'm hopeful for Monday, I now know my size... well 32E, but maybe 34DD in some brands so it narrows it down, and I'm going alone so I can take all the time in the world... I'll then just give my OH a fashion show when I get home! I'm sure he will like that more than hanging around outside the changing rooms like a perv haha
xx
I

MissFebruary wrote:Thanks girls... I finally have a boobie avi :0) woo hoo!

Littlewellies... Bra measuring is a fine art haha! And often if you follow the standard size thing, its normally wrong!

But what you are supposed to do is measure your ribs... if its an even number add 4, if it an odd number add five. So mine being 29 rib cage, I'm supposed to be a 34 (but am actually a 32!)
So you now have your band size
for cup size, it works something like this
1inch bigger than band size - A cup
2inches bigger - B cup
and so on and so on.... But like I said its not perfect, but will give you something to work with. My measurements mad me a 34DD, but I'm a 32E....

If you go down a band size you go up a cup size, so roughly right I suppose!
xx

That would make me a 32A so I hope that's not always right lol xx

Hun, I think you'll find that the method for fitting bras has changed so you don't do the add 4 or 5" any more. Which would make you a smaller band size and a bigger cup size. That's how I realised I was wearing the wrong size pre op.

Misf1 explains here...
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Its all very confusing Mandy haha!
But I know for sure that i would never ever get a 30 band done up on me, but adding the 4 or 5 the band is too big! Its all a bit mental, but I suppose its like buying any clothes, In shops I can range from a size 8 to a size 12 depending haha! As long as I NEVER fit into an A or B cup again I'll be happy :0)
Its definitely a whole try it and see thing
xx

28DD using the new method, thank god for modern technology eh lol :) xx

littlewellies wrote:28DD using the new method, thank god for modern technology eh lol :) xx

Glad I made your day hun!

Come on the fluff fairies... Totally fine with 28e if the opportunity arose lol xx

Haha!
Its amusing, because with my consult and my surgeon, I said 'Ooh I would like to be a full C or a D, but its true when they say that peoples perceptions differ. I defo fit a 32E, but in my opinon I actually look like a D. So i'm now very happy that I'm a 32E. I'm the size I want to look and thats all that matters :0)
xx

Now you know your size have a look online hunny and eBay have matching sets , figleaves, bravissimo Freya decos have matching Knicks and are the most flattering bras I find!
Debenhams gorgeous range as Kay said is good for sets.

Just tape your size in google search bar and loads of online indie shops come up xx

Thanks Mrsball, I've just placed a bid on ebay for a nice set.
xx

The old measuring system has been having women in the wrong sized bras for years lovely. This is why fitting rather than measuring is the best method to get you into the right sized bra.

I'm also a 29" measurement and wear a 32 band also.

I also agree with Kay that the Gorgeous range in Debenhams is beautiful and there's lots of choice in that range too. You usually get a free pair of knickers too with that range lol.

The bra you're wearing is beautiful though babe, good choice. Looks sexy and classy all the same time - perfect bra!

Bravissimo is definitely the best for fitting x