ok so have decided to maybe get measured for a bra but first went on the internet to see how its done.

well i measured 36 inches across my back and 42inches across the boobies(sorry) was told(from internet to add four inches onto back size and this would be your band size so to cut a long story short..doing it that way would put me in a 40c bra.

now i went on this other website and that told me to just measure across my back and whatever number i had would be my bra band size(36) and that i would be a d cup or even a dd cup..so in actual fact i would be a 36d/dd which sounds better as i bought a 40c bra and whilst it is nice and comfy it IS slightly loose.

so how do you girls find your size? do you measure and then add four(or five inches)? or just go off what number you come up with?
thanks for your time( i know its a little embaressing but im just curious to see how other people do it.

thanks in advance girls!!!!!

aerohead - 15 December 2009 04:48 PM

ok so have decided to maybe get measured for a bra but first went on the internet to see how its done.

well i measured 36 inches across my back and 42inches across the boobies(sorry) was told(from internet to add four inches onto back size and this would be your band size so to cut a long story short..doing it that way would put me in a 40c bra.

now i went on this other website and that told me to just measure across my back and whatever number i had would be my bra band size(36) and that i would be a d cup or even a dd cup..so in actual fact i would be a 36d/dd which sounds better as i bought a 40c bra and whilst it is nice and comfy it IS slightly loose.

so how do you girls find your size? do you measure and then add four(or five inches)? or just go off what number you come up with?
thanks for your time( i know its a little embaressing but im just curious to see how other people do it.

thanks in advance girls!!!!!

Def get measured in store by a bra fitter - then you’ll be sure of your size. I would say it would be unlikely for you to be a 40 back size. Most women need to go down in back size and up in cup size. 

I get measured in M&S or la senza about twice a year.  La senza are not great but they need a few guinea pigs to practice on!  M&S are quite good, depending on who you get that day but mostly they have a very mumsy approach which I like! 

After I have my measurement, I completely disregard it and try on a variety of different sizes and see what feels best.  I know I’m going to be around a 34 or 36 and I tend to judge the cup size by what it looks like.  Its a lot like shoes, one shop is never the same as the next so i always try them on.  Even the same brand but different styles or materials can feel very different even though it says the same size.

I always thought the 36 bit around the back was direct measurement?  But then I never pay too much attention really!

Marks and Spencer!

Yep, marks and spencer!  They have such a wide range of styles that I can always guarantee to find somethere there that fits well.  And they have some really attractive items as well, not just your basic granny nickers!

TallGirl - 15 December 2009 05:37 PM

Yep, marks and spencer!  They have such a wide range of styles that I can always guarantee to find somethere there that fits well.  And they have some really attractive items as well, not just your basic granny nickers!

I agree they do some lovely bras,some even better than the more “Fashionable” shops.I guess people don’tknow till they look in there.

aw thanks for your advice girls…i normally wear a 38 c…but am thinking a 36 d/dd as i have a couple of 36’s in my drawer but the c cup is a bit too small.
im going to buy a d cup and a dd cup and see how i get on there(i can always take one back)

CrystalTips - 15 December 2009 04:53 PM

Def get measured in store by a bra fitter - then you’ll be sure of your size. I would say it would be unlikely for you to be a 40 back size. Most women need to go down in back size and up in cup size. 

Thats what happened to me….thought I was a 34B….got measured as a 30E (but can’t find them in hardly any shops so tend to wear a 32E).

I HATE M&S bras….for me they are so uncomfy….Debenhams are great (esp. in the sales cos my size is always left until they get reduced to a few quid), and Bravissimo are good too but expensive (but delivery is v quick).

Tried Figleaves but their service was awful.

I agree about figleaves, terrible service and they never seem to anything I want in stock.  I love M&S though, different strokes for ifferent folks I guess!

CloClo - 15 December 2009 09:06 PM

CrystalTips - 15 December 2009 04:53 PM

Def get measured in store by a bra fitter - then you’ll be sure of your size. I would say it would be unlikely for you to be a 40 back size. Most women need to go down in back size and up in cup size. 

Thats what happened to me….thought I was a 34B….got measured as a 30E (but can’t find them in hardly any shops so tend to wear a 32E).

I HATE M&S bras….for me they are so uncomfy….Debenhams are great (esp. in the sales cos my size is always left until they get reduced to a few quid), and Bravissimo are good too but expensive (but delivery is v quick).

Tried Figleaves but their service was awful.

I can’t wear M&S either - I range in size from a 32/34 D/DD and the thing about M&S bras is all their straps are very stretchy - all the way round. This is no good if you are larger than a C IMO! I buy bras that have non stretch straps up to where they adjust - the straps then stretches. This reduces the ‘bounce’ factor! LOL - if the strap is too stretchy there is just way too much bounce! Not good!

Good bra’s for big boobs are Freya, Elixir de lingerie by Lejaby, Aubade and Chantelle. They are more expensive but they give great shape and fit - and I handwash them so they last longer!

Ah, thats probably why I get on quite well with M&S, I’m a B/C so don’t generate too much bounce.  I also find that straps that don’t stretch enough as I move can really hurt around my ribs, so I like quite a bit of stretch.

TallGirl - 15 December 2009 10:53 PM

Ah, thats probably why I get on quite well with M&S, I’m a B/C so don’t generate too much bounce.  I also find that straps that don’t stretch enough as I move can really hurt around my ribs, so I like quite a bit of stretch.

Oops - I meant the shoulder straps need to be firm

The one and only time I’ve been fitted for a bra, I ended up with a ridiculous size that gave me great shape.  Well, it would have done if I’d have been able to wear it - it was so uncomfortable I could hardly breathe!!  There’s a reason women gave up the bloomin’ corset!!!    So I think the reason women wear the so-called wrong size is because it’s comfortable!

i look at this thread and im really pleased that i brought the subject up.
i thought it would be a cringeworthy subject but you girls are really comfortable talking about it and makes me feels not so embaressed to have raised the subject up in the first place….
thank you!! and its good to talk about these things

CrystalTips - 15 December 2009 10:27 PM

CloClo - 15 December 2009 09:06 PM

CrystalTips - 15 December 2009 04:53 PM

Def get measured in store by a bra fitter - then you’ll be sure of your size. I would say it would be unlikely for you to be a 40 back size. Most women need to go down in back size and up in cup size. 

Thats what happened to me….thought I was a 34B….got measured as a 30E (but can’t find them in hardly any shops so tend to wear a 32E).

I HATE M&S bras….for me they are so uncomfy….Debenhams are great (esp. in the sales cos my size is always left until they get reduced to a few quid), and Bravissimo are good too but expensive (but delivery is v quick).

Tried Figleaves but their service was awful.

I can’t wear M&S either - I range in size from a 32/34 D/DD and the thing about M&S bras is all their straps are very stretchy - all the way round. This is no good if you are larger than a C IMO! I buy bras that have non stretch straps up to where they adjust - the straps then stretches. This reduces the ‘bounce’ factor! LOL - if the strap is too stretchy there is just way too much bounce! Not good!

Good bra’s for big boobs are Freya, Elixir de lingerie by Lejaby, Aubade and Chantelle. They are more expensive but they give great shape and fit - and I handwash them so they last longer!

I love the Freya ones…they are worth the cost as they last ages. The Debenhams own Gorgeous range (I think thats what its called anyway) are also really good.

http://www.herroom.com/bra-fitting-advice,901,30.html

I usually just follow the fuidelines given here and it seems to work pretty well for me and my mum. This one gave me a 32C size and is the best I’ve ever worn, I ued to wear 34B before but I know realise how small the cup was..it’s amazing what difference one cup size can make!