Bras and my body over 66

Whatever you do don’t go to Bravissimo! OMG they sell instruments of torture! They truly believe all women should be trussed up like chickens. I spent a fortune there on 2 bras they fitted for me, then could never wear them because I literally couldn’t breathe they were so, so tight!

I was always a 36C but in recent years I'm now a 36F or G. It happens.

gentleshores: thankyou for the heads up that cup sizes do indeed increase as you go up sizes. I think I'm stuffed because I am only an A cup and really only want a bra (padded) to give me some shape. Wouldn't you think I would be able to find a comfortable one but the bands have felt too tight for the past couple of years. Sounds like I'm going to have to continue with the extenders.

I have ordered several from a company called conturve. They do pull on ones which are awkward to put on but also fastening ones. They are very soft and comfortable.

The asda bras i mentioned earlier were £12 for two. Amazing value considering how comfy they are.

I second crop tops or bralettes Aveline. I have various styles and colours. I still have one underwired bra for wearing with one particular dress, but couldn’t go back to wearing underwired bras every day. I find it easier to step into a bralette rather than pull it on over my head.

gentleshores

I've seen so many people recommending Bravissimo :-) But from what I can see they only start at a D cup and I'm a B cup!
@Acciaccatura - I wonder also if it was my cracked ribs last year that somehow changed my shape/band size. I also got some bra extenders from amazon (a pack of three in different colours). By Triumph. They were two hook ones, so I got another pack of 3 from M&S that were 3 hook. In the end I went up a band size and kept the same cup size but have the bra extenders if needed in the future :-)

I came across an article about "sister sizes" which helped. I always assumed that a B cup would be the same size, regardless of whether it was a 34B, 36B or 38B but that's not the case apparently!

So when my 36B wasn't big enough I first of all tried a 36C. The cup size was right but it still felt too tight. According to sister sizes - a 38B has the same cup size as a 36C. ie the B cup size gets larger with the band size. And that seems to be the case! The 38B fits perfectly and is much more comfortable. I have it on the middle hook so can still let it out a bit if necessary.

I should have read the whole thread, just realised you had found out for yourself 🤦‍♀️

Maybe instead of trying different cup sizes you should consider going up to a 38? The cup size is bigger on bigger bras I’ve found: a b cup will be bigger on a 38 than it is on a 36.

Although I'm 'top heavy', unless it's with a special outfit for an occasion, I don't wear a bra at all.

Women have been indoctrinated over the many years that wearing a bra is healthier and more 'attractive'.

Now that I'm ancient I can't be bothered worrying about what others think of my every day look... I'm clean, comfortable, and tidy.

Good luck finding what works for you~~

Agree with others that M&S fitters are not good but not much choice here other that an 80 miles round rip to Birmingham. Tried a small independent bra shop in the next town, fitter didn't measure me, did it by eye, and I bought 2 very expensive bras (around £80 each!) which seemed to fit perfectly in the shop but once I tried wearing them at home they were way too tight in the band. Cups were fine but I felt the bra was cutting me in two so after trying for a couple of weeks I gave up, an expensive mistake.

I ame much the same size as you, and I swear by Triumph bras.

But if you can do go and be measured and properly fitted for a bra that is the right size.

The really important measurement comfortwise is not you cup size but the circumfrence of your body just under your breasts. Bras are never entirely comfortable, but wearing one that is to tight is no fun!

If the only way you can get one that fits round your body is if the cups are too large, don't worry, just stuff a pair of discarded nylons into the cups, under your breasts.

It is one of the oldest tricks known to womankind: get those two attributes as near to the gentlemen's noses as possible!

I've seen so many people recommending Bravissimo :-) But from what I can see they only start at a D cup and I'm a B cup!
@Acciaccatura - I wonder also if it was my cracked ribs last year that somehow changed my shape/band size. I also got some bra extenders from amazon (a pack of three in different colours). By Triumph. They were two hook ones, so I got another pack of 3 from M&S that were 3 hook. In the end I went up a band size and kept the same cup size but have the bra extenders if needed in the future :-)

I came across an article about "sister sizes" which helped. I always assumed that a B cup would be the same size, regardless of whether it was a 34B, 36B or 38B but that's not the case apparently!

So when my 36B wasn't big enough I first of all tried a 36C. The cup size was right but it still felt too tight. According to sister sizes - a 38B has the same cup size as a 36C. ie the B cup size gets larger with the band size. And that seems to be the case! The 38B fits perfectly and is much more comfortable. I have it on the middle hook so can still let it out a bit if necessary.

I also recommend Bravissimo. The first time I visited the lovely assistant came into the changing room with me, looked at my boobs and came back a few minutes later with an armful of bras. Almost all of them fitted perfectly and I was spoilt for choice. At no point was I measured, she just asked what size I was currently wearing and inspected the fit and she was off! Brilliant!

I have found bra extenders invaluable, especially since breaking a rib unless that's just a coincidence. Actually they are really cheap on Amazon. They usually come in a pack of 3, black, white and natural. I find that I need to slacken the band by the evening and the extender gives more options. However, previous posts have made me think, maybe I just need to go up a size but keep the same cup size.

Yes, Bravissimo is the place. Once you know your size in the various brands available there you can order online from the manufacturers websites where there is sometimes more choice of colours and styles

Hi
Since Covid I’ve found bras painfully uncomfortable. At home go braless! Or when going out all in on soft sport bra type things ! No tightness - but size does change. I’ve got broader across the back too.
Horrendous garment of torture

Good choices on this website www.braforme.com/

I know this might sound strange but my most comfortable bras are from F &F at Tesco. I wear a 38DD from the fuller range

You seem to be quite unhappy with both your bras and how old you are. If you dont keep looking at the size of the bra but go for finding a bra that fits you and feels comfortable, never mind what the size label says, you will be much more comfortable and then you will not be aware of it all the time, because comfort means you are less aware of it. As to age, well as they say better than the alternative!! I am now 78 but my brain seems to still think I can do things that I did when I was 26. I get annoyed when I find something hard to do that I used to easily manage but then I try to think about it. Does this thing really matter? Do I need to accept help or can I do it another way ? When my back is very painful I have to accept that I cannot do certain things at that time and have to put up with things as they are until I have a better day. Then if I am feeling better but it is a very sunny day I still leave the job sometimes and go outside while I can. If you can concentrate on things that you are able to do and would like to do rather than what is different that you dont like I think you will enjoy life more . Hope you find the bra that you are looking for

I agree that Bravissimo make lovely underwear.They also sell swimwear ,dresses and tops designed for more generous busts.

Put a bra on to measure?
I think that's what they mean

If someone can tell me how I can measure my boobs correctly when they are not where they should be but instead are hanging around my knees. Every bra measuring site has said measure your rib cage under your bust then measure around your bust but they don't tell you how to measure your bust when they are swinging low.

That's exactly why I started with crop tops Cagsy. It just crept up on me that I was looking forward to taking my bra off each evening. No longer nowadays!

I agree with Aveline. I’m 72 and have always worn lacy underwire bras, no padding, and was a 36C, later 38C. Earlier this year I realised how uncomfortable they felt and how often at home of an evening I would put my hands up my back and unhook it with relief. I experimented with an M&S crop top bra and it’s a game changer, I have a few now, also one from John Lewis. They are so comfortable with plenty of support, I never thought I’d wear a padded bra! My husband thinks it’s a very strange way to put on a bra by stepping into it and pulling it up over my body

Our bodies change as we get older. Try and get fitted by an independent bra fitter - to find the bra that works for you. Different styles will need different sizes until you find the right fit. I was wearing a 40d and i am now wearing a 36GG - when younger and slimmer i was 34C! So we do change. Also as we get older we need comfortable bras