Are you wearing the right bra?

Waste of time! I was measured and persuaded I was a 34F when in fact I’d be wearing 38E most of my adult life. It had to be given to charity as it was unbearably tight!

That’s a huge jump in size Quizzer??
I have been measured twice in the past and both fitters got it completely wrong, choosing such tight bras that I felt faint in them ( like a Victorian heroine).
I now just make sure that bras are tried on, so no online shopping for them, as each bra, even in the same size seems to vary.A bra shouldn’t ride up at the back, nor should it dig in tightly under the boobs, and all should be ‘safely gathered in’.

I once had to take a bra off at a dinner party ( not in front of startled diners)?but went to the loo, removed it and stuffed it in my bag, fortunately I had a silk scarf in there which I used as a bit of a cover up.I enjoyed the rest of the evening.

But does anybody have helpful suggestions for the accommodation (for want of a better word) of *back fat*as either my bra is way too big or my rear view suggests I have another pair beneath my shoulder blades.
This was not a problem when I was younger ??

I’ve got a sheepdog bra……….. Rounds them up and points them in the right direction direction....?

@Shinamae ??

The bra fitting guides on Bravissimo’s website are really useful.

www.bravissimo.com/bra-fittings-your-way/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1OzRtILB7gIVl5ftCh1crAayEAAYASAAEgKDB_D_BwE

I think the problem is the designers make bras for younger people and forget that older folk have a more flaccid body. For me there are never enough hooks without a bra extender which I refuse to buy after spending a fortune on pretty underwear! I’ve given up.

I’ve contemplated buying a front fastening stretchy bra with broad back and straps from a catalogue. It might work.

I discovered crop top bras back in the summer. So comfortable. All is safely gathered in. I don't know how they manage to cantilever everything into place using only elastic and no hard wires or thick straps but they do. I got mine in M&S.

I went to Rigby & Peller for a bra fitting, not a tape measure in sight. Lovely kind and experienced fitters. Expensive but worth every pound!!

Last year I managed to get o get a fitting at a Bravissimo store just after Christmas, equally helpful and cane out the same size as Rigby & Peller.

Cannot understand going braless (I am tiny but with rather a large frontage )

I used to use Figleaves for bras, will probably go back to them when this is over

Love your description Shinamae

Please excuse typos

Professional? measuring hasn’t worked for me at all. Apparently health professionals say that under wired bras are not good for breast health.

Aise yes underwired are not recommended for breast health, apart from being damn uncomfortable! If I was small I wouldn’t bother, as it is I’m tempted to try a crop top when I venture out. Time for comfort!

What is a bra?

Blue sky and lemon I agree totally I ve been professionally measured twice by very well thought of stores and both times I could hardly breathe in the size they gave me
The bra was at least two sizes smaller than is comfortable for me
I usually throw mine off by 5 /6pm until I m strung up again next morning I hate bras but can’t go without my friend does and her spaniel ears are nearly on her tummy

I find underwired bras more comfortable. There’s no evidence they increase the risk of breast cancer.

www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/no_evidence

I find you have to 'wear in' a bra. Initially they are tight if they are to fit and give support, but after a few days wear they are wonderfully comfortable once they have stretched a bit. I do have to take out the stiffening bits down the side, but the Berlei B510s work wonders for me, and I have had comments asking which ones I use as the shape they give is admired!

I used to be very comfortable in BHS 40b. When I couldn't get them any more I went to M&S and the lady said I am 38c. It does look a good fit but feels very tight.

All bras go bad during the course of the day.

Anyone watch that episode of the IT Crowd?

I seem to have got bigger but only across my back so the cup size is the same but I have gone from a 32 to a 38!
Since my mastectomy I tend to buy cheap bralets from Sainsbury or Primark. they are so comfortable.
And no underwired bras do not cause cancer!!

The problems with bras that aren't underwired is that they tend to push your boobs together in the middle. This probably isn't a problem if you only take a small cup size, but if you're bigger then it gets hot and sticky down the cleavage! I really hate that.

Like others, my body has changed and I'm struggling to find comfortable bras. My biggest complaint at the moment is that the elastic around the bottom is too narrow so that, even if it's a good fit when standing up, it digs in when you sit down.

I have been wearing the correct size and importantly style for 5 years after being fitted by Rigby and Peller .
It completely transformed my shape , no more matronly frontage and now looking a dress size smaller .
Some of the best money I have ever spent and I wish I had done it years earlier.

It’s a bit of a relief to see I’m not alone in being measured in two different (good) stores, one said 38c, the other said 32dd. Needles to say, neither worked.
I found those sports type non wired bras, bliss but, not as blissful as no bra