Any bra experts out there

jos28

Are there any lingerie experts that could help me with my diddy dilemma. I just cannot get a bra to suit despite being measured professionally. I've been a 34D according to my last fitting and have always found these bras really comfortable. I like the underwired, non padded style.
http://uk.triumph.com/AMOURETTE%20300/10026156,en_GB,pd.html?cgid=1117000#!i=6&color=3349_Passion_Fruit#image
I don't look as if I have big boobs, no-one has commented on them.

However, recently I felt the triumph bras weren't supportive enough so off I went to get measured this week and this range was recommended in a 34 E :eek::eek:
http://www.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_150010210560_-1

Now, the new bras have definitely whooshed everything up but I feel my cleavage now starts under my chin ! They are comfortable but it feels a bit strange. From the side I look as if I have a small bust. Can anyone recommend the PERFECT bra please.

rainbow kirby

I've always found Debenhams Gorgeous bras to run slightly small in both cup and band. So when you think of it that way it's probably closer to a 32-34DD in a true-to-size brand. That's barely an increase at all from what you were wearing before. A properly fitting bra should leave you feeling well-supported though, not make you feel like the girls are up around your chin...

I've found the Panache Andorra, Cleo Juna, Curvy Kate Gia and Freya Deco to be quite good.

Also, if you happen to find yourself on this side of the Irish Sea at some stage, do go to Bravissimo for a fitting. The one in Oxford Circus is absolutely fantastic.

jos28

Thanks a million Rainbow, that's a beautiful selection you posted and the prices aren't bad.I suppose it's all trial and error, I bought 2 of the gorgeous ones which might have been an expensive mistake. I may have to visit London later this year so I will definitely check out Bravissimo.

lajoie

I had been measured in a few places and always felt they were totally wrong. The only place I ever felt did it decently was House of Fraiser in Dundrum. They help you pick out good ones too, whereas others just size you and vanish. I don't know if you're near that area, but if so I'd recommend trying them.

YumCha

+1 for getting fitted at Bravissimo - I was wearing a 34D and turns out I'm a 30FF...

Also +100 for the Freya Deco - It's the only bra I own these days! My go to before that was the Panache Porcelain t-shirt bra - very plain, but comfy and really good shape (I've pointy boobs that need to be reigned in)

jos28

30 FF :eek: That's a hell of a difference. Thanks for all the recommendations folks. Just wish buying a bra was as easy as buying shoes

Ambersky

If you know your measurement I find this crowd great for online shopping and they ship to Ireland.
http://www.freshpair.com/womens/bras.html
Great selection of wireless with good support. Playtex 18 Hour being my fav. Dont think you can get them here.

Addle

Are you just self conscious of your new shape op?
You may get used to it yet.

kitten_k

Not sure where you are based but I got measured in Bramora and found them great. She changed me from 40DD to 36G (have started wearing 38G for extra comfort). Like you I noticed the difference and felt like my boobs were so higher but I got use to it and feel much more supported.

http://www.bramora.com/

jos28

Delighted with all the feedback, thank you all so much. I think it will take me a few days to get used to the new shape as Addle says. Thanks for all the links, plenty of gorgeous bras to choose from. Glad to know it's not just me that's had this experience. I was beginning to think I was a weird shape

tara83

Just to let you know Bravissimo is now open in Belfast. Planning a trip up soon

jos28

tara83 wrote: »

Just to let you know Bravissimo is now open in Belfast. Planning a trip up soon

Thank you, I shall watch out for that. Ooohh I feel a shopping spree coming on

Daenarys

tara83 wrote: »

Just to let you know Bravissimo is now open in Belfast. Planning a trip up soon

I just shrieked reading that!! yay!!! I'll be making a trip up too!!

Btw OP I highly recommend Bramora in Dublin for fittings and Bravissimo (Margaret st./oxford circus) in London. Ive gotten some fab dresses there before too, a little alteration here and there to de-nana them but no more buying a size 16 to house the girls when the rest of me is a size 12

ABajaninCork

WOOOOO!! At last - Bravissimo are inching ever closer to the border...

I usually wait until I go home to London and have the ladies in Covent Garden measure me. Best bra fitters around bar none. I've even been fitted over the phone. And they were accurate!

--LOS--

There is a really good resource on reddit, check out the fitting guide here, there are a lot of bra fitting myths out there. That whole forum has a lot of other helpful guides. Might be of use to someone.

Lia_lia

^ Was just reading through that reddit sub forum..very interesting! I always thought because I have such a small bra size (32-34a), and such an obviously small chest, that I couldn't possibly be any other size. But people on that are saying they went from a 34A to a 28D for example Must measure myself once I get a measuring tape thingy...

purplecorn

It can make such a big difference when you get the right fitting bra. People have it in their heads that they're only an "A cup" or a "B cup" and that if you're a D cup you must have large breasts, but those terms have no meaning whatsoever as it's all relative to band size. Using your example, lia_lia, a 34A has the exact same volume as a 32B, a 30C and a 28D!

Faith

--LOS-- wrote: »

There is a really good resource on reddit, check out the fitting guide here, there are a lot of bra fitting myths out there. That whole forum has a lot of other helpful guides. Might be of use to someone.

I absolutely recommend this to everyone. No matter how sure you are that you're wearing the correct size, it can't hurt to try this method just to check. They've also added a handy calculator to work out the size for you.

--LOS--

Lia_lia wrote: »

^ Was just reading through that reddit sub forum..very interesting! I always thought because I have such a small bra size (32-34a), and such an obviously small chest, that I couldn't possibly be any other size. But people on that are saying they went from a 34A to a 28D for example Must measure myself once I get a measuring tape thingy...

yes I also have a small bra size But I always feel like the actual width of the cups are always too small, regardless of the volume. I'll probably keep buying the wrong size though coz there's much less choice otherwise ¬_¬

bscm

Daenarys wrote: »

Btw OP I highly recommend Bramora in Dublin for fittings and Bravissimo (Margaret st./oxford circus) in London.

Just googled Bramora there to find the address, and apparently the Earlsfort shop closed in late December

jos28

bscm wrote: »

Just googled Bramora there to find the address, and apparently the Earlsfort shop closed in late December

I spotted that on their FB page, sad news for owner and staff. Apparently they will be holding fitting days in a hotel in Dublin. Details will be posted on their page.

LOVE that bra size calculator - It put me as a 34DD which is spot on. Debenhams measured me as a 34E but that was in their Gorgeous range which as Rainbow says can be a bit small. I've been wearing those new bras for a week now and I am definitely getting used to them. Feel much better supported that my old style bras. I'm going away with the wimmin next weekend, I am bringing a measuring tape and that calculator. Could be a bit of fun after a couple of bottles of wine. It will be interested to see how it compares to what sizes my friends are wearing.

Daenarys

bscm wrote: »

Just googled Bramora there to find the address, and apparently the Earlsfort shop closed in late December

Ah no!! I never knew they closed. They could tell you your bra size as you were walking in the door they were THAT good! What a pity

NeonCookies

Wow...I recently went out and bought some 36DD bras thinking they fit well - last fitting I had put me at a 36D but it didn't feel right so thought I needed to go up a size a bit.. I just did that reddit calculator - 34F ?!!?!!! I'm so curious to go find some that size and try them on!

jos28

34 F ! Dying to know if that size feels much better than your 36 DD

jandm

tara83 wrote: »

Just to let you know Bravissimo is now open in Belfast. Planning a trip up soon

Visited their shop in Aberdeen a few years ago. Needed an appointment to have a proper fitting as it was a Saturday. Got strappy tops and pyjamas that support the girls. A bit of hassle at the checkout when asked for a post code and had none!

In Dublin, Intimate Lingerie are best for getting something that fits. Again need to make an appointment.

Daenarys

I found Bramora the best in Dublin for getting measured (esp when upwards of an F cup) but since they've closed I'm not sure where to go for measuring.

I don't rate M&S or Debenhams etc. can anyone recommend somewhere before I go to the extreme and travel to Bravissimo.

Tigger99

They've closed? Feck it.

rainbow kirby

Peaches and Cream? Bravissimo are in Belfast now so not as much of a hassle as it used to be.

Faith

Daenarys wrote: »

I found Bramora the best in Dublin for getting measured (esp when upwards of an F cup) but since they've closed I'm not sure where to go for measuring.

I don't rate M&S or Debenhams etc. can anyone recommend somewhere before I go to the extreme and travel to Bravissimo.

You can do it yourself using this guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/all-in-one

Daenarys

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Peaches and Cream? Bravissimo are in Belfast now so not as much of a hassle as it used to be.

Have you been to Peaches & Cream? I actually thought they had closed too!

Daenarys

Faith wrote: »

You can do it yourself using this guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/all-in-one

Thanks Faith but with my boobies, if I got it wrong, I'd be tucking them into my socks by Christmas :eek::mad::D

Cold War Kid

I find Arnotts brilliant for bra fittings. The make of bra I love for a bigger cup is Fantasie. Available in Debenhams and Brown Thomas.

Faith

Daenarys wrote: »

Thanks Faith but with my boobies, if I got it wrong, I'd be tucking them into my socks by Christmas :eek::mad::D

I don't really understand what you mean, but I wouldn't worry about getting it wrong. It's a very comprehensive guide to doing it yourself, and it'd be just as accurate as going to a shop. The size is only a guide then - you still have to figure out what bras work for your specific shape* by trying loads on. You'll know very quickly if they're the right size if you follow all the info in that Reddit guide .

*Whether your breasts are full-on-top, full-on-bottom or even makes a huge difference. There's a painful amount of trial and error involved no matter what

fits

Faith wrote: »

You can do it yourself using this guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/wiki/all-in-one

After being fitted several different sizes, I only trust myself now. This is the way to go, and trial and error too. chantelle is the brand that really works for me.

Daenarys

Faith wrote: »

I don't really understand what you mean, but I wouldn't worry about getting it wrong. It's a very comprehensive guide to doing it yourself, and it'd be just as accurate as going to a shop. The size is only a guide then - you still have to figure out what bras work for your specific shape* by trying loads on. You'll know very quickly if they're the right size if you follow all the info in that Reddit guide .

*Whether your breasts are full-on-top, full-on-bottom or even makes a huge difference. There's a painful amount of trial and error involved no matter what

I was trying to be funny....wrong sized bra = droopy boobies ..tucking them in my socks. Ok I won't give up the day job :pac:

I know the brands for me; Panache for Sports and Chantelle/Fantasie for everything else. I liked being able to walk into Bramora and they'd say my size as I was half in the door, they were great.

I'll give the Reddit guide a go. Thanks!

Faith

I don't have any brands that always work for me . Panache's Cleo Lucy fits perfectly, but I'm had to send so many bras back because they don't fit correctly. I have to buy online also, as bizarrely there's almost no bricks and mortar shops here that sell a size above DD.

Daenarys

It's madness, not to mention trying to find anything sexier than a plain old sturdy bra in those sizes :rolleyes:

Why oh why won't Bravissimo open a store in Dublin!!

mahamageehad

And how come awkward sizes cost a fortune too? I mean, I wouldn't see myself as big-chested but I'm taking a 30F. The first time that the fitting lady told me that I thought she'd gone mad!!! I always thought F was a massive size! Much better fit.

As for brands, I find it hard to find nice ones without spending an absolute fortune! There was an amazing Polish shop here in Kilkenny that stocked a brand called Nipplex, I found them to be the best fit by far. Sadly she closed down though, serious pity. I've considered ordering online but the delivery price is quite steep. I found some bras recently in Primark in London that will do (fit is ok and even though I know they'll only last a few washes they were only £3!) but I am back on the never-ending hunt again. There is only 1 decent bra shop in Kilkenny and they are very expensive and I didn't find the fit of the bra to be that great. I might try some of the brands mentioned on this thread!

Faith

Daenarys wrote: »

It's madness, not to mention trying to find anything sexier than a plain old sturdy bra in those sizes :rolleyes:

Yep, I can find black or white bras. I love colourful underwear and I can't find any that is in my size and is right for my shape

mahamageehad wrote: »

And how come awkward sizes cost a fortune too? I mean, I wouldn't see myself as big-chested but I'm taking a 30F. The first time that the fitting lady told me that I thought she'd gone mad!!! I always thought F was a massive size! Much better fit.

Ha, yeah, I went from a 34DD to a 32FF and I thought there was NO WAY I'd fit into either a 32 band or a FF cup. Turns out I do! Unfortunately, that means bras have gone from affordable to crazy. It's about $80 to buy a bra in my size in Canada .

rainbow kirby

I think I'm spoilt by living in London in terms of bras! I have 2 branches of Bravissimo within relatively easy reach, plus Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis etc and free shipping on Amazon bargains when I come across them. Only issue I have really come across is that the small department store near me refuses to stock bands smaller than 32 in their full bust brands (I'm a 30G).

Daenarys

You are lucky Rainbow! In my last job I travelled to London a good bit, handy to have flights paid for my trip to Bravissimo

They are the only shop I can find now that stock the best Tshirt bra ever (imo!). I've gotten lucky with their Pepperberry line, great to buy a normal size dress instead of getting sizes 16/18 and have it taken in.

rainbow kirby

You should probably look into the Biu Biu and Urkye clothing lines too - both of them are Polish but they do a lot of bust friendly stuff like Pepperberry and they are a lot cheaper.