Bra help! what's wrong?

[Greengardenpixie]

So I did all the measuring and I came out 34C or D or DD but hears the thing, when I look at my back I have er. ....A crease/fold of skin is the only way I can describe it where my bra strap is. I'm on the last hook? It sits in the correct place but it does not look right. If I go up a size, I'm back were I started in my old size and the back rides up! what do I do?

[TimeForAnotherNameChange]

What exactly are your measurements, let's stay at the beginning.

[TimeForAnotherNameChange]

Start, not stay, bloody phone!

[Greengardenpixie]

well i measured around my ribcage and its a 32 taught or 33 inch comfy and around the fullest part i am 36 inches [standing up] but i cant remember now if i was to bend forward and measure around the fullest part its 37 inches. I measured a while back and i cant remember how i did it!! [ i followed the thread though]

[HazleNutt]

32-37 would give you about 32DD.
The fold of skin is there because you have been wearing too big back and too small cup, and what should be in front has slowly migrated to the back. You need to scoop it back where it belongs. Put left hand into the right cup and pull all the tissue from under your armpit into the cup. Repeat other side. Do this every day, preferably several times per day. And the back has to be tight enough, otherwise the breast tissue won't stay in the cup but will crawl back under the armpits.

[Greengardenpixie]

Thanks so much. I will try a 32 but last time i did it was really uncomfortable and felt too tight even on the last hook.....but then, the cup would have been wrong so i will give it another go and do the things you are recommending. I will report back :)

[HazleNutt]

try it back to front first, then you will see if the band fits. If it does, you try it the right way and it's too tight then you need a bigger cup.

[Greengardenpixie]

Thanks :)

[Chachah]

omg I had no idea that breast tissue could migrate towards your back and crawl under your armpits, if the wrong bra was worn...

Mind. Blown.

(and things make so much more sense now)

[Greengardenpixie]

Well i ordered a 32DD and a 32E but it is really neat on. Also the back 'crease' really does not look normal and im unhappy with it. What should i do? Should i persevere?
Can someone post a link to the old thread as when i measured was a month ago and i cant remember.. i would like to do it again..and can i ask...who created this way of measuring? I cant find any other website online that uses this method.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Have you scooped properly? Pop the bra on (try the 32E first), lean forward, pop your right hand inside your left cup, reach round under your arm and pull all the soft tissue into the cup. Repeat on the other side.

In terms of who created this method...many moons ago i.e. before elastic, shops came up with the method of adding 4 or 5" to your measurements. This was necessary then. But it's not been needed for a very, very long time. However a lot of shops refuse to adapt their measuring or fitting systems as the old way results in a smaller range of sizes which fit what they currently manufacture. Marks and Spencer is a prime example. So most of the online charts you will find are still using this method.

The best fitters (Bravissimo, Rigby and Peller, etc) won't actually use a measuring tape as they don't need to - they go by the fit of your bra and trial and error. But when you're trying to size yourself from scratch and don't have an endless range of bras to try you need a starting point - this method basically gets you as close as is possible with a tape measure to the fitting you would get in somewhere like Bravissimo. It's not perfect simply because breasts vary a lot, but it's much more accurate than the other way. I'm not sure where it originated from but most knowledgeable bra bloggers use it, and we've had a few good fitters on here (from Brav and R&P) who agree with it as a baseline measurement.

Try the scooping and see how it fits, then let me know what's not right.

[Greengardenpixie]

Thanks..i will try again scooping in the morning and then post you my result. Thanks for the background on it. Its very interesting. I was on the Bravissimo website and noticed that they dont use a tape measure but it makes it very difficult for people who do not have access to a wide range of bras. At the end of the day, i will reorder other sizes and try again...i have ordered them from next so i can try and return.

[Greengardenpixie]

Well scooped everything in and its all sitting better. The band does feel quite snug though but its all sitting nice and my chest looks better. The crease went a bit when i scooped but keeps coming back. Im thinking i will keep the 32E bra but my even try to order a 32F to see if thats even better.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

That's worth trying, often if scooping doesn't hold its that you need a little more cup space. You'll also find to begin with that the odd rescoop is needed during the day to train it to stay put!

[Greengardenpixie]

Thanks for all your help. Am going to order some 32F to see how i get on :) How should the band feel around the back? Should it be so snug that you feel it?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

If you have just gone down in the band it will feel snug to begin with. You should be able to fit a couple of fingers underneath

[Greengardenpixie]

Underneath the back or the front? It was annoying me so i took it off and there were red marks on my ribcage. Would that be normal to begin with. I re measured and its definetly correct..It feels really supported but why doesnt it feel comfy?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Red marks are normal, just like you get with socks. However even if you have the size right, not every bra will suit -bit like jeans!

[Greengardenpixie]

Thank you so much. Going to order a few different types and see how i get on varying my cup size..but at least i have a starting point!