I always love to get mails from my readers, and it thrills me that I can help someone with bra-fitting ! Yesterday Cly wrote in with a question, and kindly let me post it and my answers on Venusian*Glow. She sent some photos too, which were a great help in writing the answer. (For obvious reasons I will not be putting them up here).
Here is the mail, at least the most important parts:
I tried to measure myself and found out that I probably should be in size 65D (UK). I was wearing 75B (International) for the past two years or so.
The salesperson took the measurement and told me I should get 70C, but said it is still depends on the style and cutting of the bras that I would choose. In the end I bought the bra in 70B as the salesperson advised me to get 70B if I want to wear it without the removable paddings.
Another bra is with lace and they gave me a 70D. The salesperson said that this model has a smaller cup so I need to get a cup size larger then I should get, but I should wear it with the removable padding for this size. I came back and tried on and realized that I do not like the removable pads at all and wondering if I could just wear it without.
I am now totally confused. When someone shop for a push up bra, does the person get a bra in her normal bra size, or she needs to get a bigger cup size than normal bra?
For my case:
a) Salesperson said my size is 70C
b) Bra A is 70B because I mentioned that I would wear it without paddings.
c) Bra B is 70D because the salesperson thought I would wear it with paddings, and the cup size for this bra is smaller than normal.
Q1: I thought I should wear 70C for Bra A no matter I use the removable padding or not?
Q2: Since Bra B is having cup size smaller than normal bra, I should be Ok to wear the size 70D without the removable pad?
Cly
Hello Cly
The salesperson is wrong, you would wear a 70C only if the bra model had an extremely tight band ! I would really advise you to get something in 65D. Feel free to ask me questions before you buy anything !
I have to say that I cannot recommend wearing push-ups from the typical stores like H&M and the like, and especially not as an every-day bra. A low-quality push-up pushes the breast out of the cup because there is no space inside for it, since the cups are practically flat.
For special occasions, go for good push-up models like Panache Inferno, Panache Masquarade, Panache Zara, Freya Retro, Gossard Superboost, etc. A good-quality padded bra envelopes the breasts, and its cut lightly gathers and lifts them, giving a killer cleavage.(these bras are however for those who have already found their own size, and own several soft bras, since they are a bit tricky).
Although it can sound crazy, soft bras actually present the breasts much better than push-ups. And here is the proof:
Ok, now coming to your questions:
Usually when you buy a push-up, you buy it in your standard size.
Since you cannot get a refund, and they don't sell band size 65, here are my suggestions:
Bra A: I'd suggest wearing the small-cupped 70D without inserts, and stitching the band to make it tighter.
Bra B: I would exchange the 70B for a 70C, throw away the inserts, and stitch the band as well.
And: get a soft underwired 65D for everyday wear !
Hope this helps,
love,
Eternal*Voyageur
Thank you thank you... I can't thank you enough for the reply.
ReplyDeleteActually I was wearing the Bra B (size 70D which is the smaller cup model) in the photos.
Bra A is a T-shirt bra without lace (moulded?) and I decided not to have it. I figured I would better get a multiway bra from other brand instead of keeping it so I never send you any photos for that.
Yes, I noticed the extra flesh spilling out from the underarm area. However I just can't confirm that is due to the cup size is too small (70D), or the underwire is not broad enough. I was thinking if a full cup bra would be a better choice for me. Am I wrong to think that a full cup bra is having a broader underwire than other cups?
As for your answers, I think there might be some mistakes in typing? i.e. your suggestion for Bra A should be for Bra B and vice versa?
I just found out that there is a La Senza store near my place. I will first take a look there. If I could find the right size bra at La Senza then I would exchange those 2 bras to other items. Am I right that I should get a 32(70)D bra for La Senza brand?
I would look out a soft underwired bra for everyday wear too.
Once again, thank you for your advice.
The trick for finding out whether the cups are too small is: bend forward at the waist with the bra band fastened around you. Then, put the breasts into the cups, using your palms to gather in everything from under the armpits. Then, stand up.
ReplyDeleteIf the breasts are spilling out from the cups in front, then the cups are too small !
Whether the underwires are broad or narrow differs from brand to brand, and model to model. I have not found full-cups to have broader underwires than other kinds.
For La Senza, try 70D or even 70DD, since they have quite small cups ! Also, some models have very narrow underwires, while other have broad ones...