boobs rant

[burntcopper]

The underwear industry is really bloody weird. My back size is 30 (rib cage measurement). I'm UK clothing size 10/12 on top. However, most clothing shops go down to 8, the shops that cater for teen/fashionable normally go down to a 6. There is no way the girls wearing a 6/8 have a bigger back size than me since my build is stocky and they're normally like twigs next to me. However, getting anything below a 32 back size bra is near impossible unless you go to specialist shops. We're not going to even go into cup size here, aside from the fact that the smaller your back, the bigger your cup size is likely to be as it's a ratio thing.

Below is the Bravissimo 'quickie guide to see if you're wearing the wrong size'.

1. Step One – Check to ensure that you are wearing the correct back size.
* > The strap should be firm around your body
* > The strap should be horizontal at the back
* > You can run two fingers under the band
2. Step Two – Check to ensure the wires sit flat between your boobs and aren't being pushed away from your body.
* > Flat wires at the front
3. Step Three – Check to ensure you are wearing the right cup size.
* > Your boobs should be enclosed in the cup with no wrinkling of fabric
* > Your boobs don't bulge over top or side of the cups
> (even in a balconette or plunge bra)

Step One? Violated so much. If it's curved up rather than horizontal, you're wearing too big a back size.

I want a decent survey of what measurement women actually are. A bra that fits normally hoiks your boobs up, causes less back pain and makes you look like you've lost several pounds. Simple as that. Though I suspect we'll only get the 'normal' clothing shops to change their sizes if we make all women get a proper fit and a significant proportion suddenly have to flock to the specialists...

In work news, meeting today. Where bossboss asked for stuff to be repeated constantly that meeting runner had just said. Plus a 'first example I've heard of'. And we came up with a relatively simple solution to a human error problem, and J came up with solution to resolution/layout issues. Then when I asked how long it would take to implement (since it's not like any system changes would be required), you do not want to know how many dodges he came up with. Do not hide behind 'file size' and 'peer reviewer'. Seriously.

Comments

[myorangecrush.livejournal.com]

I walked into a Bravissimo wearing a 40DD and walked out with a 34G.

A friend, she's only 18, having major boobie issues, pains - aches. Went to doctors, was told she could have cancer, had tests, scans.

She came round and I looked at her body shape. She said she was in a 36DD.

I laughed and said, go to Bravissimo. She walked out in a 30EE and hasn't had booby pain since.

So many people wear the wrong bra size, it's amazing. Mind, that's cos M&S measure for their size range.

Incidently, I went into Victorias Secret after being a Bravissimo girl for 2/3 years. Back to being a 40DD. I laughed, and told them to extend their stock or start telling people to go elsewhere. When underwear stores do this, it's no wonder most people are wrong.

[burntcopper.livejournal.com]

Hell yeah. M&S measured me wrong, and they advertise their bra measuring since they're the biggest undies retailer in the UK. La Senza are even worse.

The worlds' best are Rigby and Peller, who can apparently judge your bra size as soon as you walk through the door. I walked out of Bravissimo in a 30DD. This morning, I looked at my mate's back, tugged her backstrap down to horizontal and asked what size she was wearing. 34B. And she's an 8/10. I laughed hysterically and told her to get her arse to Bravissimo.

[myorangecrush.livejournal.com]

I do love bravissimo, bar the prices. The clothes particularly are very expensive.

I'm losing weight at the moment, 20lbs so far, and I'm realistically on 2 bras at a time. As each only fits for a maximum of two months, I can't afford to keep anymore than that going. I'm looking at £50 everytime I drop a cup size.

Even once I reach my target, I'll still be a 32DD (never been anything smaller since puberty hit and brough boobies) possibly even a 30 back, as the 32 was a M&S measurement.

I'm stuck with them forever!

Your friend - probably a 28C/D

[cynicalcylon.livejournal.com]

I went in a 38D & came out a 36F/FF
I'm an 18 bordering on 20 in some shops (I have the shoulders of a rugby player, I will NEVER be small), so going down to a 36 was a bloody shock, I can tell ya, but it fits how it's supposed to so I'm not complaining too much - except for the extra cost. Am definately complaining about that *grumblegrumble*

[burntcopper.livejournal.com]

once, in the far distant past, I remember being able to get a bra for £13...

I know M&S now do the larger cup sizes - tried there? should be cheaper'n the specialists. I still can't shop there due to the 30 back, though.

[cynicalcylon.livejournal.com]

M&S are cheaper, but I'm still looking upwards of £15 (if I'm lucky - usually closer to £20 though) a time.
I used to be able to buy good bras for £5 :(

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

I've been to Rigby and Peller a couple of times and they insist that I should be wearing a 32C, rather than a 34B or C. But I just find that unacceptably tight and certainly couldn't get the 2 fingers underneath. I've ended up having to buy extender straps so I can wear my expensive Rigby and Peller bras, so I don't necessarily think they are the best unless you are prepared to suffer.

M&S are rotten at measuring. You just have to take half a dozen into the changing rooms (and a friend to fetch and carry) and keep trying them on.