I just completed the most up-to-date guide/directions for measurements on this page:
Underbust loosely: 36in
Underbust comfortably snug: 35in
Underbust tight: 33in
Bust standing neutral: 41in
Bust 90°/leaning fwd: 44.75in
Bust lying down: 42.5in
Plugged into the calculator my bra measurement came out to: 36E/F (uk sizing)
I would love to know how this UK size would convert to US sizes, as it seems pretty similar to what I'm used to seeing in US bra sizes that aren't xs, s, m, l, xl, etc... I'm a bit confused, so thanks in advance for any help or clarification!
I've been wearing nursing bras/sports bras (both in sizes L and XL US sizes) exclusively for about six years, oftentimes my breasts will spill over the tops of these bras or they feel really tight and the straps dig into my shoulders and leave red marks. I breastfed a total of four of those years but as of today I'm 2years post-breastfeeding. I feel like I have really long/wide breasts with lots of soft squishy tissue, for my underbust measurements I had to really make sure the measuring tape was evenly tucked and and beneath my breast where the tissue folds/meets my torso (ribcage area?).
Ive found that even when attempting to wear normal bras, my breasts are kind of just sitting on top of the band and squished against me in the bra. The band and the cups of bras don't actually hold the entirety of my breast. I'm both spilling out and gaping from the sides at times, but I'm certain a lot of this has to do with the fact that I'm in the completely wrong sized bra.
Im searching for a comfortable and supportive bra, possibly unlined balconette style bra/open to comparable suggestions/recs. I really don't like padding but not completely against it if it means a more supportive bra!
Prior to having children balconette styles and bras that almost scooped my breasts from below have always been my go-to options. I think I once wore VS and Fenty brands, so they were usually lacy, dug into my ribs and weren't very comfortable but they at least held in/up my breasts well enough.
Recently I've been getting lots of targeted ads/influencer content on tiktok for something like a delmira or dobreva balconette bra, and the content describes a lot of similar issues I have with bras at this time, but I'm also very skeptical and put off by targeted ads and influencer content. So any thoughts or advice on these styles are greatly appreciated! Any other recommendations are welcome of course too, thank you!
I'm posting on mobile but it doesn't seem that I can add my current photo references. Ill try to comment the photos and current bra styles/sizes as soon as I can!
Thank you so much for any thoughts or advice that make come out of this, Ive been putting off buying new bras for years because the sizing issue has been a huge mental block for me, so I appreciate any help and confirmation that comes from this!