kittycat1

Hi Lorna,

Yes I've seen Italian sizing-1 is equivalent to a 32, 2 a 34, 3 a 36 etc but they still have cups sizes which shouldbe in line with everyone else. Oz sizing is also different withe the whole 12B thing. It gets very confusing, and then knowing which country a brand is from so you know how it fits- french lingerie always comes up small, where as american is more generous.

My brain hurts now lol

Lorna at Vicenza

They're not though which makes shopping here a pain and why most of us have given up and stick to what we know best.
I need some new swimwear for the summer. I might just go for an all-in one swimming costume this year and save dragging myself around all the shops trying on bikinis that I know won't fit and that would only keep my boobs in place if I sunbathed and didn't ever need to move around.

kittycat1

Lorna, why dont you use figleaves they deliver to Dubai with 3 days although so Im sure you'd have no problem receiving it in Italy. Its a pain in the ass if you wanted to return anything but theyhave a great range of lingerie and swimwear.

Lorna at Vicenza

One of the Brit ladies on the Italian forum suggested them when there was once a thread running about how shitty the bra sizing is here. I think she also mentioned another company called 'Bravissimo' or something like that.
I'll definitely check out Figleaves.

kittycat1

Figleaves are the biggest e retailer of lingerie in the UK Bravissimo specialize in fuller busts. But Bravissimo are fantastic if you have a small band size they go down to a 28

Madam Medusa

bravissimo are fab...really quick service even to here in dubai where the post is usually glacial...

MM, xx

Lorna at Vicenza

I said I have a skinny frame but it's a bit more than 28
My boobs were a B until I was put on the pill to cure two ovarian cysts. I took a pill every day for over a year. Not having periods was fantastic, not ovulating meant that the cysts were not 'feeding and growing' every month and they eventually shrunk away to nothing, but the hormones made my boobs grow.
It took me ages to get used to them. When summer arrived and I got my summer clothes out, I realised that most of my tops and t-shirts looked strained across my chest and some of the patterns were pulled out of shape.
It used to make me wonder what women and girls who have big boob jobs must feel like when they go from small to huge overnight.

Lorna at Vicenza

Thanks MM and Kitty - looks like I might be doing some internet shopping.

Hello.Kitty

gosh, I had a friend who was a J cup and her "party trick" was to fit her entire head into one bra cup.... with a side effect of not needing a life-jacket either!

Alexa

There are 2 women like this walking around in Doha...and they defo have not heard about "bra sizing" or Bravissimo.....scary, to say the least! Especially when they show cleavage that would rival a large person's behind..

They actually sell bras here where my whole derrierre would fit into one cup (no I do NOT have a scrwny butt)....ah, maybe I should tell those overly well endowed ladies where to find those..

Hello.Kitty

It was this particular friend who frog-marched me to get myself properly fitted and taught me the importance of being properly fitted. Her favourite was Bravissimo and she'd occasionally splurge at Rigby & Peller. Thank goodness for her though - M&S had told me I was a 38B and I was in fact a 34D... back in the day, before kids and breastfeeding. I went up to an H cup and that was FUN! Not that now, but still...

Alexa

I;ve never had myself sized...maybe I'll find a good place to do it during the summer.....do you happen to know of American firms that offer this service?

Hello.Kitty

ach, it's a bit of an epiphany, tbh. Don't know of any American firms (Kittycat will) but if there's a John Lewis, House of Frazer, Debenhams, etc... or the more specialised underwear ones. If you find a little boutique, they they'll almost certainly have a good fitter - the best will be able to tell you your size as you walk through the door.

As for the consequences, it's almost like you've got a new pair, if you've been wqearing the wrong size - better shape, better posture and less back/shoulder ache!

Alexa

Sounds good...will see what Victoria's Secret has to offer.

kittycat1

Hi Alexa,

You are better going to an established small lingerie boutique that is a lingerie specialist and the staff really know their stuff. VS staff can be a bit it and miss on their sizing or going to a good department store with trained staff. I'd avoid the chains which have high staff turn over. Whereabouts are you going?

Also its always best to get measured in the middle of your cycle.