I have a pretty formidable chest (usually about an F depending on brand) and need to stay in quality bras. This latest few pounds seems to have all come off my underbust size and I suddenly find all my bras giant. What I often do is to buy a maternity or nursing bra because they have more hooks at the back for changes of size - my trusty old (now a rag!) Maternelle has about 8 over a size range of over 2 inches. I really want my wires back, though, and the wired maternity doesn't seem to have this size range.
What I am wondering is if I buy a smaller sized bra and a bra extender will I still get a good fit? My actual boobs don't seem to go down no matter what, so if I were to get a 34FF (up a cup size to account for the smaller band size) and a bra extender (currently measure 35) then just remove the extender as I get closer to the real 34, then have probably 3 settings to tighten up the 34 will that fit properly? Would be interested to hear from anyone who has done it. Alternative is probably to stay in a 38 till I get small enough for a 34 cos I don't have the money for intermediate bras, cheap ones are worse than useless for me, so comparing to that rather than comparing to a fantastically fitted well-constructed bra in each size.
Sadly I usually have to mail order my bras so that's a total pain to get one that fits and not spend £10 in postage for things I end up never being able to wear, but that's a whole other story!