Why forget H&M? They have really nice bras with small backs & larger cup sizes or do you not have one with a decent sized lingerie department near you?
But 36 is not actually that small, sure you're in the right size? The advice to take your underbust measurement and add 4-5 inches in outdated, nowadays your underbust measurement is your bra size (and most people fitted by for example M&S or La Senza as 36 should really be about 32).
There is a really good shop in Pontarlier, with bra fitting ladies who are amazing. It's French, so it's quite nice. It's worth checking out, they do all sizes and order, last time I was there.
36 is not a small back!! I wear a 28 or 30 back depending on the bra (and how many pies I've eaten). Even in the UK I struggled to find my size in shops (30F.... I wore a 36 C before I was fitted properly). Bravissimo on line is amazing, but sometimes I have to return things as they don't fit properly which is a pain, depending on the fit/make sometimes you have to go up or down a cup/back size!
Yeah I went from a 36C to a 30F with a fitting! Then one winter I did loads of exercise and was re-fitted at 28DD (that didn't last long). I did discover bravissimo in the UK, there was a store within an hours drive so I discovered that balconette style suited/fitted best at the fitting, since then I've just stuck to that style. I had to return a few sports bras to find the right fit, my shock absorber sports bras are a 32E rather than 30F, they were super tight!
UK ebay and www.brastop.com are also good for bigger cups. I agree it's annoying that you can't simply buy the same size, so my solution is to stick to the brands I've already tried and know more or less how they fit. (In my case, Freya and Fantasie work, but Panache doesn't, a lot of people find that the opposite is true for them). I also read the reviews on Bravissimo and Figleaves - if most people say to go up a size or complain about the same fault, it's probably true.
I buy Freya and Panache, but often find the under wires and back on panache dig in and are very uncomfortable. Freya is always a good buy! I also tend to stick to brands once I know my size with them!
Ooh I might have to do some online shopping tonight now!
triumph are useless for larger cups unless you are hoping for the granny look. Their fit is also not that great...seems they scaled up from a smaller size rather than re-sizing for the additional weight / shape that needs support in an F cup.
thread is very helpful! i have had bra issues since coming here
anything in my size is padded and can pretty much stand up on it's own. i like the lace type with underwire but have yet to find anything pretty but supportive. it's fine, i usually wait until we visit back home and get them there, but it'd be nice to find something around here, so i will check out some of the places mentioned. but i still have to understand the difference in bra sizing- it's not the old 32, 34 etc a, b, c is it- i should have really figured that one out by now