As the other commenter said, Elle Macpherson notoriously run small. From your own measurements of the bra, it's clear that it's unlike a standard 32 band - the band only stretches to 31". This would be equivalent to about a 30 band size normally. If your ribcage is bony, you might well be a 32 band normally (unlike a squishy person with a 30" underbust), so obviously you'd need to size up in this model. It could also be a problem with the style - such a thin band and maybe not very sturdy. Although of course the problems with thin bands are going to be exacerbated if you're wearing a size too small.
Alas, this bra doesn't fit me. I bought it second-hand because it was cheaper to determine my new/current size that way, and alas this is not it. In the photos, the quad-boob doesn't look so bad, but let me assure you that when I push my shoulders back even a little bit, there's a massive line where the cups dig in. I thought it was due to hormones, but it's still too small for me a week later. I'm quite sad that it doesn't fit because it looks very pretty and feels nice. I like the shape that I think it's suppose to create because I'm a fan of three-part cups that have an uplifted and somewhat triangular shape from the side. I'll keep it around just in case my boobs magically change again, and pass it along if that doesn't happen for a while.
Wine/navy: Even though my underbust circumference shrank and I now have to do my grape/jade version of this bra up on the tightest hook, I still wanted another while it was going cheap. I really like this bra! It's pretty, it's comfortable, and it goes surprisingly well under a lot of things despite the frills. This bra has truly bizarre sizing. I feel like I could go up another cup size, although I won't because this current one doesn't give me too much trouble.
Sometimes the band can ride up a bit if the cups are too small because of the underwiring sitting on breast tissue, I think. I think the cup size definitely looks too small and that you likely wouldn't have issues with armpits/quadboob if you went up - that is, if you still want to try this style. (Sorry, no advice on the problems with this particular style, but other people have covered this. ^^)
Grape/black: So far, this seems like a really comfortable everyday bra - I can see why everyone raves about the Emily. It's so soft and the shape is very natural. At the same time, it looks really lovely (especially with the matching shorts).
Update: Due to my measurements changing, my breasts fall towards the middle giving me quadboob while leaving empty space at the top of the cup. I determined part of the reason is that the band was too big for me. I have now sewn the central gore together which has fixed the problems by orienting the cups differently and making the band tighter. Not sure if it retains the same level of comfort as before.
Grape/jade: I'm soooo glad I tried to find the right size. I first had the azure/plum in 30FF and it was completely wrong. Just looking at the pictures I took of both, you can see a massive difference in shape. The cups are really nice and soft, and the design is so pretty. I was afraid that I might not get the signature cleavage of the Thrill Me in this size, but I tried on a low-cut t-shirt and it wasn't the case at all. Well, as much as I can ever achieve cleavage, anyway. It's surprisingly comfortable for something that looks so glamorous.
Ava in Black. The fitting lady at the store told me people sometimes find this bra has TOO MUCH uplift, so I knew I had to try it. It isn't too much for me, but I like a lot of lift... it might be too much on someone with high breasts or someone short? The moulded cup is very hard and keeps its shape very well. The shape is also far less round from the side compared to a lot of other moulded cups, which I like. The bra is fairly comfortable during the day, but not so comfortable that I'd happily wear it as one of my lounging-around-at-the-computer bras. It looks great under t-shirts and shirts! As you can see in one of my photos (I didn't realise at the time), the straps can sometimes be a bit wide, but that's a problem I have with bras in general.
Edit: Now that I'm a 28 back, I have to do it up to the tightest hook but it is quite a firm band regardless.
Ah, good point about the tension of the band pulling the cups. Due to having quite low breasts, I barely get the 'massive cleavage' in the one that's too small for me, so I don't really mind about that. I think I would rather just have a good fit, as you say.
Ah, good point about the tension of the band pulling the cups.
Due to having quite low breasts, I barely get the 'massive cleavage' in the one that's too small for me, so I don't really mind about that. I think I would rather just have a good fit, as you say.