Bra woes

[littlepooch]

I am honestly at the end of my tether with bras. I have never ever found a bra that fits or is comfortable. They all hurt me or rub. I'm now pregnant again and I've had to rip my bra off today as it was killing me sore gigantic boobs. I keep seeing recommendations re bravissimo but I haven't got one near me. I never ever want to step foot in an m&s again. I'm sorry if this subject has been done to death but I'm confused and honestly don't know where to start with it all!

[Goingtobeawesome]

Sympathies from me. Three weeks before BUS closed I realised they had more than one bra in my size. M&S have two at the moment , new size, but the service is crap. I can't wait to take it off most days.

I went to London to bravissimo. Was okay but not worth another trip imo. Leia was rubbish, R&P didn't give much time and sent me home with one bra that wasn't the size they said I was and the one I wore home was so uncomfortable.

DD needs a bra and I'm dreading it.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Not BUS, BHS of course.

[Freshprincess]

Ive recently used Debenhams and John Lewis. Both pretty good. Though I've gone down a bra size and allowing for the saggy factor of my old ones the ones they put me in feel really tight.

[littlepooch]

I've made an appointment at John Lewis for this weekend to see what they suggest. At least their customer service was friendlier than the rude ladies at m&s earlier this week. I am willing to spend good money to just get a couple of bras that fit, give me a nice shape and support.

[littlepooch]

going amazing that none of those places could find you something you were completely happy with. Not good.

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

@marriednotdead I hope you don't mind me tagging you, OP she is MN's resident bra expert and does interventions every time I've met her!

I found I spanned numerous sizes throughout pregnancy and BFing and once I stopped I have been another size altogether. Have since been pg for a short time and I went back to my old mat/nursing bras for a time but now I'm out of them I don't really fit into my 'new' bras from after BFing either.
Fuck you boobs, you traitorous shape shifting gits.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Too many times the bras seem fine in the shop then once home not as good. I found all but one staff member in marks to be rude. One pointed out how one breast was bigger than the Other in such a shocked voice I assumed she'd never seen a topless woman before .

[BobbinThreadbare123]

M&S are crap; rubbish, poorly fitting DD+ selection and bad fitters (told me I was a 34D when I am a 32H). Bravissimo are overpriced and actually I find them a little hit and miss size-wise. Debenhams
have come up roses for me for the last few purchases. My mum is also huge of boob and she has had some success with eBay, of all places.

[Goingtobeawesome]

When I couldn't find a bra in my size the m and s assistant told me they couldn't stock every size. I didn't think my size was that odd.

[hopgarden1]

Maternity bra's are so uncomfortable-keep going to different shops to see what works best. I think I ended up with night sleeping bra's - however now my big boobs work only with the brand Primadonna. Proper investment bra's but I could sleep in mine-they fit so well!!

[littlepooch]

Yes M&S had hardly anything in my size - which I'm convinced was wrong anyway. They just made me feel so uncomfortable and self conscious standing there in my bra. They were so grumpy and didn't like it when I said I didn't feel the bras they brought fit me. I also need under wired, I know some don't recommend it when pregnant but i can't go without it and they refused to let me try any and then made a big fuss about it.

[littlepooch]

cashmere thank you - any expert advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[Redcrayons]

m&S still do the 'add 4' to the band measurement. I was convinced I had a broad back for years because They said I'm a 36. I'm a size 10.

[marriednotdead]

I clicked here by chance Cashmere, that @ thing doesn't work for me (desktop version on an iPad)
Anyway!
Where to start. What size/brand/style are you wearing at the moment? How is it fitting/where is it aggravating you most?
From what I've heard, JL are not at all keen on allowing a pregnant woman to wear wires, which is frankly ridiculous. A badly supportive soft cup is not going to make things any better.

[littlepooch]

Amazing thank you for popping by married.

I think I'm wearing mostly a 38DD. My bust is pretty big though - bigger than most people I know. I'm just wearing normal t shirt under wired bras - the sort of thing you get in M&S. I'm overweight too - size 16 in clothing.

They are rubbing badly on the side of my bust - on the sides near to under my arms? I feel like they give me no support, I almost feel like I need something to hoist me up! The whole area feels sore and heavy - partly because of pregnancy and partly due to ill fitting bras I guess.

The closest thing I've ever had to an OK fitting bra was the triumph amourette Spotlight t shirt bra a few years back before I had my first dc.

I'm just lost and have no idea where to start. I'm just sick of hating my poor chest!

[marriednotdead]

Ok, 38DD is really not that big so I suspect you need more room in the cup than you think, possibly less in the band (accept I may have a skewed perception )
How pregnant are you?

The fleshy bit under your arm (which everyone has to stop them ripping when they lift their arms up!) will almost certainly be partly breast tissue. If you found Triumph a reasonably good fit in the past, that would lead me to think your breasts sit fairly wide on your frame, and you need to try bigger cups to encompass all of that comfortably. Don't be scared to try increasing cup sizes beyond what you think is possible to be- the size doesn't matter.
A strap that sits more centrally eg full cup or side sling will give better support than a balconette, stop the wire or top of the cup from pulling into your armpit and help to prevent your straps from falling off your shoulders.
If you're in London, gimme a shout.

[marriednotdead]

Have you any idea how hard it is to find a picture of a well fitting bra!
This is how the cups should fit- pay careful attention to the side by her armpit.

[ICJump]

These bras are amazing during pregnancy. Super comfy plus room for swelling. They do colours too <a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.com/Bravado-Designs-Womens-Seamless-Nursing/dp/B003ZN8V4Q?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">//www.amazon.com/Bravado-Designs-Womens-Seamless-Nursing/dp/B003ZN8V4Q?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Goingtobeawesome]

I know there's the mumsnetters way of measuring but can't remember it. Can anyone remind me please as DD needs to start wearing a bra.

[blodynmawr]

going - Measuring advice here: better bra campaign

[Nellooo]

I'd give Chantelle bras a try. I invested in a set of two some time ago and they have been the best fitting, best quality bras I've ever owned. I've washed and washed them and they are as good as new so worth the higher price in the end. Not sure about investing whilst you are pregnant, but keep in mind for a post baby treat I guess.

[littlepooch]

Thank you married. So good to speak to someone who knows what they are talking about and deist dismiss me! Yes my bras definitely don't look like that at the side. Judging by that picture thecup is definitely too small, I'm 99% sure I'm bigger than a DD and the picture has confirmed that. I'm 19 weeks pregnant so I accept I will still grow but I don't mind having to buy bras throughout the pregnancy if means I'm comfortable. I will bear in mind the styles you suggest as that makes sense.

I don't know whether to have a go at measuring myself and then just going and trying on a load of bras or bothering to go and get measured at John Lewis at the weekend. I am in SW London...

[littlepooch]

IC thank you. Those look so comfortable but I suspect I will need something with more support. Just want something soft but very supportive!

nell some of the Chantelle bras are so pretty. I'd love to get some nice supportive but pretty lingerie once baby is here and my body has settled down a bit.

[Nellooo]

They do fancy stuff, but my Chantelle bras aren't pretty, they are v serviceable plain black t shirt bras! They were still pricey though so I'd wait until you are post baby, post BF in any case.

[inappropriateraspberry]

Bravissimo are online and do free returns/exchanges. Order a few different sizes and styles and see what works for you it's so hard as different brands fit differently, just like dress sizes these days! I wouldn't be at all surprised if you need a smaller back size and larger cup size. Remember the support should come from the back band NOT the shoulder straps.