I've had it with bras

[Mij]

The older I get, the more I hate them. And it doesn't matter how well they fit and yes I've been measured - rarely gets me a better bra - and followed all the instructions about how to measure and fit myself, and I still bloody hate them.

I'm a 32-34 c ish (depending on the make and style and material), I'm 5' 6", slightly rounded at the edges by middle age but not overweight, don't experience excessive droop or back pain or anything, they just irritate the hell out of me and sometimes (like now) give me an actual rash. So I've gone freeform today, which I enjoy but I'm self-conscious about shape under my clothes abs would prefer a bit less, well, jiggling if I'm honest.

Does anyone know of anything, be it vest or bra-esque thing of any kind that doesn't involve a tight band that can help a girl (and her girls) out here? DD1 suggested that what I actually need is a corset but I had something slightly more contemporary in my optimistic imagination.

[Qwertyguerty]

I recently bought this bra

www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-full-cup-t-shirt-bra-a-g/p/p60164305

And I am in love. Bought all three colours. Tight enough to stay out but doesn't squeeze the ribs. Lack of underwire feels heavenly and straps feel cozy next to the skin. I also love the faux vest look so I can wear under shirts without it gaping

Absolutely genius markies, well done!

[Talisin]

Uniqlo do a whole range of clothing with built in (soft) bras if that’s any help?

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

I also came to recommend Uniqlo. As well as clothing with the built in bra they also do bra tops (that you pull on over your head) and traditionally fastening bras that are soft to wear. The shape isn’t as good as my underwired bras but the comfort is better.

[KatharinaRosalie]

Have you measured Boob or Bust way too? As if you're 5'6 and not overweight, I'd expect you to be more in size 30 than 34.
If that still didn't help, have you tried Molke bras? They actually give decent support, differing from most crop top styles.

[Mij]

Quertyguerty but does it have that band under the boobs that the secret support vests have? I used to be fine with that but now not so much.

[Mij]

Uniqlo fans - I've never tried the brand at all so I'll have a look. But my issue with all the secret support/bra kinda things is that they still irritate me around the rib cage.

[SpangledBoots]

I haven't worn a proper bra for a long time now - there are loads of nice bralettes these days. If you look for lightly padded ones you get a nice shape without any irritation.

Primark do decent options but Gap and ASOS are better in terms of quality and look. I've also bought from Aerie but when I was in the States. M&S do some as well.

[Bluewavescrashing]

Crop tops from Sainsbury's at £4 each if I'm wearing something that hides the thick straps. If not, sports bras from M&S. I very rarely wear actual bras now.

[Mij]

Katharina I'm not sure of that particular measuring reference (I have zero memory for names or titles) but I've tried a variety of measuring and fitting methods and nothing's worked as well as just trying shed loads on until I find something that works.

Even when I was at my skinniest and a size 8-10) I was still a 32. I have broad shoulders and while not exactly muscley any more my frame is quite, well, robust.

[TessTackle]

Primark have some great crop top/sports bra type things. Come in a 3 pack for £10 I believe.

Will try to attach pic.

[Mij]

SpangledBoots I've got some pull over the head Primark ones which I thought were going to do the trick but the wide soft band wrinkled up and still made me itch.

[Mij]

Bluewavescrashing back when I was an aerobics teacher (hahahahaa) I loved a sports bra/crop but isn't the band still super tight?

[Candleabra]

Just about to recommend the primark crop tops, I too ditched bras this year and haven't regretted it. Also have chucked out all my high heels. Life is too short to be uncomfortable!

[Yiddytod]

I know you said no bras but have you tried Triumph ones- expensive but so much comfier and anything else

[Bluewavescrashing]

The M&S sports bras I have fasten like normal bras but for some reason they are so much more comfy. They are made of sporty type fabric and they fit me really really well. I often forget to take them off at night and it doesn't bother me!

[goteam]

Same here but I only like cotton really. I had a nice cropped top from M&S a few years ago but it had thin straps. They seem to have a few options though.

[fedup21]

Try a Molke-they are amazing.

[MorrisZapp]

I'm sorry you feel uncomfortable, but fml! A c cup! I see nothing but delightful wisps of nothing or glorious sporty stretchiness in those sizes. I'm an f cup and get my bras from the effing shipyard :)

Actually l love my bras and feel much more comfy hoisted up than dangling down but each to her own. Hope you get a nice comfy vest thingy.

[WoollyFoolly]

I have just bought one of these www.next.co.uk/style/st375879

Heaven! Amazingly comfy. They are super soft, not particularly supportive but that's not what I was after. I'm a GG cup and got the XL size

[Dizzywizz]

I can’t wear bras anymore due to pain (I’ve got ms hug which is not nice like it sounds but fucking painful). I just wear a soft vest and plasters over my nipples 🙈. No support but it doesn’t trigger the pain. I get the vests mainly from Gap as they're the most comfy

[teta]

Try Sloggi Zero Feel. No stitching or roughness and just smooth material and a bit of shaping in them.

[PhonicTheHedgehog]

molke.co.uk/

I came on to suggest Molke too.

[Veterinari]

Try Genie bras from amazon. I sleep in them

[HereBeFuckery]

Seconding @Qwertyguerty recommendation there, I have one in each of the colours and adore them. Also Molke bras but they are a bit of a faff to get on and off (over the head)

[HereBeFuckery]

@Mij the M&S bra doesn't have the silicon band nope. They are just like a bra, but no wires, and the 'crop top' layer over.