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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that bras are just sweat/heat traps?!

58 replies

GreensAreGoodForYou · 30/04/2025 19:20

Am I being unreasonable to declare bras are absolutely awful in hot weather?

The worst offenders are the ones with foam or whatever padding is made from, I feel like I’m cooking my breasts (like chicken?!).

The underwire lacy ones, the stretchy ones, the sports ones, they ALL give me sweaty underboob. And I have not got a big pair! (Actually had a mastectomy so one is decidedly smaller than the other too!)

Tell me if I’m being unreasonable to think that bras are rubbish in warm weather?! And if not, what brand do you wear?!

OP posts:
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Mistletoewench · 02/08/2025 08:35

GreensAreGoodForYou · 30/04/2025 19:20

Am I being unreasonable to declare bras are absolutely awful in hot weather?

The worst offenders are the ones with foam or whatever padding is made from, I feel like I’m cooking my breasts (like chicken?!).

The underwire lacy ones, the stretchy ones, the sports ones, they ALL give me sweaty underboob. And I have not got a big pair! (Actually had a mastectomy so one is decidedly smaller than the other too!)

Tell me if I’m being unreasonable to think that bras are rubbish in warm weather?! And if not, what brand do you wear?!

I have massive melons and have been using Cuticura medicated talc under my boobs, it’s a game changer.
it does smell a bit old fashioned, but totally does the job.

Lindyloo15 · 02/08/2025 08:30

Tried the underband bra liners they just would not stay in place and they made my bra even tighter and I agree that the hooks tend to dig in to my back and also irritate.

Lindyloo15 · 02/08/2025 08:26

Yes having big boobs sucks! I also have large heavy breasts that droop and sit on my stomach, I am a 32GG. Trying to find a bra in my size is almost impossible, a larger band does not help and most bras if I can find my cup size are too tight because these days the hooks only have 3 rows. I have a narrow rib cage but wide back. I also have the sweaty under boob problem tried talc that irritates me gives me a rash. I have one bra only and that does not fit properly but it was the best I could do. I have cyst in one breast and sometimes that gets sore, the breast clinic told me to go bra less! Most bras have foam or made from synthetic materials and can't find a cotton one to fit. So now thinking of making my own!

TeaAndStrumpets · 02/05/2025 10:11

burblish · 01/05/2025 19:38

I have massive norks and used to despair of underboob sweat rashes. Then I hit upon the combo of both spraying some antiperspirant under my breasts and, critically, using (washable/reusable) cotton bra liners I bought online. Since using the bra liners, a very light application of antiperspirant is enough and I have no sweat at all on my skin when I take my bra off - it all wicks away and is absorbed by the liner. I was worried that the extra layer of fabric would make me even hotter but, actually, it makes the underwires more comfortable. I could not recommend them more highly.

This is really good advice. I get irritated by the hook and eye stretchy bit on my bra, especially in hot weather. This week in desperation I put a folded tissue next to my skin and it stopped the irritation. I am going to try an old cotton hankie there next but a bra liner sounds like a great idea, thank you.

burblish · 01/05/2025 19:38

I have massive norks and used to despair of underboob sweat rashes. Then I hit upon the combo of both spraying some antiperspirant under my breasts and, critically, using (washable/reusable) cotton bra liners I bought online. Since using the bra liners, a very light application of antiperspirant is enough and I have no sweat at all on my skin when I take my bra off - it all wicks away and is absorbed by the liner. I was worried that the extra layer of fabric would make me even hotter but, actually, it makes the underwires more comfortable. I could not recommend them more highly.

Ddakji · 01/05/2025 19:26

greengreyblue · 01/05/2025 19:00

When it’s hot I spray deodorant under my boobs.

I always remember to do that once my underboob is awash and I’m not in my bathroom 🤣.

greengreyblue · 01/05/2025 19:00

When it’s hot I spray deodorant under my boobs.

GreensAreGoodForYou · 01/05/2025 18:59

SunnySideDeepDown · 30/04/2025 20:14

Are you definitely wearing the right size bra? You say your boobs aren’t large so I’m a bit confused why they’re presumably sitting on your chest to cause sweating. I can understand large chests could get sweaty laying against tummies.

Im a size 12 and 32D and my boobs don’t sit on my chest at all so no sweaty underboobage. My boobs sweat in the cleavage but it’s not much and isn’t noticeable.

Without being rude, if you’re carrying extra weight it may be that. Being large tends to increase sweating everwhere.

It's the bra that makes the under-boob sweat. Without a bra I'm fine! I'm definitely not big in boobs or overall.

Thinking I'm going to check out the options others have mentioned. Bralets/little bra-like things that aren't actually bras. My boobs don't need much lift either, they haven't sagged dramatically (yet!). Although one isn't actually my 'real' breast, it's full of non-breast tissue after the mastectomy! It also sweats when I wear a bra though! I feel like I'm in sweat prison!

OP posts:
marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 30/04/2025 22:59

Picklechicken · 30/04/2025 19:29

Yanbu. I am convinced in the future no one will bother wearing bras anymore. We will all just freeboob.

I bet we won’t!

GreensAreGoodForYou · 30/04/2025 22:31

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 30/04/2025 19:25

They can be the devil’s oven mitts in v hot weather

However in this sort of weather and more the cotton ones with no wire or padding should be fine.

Are your bras cotton?

Edited

They are cotton but they seem to also have some kind of elastic stuff in too. I think it’s the fact that support of any kind means being snug or tight in some way (as otherwise what are they for, really?) and it’s that snugness that makes it all hot and ugh.

OP posts:
Somethingthecatdraggedin7 · 30/04/2025 22:13

VexedofVirginiaWater · 30/04/2025 20:06

Now that I'm old with no partner and big boobs I fantasise about just not having breasts at all, it would be so much easier and more comfortable.

Me too. I often think if I had the money and the nerve to undergo the op I would have the horrible things removed. Mine are G cups so bloody enormous.

humptydumptyfelloff · 30/04/2025 22:03

In the heat I get in from work jump in the shower and put on what I can only refer to as my bubbles outfit as it’s like something bubbles diveire would wear
it’s thin see through but goes from shoulders to floor and cools me instantly.

i ca never wait to get bras off in the warmer weather.

im always trying new ones to try and find the most comfortable but cool bra and am still searching

BownnTown · 30/04/2025 21:45

Yep, if I’ve worked up a sweat walking the dog I have to grab a towel and dry my under boob when I get home. It’s gross

BitOutOfPractice · 30/04/2025 21:39

Sayithowiseeit · 30/04/2025 20:03

I stopped wearing them all winter, I'll wear a comfy sports type one if I really have to

A comfy sports bra? A contradiction in terms surely?

Scousemousey · 30/04/2025 21:31

And, if you don't wear an under wired bra you get a monoboob that gets sweaty in the middle! 🙁

My dream is to have neat small boobs that are happy in a cotton triangle bra.

Sassybooklover · 30/04/2025 21:29

🤣🤣 I feel your pain! I am a FF, and on days like this, I am sure an egg could be fried by the heat that my boobs generate! I don't wear padded bras, as I have quite enough boob without adding padding, but mine are underwired.

sunshinesuze · 30/04/2025 21:18

When I lived abroad and was hot all the time I stuck sanitary towels around the bottom of the cups… and used a lot of talc under the band.

BogRollBOGOF · 30/04/2025 21:18

I'm small enough to have spent the afternoon free-boobing in an empire line dress.

Just as well as I'm waiting for this morning's sports bra chaffage to scab up 😖

violetqueen6 · 30/04/2025 21:16

I find M&S Flexi fit very comfortable and I'm not small

ArminTamzerian · 30/04/2025 21:11

BadSkiingMum · 30/04/2025 21:08

It’s strange isn’t it? I am very similar - I have broken a sweat perhaps a couple of times in my life. I find that I just get hotter and redder!

However I do like the idea of a summer bra and I am going somewhere notoriously hot this year - Sloggi comes to mind? So I am watching with interest.

I was like that pre menopause. Didn't really know what sweating was, never happened to me.
Reader...now I know 🥵

BadSkiingMum · 30/04/2025 21:08

minnienono · 30/04/2025 19:31

Never had an issue but I’m not a sweaty person, (it’s actually a problem because barely sweating means I overheat, my grandmother couldn’t sweat at all)

It’s strange isn’t it? I am very similar - I have broken a sweat perhaps a couple of times in my life. I find that I just get hotter and redder!

However I do like the idea of a summer bra and I am going somewhere notoriously hot this year - Sloggi comes to mind? So I am watching with interest.

henlake7 · 30/04/2025 21:05

I don't like to pick on my boobs.....if you are big or have lost alot of weight then you have multiple sweaty crevices to get annoyed about!

ZiggyZowie · 30/04/2025 21:00

38 K.

I buy Vercella Vita bras on eBay.

Deodorant under boobs

Put athletes foot powder on sore underboobs as it's the same fungus .

Padding to soak up sweat

Hot weather is hell

TheeNotoriousPIG · 30/04/2025 20:54

I also struggle with this issue! I work long hours and it's tricky to go bra-less when your usual bras have more suspension than the machinery that you're driving...

At the moment, it's a quick swipe with a wet wipe and an application of deodorant under the strap twice a day, plus 1-2 showers. I'm barely a size 10 with a rather large bosom, so it isn't the extra weight that's causing any issues! I've tried sports bras, underwired bras, non-wired bras, etc.

Whenever I'm forced to go bra-less due to the itching and broken skin underneath, I recall a phrase that I once read in a book: "If you stop wearing a bra, then your breasts will become pendulous!" I'm not that sure I'm ready for that look yet 😂

Springtimehere · 30/04/2025 20:53

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