Why are bras so ridiculously uncomfortable? And phones and...

Thanks for the rec, going to try a Molke bra.

Massive market for non-wired, cotton, comfortable, natural looking, supportive bras. I hope these might be the ones ...

While we're here, also: Shoes. How do most women even walk in the crappy, uncomfortable, designed-by-robot contraptions in most shops? I pretty much wear only Birkenstocks now, but they are a fortune.

Will do.

@nonsenceagain report back and let me know what you think!

Thanks fedup. I’ll give them a go!

latex and elastic/lycra allergies are remarkably common and become worse with exposure. A perfect fitting bra can still result in swollen itchy sore skin and bruising after just a few hours

Likewise - and my skin reactivity ratchets up a few notches in the summer heat.

Add in a non-precious metal allergy so that I need plastic fittings where there is skin contact (absolutely no underwiring).

Plus, I was born with a scoliosis that adds to fitting problems. That said, it's not unusual for women to be a little asymmetric yet absolutely nothing allows for a sufficient degree of adjustment.

I loathe clothes shopping as nothing fits - and that puts aside the increasingly common reality that shops don't stock my sizes at all.

ANd I have to disagree about climbing gear, at lot of my stuff is nearly identical to DH so I no longer need to buy mens. And the fit is better than most ladies clothes, the trousers have more thigh room, so they fit around the waist. I can’t pull my climbing stuff off without undoing the waist! May be brand specific though.

MOlke Do three levels of suppprt, level 3 is great for climbing/mountaineering/yoga as well as general wear . Level 2 is fine for general life , walking and such. ( I a am a small super size) .

I'm reading Invisible Women at the moment as well. Just finished the section on how few women are included in drug trials. A huge eye opener for me. Truly shocking.

I second cars and would like to add fridge freezers.

I can barely reach the first shelf in most fridge freezers. It's ludicrous. They are designed and made for someone who would be an above average height for a woman.

It's the same for fitted kitchens as well. Wall cabinets are generally installed at a height they makes sense for men, not women.

When I use my gran's kitchen, which is a specialist kitchen for the elderly and infirm so lower cabinets, it's so much easier to work because everything is easier to reach.

They give brilliant support and aren’t flimsy at all. Take a look at the Molke FB group-loads of photos on there of real people wearing them

Molke, really? I like the idea of them but do they give good support? They look flimsy.

Molke!

Rigby and Peller fittings were a relevation many years ago. They say their best seller is the Prima Donna "Win". Not cheap at all, nor particularly elegant (wide strap etc) but price per wear is good, you feel comfortable and clothes look better.

Years ago I heard about a problem that Audi were having with one of their models in the States. While parking, I think the car shot forwards. Upon investigation it was discovered that the problem was.... short women. I will never buy an Audi.

The absence of pockets makes me quite annoyed.

I recently bought the male version of the climbing trousers I usually get. When I put my hands in the pockets I could nearly reach my knees! The women's ones barely go past my hip bone. The men's pair also have a cargo pocket on each leg, but the women's ones only have one.

Why do women deserve fewer and lesser pockets? I don't always want to carry a bag.

Yes to high shelves supermarket or kitchen!
High mirrors
Press pads for debit cards don’t allow for nails.

I’m a quite small woman (5’2”) and the 3 things that really bug me are:

1. Trains - I am quite often on an overcrowded commuter train where I find myself bullied ‘CAN EVERYONE MOVE DOWN PLEASE’ (which I entirely understand) to a position where the only thing I can hold onto is a strap which is above my head, so either I run the risk of falling over if the train brakes, or I end the journey with a completely dead arm. And literally never has a 6 ft man offered to swap with me in that situation.

2. Cars - we have a relatively fancy car with seats that recognise which key is opening the door and adjust the seats accordingly but they don’t adjust upwards. I can move the seat forwards, and I can but the back rest up to support me, but I can’t make the seat higher. To add insult to injury, we paid extra for a little pop up thing over the steering wheel which tells you your speed and next turn if you’re using sat nav, and it’s practically worthless to me because I can’t see the bloody thing without craning my neck.

3. supermarkets - I am within the average height range for a grown up. It is not acceptable to put products at a height where I have to ask staff (or more often other customers) for help.

i've not read all three pages op.
at the very content in life age of 60 i went and had a breast reduction. at the top of my list of reasons why was the summer heat and horrible trouble finding a comfortable bra.
i asked myself why i was putting up with this daily challenge when options were available.
they are now firmly in place and bra's are optional.
i strongly suggest you consider this option.

I'm happy to shake my fist at the patriarchy for all kinds of things... but bras, phones and cars?

I'm 5' 4"- the car thing puzzles me too. I've driven a Rover, an Audi, a Saab, a Nissan, several Fiats and an Alfa Romeo- never had a problem.

at this moment wearing a cheap Matalan bra and can't even feel it. Total comfort

One of my most comfortable bras is a cheap George of Asda bra bought when luggage went astray. I love it.

My Sony Xperia is massive! there's more than one model.

Weird.
But that’s ok
Which reminds me, 30 years ago you couldn’t buy a 30FF, now you can get a much bigger. Even in a 28 back. Boobs are getting bigger and heavier and it’s not just people getting bigger and heavier . It’s leading to more back problems, difficulties exercising etc ( being otherwise normal ) . Why isnthis? No on knows, no one cares.

I read a lot on MN about the pain and discomfort that bras cause but I can't relate to it at all. Like pp I find wearing a bra far more comfy than not. I'm hefty of tit and at this moment wearing a cheap Matalan bra and can't even feel it. Total comfort. When I'm braless the weight of my breasts is uncomfortable and restrictive. I'm wincing just thinking about doing unremarkable everyday stuff such as running for the bus sans bra!

I'm happy to shake my fist at the patriarchy for all kinds of things... but bras, phones and cars? Nope, not getting it. I have pretty big boobs and am not skinny at all. I find it really uncomfortable to not wear a bra, and find normal, well-fitting ones perfectly comfortable. Normal size phone fits in my smaller than average hand, and I can see over the bonnet of my large Honda CRV fine. Am I weird or something?