Bra recommendations please?

[MorriseysGladioli]

Can anyone point me in the right direction (pardon the pun!) for bras that are comfortable, reasonably priced dirt cheap and an improvement on the shape given to my boobs by the soft 'sports' type?
I've just caught sight of myself, and it's not pretty! (Squashed cowpats)

What size are you?

Following. I love the comfort of sports bras but yeah, squashed cow pat is the perfect description!

I dread to think.
Shamefully, I've just been buying xxl soft bras online, and squashing into them.
I do have a proper bra in size 42b from sainsbury which is ok but can't find any others there the same.

M and S do bralettes for £9.50, or two for £18. They are as comfortable as the soft sports type bras, but look nicer. I can also wear them under some strappy tops. They are suitable for bigger busts and give you quite a good shape.
Worth trying them. I got one to initially just try at home, but now have about 8.

What dress size are you?

Around about a size 20 I think.
I'm so out of shape and unfit I've let everything including myself go.

Hi OP, since I found Miss Mary non-wired bras I never buy any others, but they are too expensive for me really, as they are usually between £37 - £42 per pair, plus p&p, but I save up for them as the fit is lovely, they are very comfortable, but even the non-wired ones give reasonable support - so I think they are worth it. They do a very wide range in sizes too. So far I habe 4 of them, one each in white, black, red, and navy. I am hoping that they will bring out an emerald green pair!

Gulp!
I'm sure I've spent more on el cheapo bras though, and they really aren't doing me any good.
Thank you.

Wrong face! I meant
--->>>

Do you have a tape measure? If so measure yourself using this guide:
www.booborbust.com/

You need to get the size right first. A correctly fitting bra makes all the difference in terms of how good your boobs look.

I'm worried I'll come out at a 92a or something

You're right though, I know.
I've just got so lazy

You definitely need to have a measure to find out what size you should be wearing. The booborbust site above is great. They also have a facebook page with great advice. Be prepared - you are likely to be a band size or two smaller and several cup sizes bigger than you think.

Brastop is a good website for decent bras which often has great sales (and free returns!!)

I'll check out all these suggestions, thank you all.

I have recently found a brand called JulieMay. They made their bras in organic pima cotton with silk inner linings and silk gusset! They are comfortable, pretty and kind to my sensitive skin, their bras do not dig in. I now have four of the non wired bras and I love them so much it is difficult to separate me from them. Lol

I'm delighted with my find and i think it is worth to invest a bra that you feel comfortable wearing!

Debenhams still have some of their own brand stuff online. Absolutely you need to measure yourself and then I would go and validate in a shop by trying cup sizes either side, as a minimum.

I just did a Booborbust bra intervention with my daughter. She went down a back size and up 3 cup sizes and feels so much better. She didn't believe the Booborbust results, or that the middle bit should sit flat against your ribcage, so I took her to John Lewis. They fitted her with the same size as Booborbust suggested. We bought one expensive bra there and have filled up her collection from cheaper places.

I would avoid M&S for now, until you can validate your size elsewhere.

@MorriseysGladioli

I'm worried I'll come out at a 92a or something You're right though, I know. I've just got so lazy

Far more likely you'll come out as a 38E or something, and feel a whole lot happier!

I lost weight during lockdown (as well as being in my late 40s now) and spent an insane amount of time and money ordering bras online, trying to find ones that genuinely fit and support - the right bra is comfortable all day and all evening and also supportive and helps your clothes hang correctly - most people are happy with one or the other I suspect, but you can get both if you try enough on!

Now shops are open you really would be doing yourself a favour to go to a department store with a big lingerie department, or an actual bra shop that sells more than one brand and will leave you in peace to try lots on, and try loads of different brands styles and sizes til you find your holy grail.

Start by measuring yourself using boob or bust but try sizes either side as brands vary and styles within a brand do too annoyingly.

When you find one style that's exactly right, buy 5

I can highly recommend the natural lift by M&S, I'm a size 18 with a bust to match and can say that these are the comfiest bras ever and they give a great shape. I ordered one, fell in love and ordered several more.

I don't like a padded bra due to having plenty there already and these are lined with the softest material that isn't padding but still prevents nips being on show.

www.marksandspencer.com/lace-underwired-full-cup-bra-a-e/p/clp60489628?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-60489626