Can't cope with bras anymore, help!

[balloonspoon]

I'm really struggling with wearing bras, I have non wired but even so by the end of the day I cannot stand the feel of them. I've done the boob or bust measuring technique and I'm reasonably sure I'm in the correct size. At 38 DD I definitely need some support. Any alternatives out there that would work? I think I've just become more sensitive as I approach the menopause and hate the feel of anything restrictive, especially around the band area.

I buy the comfort ones from Primark . You just pull them over.

In the summer I blow up like a balloon and any 'proper' bra rubs my skin underneath and it lasts for ages. Obviously not the same type of support but I can walk without giving myself black eyes!!!

Thanks for this post, I struggle to wear bras because of Fibro, my shoulders and arms are the worst pain so a bra doesn't help. I've been wearing vest tops but they don't have any support so I will look at the fab suggestions above and order something. I have a load of bras that are new or nearly new and I cant wear, such a waste. I had 2 that were not too bad but my youngest dog chewed the middle part lol 😆 x

I’m the same, just can’t abide them anymore.

I got a conturve one which is ok, but am checking out the other recommendations on this thread to see if I can’t improve on it!

I wear these around the house - for smaller sizes they would be fine outside but I'm a 34K and want iron clad support!
It's enough that I wouldn't be horrified if the neighbours saw me IYSWIM

https://www.reign-studio.com

I have v bad eczema so can’t stand anything overly tight or chafing. I wear Boody shaper bras - v stretchy and comfortable and enough support but I’m only a 36b so don’t know if they’d be supportive enough for the larger boobed. Also quite cheap!

Calvin Kline soft crop style ones. I'm a 16/18 and size 40F and I wear them every day and at night too. Supports my breasts even when they feel very heavy and sore with PMS.

Calvin Klein Women's Plus Size Bralette amzn.eu/d/97hAUe8

XL or even L tbh. They are so cheap it's worth a go and you can return them even if tried on as I did with with an accidental smaller size.

They have a 7 day try before you buy too. Maybe try an XXL for maximum comfort! I use the xxl ones when my breast swell up with pms

Since menopause I get terrible intertrigo (think this is what PP means when she was talking about fungal infection) under my really rather small boobs - I can’t wear any sort of bra now. The best thing I have these days is like one of those old fashioned 70s boob tubes. And I have some little pure cotton bands to tuck under by boobs and the intertrigo is so much better.

I struggle with shoulder mobility so need something with a fastener. I settled on these, in a non-boob or bust approved too big a band M&S approved size. They still come off the minute I no longer have to step out in public, though. https://www.marksandspencer.com/2pk-high-impact-non-wired-sports-bras/p/clp60535802#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r4c1|prodflag_plp_ts_QPH_23

I have this after breast cancer though I have small breasts. I've tried every bra under the sun. What works for me are Sloggi Zero Feel. That's all I wear.

Ooh loads more suggestions thanks everyone! I'm sure I can find something from all these choices.

I just get soft bralettes from Free People I'm 40DD.
They are minimal support and no clasps, strap adjusters or anything. If I'm around the house I don't wear them or if it's winter and i go out in a jumper I would not wear one.
I definitely found that my breasts got 'perkier' and better able to support themselves after a year or so of ditching the prison bras which I wasn't expecting to happen in my 40s.

I love Molke. So comfy and gold everything in the right place. I went up a back size on what we their calculator suggested after struggling to get the recommended back size on and off but with the bigger back size it's easy and by I love them.

I hated Molke, felt like I was being suffocated!

sounds daft but have you considered maternity bras? They tend to be so much softer than regular ones

This is because bikinis are made of less stretchy fabric than bras. It's the stretchiness of the back band and wings that makes the wings dig in, because the band and wings have to stretch a long way before the band stops riding up at the back, then they are constantly trying to snap back to their unstretched length whilst being around your ribs.

Perimenopause can start in mid-30s. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/18/797354824/menopause-starts-younger-than-you-think-heres-what-you-need-to-know

In the heat I swell up and get terrible sores under my bra. I now get those non wired pull on ones. They are not that flattering but much more comfy!