to find it weird that padded, underwired bras

[samandi]

are the norm?

It's so difficult to find nice, non-padded, non-underwired bras. Or am I looking in the wrong places?

I got some very comfortable and supportive non-underwired bras from Marks & Spensers, they had quite a few different kinds. I bought padded but they did have some that were not padded.

That said they had far less options in terms of colour/design etc if you went non-underwired than their underwired range.

I used to love those types of bras and they were hard to find. now I want normal bras and can't find them anywhere. apparently I am just awkward. I do have some nice ones from m and s (not fitted by them, I'm never making that mistake again) and I got some similar in matalan. unfortunately I didn't realise the matalan ones were minimisers until after I was wearing one. although I have to say they're not doing a great job of minimising so it works out well

It is possible to find nice ones that aren't padded or underwired but be prepared to pay for it.

Must admit, that I don't get it either. If you have a chest large enough to warrant underwires then chances are you don't need or want a padded bra! I want to make mine look smaller, not bigger.

I only started wearing non-wired bras when I was first pregnant and I love them! I don't really understand what the point of the wires is anyway and I've always found them hideously uncomfortable.

I have large breasts and I prefer an underwired and padded bra. They don't make me look any bigger, they just support me a lot better. Which can, in fact, make them look smaller!

BHS has non underwired no or very little padding bras and they are really comfyaccording to dd2 shewears them as she can't be doing with underwire it annoys her. they do have a tiny bit of padding on them but not the in your face padding you normally get, but they do do non padded as well,

I think the padded are popular for modesty too, unless you like the look of bullet nipples through your tops at the worst possible moment.

yip teeb people get a bit iffy about the modesty thing and think padding is just to enhance, not saying that is what you think op

If I didn't use underwires I would have breast tissue everywhere but where it is meant to be.
If your underwires are uncomfortable then it is very likely that you are wearing the wrong size.

I have seen a few non wired bras in M&S and Debenhams but there isn't the same range as wired.

no, it is almost impossible. You look at the huge wall of bras, and then realise that if you don't want itchy lace, sweaty padding or uncomfortable underwiring then there is almost no choice at all. Even less so if you don't want ghastly lurid colours and stupid fussy trimmings that show through everything except a thick jumper.

fortunately I can go bra-less most of the time, but it must be awful for the better endowed.

nipples that show are not immodest.

Actually it hadn't occurred to me that padding is also to hide nipples, but that makes sense I guess! I still find them a bit weird though.

I don't necessarily find underwires uncomfortable (though some are). I just don't see the point of them for everyone. On two bras recently I've had the wires poke through the fabric. I've just removed the wires and they're just as functional and probably more comfy. But perhaps that's because of my size/shape - some women obviously do find them more supportive.

Thanks for answers :-)

No, nipples are not immodest! I agree :-) And yes, I tend to go bra-less quite a bit too. Often wear vest tops instead.

I often wear shock absorber active classic bra, great support and a nice shape (doesn't make you too mono boob like some sports bras can). I have pretty hefty boobs and these are fine.

Used to wear underwired all the time, but found they could be really uncomfortable at times.

I wear underwired because I've always found them more comfy.

For years, I avoided the padded ones as, being a 38DD I felt I didn't need enhancing. Then I realised, if I wore padded, then I didn't need to walk around with my arms crossed in slightly chilly weather to hide my nips!

Hurrah. As a primary school teacher, I don't want them to be seen at all. So it's now padded all the way.

Alright - if I want to buy a bra that:

Isn't padded
Can deal with a 32FF
Doesn't have crappy lace or sparkly bits
Lasts
Doesn't look frumpy
Is made of breathable fabric
Isn't made by children

Where can I go? I'd be willing to spend a reasonable amount for the holy grail.

Something by Chantelle or Lejaby. There is also a German brand called Barbara I think. The Fenwicks on Bond St underwear department is good. Chantelle do traditional shaped bras as well as balcony etc.

I like padding as since bfing my children my nipples seem to be really sensible and they stop chafing

I like padding because it puts back what 2 children took out. .#

I've also bought chicken fillets to stop my non-padded bras gaping, when I previously thought they were for flat-chested people.

I agree, it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but, weirdly, I've got some for my dd in Aldi this week - they had loads of different sizes and were £9.99 for one white and one 'nude'. Then I also saw some in Peacocks.
I don't understand why so many bras have wires in them ?

Yeah I hates those flimsy cotton bra's for girls, nine inch nails ahoy!

I wish I'd had padded a lot earlier.

Sensible nipples!

Come on over to the bra threads people . We will help you find comfortable well fitting bras. Honestly, a properly fitting underwired bra will not be uncomfortable.

It is impossible, IMHO, to get any level of support, lift or a decent shape without underwiring, especial if you are over a C cup (and bear in mind that a huge number of women are more like an F or G in a correctly fitting bra!).

IME if your underwired bra is just as comfy without the wires then you are definitely wearing a poorly fitted bra.
When the wires were in were they sitting flat against you?

Listen to sorrel. She knows her stuff! looks down at new 32F boobs with pride