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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To object to paying £40 for a new bra?

397 replies

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 12/02/2015 03:09

Just cos I have Norks! (with a capital N Grin )
There is one style and brand of bra that I have ever found, that I can just buy "off the shelf" that I know will fit me -as long as I take the bloody instrument of torture wires out - but the damn thing is at least £40 :(
I have tried others over the years, but they just don't fit, even in supposedly bigger sizes Confused
I tend to have one really tatty one, one with no wires in that is on the road to being tatty, and one newish one for "best".
Last time I bought one I got lucky and found one in my size on eBay for £25, but today I had to fork out forty quid :( and to add insult to injury my new knickers were a ridiculous price as well Confused
£48 for six pairs of giant pants!
I give up, I am becoming a hippy and wandering the streets commando, with my Mighty Norks swinging free in the breeze round my knees from now on!

OP posts:
ZebraLovesKnitting · 12/02/2015 17:37

This has been an eye-opener!
Do you think it's possible that my boobs are contributing to wrecking my back?

I have 2 herniated discs in my thoracic spine. They are indenting my spinal cord so they're quite painful. I think I've tended to go for bigger bands because then they're not so tight on my spine, but the problem is they ride up. If they'd just stay level under my boobs then I think they'd be ok cos they'd be under my bad discs.

So thinking about it, if I have a smaller back size then maybe that'd be better because it'll be tight enough to not ride up?

SorrelForbes · 12/02/2015 17:41

I'd say that there's a distinct possibility that your bras are contributing to your discomfort. A properly fititng band should be snug. You should only be able to pull the band about 2cm away from your body.

SauvignonBlanche · 12/02/2015 17:55

What size are you OP?

TattiePants · 12/02/2015 18:07

I have never been on a BI thread before, it's such an eye opener. Can I have some advice please, measurements are 43 and 53?

SorrelForbes · 12/02/2015 18:18

TattiePants Your measurements suggest trying sizes around a 42GG/H. I'd also try sizing down in the band and trying a 40H/HH and a 38HH/J

expatinscotland · 12/02/2015 18:20

I don't have that kind of money, but do have norks.

I buy sturdy sports bras. CBA with fittings, either.

TattiePants · 12/02/2015 18:24

Many thanks Sorrell. Currently wearing a 38H which fits okish but think it might have stretched quite a bit in the wash.

Gruntfuttock · 12/02/2015 18:30

After dramatic weight gain from AD medication I am 40G and first bought from M & S, then Bravissimo. However I spent the last 2 days on those sites as well as Curvissa, Fig Leaves and several others, only to end up buying from Amazon, which I'd never even considered but in the end they had one with excellent reviews and at about £17 whereas I expected to have to pay at least £36. I ususally go for minimisers, because I detest having gigantic boobs. They make you look so matronly whatever you wear, but minimisers do tend to push them out to the sides. Maybe that's preferable to having your boobs pushed (even further) out to the front and entering the room 5 minutes before the rest of you tho'.

MillyMoo1113 · 12/02/2015 19:00

Thank you sorrel, am making it this weekends mission

HazleNutt · 12/02/2015 19:30

OP have actually been fitted by any place that knows what they are doing (like Bravissimo)?

rallytog1 · 12/02/2015 19:41

Thanks Sorrel!

ArcheryAnnie · 12/02/2015 19:46

I am terminally scruffy, and wear cheap stuff and charity shop stuff - but I pay twice what you do for my bras.

I get them from Rigby and Peller. I too am large of norkage, and they make me feel fabulous. They give me better posture, and since they very comfortably hoik everything up, they make my big belly look more in proportion. They are the one clothing item I do not mind spending serious money on.

That said, I only have a couple on the go at any one time, wash them carefully in the sink and make them last ages.

clary · 12/02/2015 19:56

I pay at least £20 and often £35 for my bras. I usually have about 6-8 on the go, I find they need replacing every year-18mo or so.

I lost a lot of weight 15 mo ago so had to buy all new ones - I was a weird 32GG and am now an even weirder 30G (very much not available in M&S). If I buy odd colours then they are at the cheaper end of my range. Hence I have a number of red lacy/dodgy magenta pink bras. Grin Have you looked in Brastop OP?

My bras are the only thing I spend money on clothes-wise, and it would my bra would usually be my most expensive item of clothing unless I am wearing my black lace party frock. But it's the most important if you have big tits like I do. I never buy the matching knickers sadly cos I just can't justify the £££

Loving all the BI here

OP yy what do you measure? Can we BI you?

ClaireFraser · 12/02/2015 21:28

sorrel would you be able to help re fitting for a maternity bra please?

I normally wear a 28gg but these have become horrendously tight and in the last few weeks I have taken to wearing them on, but undone in order to provide a tiny bit of support Blush

I'm 22wks pregnant and my ribs seem to be growing by the day, but as in my actual rib cage as doesn't appear to be any more squidge across them.

I've just measured myself and am 31" underbust and 42" overbust, tried some 32g bras on today (on middle hook) and they were comfortable for the first half an hour but soon became uncomfortable when I sat down.

I'm miles from the nearest John Lewis or Bravissimmo so can't get properly measured but am really loath to go to non wired bras as I can't stand the thought of having a droopy mono boob for the next few months! Any advice re sizing/styles would be very gratefully received!

witchwhoknitssocks · 12/02/2015 21:30

Would you mind helping me? im 38 under bust and 46 around but they are really saggy with no substance after feeding 3 (youngest 15 so not going to reappear!!)
so i cant see them filling a large cup. I wear a 38B at the moment with padding!!

CrystalHaze · 12/02/2015 23:31

Ooooh, I need to be BI-ed, desperately!
Underneath = 36 inches
Bending over = 46 inches

Should I just buy two parachutes and sew them together? Wink

SorrelForbes · 13/02/2015 00:05

ClaireFraser you need to buy a band size that you can wear in the toughest hooks to begin with to allow for rib cage expansion. You may find a 32GG/H gives you more space but do try a 34G too (and similar sizes).

witchwhoknitssocks your measurements suggest a starting point of 36FF. If you scoop while wearing your 38B, how much overspill do you have? Balconette styles that give good lift and have fairly low cut cups are your friend.

CrystalHaze try 36GG but do consider trying a 34H too as a tighter band could give you some extra support.

CrystalHaze · 13/02/2015 00:13

Thank you, Sorrel, much appreciated. Have a Wine on me!

TOADfan · 13/02/2015 00:13

I don't know my sizes but I have one bra from m&s in a 44e which is perfect for me. The only bra I have ever worn which doesn't hurt me. I have 6 now 2 in each colour and at £19.50 a right we bargain.

childlessormore · 13/02/2015 00:13

I was wearing a 34a or 32b for years and recently discovered (after reading bi stuff on here) that I am a 30d to 30dd depending on make etc. Cue throwing out all my old bras and buying new ones - now I will re measure every 6 mths. Its a good job I ignored debenhams years ago when they said I was a 36aaa - this was when I wore a size 6 and pointed out to the lady how it could be pulled out really far in the band but I was still told I was wrong .... the result of tape not being pulled tightly and adding waaaay too many inches.

SweetBabyJebus · 13/02/2015 10:00

Hi Sorrel, ok, so how about a 42/43 under and 51 over? Your sage advice most welcomed, and I'm off to buy a new bra this morning!

InMySpareTime · 13/02/2015 10:14

42G as a starting point, but you may well need a smaller band.

SweetBabyJebus · 13/02/2015 10:37

Jesus, never though I'd be a G cup Shock

I've been wearing a C and it gapes Confused

Obviously I've been doing it wrong all my life!

MrsMaturin · 13/02/2015 10:39

I've paid £75 for bras. Bloody good ones too. I am a H cup btw.

AwakeCantSleep · 13/02/2015 11:25

Hello you bra experts out there, would you be able to take a look at my measurements too? I have really small boobs, and the main problem is that the straps won't stay up. (I'm very small around the shoulders.) my measurements are 30.5 inches under bust and 35 inches around the widest part. Any advice? I don't own a single bra that fits well Hmm